Irons · 2020
TaylorMade SIM Max
The CaddyIndex™ breakdown: our rating across all six performance dimensions, researched from published expert reviews, online sentiment and our own weighting algorithm.
By the CaddyCompare editorial team · updated 5 June 2026
Performance index
Six researched ratings, lower (blue) through to elite (gold).
Where it wins
- Sound83
- Distance82
- Feel82
Watch
Rated highest for sound and distance; its softest dimension is workability.
You're a mid-to-high handicapper who wants serious distance and forgiveness with surprisingly forged-like feel, and a draw bias to fight a slice.
You want the workability and feel of a players' iron, traditional lofts, or you already hit a draw.
Pros
- A cast game-improvement iron that feels and sounds forged - almost indistinguishable from the forged P760
- Top-3 in its game-improvement category for ball-speed retention, carry and forgiveness in robot testing - 3 yards longer than the competition
- Eerily straight - Inverted Cone Technology and a toe-biased sweet spot for a draw bias, with mishits still flying
- Easy to launch and easy to hit long, with the Speed Bridge and ultra-thin face
Cons
- Strong lofts and low spin - a distance iron, not for traditional gapping
- A draw bias - not for golfers who already hit a draw
- A game-improvement distance iron - low on workability
By dimension
Forgiveness
StrongTop-3 in its class - ranked top-3 in game-improvement for ball-speed retention and overall forgiveness, with mishits still producing favourable results, the Inverted Cone Technology and 360 undercut giving a forgiving sweet spot. Class-leading game-improvement forgiveness.
Distance
ExcellentTop-3 for carry - top-3 in its category for carry, averaging 3 yards longer than the competition, the ultra-thin face and Speed Bridge making it easy to hit long. Class-leading game-improvement distance.
Workability
ModestBuilt to go straight - a game-improvement distance iron with a deliberate draw bias from the toe-biased sweet spot in the long irons. Minimal workability, by design.
Feel
ExcellentForged-like, for a cast iron - it feels closer to the P790 than a game-improvement club, almost indistinguishable from the forged P760, with Echo Damping giving an exceptional feel. Class-leading feel for a game-improvement iron of its era.
Sound
ExcellentSounds forged - the impact sound is almost indistinguishable from the forged P760, a cast iron that sounds like a forged model, the Echo Damping System giving a refined note. Class-leading sound for a game-improvement iron of its era.
Looks at address
StrongA clean game-improver - the cap-back, Speed Bridge shape looks clean for a game-improvement iron, with a manageable footprint. Decent looks for the category, if visibly a forgiving distance iron.
Sources
Dig into the independent expert reviews and lab tests that feed into how every club here is rated. Each one is worth reading in full — they carry the launch-monitor data, hands-on testing and detailed photography that paint the complete picture before you buy.
- Read the full review at TaylorMade SIM Max irons review: ClubTest 2020 - golf.com
- Read the full review at TaylorMade SIM Max irons Review - Today's Golfer
- Read the full review at TaylorMade SIM Max Irons Review - Golf Monthly
- Read the full review at TaylorMade SIM Max Irons Review - Plugged In Golf
- Read the full review at TaylorMade SIM and SIM OS Irons - MyGolfSpy
- Read the full review at TaylorMade SIM Max Irons Review - Golfalot
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the TaylorMade SIM Max best for?
You're a mid-to-high handicapper who wants serious distance and forgiveness with surprisingly forged-like feel, and a draw bias to fight a slice.
Who should avoid the TaylorMade SIM Max?
You want the workability and feel of a players' iron, traditional lofts, or you already hit a draw.
What handicap is the TaylorMade SIM Max suitable for?
The TaylorMade SIM Max scores strongest for high-handicap golfers, and also suits mid-handicap golfers.
What is the TaylorMade SIM Max best at?
In our research the TaylorMade SIM Max rates highest for distance and forgiveness, and is softest on workability.
Does the TaylorMade SIM Max have a shot bias?
The TaylorMade SIM Max has a draw bias, with a high launch and low spin.