The TaylorMade SIM MAX Irons feature an echo damping system to help absorb some of the vibration and sound at impact. The face on this SIM MAX is 17% thinner than previous models leading to explosive distance off the clubface. TaylorMade SIM Max OS Irons Review At address, the topline of the OS Iron is pretty similar to the Max which I think is a bonus, as it doesn't give the impression that you're having to use a big chunky iron. It's a super game-improvement head size, with a game-improvement top line.
Just got back from demoing both models of TaylorMade SIM irons – the Max, and the Max OS (oversized). Don’t get me wrong… the irons performed incredibly well. Super long, decent feel, and plenty forgiving. What more could you want? Well, how about a reasonable price for new irons?
If you’ve been to the site before, you know we NEVER encourage buying new irons. We love getting the best bang for our buck, but not as much as we like hearing about our readers saving money!
As a result, we always recommend that golfers buy irons that were made at LEAST 2 years ago. By now, the price is more affordable and the performance is practically the same. A good alternative to the TaylorMade SIM irons is the Rocketbladez 2.0 iron set – very similar design. Main difference? The paint job.
TaylorMade SIM Max Irons Review
The TaylorMade SIM Max irons is a great set for golfers that want more distance and forgiveness with their iron game. As a result, this set will appeal to a wide array of golfers and handicaps. For a game improvement iron, it actually looked pretty thin at address, which is a huge plus in my book.
Let’s talk about distance for a second, especially when it comes to irons. The main way that golf manufacturers increase iron distance is just by writing “6” on the bottom of your 5 iron. But the thin club face, the speed pocket, and the speed bridge on the SIM Max irons practically max out balls speed while staying in regulation with the USGA. More than likely, you’d be more comfortable hitting a 7 iron into a green than a 6 iron, so it could have a phsychological benefit if nothing else. Personally, I was hitting the SIM Max irons just a couple of yards longer than my current gamers (with the same lofts). I’d stick with the feel of my gamers versus the extra couple of yards of the SIMS, personally.
When it comes to feel, this set doesn’t blow it out of the water. Thankfully, it wasn’t expected to. For a cast iron set, the sound and vibrations through your hands are relatively quiet. However, it simply doesn’t compare to a forged iron set that delivers the feel that many golfers fall in love with.
Pros: great combination of distance and forgiveness that appeals to a greater number of golfers
Cons: Not the best feel; super expensive for the next couple of years
TaylorMade SIM Max OS Irons Review
If you consider yourself a below-average ballstriker, you might want to consider the TaylorMade SIM Max OS irons. I’d recommend at least demoing them if you get a chance at a local demo day or a sporting goods store. You might find that the extra forgiveness helps you hit more greens in regulation.
A quick note for those that aren’t as familiar with irons: try out both graphite and steel shafts if you aren’t sure which is best for you. Typically, graphite shafts are lighter to allow you to generate more club head speed. Just for fun, I got to try out both graphite and steel shafts with the SIM Max OS club heads. It’s all about finding what is best with YOUR swing, though.
Although the Max OS iron heads were way too bulky for my liking, they truly didn’t feel bad at impact for a super game improvement iron. Very small amount of vibrations and a decent sound when hit in the sweet spot.
Compared to the SIM Max, the SIM Max OS irons are one millimeter (mm) taller in the toe and heel. The overall width is 3mm wider, leading to a larger sweet spot for slightly off center strikes. The TaylorMade Max iron also have 1mm more offset compared to SIM Max.
That extra bit of offset, although small, can help you get your hands a tad bit more ahead of the ball at impact. Better golfers typically aren’t a fan of offset, but low to mid handicap golfers can usually benefit from some offset.
Pros: one of, if the the MOST, forgiving set of irons on the market for 2020
Cons: A little too bulky for some; crazy expensive
Quick Comparison & Recap
At a glance
- TG Rating5 out of 5
- Owner RatingNot yet rated
- RRP£899.00
What we say...
TaylorMade's new SIM Max OS Irons are the strongest lofted irons they've ever made
TaylorMade's new SIM Max OS irons represents a new direction for the brand, and by that we mean the 27° 7-iron, which are the strongest lofted irons they’ve ever made. It’s also equivalent to the very strongest on the market – Callaway’s Rogue X.
TaylorMade's switch of focus to geometry has rendered this possible, having made it a priority in 2020 to create a distance iron that feels and sounds every bit as good as a forged model.
Like the new SIM drivers, TaylorMade haven’t gone back to the drawing board to start over, either. Speed Bridge technology – a supporting beam which attaches the sole to the top edge – made an appearance on last year’s M5 and M6 irons, and it’s fundamental to making the new SIM Max OS faster and longer.
As the name suggests OS is oversized, but not nasty, in a rowing oar way. Face-height is 1mm taller than the SIM Max and there’s 1mm more offset, which helps position the centre of gravity further back to flight shots to counteract the strong lofts. Wide sole geometries position the centre of gravity low and back, delivering a high but penetrating ball flight.
Think of the OS as a distance-orientated super game improver iron, which can add five yards of carry distance (half-a-club) over the SIM Max and you won’t go far wrong. TaylorMade say they’d work well in the hands of golfers who try to “scoop” shots into the air, too.
We understand why TaylorMade have gone down the strong loft route (with SIM Max OS) – with more golfers buying clubs on launch monitor data, it’s a case of having to, if you’re to compete.
What you need to know about the TaylorMade SIM Max OS irons
There's a bigger sweetspot
By thinning face thickness by 17% over M6, and using progressive inverted cone technology in the longer irons (where shots are often hit more towards the toe) TaylorMade say the SIM’s sweetspot has effectively grown by 40%.
Speed Bridge
Speed Bridge gives more rigidity to the topline, making it behave like a hinge, flexing and rebounding at impact, improving ball speeds. It also helps eliminate harsh vibrations, improving sound and feel.
New ECHO damping system
ECHO is TaylorMade’s biggest ever polymer damper. It’s concertina design means there are multiple contact points behind the whole length of the face. TaylorMade says vibration channels give space for the damper to flex without impeding face flex.
An iron for everyone: Where do the SIM Max OS irons fit into TaylorMade's 2020 iron line-up?
TaylorMade P-7TW / TaylorMade P760 / TaylorMade P790 / TaylorMade P790 Ti / TaylorMade SIM Max / TaylorMade SIM Max OS
TaylorMade SIM Max OS Iron: Verdict
Callaway have gone after strong lofts harder and faster than anyone in the last couple of years, but TaylorMade are hitting back with the SIM Max OS in 2020, saying the lofts aren’t just strong for speed and distance either.
TaylorMade reckon iron design has got to a point where strong lofts are actually necessary to stop shots from spinning up and losing distance. Our data speaks for itself. The OS was our longest super game-improvement iron (by three and four yards from the two hybrid irons), and it gave similar spin numbers to the wider and higher-lofted Wilson Launch Pad, which means shots will stop on a green.
But the SIM Max OS story isn’t just about power; it’s about ultimate forgiveness, too. Our drop-off data has the Max OS among our top three (remember it’s up against wide-body hybrids, too) at protecting ball speed, backspin and carry, which ultimately increases forgiveness. The TaylorMade SIM Max OS is a very good iron for lots of club golfers.
See how the TaylorMade SIM Max OS iron compares to the best golf irons of 2020
Product Information
Taylormade Sim Vs Sim Max
• RRP: £899 (s), £1,049 (g)
• Availability: 4-PW, AW, SW, LW
• Stock shaft: KBS Max 85 (s), Fujikura Ventus Blue (g)
• 7-iron loft: 27°