Callaway Apex DCB Vs. Taylormade SIM2 Irons – Review & Specs 2023

Over the years there have been plenty of twists on the classic cavity back design. Taylormade and Callaway are 2 companies who have contributed to the evolution of cavity back irons.

It seems that everyone wants more forgiveness from their irons but no one wants to lose out on performance.

Taylormade and Callaway have done their best to respond to these demands with the Callaway Apex DCB and Taylormade SIM2 Iron sets.

Callaway Apex DCB Irons

The Callaway Apex DCB irons give the look of a player’s iron with the forgiveness of a traditional cavity back.

The Callaway Apex DCB irons do a great job of combining forgiveness features with high-end player’s iron features.

For instance, the forged design gives the feel of a player’s iron but the deep cavity back and wide sole provide the forgiveness of a game improvement iron set.

Main Selling Points Of The Callaway Apex DCB Irons

The Callaway Apex DCB were made for high to mid handicap players who want the feel of a player’s iron.

The Callaway Apex DCB irons feature a tungsten energy core that helps improve ball speed.

They are made from soft carbon steel which perfectly complements the feel of the forged faces.

Overall Rating: 94/100

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Taylormade SIM2 Irons

The Taylormade SIM2 Irons continue the evolution of the cavity back design and their own renowned Speed Bridge.

The SIM2 irons are also great for beginners and mid handicappers because they have a lot of forgiveness features.

They have generous sweet spots and the Speed Pocket allows for almost effortless ball speed.

Main Selling Points of the Taylormade SIM2 Irons 

The Cap Back design is a cross between a traditional cavity back and an altered version of Taylormade’s Speed Bridge.

The Cap Back design still provides stability for the ultra-thin face and the Speed Pocket that allows the face to function like a hinge.

The soft polymer insert in the hollow heads of the SIM2’s also work to improve feel.

Overall Rating: 96/100

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Who Is Each Set For?

The Callaway Apex DCB and SIM2 irons are both for players looking for more forgiveness.

They are both premium quality clubs that would fit perfectly in the bags of high to mid handicappers.

The Callaway Apex Family

The Callaway Apex DCB is accompanied by the standard Apex irons and the Apex Pro versions.

All of the sets in the Apex family feature 100% forged bodies. However, the DCB’s have the widest soles for enhanced turf interaction.

The standard Apex irons are more for distance while the Apex Pros are more player’s irons.

Callaway Apex DCB Vs. Taylormade SIM2 Loft Comparison

Loft is important when you’re trying to find the perfect set of irons. See how these two sets stack up in terms of loft.

Callaway Apex DCB Loft

Taylormade SIM2 Loft

4 Iron

20°

19°

5 Iron

23°

21.5°

6 Iron

26°

25°

7 Iron

30°

28.5°

8 Iron

34°

32.5°

9 Iron

38°

38°

Callaway Apex DCB Options

  • True Temper Elevate ETS 85 Steel shaft
  • UST Mamiya Recoil Dart 65 Graphite shaft
  • Regular, stiff and light flex

Taylormade SIM2 Options

  • KBS Max 85 MT shaft
  • Fujikura Ventus Blue
  • Stiff, regular and amateur flex

Length & Lie Comparison

Callaway Apex DCB Length/Lie

Taylormade SIM2 Length/Lie

4 Iron

38.75″/60.5

39.125″/61.5

5 Iron

38.125″/61.25

38.50″/62

6 Iron

37.50″/62

37.88″/62.5

7 Iron

37.00″/62.5

37.25″/63

8 Iron

36.50″/63

36.75″/63.5

9 Iron

36.00″/63.5

36.25″/64

Composition Comparison

The internal composition of these 2 iron sets is surprisingly similar.

Both the Callaway Apex DCB irons and the Taylormade SIM2’s have inserts in the heads that are meant to dampen unwanted vibration.

The SIM2’s are made from a polymer material while the Callaway Apex DCB irons utilize urethane microspheres.

However, the SIM2’s lack the forged design that the Callaway Apex DCB irons have.

Performance & Feel Comparison

Both of these irons had a soft feel but the forged body of the Callaway Apex DCB’s put them over the top.

The soft carbon steel and forged construction of the Callaway Apex DCB irons felt undeniably better than the Cap Back system of the SIM2’s. However, we did like the lower CG of the SIM2’s.

The SIM2 irons did play longer too. On average, we were getting 3 more yards from the 4 iron of the SIM2’s than we were with the Callaway Apex DCB 4 iron.

Still, the Callaway Apex DCB irons were more accurate around the pin.

The shape of the soles made for better turf interaction and the forged carbon steel construction allows for more feedback and control on approaches.

Price Comparison

  • Callaway Apex DCB – $1300
  • Taylormade SIM2 – $800

Other Irons Worth Considering

 

Taylormade M6

The Taylormade M6 was one of the first Taylormade irons to feature the Speed Bridge which spans across the back of the head and braces the sole and crown.

They will help you gain distance but they are an older model that has been improved upon in recent years.

Overall Score: 94/100:

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Taylormade M2 Irons

We really liked the strong lofts of these irons.

The M2’s have a deep cavity back design which helps with forgiveness as well and the irons are long with workability.

The club heads are smaller than the irons that we have mentioned so far so they will work well for people looking for more of a player’s look.

Overall Score: 92/100:

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Callaway Big Bertha Irons

The Big Bertha’s are super game improvement irons and were designed with an AI designed flash face cup.

This increases ball speed on areas of the face that would normally not respond.

These irons were made for distance. They have beefy heads, wide soles and pronounced offset.

Overall Score: 94/100:

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Final Assessment

While both of these irons delivered on forgiveness the Callaway Apex DCB had more to offer overall.

We can overlook the shorter general distance of the Callaway Apex DCB irons in light of the fact that they feel amazing and offer more for the player’s short game.

While you can’t go wrong with either, check out the Callaway Apex DCB irons first.