Taylormade SIM 2 Vs Callaway Mavrik Irons Review & Specs 2023
Shopping for game improvement irons can be tough because so many sets are very similar.
In reality, there is only so much innovation you can fit into an iron. So there’s bound to be some overlap of features from one make/model to another.
Such is the case for the Taylormade SIM 2 irons and the Callaway Mavrik irons.
For the average golfer, it can be very difficult to pick out the minute differences between these 2 iron sets without getting fitted or testing them. So we’ve gone out and tested them for you.
Taylormade SIM 2 Vs Callaway Mavrik Overview
The most important thing you need to know about both of these iron sets is that they are primarily for high to mid handicappers.
Most of the tech that they are loaded with has to do with increasing distance and making it easier for the player to hit the sweet spot.
The Taylormade SIM 2 irons are the newer clubs, debuting in February of 2021.
The Mavrik irons came out a year earlier in January of 2020 but they both are still in the same price range.
Taylormade SIM 2 Key Features
Most of the features of the SIM 2 irons have to do with increasing long iron distance.
For instance, the speed pocket that allows the face to flex more and the 360 undercut that increases the area of the face that actually flexes do a lot for ball speed.
And indeed, after testing them we can conclude that the Taylormade SIM 2 irons are indeed long.
It’s not all about distance with these irons though. The Taylormade SIM 2’s also feature Taylormade’s inverted cone design which moves the sweet spot progressively toward the toe, where players usually mis-hit.
Callaway Mavrik Key Features
After testing the Mavriks, we can conclude that these too are predicated on distance.
Apex height too. The launch we were getting with the short irons of this set was very impressive.
The heads of these irons are also larger than the Taylormade SIM 2’s. Each iron in the set features a custom-sized tungsten weight.
In our experience with this driver, we found that the unique tungsten weighting made for seamless gapping throughout the set. Shot dispersion was also very tight.
Taylormade SIM 2 Vs Taylormade SIM 2 Max OS
As far as shape and size go, the Max OS irons are more similar to the Callaway Mavrik’s.
High handicappers and beginners will have very little trouble finding the sweet spot of the Max OS irons.
Overall, they were more forgiving than the standard Taylormade SIM 2’s. They were also a lot less workable. The short irons lack a lot of feel and shapeability.
Callaway Mavrik Vs Callaway Mavrik Max
If you thought the standard Mavrik’s were big wait until you get your hands on the Mavrik Max irons.
The Mavrik Max irons have a significantly larger footprint than the standard Mavrik’s but still have all the performance features like the custom tungsten weights and flash face design.
Loft Comparison
Check out this basic comparison of the lofts of the Taylormade SIM 2 and Callaway Mavrik irons.
Taylormade SIM 2 Loft |
Callaway Mavrik Loft |
|
4 iron |
19 |
18 |
5 iron |
21.5 |
21 |
6 iron |
25 |
24 |
7 iron |
28.5 |
27 |
8 iron |
32.5 |
31.5 |
9 iron |
38 |
36 |
What Options do you Get with the Sets?
Taylormade SIM 2:
- KBS Max 85 MT shaft
- Fujikura Ventus Blue shaft
- Stiff, regular and amateur flex
Callaway Mavrik:
- True Temper shaft
- Project X shaft
- KBS shaft
Lie & Length Comparison
Taylormade SIM 2 Lie/Length |
Callaway Mavrik Lie/Length |
|
4 iron |
61.5/39.125” |
60.5/38.875” |
5 iron |
62/38.50” |
61.3/38.25” |
6 iron |
62.5/37.88” |
62/37.625” |
7 iron |
63/37.25” |
62.5/37” |
8 iron |
63.5/36.75” |
63/36.50” |
9 iron |
64/63.25” |
63.5/36” |
Who is Each Set for?
Usually, game improvement irons are pretty restrictive in terms of performance.
And that remains true of these two sets – for the most part. They would both be great for high to mid handicappers seeking more distance.
However, if you want more workability around the green and in the long irons then the Taylormade SIM 2 irons would be better for you.
Composition Comparison
The Taylormade SIM 2 irons feature a full hollow-body design.
This allows for a polymer layer to go inside the head to dampen unwanted vibration. The Mavrik’s were built with Taylormade’s Flash Face Cup design and integrated tungsten weights.
Performance Comparison
In terms of distance, both of these iron sets will help a lot.
In fact, there was very little distance difference in the long irons of these sets – the 4 iron of the Taylormade SIM 2 set played just 3 yards longer on average than the 4 iron of the Callaway Mavrik set.
The Taylormade SIM 2 irons played significantly better around the green. They launched higher and we had more control with them.
Price Comparison
As we alluded to earlier, both of these iron sets occupy the same price range.
In general, you can expect to pay around $800 for a new, complete set of both these irons.
Taylormade SIM 2 Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Great long iron distance
- Good from the rough
- High launch
- Good for mid handicappers
- Workable around the green
- Durable
Cons:
- High spin in the long irons
- A bit heavy
- Pricey
- Smaller heads
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Callaway Mavrik Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Good distance
- Good launch
- Great for beginners
- Large sweet spot
- Forgiving
- Satisfying feel
Cons:
- Pricey
- They lack workability
- Launch is almost too high
- Not very accurate
Overall Score; 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Final Assessment
In the end, we felt that the Taylormade SIM 2 irons had more to offer beginners and mid handicappers.
On the other hand, the Mavrik’s would really only benefit those just starting to play. That being said both of these iron sets play long.
The Taylormade SIM 2’s will simply help you more as you start to fine-tune your short game.