Updated May 2, 2023. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
The TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods is a fantastic new piece of equipment for amateurs from the company that creates woods that you routinely see in the bags of the world’s best professional golfers.
The SIM Fairway and SIM Max increase yardage and keeps shots along the target line. This solves problems common to amateur golfers – falling short of the green on long par-5s and missing the fairway on tight doglegs.
If you prefer a fairway wood over a hybrid, the SIM will be a great addition to your bag. Its low profile and robust club head design deliver power and confidence to the swing of any golfer.
In this TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods review, we’ll provide an unbiased opinion on whether or not this club is right for you.
TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods
Best Fairway Wood for Low Handicappers
Pros
- V-Steel Sole Design enhances turf interaction with a smoothness through the golf ball
- Aerodynamic crown lowers drag on golf ball while improving speed
- Twist Face Technology increases forgiveness for truer shots that stay along the target line
Cons
- Preferred by advanced golfers, but at this price point, better that beginners look elsewhere
The TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods offers a low profile with a deep center of gravity for incredible launch with staggering distance. One of the easiest fairway woods to hit, the SIM Fairway Wood is a classic melding of innovative technology and several of the company’s long time patented features.
The highlight of the SIM Fairway is the multi-material construction. Starting with the lightweight composite carbon crown and the reinforced titanium around the face, the fairway wood delivers muscle to the golf ball for extra length from either the fairway or tee box.
The titanium face is hotter and lighter than other fairway woods from TaylorMade for improved ball speed. Even if you get under the golf ball, the exit velocity will power the golf ball forward for additional length.
Behind the face, the designers have installed a Speed Pocket. The opening also reduces vibration for outstanding feel and boosts the club’s response. The Speed Pocket also increases ball speed even on low-face hits.
The wood also offers a V-Steel sole that provides the golfer incredible turf interaction. Rather than sticking or snagging into the grass, the SIM Fairway’s leading edge slides directly into the golf ball for consistent contact that reaches extended yardage with each swing.
To improve forgiveness, the company’s Twist Face Technology redirects off-center shots for better accuracy. The face’s architecture is actually twisted to help reduce side spin for less punishing off-center strikes.
On the course, the SIM Fairway is great off the tee. On tight par 4s, the accuracy provided by the club keeps the ball in the fairway with tighter shot dispersion. On long par 5s, the smoothness of the SIM Fairway easily lifts the golf ball off the grass to propel it toward the target. With both types of shots, the distance and accuracy are standouts, making the wood so fun to play.
For golfers who love adjustability, the SIM Fairway also comes with a loft sleeve that provides adjustability and customization with shot height. With the simple crank of the included tool, you can add or lower the loft of the face by one degree. Along with the lower CG, the loft sleeve offers exceptional launch. The wood does not have adjustable weighting like the SIM Driver.
Available in a 14-, 15-, and 19-degree edition, the TaylorMade SIM Fairway Wood covers the bases typically provided by a 3-and 5-wood in your golf bag.
TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway Wood
Exceptional Fairway Wood for Mid and High Handicappers
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The TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway is an alternative version of the club that is best suited for mid and high handicappers struggling with consistency.
The SIM Max version does have a few cosmetic differences from the premium version, from no fixed weight in the sole or adjustable loft sleeve, but the SIM Max does not skimp on performance.
Our In-depth TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods Review
Looks
The redesigned V Steel plate along the sole of the SIM Max reduces friction once it comes into contact with the turf for better contact and a crisper swing. Regardless of the lie, this sole of the SIM Max provides the golfer with improved performance and more consistency.
The TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods features the durable and strong ZATECH titanium face, giving the club unbelievable response and feel on each shot. With the lower profile of the TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods’ face, the titanium promotes strong interaction at impact with little vibration while providing a reliable and pleasant experience for the amateur.
Response and Feel
When testing the SIM Fairway Woods on the range, the first thing you notice is how well built, and trustworthy the club feels throughout the swing. From taking the club back through the downswing into the golf ball, the SIM Fairway Woods is responsive and incredibly smooth.
For advanced golfers, knowing how a club will respond at impact is crucial to gaining confidence in the equipment. The last thing that a skilled golfer wants is for the club to feel flimsy or have inconsistent results when each swing feels relatively consistent.
The TaylorMade SIM Fairway avoids this potential issue through its design that promotes impressive response after contact and marvelous feel that golfers enjoy on every swing. A solidly built and designed club can be an absolute game-changer for the amateur player, and the SIM Fairway Woods has the potential to be that club for the mid-level golfer.
Golfers often talk about clubs that offer effortless power, and the TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods is undoubtedly a club that qualifies for that compliment.
Performance
Most amateurs are looking for help with keeping their shots along the target line and TaylorMade has created one of the more stunning innovations for golf clubs with their patented Twist Face Technology. On the SIM Max Fairway Woods, the technology keeps the ball moving forward while reducing side spin, even on off-center strikes.
One of the biggest problems that amateur golfers experience with a fairway wood is low launch angle. This problem leaves the golfers with hitting shots they can’t control, leaving the majority of the golf balls to run without the ability to stop on the green or around the cup.
By getting the ball into the air at an optimal launch angle, the golfer can then predictably know how far to expect the shot to carry. By having this knowledge and reliability, the golfer can then shape their shots for accuracy and precision.
The TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods has a lower center of gravity than most comparable fairway woods at this price point. While most are designed to help low handicappers, the TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods does help the more inexperienced golfer find the sweet spot for better forgiveness and higher shots that land softer on the turf.
When golfers read reviews of golf clubs, it becomes difficult to understand why a feature can help their game. A V Steel Plate with a fixed 80g weight might not seem important at first glance, but this feature is why the TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods is so smooth through the impact zone.
The sole plate is anchored by an 80g fixed weight that rests directly behind the center of the club face. This weight lowers the center of gravity and redirects the energy of the club’s momentum to the golf ball. By creating the TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods with this plate as the engine of the wood, TaylorMade has enhanced the turf interaction between club and ball for crisper contact that delivers exceptional feel and response at impact.
If you are struggling with cleanly hitting the golf ball in difficult situations such as a tight lie off of hardpan dirt or from the light rough, a fairway wood like the SIM is built to help with outstanding success.
Alternatives to TaylorMade SIM & SIM Max Fairway Woods
Callaway Mavrik
Outstanding for Low Handicappers
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Pros
- A.I. designed Flash Face SS20 is lightweight and helps increase distance
- Leading Edge technology provides distance, forgiveness, and optimum launch angle
- Callaway’s longest fairway wood with Jailbreak Technology to stiffen the sweet spot
Cons
- Lack of adjustable weighting is a slight, but the club is ideal for low handicappers
The Mavrik is Callaway’s longest fairway wood fueled behind an innovative design and excellent features. The best feature is the artificial intelligence-aided Flash Face SS20 that maximizes forgiveness, ball speed, and distance.
Great for golfers who want a wider face, the Callaway Mavrik is a powerhouse with more distance and forgiveness than most fairway woods at this price point. It’s also a great alternative to Vixa V12.
TaylorMade M6
Well-Made for Mid Handicappers
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Pros
- Twist Face Technology keeps off-center strikes on your target line while maintaining your distance
- Speed Pocket utilizes an insert behind the face for increased speed
- Lightweight Carbon Crown assists with boosted swing speed and extra yardage
Cons
- No adjustable weighting or loft sleeve keeps it ideal for mid handicappers
The TaylorMade M6 is another top-tier worth your time as it packs a terrific punch with better forgiveness and longer distance than most comparable clubs. Much like its baby brother, the newer SIM, the M6 provides the golfer with smooth speed with outstanding response and feel.
Cobra SPEEDZONE
Best Turf Interaction
Pros
- Dual Baffler Rails assists with turf interaction to increase stability and club speed
- CNC Milled Face is thin with excellent response and improved speed after impact
- Carbon Fiber Crown is perimeter weighted with a lower center of gravity for better launch angle
Cons
- Smaller club head forces the golfer to hit with accuracy for minimum performance
The SPEEDZONE is primarily suited for golfers who are accurate with contact as the club offers a smaller club head that certainly increases swing speed but could create a consistency issue.
Verdict: Which Would You Use?
The TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods is a dynamic performer that is sure to boost distance and improve accuracy with the club’s reliable forgiveness. With the lower center of gravity, getting the ball into the air is more natural, and the launch angle is moderate to fight the wind better.
Ideal for low and mid handicappers, the TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods is more appropriate for golfers of that skill level and less so for beginners and high handicappers that need more consistency from their game.
Although it does cost the same as most new drivers, advanced golfers will see that the price is worth the stretch as the TaylorMade SIM Fairway Woods provides an improvement to their long game that is significant.