The SIM driver is TaylorMade’s tour level driver. The club face is 8% smaller than the SIM Max and 18% smaller than the SIM Max D to suit lower handicap golfers.
There is also a 10g sliding weight on the bottom for adjustability, making it easier to work the ball around the course.
The thing about the SIM line of drivers is that they replaced the incredibly successful “M” series drivers, specifically the M5 and M6.
It is always hard to replace something or someone who was very successful because there are always comparisons. The SIM drivers not only met those expectations, but they have exceeded them.
The SIM driver adds distance, has great forgiveness, and is extremely workable on the course.
The following is a TaylorMade SIM Driver Review that will help you understand some of the pros and cons of this terrific driver and help you decide if this is the one for you.
Things to Consider Before Buying The TaylorMade SIM Driver
The SIM driver is one of TaylorMade’s most technologically advanced drivers. The SIM is a clear step up from clubs with similar performance features such as the M5.
It features the same Twist Face technology, Hammerhead 2.0, Speed Injection, Speed Bridge, and adjustability that you find in many of TaylorMade’s offerings, but with a sleeker and more aerodynamic head.
The SIM is much more of a players club than the M5 but it also has quite a few game improvement features as well.
The SIM is made for low handicappers even though it is a very long and consistent club. The main difference in terms of features between the SIM and and SIM Max is the Sliding Weight Technology.
When coupled with the adjustable loft sleeve, it contains adjustability and personalization to optimize the club for each golfer’s trajectory, face angle and flight bias preferences, up to +/-2° loft change and up to +/-20 yards of draw-fade bias.
While it is not magic, it does allow players who like to tinker with their swings the flexibility to shape their shots in a lot of different ways.
Pros
- A players club that adds a lot of distance and club head speed to your game.
- A lot of adjustability, more than the M3 less than the M5.
- Designed specifically for lower handicappers.
- Very easy to adjust the club for fade, draw, and launch angle even in the middle of a round.
- It looks as good at setup as any club on the market and even better than the M3.
- One of the lowest spinning clubs on the market.
- A great,, mid/low launch angle with a penetrating ball flight.
- It sounds and feels great at impact.
Cons
- Has a smaller head and smaller sweet spot.
- Not made for higher handicappers.
Features and Benefits of The TaylorMade SIM Driver
Construction (5 out of 5)
Head
The SIM driver has all of the technology that you find in the SIM Max and SIM Max D. There are 6 big features that you will find in every driver in the SIM line: Speed Injection Technology, Twist Face Technology, an inertia generator, Multi-Material Construction, Speed Pocket, and Inverted Cone Technology.
Even though the face of the SIM is slightly smaller, it packs all of this technology in which makes it an incredibly long, accurate, and forgiving club.
On top of that, it produces less spin and a more penetrating ball flight. But the thing that really sets it apart from the rest of the SIM line is its adjustability.
The bottom of the head features a 10g sliding weight that allows you to set your club up for anywhere between a 20 yard draw bias and a 20 yard fade bias. This type of adjustability and flexibility coupled with the ball flight and control make it a great players club.
Shaft Options
The stock shaft options are the Mitsubishi Diamana S Limited 60 and Project X’s HZRDUS Smoke Green 70. You can find these clubs in R, S, and XS flex options with Golf Pride Z-Grips.
The best thing about these shafts is that the HZRDUS Smoke Green 70 is a low/mid launch shaft. For players looking for that low spin, penetrating ball flight that gives you some good roll at the end as well, this is a great stock shaft.
Club Specs
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- Golfer: Mens, Women
- Hand: Left or Right
- Lofts: 8-degrees, 9-degrees, 10.5-degrees
- Material: Titanium, Carbon, Composite
- Head Volume: 460cc
- Length: 45.75 inches
- Swing Weight: D3
- Shafts: Mitsubishi Diamana S Limited 60, Project X’s HZRDUS Smoke Green 70
- Shaft Stifness: X, S, R
- Grip: Golf Pride Z
Performance (4.5 out of 5)
Forgiveness
There is a little less forgiveness in the SIM than the rest in this line of drivers. The face is a little smaller and the inertia generator is not as dense.
Part of that has to do with the added weight of the sliding track at the bottom and part of it has to do with the fact that the club is made for lower handicappers.
Forgiveness is certainly not a weakness of the club compared to other players drivers, but if you need more of this feature then you should look at the SIM Max or SIM Max D.
Control/Shot Shaping
The SIM driver features some of the best control in the game. The lower launch angle and incredibly low spin rate make it easy to aim and control the trajectory of your shot.
In addition to that, the sliding weight track on the bottom make it a very shapeable club that you can draw and fade off the tee more easily than most similar drivers.
Distance
When all else is equal, this is the longest of the SIM drivers and one of the longest on the market. The low spin rate and head technology are great for outdriving your friends.
The Speed Injection technology ensures that you get the highest end distance possible for this club.
The face is ultra thin, and the resin that is injected fills in all of the holes formed in construction to make it the most solid and “hot” driver out there.
The Twist Face means that the most common mishits or off center strikes find their way down the fairway.
The corrective angles allow your off center strikes that used to destroy your score and your momentum to go almost as long and straight as when you hit it in the center of the sweet spot.
Spin
As was mentioned before, this is the lowest spinning of the SIM series of drivers and features one of the lowest spin rates on the market.
This lack of spin adds to distance, control, and accuracy not to mention the low and penetrating ball flight.
This lack of spin makes it more difficult for higher handicappers to hit well but exactly what most lower handicappers want.
Looks/Feel/Sound (5 out of 5)
We love the TaylorMade driver sound. It is so distinct and so pleasing to the ear that it really makes you like the club even more. The feel of this club is also top notch just like any players driver should be.
It definitely outperforms the other SIM drivers in feel and feedback as the other drivers focus more on forgiveness. As far as looks are concerned, it is hard to find one that looks as nice as this one.
The asymmetrical shape that aides in aerodynamics also aids in aesthetics. At first glance I did not think I was going to like it, but standing over the ball or holding the club in your hands makes you realize how great it looks.
Cost (3.5 out of 5)
It is an expensive driver. It is the same price as the Max and Max D, but this price could put it out of some players’ price range.
Alternatives to the TaylorMade SIM Driver
TaylorMade M5
The M5 is TaylorMade’s newest version of the M3 with a few improvements. The M5 maintains the adjustability on the bottom, the Twist Face Technology, and the Hammerhead is moved to a version 2.0 in the M5.
All of that to say that the forgiveness and adjustability of the M3 was maintained in the M5. The M5 has a slightly thinner face which produces additional ball speed and a slightly lighter body weight than the M3.
You gain approximately 2mph for every 100mph you swing the club. In addition, the extra adjustable track that you saw in the M1 driver is now back in the M5 while you only got the “Y-track” in the M3.
The M3 was a huge advancement in driver technology, and the M5 continues with those new advances while adding a few of its own.
Pros
- Still very forgiving with Twist Face Technology and a big sweet spot.
- The M5 features the speed injection technology that pushes each M5 to the limit of being a legal driver.
- A great club for pros and low handicappers with great distance and control.
- More adjustability features than either the SIM or M3.
- Greater distance features and club head speed found in the M5.
- A lighter and more durable club.
- The Hammerhead 2.0 is a great distance/forgiveness feature.
- The M5 has a larger sweet spot than the SIM or M3.
Cons
- The SIM has better all-around features for the same target audience.
- If you are looking for distance and low spin, the SIM is a better option.
TaylorMade M3
The M3 was the first driver to feature the Twist Face technology that TaylorMade has made famous over the past few years.
It is great technology as TaylorMade took the most common mishit areas (high in the heel or low in the toe) on the driver face and angled those areas to promote straighter and longer shots on mishits.
The aerodynamic design looks great behind the ball and the adjustable hosel allows players to adjust the loft of the club. The M3 and M4 drivers were also the first to feature the Hammerhead technology.
Hammerhead was TaylorMade’s answer to the Callaway Jailbreak and provides more stability and less loss of energy from the club face.
Both the Twist Face and Hammerhead technology are still being used on all M series drivers and the SIM drivers which means they have been very successful and continue to work.
The adjustable weights on the bottom of the clubhead are really what set the M3 apart from many other drivers on the market.
The “Y-track” on the bottom of the club head allows you to move 2 11g weights to the left or right of the club.
This allows you, without changing your swing at all, to adjust the draw, fade, or straightness of your shot with the simple movement of a weight.
The M3 is more similar to the SIM in adjustability with the M5 adding an additional sliding weight track for more adjustability.
Pros
- Twist Face technology reduces the ill effects of mishits and helps to keep your ball straight and long.
- Hammerhead Technology has allowed maximum energy transfer to the ball which increases distance and ball speed.
- 11g of adjustable weights allows you to set the driver up for a draw or fade.
- The ultra-thin face is hot and produces high end ball speed.
- The Tensei graphite shaft is top notch and comes in different flex options.
- Produces more spin than most game improvement clubs, but less than most players clubs.
- Easily workable around the course.
- With the correct weight adjustment, it is almost as long and straight as drivers like the M6 or SIM Max that focus more on distance.
- A very easy club to hit with a great launch angle.
- Very forgiving with a pretty big sweet spot.
- Built more for low to mid handicappers.
Cons
- Not as long as some comparable TaylorMade drivers.
- Driver technology has increased greatly since the M3 hit the scene.
Final Thoughts On The TaylorMade SIM Driver Review
(Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5)
In general, I would rate the SIM Max a little higher than the SIM just because its features are relevant to more people. The SIM driver is really a work of art and is as good of a players driver as you will find. The compact face looks great at setup and the sliding weight really helps you set yourself up for a good golf shot. If you are looking for a new driver and your handicap is on the lower side, you should seriously consider trying out the TaylorMade SIM.
