TaylorMade SIM Vs SIM MAX Drivers: Which Is Better?

The TaylorMade SIM drivers are some of the most sophisticated golf drivers. The SIM features are a step up from clubs with the same performance traits, such as the M5. But many golf experts are comparing the TaylorMade SIM vs. SIM Max and saying if they are similar or not.

The TaylorMade brand is the most recognizable name in golf. Its products are synonymous with quality and supremacy, like the SIM and SIM Max drivers. The company continues to find more innovations perfecting the function of a driver to enhance your play performance.

The TaylorMade SIM and SIM Max drivers came in 2020 and became popular among pros and amateurs. But are you familiar with these drivers? If not, we will feature the TaylorMade SIM vs. SIM Max driver debate and answer the long-time questions: Are they similar or not? 

You will also know their similarities and differences. 

TaylorMade SIM Driver 

Pros

• The SIM has many similarities to the M5.
• It is best for mid and low handicappers or more experienced golfers.
• You can adjust the golf club for draw, fade, and even launch angles during the game.
• It is a club that helps a player adds a lot of distance and club head speed.

Cons

• Not suitable for high handicappers.
• The sweet spot and club head are small.
• It has little forgiveness.

TaylorMade SIM Max Driver  

Pros

• This driver has a lot of forgiveness.
• The SIM Max offers few miss-hits.
• Its advanced aerodynamic designs stand out in gaining distance.
• It provides more accuracy with less twist on impact.
• The driver helps golfers to bring about a draw.
• It has a sizeable sweet spot ideal for novices or beginners.

Cons

• The driver does not have much workability compared to the SIM.
• Not ideal for experienced or low-handicap golfers.

TaylorMade SIM Max vs. SIM Drivers: Their Similarities

1. Design

The SIM and SIM Max have some of the most advanced features like the asymmetric sole and the Inertia Generator designs. These innovative designs work hand-in-hand in forming the state-of-the-art shape or the Shape in Motion (SIM) feature, hence the name SIM. 

The new design makes the driver an accomplishment in engineering. The two SIM models also share the 4° loft sleeve and Speed Pocket designs.

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2. Speed Injected Twist Face Technology

The Speed Injected Twist Face feature of both drivers has resin inserts. The design brings back the face inside the matching up limits ensuring utmost speed for each.

3. Inertia Technology

The Inertia Generator (I.G.) design counteracts the raised sole and crown, enhancing an aerodynamic-shaped head with a low Center of Gravity (C.G.). Both drivers have this feature. 

Engineers put the I.G. at the back of the club head to attain a better C.G. location. The innovation results in a higher moment of inertia (MOI) that increases forgiveness.

4. Loft Adjustability

TaylorMade SIM & SIM Max offer adjustable sleeves on the stick (shaft). Both have plus or minus 2° adjustable loft (angle) and, plus or minus 4° face (angle). A very clever idea, isn’t it? The adjustability makes players more flexible in tweaking their shots to near perfection.

TaylorMade SIM Max vs. SIM Drivers: Pointing Out Their Differences

1. Face Size

Both club heads have a volume of 460cc (USGA’s size limitation), but the SIM has an 8% smaller club face than the Max. The size difference makes the SIM more appealing to experienced players than SIM Max.

2. Launch Angle

The TaylorMade SIM got less spin with a lower launch than the Max (mid-launch angle). The SIM also has a + / – 20 fade or draw-bias than the latter. For SIM, the available trajectory angles come in at 8, 9, and 10.5 degrees. The TaylorMade SIM Max has 9, 10.5, and 12 degrees of loft.

3. Customization

The adjustable loft sleeve on both drivers helps you to customize your driver. However, the SIM offers more functional customization like the sliding weight technology. The SIM Max does not have this feature. The Sliding Weight Track (SWT) feature is one of the most distinguishable differences between the SIM and SIM Max drivers.

4. Swing Speed

The two SIM drivers have the same asymmetric sole and Inertia Generator features. They also have the same material and shape, but both offer a slight increase in swing speed.

However, the effect of your usual swing speed affects the outcome of your strike. But many SIM driver users (SIM & SIM Max) swear of an almost 5% increase in swing speed over other drivers.

Hence, the high-speed swingers will have a larger proportional intensity on swing speed than low-speed swingers.

5. Look and Feel

 The looks of both SIMs might be similar, but they have modest differences. The TaylorMade SIM Max face is slightly bigger: and the head is marginally longer from back to front. The feel gets a little intense on the SIM Max.

6. Performance 

The SIM Max is a better game-improvement driver than the SIM. It is also more forgiving, spins more with a high ball flight, and is ideal for beginners or high-handicappers.

7. Distance

The distance provided by SIM and SIM Max is nip and tuck: but they differ in the spin. The SIM gives less spin on the golf ball, providing a lower but more penetrable ball flight. 

Every time you exert a solid connection with the ball, you could gain a longer range with increased roll. Since the SIM Max driver is more forgiving, you can get added ball spin. The added spin results in high ball flight with a lot of carry-distance and sizeable forgiveness.

But the SIM will give you added yards compared to the SIM Max, although the latter is easier to hit.

8. Spin

The SIM has a low spin rate compared to the Max. But its adjustability may allow you to set up a fade or draw shot. These adjustments may enhance the sidespin to your strikes. 

The enhanced backspin of Max, on the other hand, provides an easy launch with high ball flight. Beginners and less-experienced players may have error-free results using the Max.

9. Price 

The SIM Max is cheaper than the SIM. The price difference between the drivers may run from $30 to $50 (individual driver). 

TaylorMade SIM vs. SIM Max: Which Driver Is Better?

Both drivers appeal to broad-spectrum golfers. The SIM is more suitable for low handicappers, while the Max suits high- and mid-handicappers.

Which TaylorMade Driver Is Best For Me? 

If you are a high or mid- handicapper, you will benefit more from using the TaylorMade SIM Max. The higher launch angle and the enhanced spin and forgiveness give you more advantages using the Max.

FAQ’s 

1. Do pros use SIM or SIM Max?

Many pros use either SIM or SIM Max. Several pros like Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm utilize the Max or the SIM.

2. Do any tour players use SIM Max?

Aside from Tiger Woods et al., the other tour players using the SIM Max are Collin Morikawa, Jason Day, Matthew Wolff, Tommy Fleetwood, and Harry Higgs, among others.

3. Is SIM Max 2 better than SIM Max?

The SIM Max 2 has the same perspective as the SIM Max but with a new structure. Moreover, the SIM Max 2 is more forgiving with a higher MOI and bigger club head. If you are a mid-to-high handicapper: its higher launch could increase your range from the tee.

4. Is the SIM Max driver good for high handicappers?

Yes, it is. The high launch and more forgiveness features of SIM Max make it a better driver for high handicappers.

5. Which SIM driver is most forgiving?

The TaylorMade SIM Max is the most forgiving SIM driver because it focuses on this department. It has an 8% larger club head than the SIM driver with a 20g back-weight, giving it a higher MOI with low C. G.

Conclusion

TaylorMade has done it again! The brand never disappoints golfers talking about driver performance! The SIM vs. SIM Max driver distance might have a slight difference: but it all boils down to your skills.

Both drivers have the Inertia Generator that increases club speed. They also enjoy the privilege of having the Speed Injected Twist Face technology counteracting the high-toe miss (a hook).

Furthermore, the SIM delivers a low-spinning driver producing a more penetrable ball flight. The SIM Max gives a little more spin upping the ball flight.

But, with all honesty, we could say that the SIM and SIM Max drivers have the characteristics broad-ranging golfers look for. We can only believe that the SIM Max is a better driver than the SIM. High or mid-handicappers will appreciate the innovative designs of the Max, which is almost the same as the SIM. The former is also cheaper than the latter.

So, if you are still wondering about the debates between TaylorMade SIM vs. SIM Max, learn more in this article.

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