Over the past few weeks, several manufacturers have started to release clubs that will go on sale in 2021. But before they can be used in an official event, each of those clubs has to be tested by the game’s governing bodies. The USGA and the R&A need to be sure they conform to the Rules of Golf. If they do, they get added to Conforming Club lists, which are updated every Monday.
Today, two new TaylorMade drivers were added to the lists, the SIM2 and SIM2 Max.
Officially, TaylorMade has not released any details about the new drivers. However, based on the photos on the R&A’s website, there are a few things that we can tell about them.
SIMilar shape
Last season, TaylorMade released three SIM drivers, and each of them had a uniquely-shaped, asymmetrical sole. The idea was to create a low-and-back center of gravity (CG) position but make the clubs as aerodynamic as possible (SIM stands for shape in motion). The SIM2 and SIM2 Max drivers have a sole design that appears almost identical to the 2020 SIM drivers.
Is that carbon fiber?
TaylorMade may have given the SIM2 and SIM2 Max drivers a woven pattern on the sole, but it appears that most of the sole is now carbon fiber. Removing titanium and opting for carbon fiber would save weight.
No sliding weights
The standard SIM driver used by Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods has a sliding weight that creates a draw or fade bias. Neither the SIM2 nor the SIM2 Max driver appears to have a sliding weight, but they appear to have a small weight near the center of the sole. Written on the weight are the words, “High MOI, Low Spin.”
Speed Pocket slots
TaylorMade has been designing a slot in the sole of drivers for years to protect ball speed on low-struck shots. The company refers to it as a Speed Pocket, and we can not only see the slots running behind the leading edge in the photos, the words Speed Pocket are written on the sole.
Forged aluminum?
Carbon fiber and titanium are materials commonly used in making modern drivers. Still, according to the Conforming Club list, the words “Forged Aluminum” are printed on the back of the heads. While we can’t see those words in the photos, there appears to be a metallic material holding a back weight in the pictures.
Last season, the standard SIM driver was the preferred option for most of TaylorMade’s tour staff because it created a lower ball flight and offered more adjustability. The SIM Max driver was more forgiving and offered more stability on off-center hits. It is unclear if the SIM2 and SIM2 Max drivers will follow the same pattern, but Golfweek will report on it as more information becomes available.