TaylorMade has led the golf industry in driver production for years. They’re the most played driver on all the major tours. If you’re out playing in a foursome, it’s likely that there’s more than one TaylorMade driver in the group. And that’s with good reason, their stuff is some of the best out there.
The latest hype is the family of Sim2 drivers new for this year.
Key Features
Single-piece face cup is made from a single piece of titanium to ensure an optimized sweet spot for consistent strikes and performance off the face on every swing.
Carbon fiber sole is much lighter than titanium resulting in faster clubhead speed and added distance, even on mishits.
Split Mass Weighting positions weight strategically both at the front and the back of the head for increased stability through impact.
Design and Technology
Again, the design features and technological concepts haven’t really changed that much from the Sim series of drivers to those in the Sim2 family.
What has changed is the materials used in construction. In more than one area of the driver head, TaylorMade has incorporated lighter, more durable materials to make each club more aerodynamic for faster swing and ball speed. Not to mention increased forgiveness and distance.
TaylorMade Sim2 Driver
If there’s one feature that stands out more than any other in the Sim2 driver, it’s the forged aluminum ring that encompasses the crown and back of the driver. By using aluminum in these portions of the club, weight is reduced and moved to other areas of the club where it can be used more efficiently.
This driver is also the lowest spinning of the three. While that’s great for high launch conditions and increased distance, early testing shows that some forgiveness may have been sacrificed in the pursuit of low spin.
TaylorMade Sim2 Max Driver
Compared to the Sim2, the Sim2 Max driver is more forgiving and spins a little more. A 24-gram tungsten weight is situated at the back of the head to increase MOI, and therefore forgiveness.
Another design feature that makes this driver more forgiving is a face that’s five percent larger than the Sim2.
TaylorMade Sim2 Max D Driver
If you’re a chronic slicer (there’s more than one of you reading this article), the Sim2 Max D driver is made for you.
With an even larger face and more MOI than the Sim2 Max, this is by far the most forgiving driver in the Sim2 line.
The back weight in the Sim2 Max D has been moved toward the heel. This enables players to square the club at impact and greatly reduce left-to-right spin.
TaylorMade Sim2, Max, and Max D Driver
There are no shortage of reasons golfers have loved TaylorMade drivers over the years. From technology, to design, and just about everything in between, the company continues to get it right when it comes to drivers.
Of late however, the shape of TaylorMade drivers, along with all the other stuff, has been what golfers rave about. That story continues with the Sim2 family of drivers. While the shape of the Sim2 drivers mirrors those of the previous SIM family, the materials used to create that shape are completely different.
We’ll talk more about that in a bit.
PROS
- Wide variety of head designs can fit the swing of nearly any player.
- Lighter materials allow players to increase both clubhead and ball speed for more distance.
- Stability through impact is world-class.
CONS
- Lack of adjustability may be a drawback for some players.
- Price point is higher than other drivers on the market.
- Lack of new technology and innovation may find some players feeling there’s not much difference from the previous generation of Sim drivers.
Our Experience
I think I’ve hit just about every TaylorMade driver that’s been introduced for the past decade. While I’ve liked some better than others over the years, I can say that the Sim2 and Sim2 Max have blown my mind (the Sim2 Max D is not made for my swing).
Even though there are a lot of similarities to the original Sim drivers, the different construction materials and design modifications make all the difference in the Sim2 and Sim2 Max D.
I noticed that both the Sim2 and Sim2 Max spun a little less off the face and as a result the flight was a little lower than my current driver. However, the solid feeling and stability at impact gave me a lot of confidence.
Like most TaylorMade products, my final verdict is that you can’t go wrong with any of the Sim2 drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences between the SIM2, SIM2 Max, and SIM2 Max D drivers?
The TaylorMade SIM2 drivers differ in launch, spin, and forgiveness. The SIM2 delivers low spin and a mid-launch, making it ideal for players seeking distance and control. The SIM2 Max offers higher launch, mid-low spin, and maximum forgiveness with a heavier 24g rear weight. The SIM2 Max D is draw-biased with a 22g heel-weighted design to reduce slices, providing high launch and mid-spin while maintaining forgiveness. All models feature multi-material construction, adjustable lofts, and aerodynamic designs for improved performance.
How does the Forged Ring Construction in the SIM2 Max driver enhance performance?
The Forged Ring Construction in the SIM2 Max driver is made from lightweight, high-strength aluminum that unites the massive rear weight, carbon sole, carbon crown, and milled back cup face. This design redistributes weight to create a deeper center of gravity (CG), increasing stability, forgiveness, and moment of inertia (MOI). It enhances distance and accuracy by providing a more stable clubhead and consistent ball speeds, giving golfers greater confidence on every tee shot.
What are the benefits of the Inertia Generator and TPS Front Weight in the SIM2 Max driver?
The Inertia Generator in the SIM2 Max driver features a 24g tungsten weight positioned at the rear, increasing MOI for enhanced forgiveness and stability. Its aerodynamic design also boosts clubhead speed. The TPS Front Weight is strategically placed on the sole to optimize mid-high launch and mid-low spin, improving both distance and accuracy. Together, these features create a forgiving, high-performing driver suitable for a wide range of golfers.
How does the Twist Face technology in the SIM2 Max driver improve ball speed and accuracy?
Twist Face technology in the SIM2 Max driver corrects mishits by subtly adjusting loft and face angle across the clubface. This design minimizes side spin, promoting straighter shots even on off-center strikes. It also enhances ball speed consistency by expanding the sweet spot diagonally from high toe to low heel, ensuring better performance and accuracy on imperfect hits.
What kind of forgiveness can I expect from the SIM2 Max driver?
The SIM2 Max driver offers exceptional forgiveness, thanks to its high MOI design, 24g tungsten weight in the rear Inertia Generator, and Speed Injected Twist Face technology. These features help stabilize the clubhead, reduce side spin, and correct off-center hits, resulting in straighter shots and consistent ball speeds. Its large sweet spot and low-spin properties make it ideal for golfers seeking improved accuracy and distance on mis-hits.
Conclusion
TaylorMade knows what they’re doing when it comes to the driver game. They have for years and that’s witnessed by their widespread popularity.
Even though the Sim2 series of drivers are similar to the original Sim family in many respects, the use of different materials in construction has improved the performance of all three clubs this year.
If you’re looking for an upgrade to your current driver, you’d be missing out if you didn’t at least take a Sim2 driver for a test drive.
Paul Liberatore
As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry.
