TaylorMade Sim2 VS Sim2 Max
Overview: Read our Sim2 Vs Sim2 Max Review, learn the pros & cons of each, and see which (if either) is best for you!
Clubs come in many shapes and sizes, many of them released as models that seek to improve on a particular brand’s previous release. In the case of TaylorMade, one of the world’s leading producers of innovative golf clubs, new releases happen almost every year. [no_toc]
With the advent of cutting-edge technology, golf clubs have seen significant improvements in performance and playability, and the TaylorMade Sim2 and Sim2 Max are prime examples of this evolution.
Yet, few clubs are as popular as those found in the TaylorMade Sim series.
Funny enough, few debates divide as many golfers as the debate around which Sim model is better, the Sim2 or the Sim2 Max. The disagreements usually center around opinions about which one is more worth the price, more usable, or which one is better overall.
If you find yourself ready to hit the golf course, but are unsure about which Sim2 is best for you, you’ve come to the right place.
Here, we’ll settle the debate around these 2 models using facts, the most common opinion among various golfers, and our own little take on each of them.
Let’s get to it!
TaylorMade Sim2
The first TaylorMade Sim Max Irons essentially revolutionized the golfing world with its amazing playability and maximum forgiveness. The Taylormade driver was in the bag of such legends like Tiger and Rory, making it one of the most highly demanded clubs by amateurs and professionals alike.
One can imagine how hard it might be for TaylorMade to top a model with a reputation like that. But despite it all, it managed to do it with the TaylorMade Sim2, both in some amazing ways and some only marginally.
According to renowned golf instructor David Leadbetter, 'The Sim2 offers a great balance of forgiveness and playability, making it a popular choice among golfers who demand both distance and control.'
Sim2 Features:
By having the crown and sole of the clubs made with carbon fiber, the SIM2 comes as much lighter than its predecessor.
By being lighter, inertia is generated more efficiently, allowing for stronger swings that create more distance.
This was one of the most beloved features of the original SIM and it was wisely retained for the SIM2. In fact, the SIM2 improves upon it by increasing the data.
This small change has led to more forgiveness through a shape that focuses on the most common mishits and corrects them.
Probably one of its more revolutionary features, the SIM2 has a forged-ring construction.
This uses lightweight aluminum, precision-milled for greater MOI, and a better-placed center of gravity.
This feature means golfers can get more forgiveness, encourage optimal launch, and a very stable feeling with every swing.
The club head of the SIM2 is noticeably larger than the previous model, providing more surface area, thus a larger sweet spot for the golfer.
Pros & Cons of the Sim2
Pros
Cons
It's important to note that the Sim2 is available in various shaft options and flexes, catering to golfers with different swing speeds and preferences.
Now, Let's Look At The Sim2 Max
The Taylormade SIM2 Max essentially has all the things one would love from the SIM2 but a little more. It’s a little lighter, a little bit more forgiving, and a little bit easier to use for players of all handicaps.
In many respects, people believe that the SIM 2 Max is the superior model by far.
That does not mean we haven’t found some cons to balance out the pros though.
Sim2 Max Features:
One of the first of TaylorMade’s models to sport the new ECHO Damping System which uses a softer polymer blend.
It also has multiple contact points across the face to channel away harsh vibrations which go a long way to creating a forged iron-like feel.
With this system, face flexibility is maximized and feedback, something that many seasoned players look for, is greatly improved in just the right amount.
This model has the upper hand on the SIM2 thanks to its cap back design.
The SIM2 Max sports high-strength stainless steel and ultralightweight polymers.
This makes for a club head that’s strong as much as it’s lightweight. This feature also helps maximize distance, forgiveness and feel with an extremely low center of gravity.
Forgiveness is the feature of the club that allows players to make contact with the ball even in less than perfect swings.
With this in mind, the SIM 2 Max clubs’ features prioritize a fast and forgiving face to give golfers who need a little extra help the performance that they need.
It is worth noting though that, while even professional golfers benefit from a little forgiveness, too much forgiveness sacrifices accuracy.
We’ll discuss this problem further down below.
Each club has been uniquely designed to position the Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) on each of the faces to optimize forgiveness and minimize sidespin.
This is apparently to counteract the common right miss.
Pros & Cons Of The Sim2 Max
Pros
Cons
Sim2 Vs Sim2 Max Comparison
- With the original SIM line, TaylorMade focused on reshaping the driver to provide speed and aerodynamics at the most critical phase of the swing - milliseconds before impact.
- The new SIM2 family maintains the aerodynamics and speed of the originals while also giving more forgiveness.
That being said - with a good idea of the key features, and advantages and disadvantages of each model, let’s compare the two more closely and come up with a verdict on which is better.
Price
Let’s make no mistake here, both of these models are priced a little on the high side.
The drivers of each model alone can go for at least $500 full retail price. No matter how we look at it, many golfers just cannot afford these kinds of clubs.
That being said, it is important to note that both are great for professionals as they are for beginners.
So buying just one of them can mean you’re going to be using these clubs for a very long time.
Distance
In terms of distance, the SIM2 and the SIM 2 Max are really on the top of the equipment food chain.
- The SIM 2 is a "low launch" club, while the SIM 2 Max is a "mid launch" club. The greater the launch, generally speaking, the simpler it is to hit and get the ball in the air.
- The Sim 2 is for more skilled players trying to maximize distance without giving up that penetrating ball flight.
They’re clubs you can turn to if you want to get the ball as far as possible.
With that in mind though, we have to give this win to the older SIM2.
The low spin and launch make the SIM2 ideal for getting the ball as close to the green as possible.
For the Sim2 Max, the increase in forgiveness and stability came at the cost of achieving distance, but not by much.
Forgiveness
Again, both clubs are some of the most forgiving clubs any golfer can get their hands on.
But in the category of max forgiveness, it’s obvious that the SIM2 Max has a slight edge over the SIM2.
The tungsten core that does wonders for inertia, the larger face that increases the sweet spot, and the higher launch all go together to produce one heck of a forgiving model.
The low spin features of these two drivers allow you to get a high launch and a higher launch angle.
Spin
When we talk about spin, there’s no way to say which is better.
- It is obvious that the SIM 2 Max produces at least 300 – 400 extra rpm of spin. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. It might make it harder to control but a higher spin might work in the favor of a golfer who knows how to use it.
- On the other hand, the SIM2 is easier to control, producing low spin, but the extra spin of the SIM2 Max gives it a higher launch which could come in handy when avoiding hazards.
In the spin department, we’ll have to label this as inconclusive. Or maybe, call it a draw?
Look/Feel
When at a distance, it could prove not easy to differentiate by looking at both the SIM2 and SIM2 Max. If the SIM 2 Max did not have the word “Max” written on it, one would think they’re the same set.
Upon closer inspection though, the SIM2 Max has an 8% larger face. Both of them feel like they’re the same weight and provide excellent feedback.
The only difference we noticed is in the swing:
- The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max, having a greater inertia generator, seems to glide into the different stages of the swing.
- While the SIM2, requires a little bit more force.
But these differences are so small that most golfers will hardly notice them.
Which Club Is Best For Who?
Before making a decision, it's crucial to test both clubs to see which one feels better and performs optimally for your specific swing. Many golf shops and fitting centers offer demo clubs and fitting sessions, allowing you to make an informed decision.
The only honest answer we can give to this question is that it depends.
The ease of use for each of the models depends on the individual golfer.
- It’s obvious to us that the SIM2 Max, being more forgiving, would greatly benefit beginners or high handicappers. All this comes at the slight expense of accuracy and distance.
- The SIM2, on the other hand, is made for consistent distance at the slight expense of forgiveness and launch. This makes it the more ideal choice for mid to low handicappers looking for accuracy and extra distance.
Final Thoughts
Well, we surely hope that settles the debate. It might seem like no clear winner was selected and you would be right to think so.
It would be impossible to choose a clear winner among two models that are so similar and yet so different in application.
So, if you want a clear answer as to which model you should get, we suggest getting the one that best suits your abilities.
A common misconception among golfers is that the most expensive club or the one used by professional players is always the best choice. However, it's essential to remember that each golfer has unique swing characteristics and skill levels, which should be considered when selecting the ideal club.
In the end, a player’s skill is the only variable that matters in golf, more than any particular feature of a golf club.
When all is said and done, we hope you found this article helpful in some way.
Happy golfing!