About this review This review is my honest opinion of the irons, which I bought with my own money in July 2020.

My take

The TaylorMade SIM2 Max OS are amazing irons for someone looking to play golf for fun. They are not geared toward a 10 or lower handicapper. However, for casual golfers or those looking for a cheat code, these are ideal golf clubs. I have golfed for 40 years, and these irons are the easiest clubs I have ever hit.

About the club I own

• Model: 2020 SIM Max OS
• Loft setting: Standard
• Shaft type: Steel
• Shaft flex: Stiff

About me

• Average score: 82
• Handicap: 12
• Experience: 40 years
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-Handed
• Typical ball flight: A slight draw
• Golf ball used: TaylorMade TP5
• Club swing speed: 105

Test conditions

• When I bought the club: July 2020
• Days tested: Almost 600
• Where I’ve used it: Point O’Woods, Lake Michigan Hills, Harbor Shores, Arcadia Bluffs, range, and simulator
• Weather and wind conditions: Rain, wind, and sun

How it performs

What I was looking for

I felt good with my P-790 irons, except I kept hooking the longer irons too much from overswinging. I replaced my 5, 6, and 7 irons with TaylorMade SIM Max OS irons. I needed distance and accuracy and found both.

Why I chose this club

I went with the TaylorMade irons due to how easy they were to hit. They did everything I wanted from a long iron.

I tested Callaway, Cobra, and a few other irons and found I hit this SIM best and felt most comfortable with these irons.

What I love about it

• Distance: These irons have added a solid 10-15 yds to my shots, which I needed. Traditionally, I hit my 7 iron 155-160 yds. With the SIM2 Max 7 Iron, I can hit the ball 165-170 yds. My old Callaway X-18 irons were great irons, but just didn’t give me that kind of distance.
• Forgiveness: These are some of the most forgiving irons on the market. I call them a “cheat code”. I have hit amazing shots out of the rough and even out of divots. There are not many lies these irons don’t handle. I have played golf for 26 years and my biggest mishits are still ok with these irons.
• Sound: They sound great and you can tell TaylorMade put effort into that. From the foam to the design, the clubs sound amazing.
• Workability: This is where the club struggles, but in a good way. This iron is not designed to be workable but playable. I think that is just as important.
• Adjustability: There’s nothing to really adjust with the irons. You can always have them fitted of course, but nothing to adjust on the club.
• Shaft Feel: The shaft is solid and reacts to my swing well. There are a lot of options available in shafts from TaylorMade.
• Shaft Performance: The shaft has a nice little kick when you swing, and you can almost feel the power.
• Aesthetic Appeal: These are not the prettiest clubs; that is for sure. They’re a little gimmicky, but they work. However, the front of the face is very nice looking.
• Grip Feel: The grip is decent as it is corded, but it’s not fancy. Again, there are lots of options for you to choose from.
• Launch Angle: This seems to have a pretty standard launch angle. The loft is strong on these clubs, allowing for the longer distance.
• Spin: To my surprise, I was able to stop the ball pretty well with these clubs. I didn’t think that would be the case.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Feel: These are not the best feeling irons, but nothing stands out in a bad way with them. The club is also very responsive to where you hit on the face. You feel if you hit it on the toe or flush.
• Workability: This will be the biggest drawback. If you're looking to work the ball a lot this iron is not for you. Most golfers who are a 10 handicap or lower want to work the ball, and this iron is not designed to do that. This iron is designed to hit the ball on line and farther than most irons, which it does, but to draw or fade the ball is very difficult. If you are behind a tree, it would be better to punch out than try and work it one way or another.

Best shot with this club

I was sitting 200 yds out to an elevated green with the pin in front. My ball was resting in a divot, and I was playing in a Pro-Am. The pro I was with told me to hit it with an 8 or 9 iron and chip up. I said, “Nope, let’s go with the 5 iron.” He laughed at me. I then proceeded to hit a 199 yd rocket with the SIM Max to the front of the green within 5 feet of the hole. He could not believe it, but I know these clubs, and they just work.

Value for the money vs. other options

I think for the money these clubs are a steal. They will make golf fun again for you if you're a higher handicapper. Other options include those from Callaway, Maverik, or Srixon. The Mizuno JPX Hot Metal irons are also similar, but I feel you can’t go wrong with the SIM irons.

Final verdict

I know the TaylorMade SIM2 Max OS Irons are not for everyone, but for a majority of your weekend warriors or league legends, these clubs will make you a better player. I have no doubt about that. These irons are not the prettiest and don’t allow golfers to work the ball well, but overall, I would highly recommend them to a majority of golfers.