Expert Comparison: TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons vs Cleveland Launcher XL Irons

Published on 02/11/2024 · 5 min readCompare TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons and Cleveland Launcher XL Irons. Get expert insight below!
Andrea W., Golf Expert
David L. Brown, Golf Expert
Michael V, Golf Expert
Contributed By Golf Expert Andrea W., David L. Brown, Michael V, Ari T, Gary Neft and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Runner up
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons
Best seller
Cleveland Launcher XL Irons
Price
$499.98
17% off
$399.97
56% off
User rating
4.77(373)
4.69(68)
The Curated Take

Best for novice to intermediate golfers due to its extraordinary forgiveness and improved distances.

Best for high-handicap golfers seeking forgiveness, launch, and distance.

Iron Set Type
Iron Set
Iron Set
Player type
Game improvement
Game improvement
Used (Y/N)
No
No

In the world of golf, the TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons and the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are two products that have made a significant impact. Both are designed to enhance your game, but they do so in different ways. The TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons are perfect for beginners and those who play golf for pure enjoyment. They are super easy to hit, feel smooth, and are categorized as “game improvement” irons. On the other hand, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are designed for mid-tier handicappers who want to take their game to the next level. They are known for their distance and forgiveness. Both sets of irons have their unique features and benefits, and the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

The TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons are designed with the beginner golfer in mind. They are categorized as “game improvement” irons, making them perfect for those who do not play golf regularly but love the game. The clubs are super easy to hit and feel smooth and crisp, making them a joy to use on the course or at the range.

The SIM2 Max Irons are designed with a KBS GRAPHITE 80G shaft, which is perfect for maintaining spin rates. The clubs also have a larger clubface at address, which can be a confidence booster for higher handicap golfers. The clubs are designed with forward and low tungsten weighting for higher launch and more distance, a structured face to help maintain as much energy from a swing to the ball for better energy (compression) transfer = more potential distance.

The SIM2 Max Irons are also very forgiving on mishit shots. When hit in the center, you can see a performance improvement. The centered strike hits experience all the technology and raw materials going into play here. The clubs also have a softer feel considering they are cast irons. The cap back enclosed type cavity back technology and echo dampening technology “softens the blow” on mishits.

These clubs are designed for beginner golfers and are categorized as “game improvement” irons. I later purchased these clubs for my younger brother, who does not play golf regularly, though he loves to play a quick nine holes or go out to the range for pure enjoyment. We found it to be a perfect set that is super easy to hit and feels smooth/crisp.

Andrea W.
Golf Expert
Best seller

The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are designed for mid-tier handicappers who want to take their game to the next level. These irons are geared for those looking to gain more distance in the mid-range game. They are designed with a 1mm offset and a regular flex steel—True Temper 95 shaft.

The Launcher XL Irons are known for their distance. They are longer than most other irons, with an average of around 10 yards further with each swing than other irons. These irons are also very forgiving on off-centered hits, which still travel a long way and rarely are 10-20 yards off the target line.

The feel of these irons is also noteworthy. You can tell where you made contact with the ball and whether it was hit off the toe, heel, or center. The sound is a normal tinging that feels crisp to the ear. The irons also have workability, allowing you to move the ball from left to right and right to left whenever you feel like it.

The Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are a solid option for those looking to gain more distance in the mid-range game. These irons are geared for mid-tier handicappers who want to take their game to the next level.

David L. Brown
Golf Expert
Best seller

Similarities

Both the TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons and the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are designed to improve your golf game. They both offer increased distance and forgiveness, making them ideal for golfers who want to hit the ball further and more accurately. Both sets of irons also have a focus on feel, with technologies in place to ensure that the clubs feel good in your hands and at impact. They both also offer a degree of workability, allowing you to shape your shots as needed.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both sets of irons are designed to improve your game, they are targeted at different types of golfers. The TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons are perfect for beginners and those who play golf for pure enjoyment. They are super easy to hit and feel smooth and crisp, making them a joy to use on the course or at the range.

On the other hand, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are designed for mid-tier handicappers who want to take their game to the next level. They are known for their distance and forgiveness, making them ideal for golfers who want to hit the ball further and more accurately.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to distance, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons take the lead. They are longer than most other irons, with an average of around 10 yards further with each swing than other irons.

In terms of forgiveness, both sets of irons perform well. However, the TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons have a slight edge due to their larger clubface and forward and low tungsten weighting, which provides higher launch and more distance.

For feel, the TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons come out on top. They have a softer feel considering they are cast irons, and the cap back enclosed type cavity back technology and echo dampening technology “softens the blow” on mishits.

Finally, in terms of workability, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are the winners. They allow you to move the ball from left to right and right to left whenever you feel like it, giving you more control over your shots.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons and the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are excellent choices for golfers looking to improve their game. The TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons are perfect for beginners and those who play golf for pure enjoyment, while the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons are ideal for mid-tier handicappers who want to take their game to the next level. Both sets of irons offer increased distance and forgiveness, making them ideal for golfers who want to hit the ball further and more accurately. However, the choice between the two will ultimately depend on your specific needs and preferences.

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