TaylorMade · Fairway · 2021
SIM2 Max
CaddyIndex™ breakdown — what the agentic research found across each of the six performance dimensions, with cited sources.
You're a mid-HCP (5-25) at 80-110mph who wants the 2021 distance crown plus class-leading off-center forgiveness in a confidence-inspiring 190cc footprint — comfortable with the bonded hosel.
You want adjustable hosel tuning (no SIM2 fairway has it except the SIM2 Ti tour sibling), you want shape-shifting workability, or you want current-generation tech — the brand now has 5 newer generations to choose from.
Pros
- Reviewer testing: longest fairway of the year in 2021 testing — only 2.4% carry drop on off-center hits
- Multi-material construction (carbon crown + titanium body + steel sole plate) — low-CG / high-MOI architecture upgrade vs prior generation
- Reviewer testing: virtually every shot felt hit on the screws — measurable feel improvement vs the SIM Max
- Five loft options offered including the new 4W (16.5° 3LH) — wide spec range
Cons
- Bonded hosel — no adjustable loft sleeve (same constraint as the prior generation)
- Now 4 years old (2021 release) — superseded by Stealth (2022) and several generations since; modest age penalty applies
- 190cc head with slight closed bias resists shape-shifting — by design, game-improvement spec
- Acoustic is almost identical to the prior generation — same tock/crack sound, no major upgrade in this dimension
By dimension
Forgiveness
Reviewer testing: extremely versatile and forgiving. The head was the longest fairway of the year in testing, and it dropped just 2.4% more carry distance than the very best performer on off-centre hits. Reviewer testing: off-center strikes felt better than the previous model, making virtually every shot feel like you hit it on the screws. Manufacturer: ultralight carbon crown, titanium body and steel sole plate create a head design that combines low CG performance with high MOI forgiveness. Step UP from the prior generation — multi-material build adds measurable forgiveness.
Distance
Reviewer testing: the head was the longest fairway of the year in testing. If you want to hit your fairway woods as far as possible, this would be considered the sole fairway wood of the year. Manufacturer: high-strength C300 steel allows for a strong fast face engineered for explosive ball speeds, and Thru-Slot Speed Pocket provides increased face flexibility, preservation of ball speed and distance, especially on low face strikes. Top-tier 2021 fairway distance — explicit longest-fairway-of-the-year claim.
Workability
190cc head — large game-improvement footprint that resists shape-shifting. Reviewer testing: lays flat and almost square to the ball if ever so slightly closed — slight closed bias. Game-improvement targeting suggests buyers prioritize forgiveness over shape control. Below-average workability — same constraint as the prior generation; the larger 190cc footprint suits straight shots rather than shape-shifting.
Feel
Reviewer testing: the head has a preferred sound and feel that is a mix between a tock and a wood bat crack sound. Off-center strikes felt better than the previous model, making virtually every shot feel like you hit it on the screws — a head that actually felt hot off the face. The feedback through the shaft on mishits will be much less painful and much more forgiving vs the prior generation. Step UP from the prior generation — multi-material build measurably refines impact feel.
Sound
Reviewer testing: a preferred sound and feel that is a mix between a tock and a wood bat crack sound. This is not a big change for 2021 as the prior generation sounded and felt almost identical. The sound of the draw-bias sibling is a bit more clicky than this head — this is the preferred acoustic of the line. Above-average acoustic — preferred tock/crack combination, slight improvement over the prior generation baseline.
Looks at address
Reviewer testing: when set down at address, the head lays flat and almost square to the ball if ever so slightly closed, and the version has softer lines that really instill confidence. Manufacturer: matte carbon crown is a darker shade of grey, with black carbon crowns and contrasting chalk toplines to frame the golf ball for alignment. Above-average address profile — softer lines + contrasting topline frames the ball well.
Sources
Some of the reviews, lab tests and head-to-head comparisons the agentic research read while grading this club.
- TaylorMade SIM2 Max Fairway Wood Review - Plugged In Golf (longest fairway of 2021, 2.4% off-center drop)
- 2021 TaylorMade SIM2 fairway woods and hybrids - GolfWRX
- TaylorMade SIM2 Ti, SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max D Fairway Woods Review - Today's Golfer
- TaylorMade SIM2 fairway wood: ClubTest 2021 review - Golf.com
- SIM2 Max Fairway - TaylorMade (manufacturer specs)
- TaylorMade SIM2 Fairways Review - Golfalot (off-center comparison vs SIM Max)
- TaylorMade SIM2 Max Fairway Wood Review - Golfalot