When TaylorMade comes out with a new driver, you pretty much pay attention to see what new technology nobody else is using out there.
The SIM line of drivers have been around for a little over a year, but the technology is still top notch.
The M5 and M6 drivers that the SIM line replaced were some of the best. They were aesthetically pleasing, had great sound/feel, were very forgiving, and most of all were as long or longer than anything else out there.
The SIM, SIM Max, and SIM Max D had a lot to live up to, and they have exceeded even the highest of expectations. They are long, consistent, straight, forgiving, adjustable (SIM), and look excellent at address.
The following is a review and a comparison and contrast of the TaylorMade SIM vs SIM Max drivers. They are similar in their technology, but there are definitely a few differences that set them apart.
TaylorMade SIM
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.
(click here to see a detailed review of the TaylorMade SIM driver)
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, similar to the M5 driver.
- Designed specifically for lower handicappers.
- Very easy to adjust the club for fade, draw, and launch angle even in the middle of a round.
Cons
- Has a smaller head and smaller sweet spot.
- Not made for lower handicappers.
TaylorMade SIM Max
TaylorMade remains an industry leader in the “driver” department and the TaylorMade SIM Max continues that legacy.
(check out this article to get our in depth review of the SIM Max)
This driver takes aerodynamics and swing speed to a new level. TaylorMade significantly changed the design of this driver, which may throw some golfers off, to produce what they believe to be their straightest and longest offering yet.
As you can tell by the name, the SIM Max is in the newest line of TaylorMade “SIM” drivers.
It features the Twist Face Technology, Speed pocket, Speed Injection, and low/rear Center of Gravity just like the SIM. You can get a little more spin with this club but not as much workability as the SIM.
The SIM Max produces a really high ball flight and a lot of forgiveness and sends the ball straighter than most drivers.
It features the really aerodynamic shape for added distance while the MOI and center of gravity give you great launch and fewer mishits.
The SIM Max was designed more for mid to low handicappers, but it has traits and features that make it a great club no matter your skill level.
Pros
- Can create significant help in producing a draw from almost any player.
- Less “twist” at impact than other drivers which will create consistent accuracy.
- TaylorMade’s “twist face” technology adds corrective angles across the face so that no matter where you make contact, the results are as straight as possible.
- Great launch angle as they moved the added weight to the back and bottom of the clubhead.
Cons
- Even the slightest change in club design can negatively effect some players, and TaylorMade significantly changed theirs.
- The club is setup for a draw which can make shaping any other type of shot more difficult.
TaylorMade SIM Vs SIM Max Driver Features Face to Face
Construction
Head
The first thing you notice about the 2 clubs is that the SIM Max is noticeably bigger. The head is about 10% larger and it has a higher MOI and a larger inertia generator. All of that to say that the SIM Max is a larger and more forgiving driver than the SIM.
When you take a closer look at the clubs, the next thing you notice is that the SIM has an adjustable weight track on the bottom of the clubhead.
This adjustable weight track does a couple of things. The first is that it allows you to set your club up for either a draw or fade bias.
The other thing it does is add weight. This added weight is what allows the SIM Max to put in the inertia generator, giving it more forgiveness.
It is a tradeoff between the 2 clubs. You get extra forgiveness with the SIM Max and adjustability with the SIM.
Other than that, the club heads are very similar. You will find Twist Face Technology, Speed Injection, a speed bridge, and a raised crown and sole that takes away drag.
In fact, these clubs are as aerodynamic as you will find which adds to the clubhead speed. Each driver in the SIM family is tested in a wind tunnel to ensure they are as aerodynamic as possible.
Shaft
TaylorMade has some really good stock shaft options, and the SIM and SIM Max are no exception.
The Mitsubishi and HZRDUS Smoke Green are both available for the SIM while the Ventus Red and Blue are available for the SIM Max.
Quality is not an issue for either of these shafts and you can find one that fits your swing as long as you go through the fitting process.
The biggest difference is that the HZRDUS Smoke Green shaft is a low launch shaft that goes really well for lower handicappers who use the SIM driver as a low launch and heavy control driver.
Looks
The drivers look very similar other than the size of the face of the club. The new white and blue combination on the top line looks great and is quite a change from the normal red or orange that TaylorMade is known for
. The SIM drivers actually look quite a bit different than the previous “M” series. The “V” shape on the bottom looks great, and the club is really aerodynamic looking as well.
Standing over each driver, they look really similar, and the looks of these clubs is definitely one of their strengths.
Performance
Distance
If you had to rank driver features in order of importance, your list would look something like this:
- Distance
- Forgiveness
- Distance
- Accuracy
- Distance
While that is an exaggeration, when you are buying a driver, you want your driver to be as long as possible. With the Speed Injection Technology that is present in all SIM drivers, the distance will be there.
The main difference in distance between the SIM and SIM Max is the spin. The SIM puts less spin on the ball which gives you a lower and more penetrating ball flight.
If you can make solid contact each time, you will get great distance and more roll. The SIM Max is a more forgiving driver so you get a little extra ball spin.
This extra spin gives you a little higher ball flight, a lot of carry, and great forgiveness. You will get a few more yards out of the SIM than the SIM Max, but the SIM Max is an easier club to hit.
Launch
Your launch is slightly higher with the SIM Max than the SIM and your ball carries a little longer because of the extra backspin.
As a more forgiving club, the SIM Max has a higher launch and ball flight.
The SIM driver focuses on low handicappers who are usually looking for a mid launch club with a penetrating ball flight and that is what you get.
Spin
The SIM driver produces one of the lowest spin rates on the market. The adjustability of the club allows you to set it up for a draw or fade, and those settings will add some sidespin to your shots.
In general, however, the SIM is known as the lowest spinning club of these drivers. The SIM Max produces more backspin for an easier launch, higher ball flight, and more accurate results.
Sound/Feel
The feel of both clubs is incredible. You get instant feedback in your hands on each shot and when you make solid contact with the ball there is not a much better feeling in golf than a good feeling driver.
If you played Little League as a child, then you know how it feels to connect with a ball and that is exactly what these drivers remind me of.
They have great sound as well while the SIM Max may be a little louder it is hard to tell the difference.
Cost
The cost of the 2 clubs is about the same depending on where you shop unless you find a great deal somewhere.
The bottom line is that the price of the clubs will almost definitely be within $50 of each other and should not be a real factor in the club buying decision.
TaylorMade SIM Vs SIM Max Driver Standout Features
Adjustability
I know this has been mentioned above multiple times, but the adjustability of the SIM driver is a standout feature.
The sliding weight track on the bottom of the club head features a 10g weight that can be moved to different positions along the track to promote either a draw or fade bias.
At either end of the track, the weight can provide golfers with up to 20 yards of draw or fade bias that allows for great shot shaping and flexibility in shot making throughout the day.
This is another reason that the SIM driver is geared more toward golfers with lower handicaps.
While each of the SIM drivers gives you some adjustability in terms of loft (about 2-degrees), the SIM driver is the only in the line that offers this type of adjustability.
Forgiveness
While both the SIM and SIM Max are forgiving drivers, the SIM Max offers some features that you do not see on the SIM. The inertia generator has more mass, the club face is slightly larger, and it produces a higher backspin rate than the SIM. Because the face is about 10% larger, the sweet spot is bigger too so that more golfers can get the ball down the fairway. The SIM driver focuses on lower handicap players while the SIM Max is more forgiving and easier to hit.
Ball Flight
The SIM produces slightly less spin and a more penetrating ball flight than the SIM Max.
The SIM driver is made for lower handicappers that generally want a low spin, mid launch driver with which they can get a little extra distance and better ball flight.
The SIM driver, because of its adjustability, is also an easier club to shape and work around the course which means you can get a left-to-right or right-to-left ball flight more easily.
The SIM Max, on the other hand, provides a little extra backspin on each drive. This backspin gives you a higher ball flight and a little extra carry.
While the backspin can take away a couple of yards in distance, it is not as much as you might think because of the extra carry you get with each drive.
The main thing about the SIM Max is that it is an easier ball to get up in the air, especially for beginners and higher handicappers.
Final Thoughts On The TaylorMade SIM vs SIM Max Driver Matchup
Both of these drivers are really great. They are long, accurate, very forgiving, aesthetically pleasing, the SIM is adjustable, they look great at address, and did I mention they were long?
The bottom line is that you really cannot go wrong with any of the drivers in the SIM family.
At the same time, you want to play the club that is right for your game.
In this case, if you are a low handicap golfer that makes good, solid contact with the ball most of the time, go with the SIM.
If you are a higher handicap golfer and are looking for a little extra forgiveness, higher launch, and an easier to hit driver then go with the SIM Max.
