TaylorMade’s SIM2 Max irons came out in 2021 at $799.99 for steel, and you can still buy a new set for $649.99. For a mid or high handicapper who wants the ball in the air and some help on mishits, that’s a lot of TaylorMade iron for the money.
Is the TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons worth buying?
Here’s the pitch. TaylorMade made the SIM2 Max for high launch, ball speed and forgiveness. It’s got a polymer Cap Back and a slot in the sole for the shots you catch low on the face. That’s the right idea for most of us, because we don’t hit the center every time.
But this is a 2021 set, and TaylorMade’s current game-improvement irons cost $1,099.99. So is it still worth $649.99 when you can see what came after it?
And there’s one number on the spec sheet you need to understand before you buy. The lofts. That’s where a lot of the distance comes from, and it’s the first number I’d check.
Quick Overview
- It’s a 2021 set you can still buy new for $649.99, which is $150 under its launch price.
- The 7-iron is 28.5 degrees, so a lot of the distance is loft.
- It’s made for the golfer who catches it low on the face.
- Used sets start at about $394.99, but count the clubs before you pay.
- You can get it in right or left hand, with steel or graphite.
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons Specs
These are TaylorMade’s numbers for the standard men’s SIM2 Max, not the SIM2 Max OS. A used set can have different shafts, lengths and lies, so treat this as the starting point.
| Specification | TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2021 |
| Head design | Cap Back, ECHO Damping, Progressive Inverted Cone Technology, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket |
| Base set | 4-PW, with AW, SW and LW available |
| Lofts | 4-iron 19, 5-iron 21.5, 6-iron 25, 7-iron 28.5, 8-iron 32.5, 9-iron 38, PW 43.5, AW 49, SW 54, LW 59 degrees |
| 7-iron | 28.5 degrees, 37.25 inches, 63 degrees lie, 4.2 mm offset |
| Stock steel shaft | KBS Max MT 85, stiff or regular |
| Stock graphite shaft | Fujikura Ventus Blue, 7S, 6R or 5A |
| Grip | Lamkin Crossline 360 on current retail listings |
| Hand | Right and left for the main set; the LW is right-handed only |
| Launch price | $799.99 steel, $899.99 graphite |
| Price now | $649.99 new; about $394.99 to $746.99 used (checked September 28, 2026) |
| Warranty | Two years from the original purchase for qualifying defects |
The Cap Back Is Built for the Strike You Actually Make
Here’s what TaylorMade did. On most cavity backs, the whole back of the head is metal. On the SIM2 Max, the upper part of the back is a lightweight polymer support. That’s the Cap Back.
Taking weight out up there lets TaylorMade push the mass low and out toward the edges. It also frees up more of the face to flex. Low weight helps you launch it, and a face that flexes more helps you keep ball speed.
Then there’s the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket. That’s the slot in the sole, and it’s there to keep the face flexing low, right where a lot of us catch it. So when you hit one a groove or two thin, the SIM2 Max is designed to hang on to more of your speed and direction.
Does that mean a thin shot flies like a pure one? No. A bad swing is still a bad swing. But this club is built to make ordinary strikes playable, and that’s exactly what a mid or high handicapper needs.
The feel side is ECHO Damping. It’s a softer polymer blend with multiple contact points, and TaylorMade uses it to calm down harsh vibration. It’s not a forged iron, and I wouldn’t buy it expecting one. But for a thick game-improvement head, the goal is a solid feel instead of a harsh one.
If you’re not sure you need this much help, here’s my breakdown of cavity back vs blade irons.
A 28.5-Degree 7-Iron Is Where a Lot of the Distance Comes From
Now let’s talk about the lofts, because this is the part that gets people.
The SIM2 Max 7-iron is 28.5 degrees. That’s a strong loft. So if your buddy tells you his SIM2 Max 7-iron goes way past your old 7-iron, check the loft first. A lot of that is the loft doing the work.
And for some golfers, that’s great. If you struggle to get the ball moving, a stronger loft with a low center of gravity gets you more distance without changing your swing.
But here’s the thing. Strong lofts and lower spin mean the ball can come in flatter. If you already hit a low ball, a 7-iron that lands hot and runs off the back of the green isn’t a win. So compare your carry and how steep it comes down, not just total distance.
Then look at the bottom of the set. The pitching wedge is 43.5 degrees, the AW is 49 and the SW is 54. If you buy the 4-PW set and go straight from that pitching wedge to a 54-degree sand wedge, you’ve got a big hole in your bag. Add the AW, or make sure your own gap wedge fills it. If that club is new to you, here’s what a gap wedge does.
At $649.99, It’s $450 Less Than a Current Set
This is the real reason to look at the SIM2 Max today. A new set is $649.99. That’s $150 under what the steel set cost at launch.
Now look at what’s current. TaylorMade’s own Qi Max irons are $1,099.99, and Callaway’s Quantum Max irons are the same price. Both are newer, and both go after the same golfer with high launch and a lot of forgiveness. A new SIM2 Max saves you $450 against either one.
When I went through Callaway’s Quantum lineup, I said if you’re budget conscious, the previous models might be a better value. But if you want the latest tech and you’re willing to get fit, Quantum is worth the investment. I’d tell you the same thing here.
And the Quantum Max is a good iron. I called it great for mid handicappers, with forgiveness that doesn’t look bulky. You can read my full take in my Callaway Quantum irons review or watch my Callaway Quantum video.
If you want something current without going all the way to $1,099.99, Wilson’s DYNAPWR Max Steel was $799.99 on sale. That’s $150 more than the SIM2 Max for a newer model.
A Used Set Saves You More, but Only If You Check It First
Used SIM2 Max sets were running about $394.99 to $746.99 at the end of September. That’s a wide range, and it’s because the hand, shaft, flex, condition and number of clubs all move the price.
So before you pay, check a few things. Count the clubs. A cheap 5-PW set isn’t a deal if you then have to buy a gap wedge and regrip the whole thing. Read the shaft label and the flex. Look at the faces, the ferrules and the slot in the sole for wear. And check the serial numbers and the seller, because you want to rule out a fake set before you pay for it.
Then there’s the warranty. TaylorMade covers qualifying defects for two years from the original purchase, with proof of purchase. On a used set from a private seller, plan on not having one.
If you’re torn on where to buy, I go through the tradeoffs in buying used golf clubs online or locally.
What I Don’t Love
There’s a catch. There’s always a catch. I already told you about the lofts. If you hit your irons low, that’s the one that’ll bite you.
The other one is the look. It’s a game-improvement iron, and it looks like one. Thick top line, some offset, a wide sole and a deep cavity. If you like seeing a big head behind the ball, that’s a plus. But if you want a thin, compact head, or you like to work the ball both ways, this isn’t your iron.
It’s also a 2021 club. The exact hand, shaft and set you want might not be in stock everywhere, so check the listing before you count on it.
Who It’s For
Buy it if:
- You’re a mid or high handicapper who wants help getting the ball up and keeping speed on mishits.
- You want TaylorMade forgiveness for $649.99 instead of $1,099.99.
- You like a bigger, confidence-building head at address.
- You’re replacing an older cavity-back set and want more help than it gives you.
Skip it if:
- You already hit a low, flat iron and need more spin to stop the ball.
- You want a thin top line, less offset and the ability to shape shots.
- You want the newest TaylorMade technology and a current-model fitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year did the TaylorMade SIM2 Max irons come out?
2021, at $799.99 for steel. You can still buy them new for $649.99.
Are TaylorMade SIM2 Max irons good for high handicappers?
Yes. Mid and high handicappers are exactly who they’re for. The Cap Back and the Speed Pocket help keep thin and off-center shots playable, and the low center of gravity helps you get the ball up.
What is the loft of the SIM2 Max 7-iron?
It’s 28.5 degrees. That’s a strong distance loft, so compare your carry with your current 7-iron, not just the number stamped on the bottom.
What’s the difference between SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max OS irons?
The Max OS is a bigger head with even stronger lofts. The SIM2 Max is the more compact of the two, though it still looks like a game-improvement iron. If you’re stuck between them, hit both, because one doesn’t tell you how the other will fly.
Are SIM2 Max irons discontinued?
Not officially. TaylorMade still lists them at $649.99, and retailers still sell new sets. Stock varies by hand, shaft and set, so check the exact one you want.
Final Thoughts: TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons Review
Here’s where I land. $649.99 for a new set of forgiving TaylorMade irons is a good deal, and that price is the whole reason to buy it. If you already hit it low, or you want the newest tech, put the extra $450 toward a current set and get fitted.
About the author
Paul Liberatore
Paul Liberatore is the founder of Golfers Authority and a former four-year golf gear contributor to Sports Illustrated. He tests golf equipment hands-on to help golfers make better buying decisions.