About this review: This review is my honest opinion of the wood which I purchased with my own money in July of 2020.

My take

The TaylorMade SIM2 Titanium Fairway Wood is good for any skill level; it is used by pros and amateurs alike. What I like best about this wood is its balance upon address. I feel like I can control the trajectory in either direction and always get a positive response off the face.

About the club I own

• Model: TaylorMade SIM Fairway 3 Wood
• Loft setting: 15 degree
• Shaft type: HAZRDUS Smoke Black 70g
• Shaft flex: Stiff

About me

• Average score: 85
• Handicap: 12
• Experience: 20 years of golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right
• Typical ball flight: Mid
• Golf ball used: TP5x
• Club swing speed: 95mph

Test conditions

• When I bought the club: July 2020
• Days tested: 7 days
• Where I’ve used it: Lower State Road Range, Horsha, PA as well as Five Ponds Country Club in Warminster, PA
• Weather and wind conditions: Sunny; little wind

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was seeking a 3 wood to match my SIM Driver, which I love, due to its easy playability. I also desired a club with excellent forgiveness and distance. In addition, I was attracted to the technology included with the SIM2, including Twist Face, which assists in correcting mis-hits left and right off the face.

Why I chose this club

I chose to buy the club because I had a great demo session and loved the performance on the course. In the demo session, I hit in a simulator with this club and the Callaway Epic. I noticed the feel and responsiveness from the TaylorMade more so than the Callaway. The launch and spin numbers were more favorable than the comparator.

What I love about it

• Distance: Distance is no issue with this club. The ball explodes off the hot face.
• Forgiveness: With the Twist Face Technology, as in previous TaylorMade versions, the club is very forgiving on mis-hits. During my simulator sessions, I noted some off-center hits that still wound up being playable. I also noticed during play that hits on the top of the face still spin well and fly higher.
• Feel: I really like the feel of this club; it gives a very pure response and result when struck solid. That is to say, the moment of impact provides the player with a very solid feel and response.
• Sound: The sound may be what I love most about the SIM line. It is a very solid titanium sound, not a metallic or clang-y one.
• Workability: During range sessions and playing, I feel as though I can easily work the ball either right or left with this wood. The adjustable hosel helps greatly with this aspect. I could set up for draw or fade shots off the tee.
• Aesthetic Appeal: I feel very confident looking down the club and across the crown upon address. The dark gray crown, as well as its white aim line, make it feel very easy to line up my shot path. There is nothing distracting on the top of the club head.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Spin: The extra spin is very noticeable with this club. I think the technology’s intent is to get the ball to launch faster and higher, but I feel as though it may be over-done. The ball flies way too high, and on some slice mis-hits, the spin carries it extra yardage out of play. If there is one thing I would change here, I would maybe dial down the spin off the face a little.

Best shot with this club

My best shot was at a Northern NJ club. Hole was too short and the fairway too tight for a driver. I pulled this 3 wood out and hit a beautiful, high, long draw that settled in the fairway, set me up for a birdie!

Value for the money vs. other options

This TaylorMade SIM2 wood is comparable to other high-end woods from Callaway and Mizuno. The value definitely comes through in the performance of the club, namely in the look, feel, and reliability in tighter situations.

Final verdict

All in all, this club gives me options when I can’t hit the driver off the tee. It allows me to swing with confidence and fit the ball into tighter fairways.