It’s the current year, and pandemic or not, life must go on. It’s true that TaylorMade’s SIM Max and SIM Max OS range has been developed way before the Covid-19 extravaganza, but let’s hope the quarantine will end soon, the world will get back to normal and we'll be able to enjoy life on the fast lane and the golf course as usual. With all these in mind, let's see what's new in 2020 from TaylorMade, and we’ll begin with the SIM Max and 2020 TaylorMade SIM Max OS irons.

To make a long and complex story short and sweet, the new Sim Max and Sim Max OS are the latest irons from TaylorMade Golf and they’re built for distance first and foremost, featuring that lovely forged feel we all know and love, as well as Speed Bridge technology, plus a brand new Echo Damping System, which has been completely revamped for 2020 and it now stretches from heel to toe across the entire face in order to maximize vibration-damping via a new multiple contact points design.

The new Vibration Damping technology consists of specially designed channels that wrap around the entire structure of the iron, making it to compress more efficiently at ball impact via optimal compression or something along these lines, and they allow the forged steel to disperse, but without interfering with movement in the face. The proprietary Echo Damping technology works hand in hand with TaylorMade’s Speed Bridge thing, which is available in both SIM Max and SIM Max OS irons, and this “dream-team” combo is designed to deliver impact frequencies in tune with forged construction irons. The Speed Bridge technology first saw action in TaylorMade’s M5 and M6 irons, and its 2020 iteration in the SIM Max and SIM Max OS irons works together with a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket which is designed to optimize both performance and distance.

This cutting edge technology works by connects the top line of the iron with the back bar by incorporating a mass efficient high-strength structural beam that spans across the cavity back of the club. This cleverly engineered structure is aimed at boosting both distance and forgiveness and also makes for a more rigid top line, thus contributing to improved feel and sound. The new Thru-Slot Speed Pocket in the SIM Max and SIM Max OS irons has been completely redesigned and it now stretches from heel to toe, so it totally disconnects the leading edge of the club from the sole, thus contributing to a free-floating and incredibly smooth face. All these advanced technologies work synergically and allow the face to basically hinge upon the top line in a new design that provides unparalleled ball speed, as well as flexibility and more forgiveness than ever before, especially on shots struck below center. The face of the SIM Max and SIM Max OS irons has been reworked to optimize the relationship between flexibility and stiffness, and it now comes in a faster and thinner design, featuring a generous sweet spot compared to previous models from TaylorMade Golf.

Moreover, each SIM Max and SIM Max OS iron features strategically positioned Inverted Cone Technology (ICT), which also works in terms of minimizing miss-hits and increasing the club's sweet spot; also, as the Inverted Cone Technology is now located towards the toe-in, the new SIM Max and SIM Max OS now come with a draw bias in the longer irons. Speaking of face-technology, the latest irons in TaylorMade’s portfolio arrive with an incredibly thin (1.5 millimeters) face and an ultra-light fluted hosel and an extremely low center of gravity. What’s different in the TaylorMade’s SIM Max OS compared to the “vanilla” SIM Max is the face, which is taller in the latter in a bid to increase stability, as well as a wider sole which is designed to promote a more forgiving turf interaction. On top of that, the SIM Max OS has a lower center of gravity, which promotes an easier launch and more ball speed; both versions are offered in 4-PW/AW (8 pc.set with SW and LW also available) and they arrive with Fujikura’s Ventus Blue graphite shafts (7S, 6R & 5A) or KBS Max 85 steel shafts (S, R), while the ladies' version comes equipped with the Aldila NV Ladies shaft.

As per pricing and availability, the SIM Max irons can be ordered for $899 steel/$999 graphite, while the SIM Max OS costs $899 steel/$999 graphite.

Next in line we have the 2020 TaylorMade SIM and SIM Max drivers, and with these babies, the Carlsbad based golf equipment manufacturer managed to create forgiving, fast and playable drivers which, most interestingly, arrive in a pretty tight and sophisticated package, marking the company’s pursuit of having your cake and eating it too, by keeping some familiar technology from previous generations in a quest to maximize performance. The SIM acronym stands for shape in motion and the new driver is offered in 3 models: the vanilla SIM, the SIM Max, and the SIM Max-D. Here's what’s new in the 2020 SIM family of drivers: first, there’s the new and revamped aerodynamic design, which has been a work in progress for almost ten years now.

The thing about TaylorMade’s aerodynamics quest is that it's basically military-grade stuff, as research it’s being done in a wind tunnel of sorts, that simulates the airflow that goes across the body of the driver and all that wizard math. Then, there’s the raised crown, a design feature that will practically jump at you as soon as you lay your eyes on the new 2020 TaylorMade SIM drivers. The elevated clubhead practically defies the laws of golf, as the new drivers are featuring a low center of gravity and high moment of inertia, though usually speaking, a raised crown equals a higher center of gravity, but in this particular case, the drivers come with what's been marketed as an Inertia Generator for bringing the weight down and low. Yes, this is high technology baby. Then, we have carbon all over the place, as the new 2020 TaylorMade SIM drivers feature carbon-made crowns and all that cutting edge driver composition technology. The advantage of using carbon allows for clever weight placement in other areas of the club, and, take a load of this: single rail is back, i.e. the famous T-Rail is dead and buried, you know, the T-Rail from the M-Series. The one-rail is back in business and that’s due to the aforementioned Inertia Generator technology that allowed TaylorMade to place additional mass in the back to mitigate workability issues.

So, what about things that didn't change in the new drivers? Well, we should begin with the Twist Face technology, which actually works, as in this is the real thing, and TaylorMade decided to keep it, as there are many other companies already employing it because guess what: it’s a good thing. Then we have the Speed Injected Face and the familiar TaylorMade sound, and in this regard, we must congratulate TaylorMade for keeping it real, as these drivers sound and swing like Thor’s sledgehammer.

Design-wise, the new drivers look the part, as TaylorMade’s clubs always looked awesome, having a great shape and looking like you’re gonna kill it! Acoustics are great and they meet and exceed what the company has already done with the M5 driver, with the new SIM Max still boasting that hammer feel when hitting heavily. Now here's the roundup: the TaylorMade SIM Max makes for a high moment of inertia/high launching machine, and it’s designed to please golfers looking for more forgiveness, as well as better players seeking more spin. Compared to the vanilla SIM, the SIM Maxx has an eight percent larger face, which adds to forgiveness. The TaylorMade SIM Max-D driver is eighteen percent larger face-wise than the SIM, which makes for a nice forgiving option if you're trying to avoid the right side of the golf course. As per pricing and availability, the SIM retails for $549.99 MSRP and comes stock with a new Golf Pride Z-Grip (47g ) being offered in 8, 9, and 10.5-degree lofts. Other stock-shaft options include Mitsubishi Diamana S Limited 60 and Project X’s HZRDUS Smoke Green 70, plus many others available at no extra cost.

The SIM Max and Max-D retail for five hundred bucks, $499.99 MSRP that is, and they can be ordered in 9, 10.5, and 12-degree lofts, with stock-shaft offerings that include Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 and Ventus Red 5, plus many others available at no extra charge. Both the SIM Max and the Max-D arrive stock with the new Golf Pride Z-Grip (47 g). The women’s offerings for both SIM Max and SIM Max-D include the Aldila NV Ladies 45 shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip (38 g).

Now let’s take a look at the new 2020 Taylormade SIM fairway woods, and to describe them in a few words, we’d say that V Steel is back with a vengeance in an upgraded package. The point being, the V Steel fairway woods were launched by TaylorMade Golf almost two decades ago, back in 2001 respectively, and since their first-gen, they have become ubiquitous in almost any respectable player's bag due to their inherent qualities: they looked awesome, launched with low spin and literally withstood the test of time. The new 2020 Taylormade SIM fairway woods are now bringing back the V Steel heritage and spirit in a cool looking package that's also beefed up to the max. The SIM Fairway woods are built on the same hugely popular sole shape as the V Steel, but there have been some aesthetic upgrades added to improve the clubs in terms of forgiveness, low spin, and high launch.

The new new 2020 Taylormade SIM fairway woods are basically V Steel squared, as fairway wood technology evolved significantly in the past decade, and by evolution, we're talking about exotic materials like titanium and carbon fiber, as well as smart design, i.e. clever weight placement which basically transformed fairway woods into mini-drivers. And no, we are not complaining, as this has been a crazy and fun ride for us all. The vast majority of modern fairway woods are capable to fly a mile with virtually zero spin, and the same stands true for TaylorMade’s latest fairways, which feature a 180cc Zatech titanium face, as well as an 80 grams steel sole weight. To give you an automotive comparison, think along the lines of Mercedes Benz AMG, i.e. these are the best of everything, as they offer immense playability, they’re heavy headed and look great. If you are wondering about Zatech titanium lingo, well, you must learn that this makes for a very special (as in limited edition/small batch) titanium alloy, and this extravagant choice of face-material allowed TaylorMade to create an incredibly hot face that’s also incredibly forgiving across the hitting area.

Now, if you’re already a fan of TaylorMade’s M6, the new 2020 SIM Max fairway is literally the same deal, just a little bit better due to V Steel technology and some design improvements or tweaks. The SIM Max-D fairway boasts a 190cc chassis and comes in a draw-biased package. All the three models have softer lines from top to bottom, yet they feel as solid as they come, almost hammer-like solid, which by the way was a pattern with the entire M series from the past; if you enjoy a heavy hit, these babies will make you smile every time. As for price and specs, the SIM costs $399.99 MSRP and is available in Rocket 3/14 degrees, 3/15 degrees and 5/19 degrees with a Mitsubishi Diamana FW Limited 75 stock shaft and a Golf Pride Z-Grip (47g); obviously, there are other additional shafts available upon request at no extra charge. The SIM Max and Max-D cost $299.99 MSRP and they’re available in lofts of Rocket 3/14 degrees, 3/15 degrees, 5/18 degrees, 7/21 degrees and 9/24 degrees with Fujikura Ventus Blue FW 5 (R and A flexes) and Ventus Blue FW 6 (S and X flexes), plus several custom shafts options at no additional cost. The SIM Max-D is available in lofts of 3/16 degrees, 5/19 degrees, and 7/22 degrees with a UST Mamiya’s Helium FW stock shaft and the new Golf Pride Z-Grip (47g), while women models SIM Max and SIM Max-D fairways arrive stock with Aldila NV Ladies 45 shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip (38g).

Last but not least, we have the SIM Max Rescue 2020, which marks another first for TaylorMade, i.e. the SIM Max Rescue comes with V Steel technology for the first time ever in a hybrid. So, why did they do it, you asked? According to the company, V Steel Technology feels at home in a hybrid, as it manages to reduce friction and deliver improved turf interaction from basically any type of lie, or at least that’s the theory. The new hybrid also comes with a redesigned leading edge, which complements the V Steel tech in order to provide better playability and strike conditions. Another characteristic of the SIM Max Rescue 2020 is its rounded toe and adjusted face angle, or, to put it in layman's terms, TaylorMade did its best to create a new look and shape at address. The hybrid features a C300 steel face for durability, improved ball speed, and overall performance, and mind you, this is the exact same face found in the latest fairway metals. To round it up in “what’s under the hood” department, we must mention Speed Pocket and Twist Face technologies; the former is designed to deliver a hotter than ever face, i.e. increased ball speed all across the face, while, in the same time, improving forgiveness with an emphasis on low-face impacts. The specially crafted slot insert eliminates turf drag and enhances sole interaction, while the Twist Face tech mitigates the issue of miss-hits on the heel, toe and low on the face.

The new hybrids come equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Blue stock shaft and a Lamkin Crossline 360 grip (47 g), but don't worry, custom-shaft options can be ordered at no additional cost. The ladies' version comes with the Aldila NV Ladies 45 shaft and the Lamkin Ladies Sonar grip (38 g). As per pricing, the new SIM Max Rescue costs $249.99 MSRP and it’s available for purchase at all major retailers in the United States.