TaylorMade unveil new SIM Fairways, Hybrids
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TaylorMade have reinvented the V Steel design with their new SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max D Fairway Woods – in addition to incorporating the technology in to a Rescue for the first time
In addition to three new drivers for 2020, TaylorMade have revealed their lowest CG fairway yet as part of three new fairway options, in addition to a SIM Rescue.
The iconic V Steel design has been reinvented with the new SIM family of fairway metals. Advanced shaping combines with a V Steel™ sole to improve turf interaction and playability from various lies.
A more rounded leading edge improves the club’s initial contact with the turf, while the V Steel sole further raises heel and toe sections of the sole away from the ground and improves versatility. These design features combine to significantly reduce turf contact area in SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max D fairways, reducing ground friction which can positively influence both clubhead speed and ball speed.
In addition, TaylorMade have incorporated V Steel technology into a hybrid for the first time in the company’s history with SIM Max Rescue. The clubhead is engineered to deliver improved turf interaction and reduced friction when playing from various lies. A reshaped leading edge works in conjunction with V Steel to further improve playability and strike conditions.
Here’s what you need to know.
TaylorMade SIM Fairway
◆ RRP: £369
◆ Lofts: 3-14° / 3-15° / 5-19°
◆ Stock shaft Mitsubishi Diamana FWLimited75
◆Adjustablehosel:Yes(+/-2°)
◆ Available: February 7th, 2020
Titanium has been the go-to material in drivers for decades, but the metal has historically struggled making the switch to fairways – mainly because it’s costly. But 2019 changed all that; it was the year Tour pros started not just playing titanium fairway woods, but winning with them, too.
Last year, TaylorMade created their first titanium fairway for ages. The M5 had a cute little head (just the sort of shape Tour pros love), and its lightweight titanium chassis housed a massive 65g sole weight which upped launch and shot shape potential. Tiger, Rory, DJ and Jon Rahm were all big fans, and each won with M5 fairways in the bag. Thanks to their success, it’s no surprise a new SIM titanium fairway will appear in 2020. Just like the rest of the SIM family there’s an ultra-lightweight carbon crown, with high toe and low heel Twist Face technology.
TaylorMade have reintroduced V-Steel soles, which they say reduces sole drag by 19% over last year’s M6. There’s also a next generation Speed Pocket design to improve ball speed forgiveness on low-face hits and a 2° hosel adaptor to let golfers dial in loft and face angle at will.
High launch, low spin
SIM has 80g of steel positioned in the sole (up from 65g in M5). It’s so efficient, TaylorMade say SIM is their lowest CG fairway. Whereas most fairways have a CG height of 16-20mm, in SIM it’s 12.1mm, which translates to higher launch and lower spin.
All new-titanium
TaylorMade’s R&D dept developed the new “Zatech” titanium face (it’s a material they’ve developed internally). It’s 30% stronger than previous titanium, yet remains flexible to create explosive ball speeds and distance.
TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway
◆ RRP: £269
◆ Lofts: 3-14° / 3-15° / 5-18° / 7-21° / 9-24°
◆ Stock shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue FW 5/6
◆ Available: February 7th, 2020
New fairway woods never quite get the same level of hype as new drivers. Golfers don’t update them nearly as often, so if you’re a TaylorMade fan of a certain age you might remember the original V-Steel fairways from 2004. Some of you might even still be using them. V-Steel was a popular model, and TaylorMade have reinvented their v-shaped soles for the SIM Max.
TaylorMade say it means SIM Max, with its multi-materialconstruction, launches shots a yard higher than the M6 fairway, making them the highest launching fairway on the market.
While the SIM fairway has a titanium head, both the new SIM Max and SIM Max D are steel with carbon-fibre crowns.
Both Max models come with Twist Face and Speed Pockets, along with ultra- strong and flexible C300 steel faces, all to ensure explosive ball speeds and distance. TaylorMade say it is designed for higher launch and peak trajectories, with extremely long distance and improved playability.
TaylorMade SIM Max D Fairway
◆ RRP: £269
◆ Lofts: 3-16°/ 5-19° / 7-22°
◆ Stock shaft: UST Mamiya Helium FW 5
◆ Available: February 7th, 2020
The oversized 190cc SIM Max D has been optimised for forgiveness and golfers seeking a draw-bias design. Like SIM drivers, the fairway woods feature progressive head sizes to provide greater forgiveness to the players who need it the most.
SIM Max D fairways gain up to 10 yards of draw bias (the driver gives 10-15 yards) thanks to lighter, higher launching shafts and a little extra of loft over the standard SIM Max. It all helps players with lower swing speeds launch shots for maximum carry from the turf.
TaylorMade SIM Max Rescue
◆ RRP: £229
◆Lofts:3-19°/4-22°/5-25°/6-28°/7-31°
◆ Stock shaft Fujikura Ventus Blue
◆ Adjustable hosel: No
◆ Available: February 7th, 2020
Hybrids and rescues should be a much bigger part of the conversation when buying irons nowadays, as it’s important to gap properly between your most lofted fairway wood and least lofted new iron.
TaylorMade say Rory McIlroy – who’s never played a hybrid – was bowled over at how the new SIM Max rescue landed shots more steeply than his 2 or 3 iron. There’s even a chance, depending on the course, that a rescue might appear in his bag in 2020. Might…
The SIM’s reinvented V-Steel sole improves turf interaction by reducing friction and adds a good degree of versatility when playing from tight or difficult lies. A high-strength C300 steel face helps boost ball speeds and of course Twist Face helps typical mishits produce straighter, more forgiving results.
Designers rounded the toe and adjusted the face angle to give SIM Max Rescue a more confidence-inspiring shape at address for all levels of golfers. It utilises the same C300 Steel face used in the SIM Max fairway woods to help improve ball speed, durability and overall performance. The corrective technologies of Twist Face and Speed Pocket offer improved performance and forgiveness on mis-hits on the toe, heel and low on the face.
