The TaylorMade SIM 2 driver has an impressive history. Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa both won big golf tournaments with the SIM 2 driver in their bag.
With the TaylorMade SIM 2 prices dropping and the fact that this was the last titanium-faced driver they made, I wanted to give you some of my insight into the TaylorMade SIM 2 driver.
In 2024 with prices of drivers reaching all time highs, it’s critical to know how a previous model performed out there. We’ll give you the full rundown on performance and what to expect in our TaylorMade SIM 2 driver review. Check out our thoughts below.
TaylorMade SIM 2 Driver Review at a Glance
- Updated Construction featuring Forged Ring, rear weights and a carbon sole for technological improvements
- SIM Speed Injected Twist Face for maximum ball speeds while helping reduce sidespin on mishits
- Excellent driver for the low to mid handicap crowd
- Great deal for a high caliber distance driven driver with recent technology
The TaylorMade SIM 2 driver has a forged ring construction design that really makes it stand out from the original SIM. At first glance the club looks well updated and very hittable. In addition, we saw technology like the Speed Pocket and Speed Injected Twist Face make it into yet another TaylorMade Driver. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it- and TaylorMade have left these staples in many drivers over recent years.
The TaylorMade SIM 2 driver is best for the low handicapper, but it works well for mid handicappers that hit the ball relatively straight. For higher handicappers that slice, there is a more draw biased version in the Max or the MAX D.
TaylorMade focuses on speed in their long game clubs, and the SIM 2 driver is certainly no expectation. However, I did find that the clubhead also had plenty of forgiveness. I generally hit my driver straight, but even on a poor swing, the SIM 2 kept me in check.
TaylorMade SIM 2 Driver Key Features and Technology
There is a lot of innovation that goes on at TaylorMade. However, one thing I think is important to note here is that when technology is good and golfers like it, TaylorMade will often carry that technology over to the next release.
Forged Ring Construction
The first thing we need to address here is the new shape of the TaylorMade SIM 2 clubhead. With the Forged Ring Construction, there is lightweight aluminum that is milled around the driver’s head. It makes the club look more aerodynamic and frankly looks like a technical upgrade from the original SIM.
What it does is it helped TaylorMade to put a larger rear weight into the club head as well as a full carbon sole and crown. I think the SIM 2 looks a lot better than the SIM. I know the Forged Ring Construction was done for performance, but it certainly didn’t hurt from a looks standpoint either. This is the first big change in the SIM 2 driver from the original SIM.
Speed Injected Twist Face
The USGA and R&A have certain rules in place for the amount of speed that a golf driver can have at impact. Their job is to keep equipment to the point that it is still fair for all golfers to play the game.
With the Speed Injected Twist Face, TaylorMade tests the clubhead before leaving the factory to ensure it is as close to the legal limit as possible. No more duds with these clubs. Years ago, you may find a driver head that was just not as hot as another. The TaylorMade SIM 2 drivers are all going to be fast.
Thru Slot Speed Pocket
I can’t see TaylorMade getting rid of the Thru Slot Speed Pocket anytime soon. The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket in the SIM 2 was the most flexible to date, and it included some technology to add forgiveness on low face strikes.
The bottom of the face is a popular spot to miss a drive, and the Thru Slot Speed Pocket will help get that miss hit slightly higher in the air and a few extra yards of distance.
Models
There are three TaylorMade SIM 2 driver models. The standard is the SIM 2 Max; then you have the SIM 2 Max D, and the SIM 2. The SIM 2 is the one that I tried on the course, and it is considered the better choice for the lower handicapped players with higher swing speeds.
The SIM 2 Max D is the draw bias, and the Max is the standard slightly closed clubface for the average golfer.
Testing The TaylorMade SIM 2
Now that you have a better idea of what technology the TaylorMade SIM 2 driver features, let’s take a deeper look into how this bad boy performed on the golf course.
Performance
The TaylorMade SIM 2 driver has a ton of speed. I noticed an instant difference in the distance when compared to the M series of drivers that the SIM series replaced. The club is lightweight, and the new aerodynamic shaping helped me get plenty of distance off the tee. Compared to an M5, I was consistently getting about 6-7 yards more on average. That’s solid.
The SIM 2 features a SIM Inertia Generator technology that is there to promote more speed, and I did notice slightly higher ball speeds. The ball flight was high, but the apex was not high enough to cause me to lose distance- it didn’t balloon on me often.
Overall I felt like I could trust the TaylorMade SIM 2 driver when I stood over it. It has a confidence-inducing look, and it made it easier for me to go after the ball even when the fairways were narrow.
Forgiveness
The TaylorMade SIM 2 driver is generally pretty forgiving. The clubface is square (slightly open in the standard SIM 2 model). There is also adjustability in the clubhead if you need it. However, the Split Mass Weighting that they added in the clubhead really provides plenty of forgiveness, a high ball flight, and enough stability to keep the clubface stable at impact.
Most of the time, my driver is relatively accurate. However, I know I can get in trouble if my tempo is not controlled. On a few of the TaylorMade SIM 2 drivers, I really felt like I went after the ball, and the driver responded well.
The ball flight may have been a few yards left or right of my target, but everything was playable.
Sound and Feel
The TaylorMade SIM 2 driver has a loud but not obnoxious sound. When you go after it and get plenty of speed, it’s the sound you would hope and expect your driver would make. I noticed that the feel was a little harsher than some other drivers I tried, like the Cobra Radspeed. However, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
I think the SIM 2 felt a little harsher because of the ball speed. It is more of a jump that I felt off the clubface, and I really didn’t mind.
The extra speed then translated into more distance and a bit of extra carry. Although the shaft will have to match to make this a true low-spin driver, there was plenty of extra roll when the ball hit the ground.
Final Thoughts on the TaylorMade SIM 2 Driver
The TaylorMade SIM 2 Driver is a club I would absolutely put in my bag. I think now that the pricing has lowered on these SIM 2 drivers, it’s even easier to put something like the SIM 2 in the golf bag and be happy with the performance.
I would recommend the SIM 2 for the lower handicapper that still wants a bit of forgiveness and some help keeping the ball in the fairway. From a distance perspective, I would never really worry when you have a TaylorMade in your hands; the ball comes off the clubface with ease.
Check the price for the TaylorMade SIM 2 Driver on Amazon here.
