With the pricing of the SIM Max going down a bit and the SIM Max 2 offering some of that impressive newer technology, golfers are faced with a tough decision as to which of these clubs is the best on the market.
If you want to find out whether or not the SIM Max or the SIM Max 2 is best for driver distance, accuracy, overall feel, and more, then stay tuned, and we will help you see the differences between these two golf drivers. The SIM Max vs. SIM Max 2 decision can be a tough one, but these key factors can help narrow it down for you.
Sim Max Features
The SIM Max was the first driver released in this new series from TaylorMade. Before the SIM, we were dealing with the M series. TaylorMade felt it was time to move on to something a bit different and bring about some of the necessary changes on the market, primarily for increased speed. Here is what the SIM Max driver has to offer.
The SIM Max driver’s shape is entirely different from the M series. We noticed that this revolutionary new shape was put into place so the club would be more aerodynamic. In addition, the club head could get faster ball speed and have a better overall feel.
The new rear weight increases MOI (moment of inertia) and helps the club remain more forgiving. So extra speed mixed in with forgiveness is tough for any golfer to pass up.
Speed Injected Technology
TaylorMade doesn’t let any golf club leave their facility unless it is as close to the legal limit from a speed standpoint as possible. Speed-injected technology gives golfers confidence that they are getting a highly functional club that is as close to the legal limit as possible.
Twist Face Technology
Twist face technology is something that TaylorMade will likely have in place for years to come. The larger face area also helps to decrease the number of missed shots. Golfers notice that drives that are missed still go considerably further than they would with previous models from TaylorMade.
Multi-Material Construction
The head design has a very low center of gravity, high MOI, and a combination of several different materials, including carbon, titanium, and steel. If you are looking for something that took technology to the next level when it was released, the SIm Max was a great option to consider.
PROS
- High ball speeds: inertia generator and multi-material construction allowed for very high ball speeds
- Lower purchase price: the SIM Max is the older model, with the SIM Max 2 and Stealth now being released after this, so the pricing is considerably lower
- As close to the legal limits as possible: speed injection technology allows for a club that is as close to the legal limit as possible
- Low center of gravity: a lower center of gravity helps to improve overall ball flight and launch
CONS
- Technology is no longer as new: The golf club has since been replaced with a SIM Max 2, as well as the TaylorMade Stealth
- Not the most forgiving in the lineup: The SIM Max was not the most forgiving in this lineup as it is not the draw bias model
Sim Max 2 Features
The SIM Max 2 is the newer of the two golf drivers, and that will give it a significant advantage. The only thing that keeps some players from going with the SIM Max 2 is the pricing. When pricing goes up a little bit, it can be hard to decide which of the two clubs is best for you. Luckily, neither of these golf clubs will be as expensive as the new TaylorMade Stealth, which tops the market for TaylorMade right now. Here are a few of the SIM Max 2 features worth looking into.
Thru Slot Speed Pocket
Don’t let TaylorMade fool you; the Speed Pocket is certainly not new technology. However, this technology changes from time to better suit the player’s needs. We have found this speed pocket design to be the most flexible yet.
The idea here is that you will maximize on ball speed and help to create a bit of forgiveness on those off-center strikes. If you miss the ball below the center of the clubface, it will still travel quite far.
Forged Ring Construction
Most of the changes from the SIM Max to the SIM Max 2 were minimal. When a golf manufacturer puts out a driver like the SIM Max, there is really very little need to overhaul it the next year completely.
However, the most significant change you will see is this new Forged Ring Construction. The club looks entirely different than the previous model, especially when looking at the bottom of the club head.
This forged design was done with lightweight aluminum to help improve the aerodynamics of the club. When I tested it, I could see exactly what TaylorMade was going for with this shape, which certainly worked. It takes a few swings to get used to the concept and look, but it will likely be well worth it.
Split Mass Weighting
Another change we saw in the SIM Max 2 that was not featured in the SIM Max was the Split Mass Weighting. The Split Mass Weighting will improve forgiveness but also allows for easier customization for the golf club.
TaylorMade noticed that many golfers with lower handicaps were using the SIM Max driver as compared to the SIM because of that extra forgiveness. However, if a golfer can fine-tune the performance of the SIM Max 2 so that it still feels like a players club, the possibilities are endless.
Premium Shaft Offerings
With the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max being a newer release to the market, there are still more options for customization than you will find with the SIM Max. If you want a premium shaft, that should not be hard to find. In addition, the golf shafts that they included with the SIM Max 2 are all quite good and should not be a problem for any player.
Low Spin
Although the SIM Max has a relatively low-spinning design, low spin technology has gotten better since its initial release. Golf manufacturers are figuring out how to make a driver low spinning but also allow for a bit of workability and plenty of ball flight.
The low spin design increases players’ roll when the ball hits the ground, which will only help improve long-term capabilities with the golf club in place.
PROS
- Adjustability: easy to adjust the golf club to fit the loft and lie angle preferences of any player.
- New Forged Ring Construction: having the new forged ring construction will lead to better aerodynamics, more forgiveness, and a more penetrating overall ball flight.
- Low Spin: the driver is designed for a lower spin so that there is an increase in both roll and accuracy when the club is in hand.
- Maximum Ball Speeds: when the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max was first released, it had higher ball speeds than most other golf clubs on the market; these high speeds are still competing against the new driver released today.
CONS
- Not enough of a difference from SIM Max: many golfers felt like the changes from SIM Max to SIM 2 were not enough to warrant an upgrade.
- Pricing still high: Even though the new TaylorMade Stealth came out to the market, the pricing on this club is still a little high.
Sim Max vs. Sim Max 2 – Comparison Table
| Parameter | SIM Max | SIM Max 2 |
| Distance | Good | Better |
| Forgiveness | Good | Better |
| Ball Flight | Mid to High Launch | Mid to High Launch |
| Adjustability | Yes | Yes |
| Ball Speed | High | Higher |
| Construction | Multi-Material | Multi-Material |
| Pricing/Value | Very Good | Average |
With the SIM Max and the SIM Max 2 being released just 12 months apart, the technical differences between the two clubs is not always all that eye-opening. All golf manufacturers feel the need to put out a new golf club every twelve months, and this results in a few clubs each year that are not incredibly different.
However, as you can see from the comparison chart, the distance, forgiveness, and ball speed consistently tested higher in the SIM Max 2 than they did in the SIM Max. Over time golfers learn that the differences may only be a few miles per hour, but it can make some significant changes in your game.
We were impressed with the overall value of the SIM Max now that its pricing has come down. If you are a golfer on a budget and want a club that has tremendous performance for the money, the SIM Max is a great option to consider.
The fine-tuned performance that adjustability allows for each of these golf drivers certainly makes this club feel like a custom fit. However, shaft selections in the SIM Max are getting a bit more limited at his driver ages.
Which One Should I Choose?
If the decision were up to me, I would choose the SIM Max 2. The changes they made to the shape of the club head allowed for a more stable and confidence-inducing feel at impact. I noticed that the club had a very little vibration and the overall feel was better.
In addition, the way this club is designed, it can travel through the air considerably faster, giving it much higher ball speeds. If you are looking for a club that is likely going to last you a bit longer, and encourage long-term consistency in your long game, go with the SIM Max 2.
There is nothing glaringly wrong with the SIM Max; it’s simply that golf driver technology has changed enough since then to make it a bit outdated at this point.
FAQs
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the TaylorMade SIM Max vs. SIM Max 2 and what these golf drivers have to offer. Both drivers were very high-performing choices for TaylorMade, and they have a lot to offer.
Our Verdict
The SIM Max vs. SIM Max 2 was a very tough one there when the SIM Max 2 was first released. As you can see, the technology featured in each of these clubs is similar, so it can be tough to upgrade from one to the other. Choose the SIM Max 2 now that the pricing has come down, and the new TaylorMade Stealth is catching everyone’s attention. This driver has very relevant technology that will likely last you many years to come.
