With lots of clubs being released every season is hard to keep up with the trends. Each company now releases more than one club in each genre which muddies the water even more.
If you are having trouble deciding between the TaylorMade Sim 2 vs. TaylorMade Sim 2 Max, then have a look below.
We break down all the differences to see if they actually help or if they’re just marketing ploys.
Taylor Made is such a big company that it would be easy to create a product and sell it to some success. Their name alone sells clubs. But if you’re like us, you don’t care about the name; you want results.
These clubs do perform, but they are designed to help two very different kinds of golfers. Whether you have a high swing speed, slice the ball, or have trouble hitting the sweet spot, then one of these drivers will help you.
Read on to see which one is perfect for you.
TaylorMade Sim 2 Vs. TaylorMade Sim 2 Max – Comparison
We have separated each driver to examine the properties that both have to offer fully.
Taylor Made Sim 2 – Best For Low-Mid Handicappers
When the first TaylorMade Sim driver was released, there was a lot of excitement around it. With the promise of more distance and more forgiveness, we were all looking forward to it. Yet, those in the know found it to fall a bit short of expectations.
The same cannot be said about the Taylor Made Sim 2.
This driver is dripping with innovation and technology. They have pulled out all the stops and basically re-invented the driver.
Innovative Use Of Carbon Fiber
The first thing to notice is the abundant use of carbon fiber. This is nothing new. Companies have been trying to incorporate this material for years. Taylor Made has finally done it successfully.
You’ll immediately notice carbon is in the crown. Again, nothing new because many other companies are doing that as well (Cobra, Wilson, Callaway, etc.). For the Sim 2, they have re-positioned the carbon crown more towards the heel and given it an asymmetric sole.
This creates a much better look at address as it gives it a more symmetrical appearance.
Carbon fiber is also used throughout the entire sole of the driver’s head. This is much different than other clubs, and both the Sim 1 and Sim 2 Max feature it. By having carbon on the sole and the crown, the weight is significantly reduced so that you can get a faster swing speed.
Faster Swings Means More Distance
Swinging faster means you can generate more ball speed and thus more distance. The best part is you can swing faster without having to exert any extra energy. The club is designed to do that for you.
This carbon advantage is on both the Sim 2 and the Sim 2 max. One of the main differences between the two is the positioning of the internal weights.
The Sim 2 is for more skilled players trying to maximize distance without giving up that penetrating ball flight. The Sim 2 moves the weight closer to the front and low behind the sweet spot. Putting it here reduces the amount of spin on the ball, so your drives will hit the ground and keep running.
Even More Weight Reduction
Taylor Made has also removed the sliding weight technology on the Sim 2 and the Sim 2 Max.
With the custom weight positioning on both clubs, sliding weight technology would be redundant and would add unnecessary weight. These weight tracks can sometimes cause more problems than they solve.
If a player can move weights to affect their shots, then it’s easy to get addicted to adjusting. Sometimes less is more, and this is a perfect example.
These two drivers are weighted perfectly for whatever level of player you are. Trust the manufacturers, and you will see a vast improvement in your drives.
Taylor Made Sim 2 Max – Best For Mid-High Handicappers
A driver designed for high handicappers is not always a priority for Taylor Made. They have made a very successful living by providing amazing drivers to some of the world’s best golfers.
While you might think what helps a world-ranked golfer can help you, I am sorry to say you are mistaken.
A high handicapper requires a few extra features that a world-class golfer does not. And thankfully, the Sim 2 Max has those.
Here’s The Best Part About The Sim 2 Max
The biggest difference between the Sim 2 and the Sim 2 Max is where they have installed the internal weights.
The Sim 2 Max has the weight positioned further back in the head away from the face. This is to make the sweet spot larger and provides improved forgiveness. If the weight is further back, then the face becomes more receptive to off-center strikes.
This is a huge advantage to higher handicap golfers who are still not confident in hitting the middle of the club face consistently. While you’ll know when you missed the sweet spot, your playing partners won’t since your drives will still look good.
It Also Helps With Your Direction Control As Well
The other weight change that separates it from the Sim 2 is in the heel. There is a bit of added weight there to help your direction by giving it a draw bias.
The most common unwanted shot that high handicappers struggle with is the dreaded slice. Not only does it not travel very far, but it produces a higher ball flight and can veer pretty far offline, as you probably already know.
To cure this, Taylor Made has added extra weight to the heel of the club head to help you hit the ball straighter. This extra weight will slow the heel down through impact and allows the toe to rotate faster. This squares the club face more and keeps your ball flying on a much more playable line.
The combination of these two weight adjustments has proven to work very well. For this reason, this driver has become very popular.
It does Not Sacrifice Any Of the Amazing Features That Sim 2 Has
It still has all the great things that the Sim 2 has as well.
It has the carbon crown and sole to reduce weight. It has the milled cup face technology for a hotter sweet spot. It has the forged aluminum frame to add stability and reduce vibration. And it has the same aerodynamic shape that is a huge advantage when trying to gain more clubhead speed.
This is a minor breakthrough for Taylor Made and is a huge help to any high handicapper looking to stop worrying about their drives. You can now focus on other parts of your game so that you won’t be a high handicapper for long.
Buyer’s Guide
Here we have a few final thoughts to make your decision easier. Both drivers will suit mid-handicappers, so it’s just a matter of choosing which one will help you the most.
Shaft
To optimize the performance of each driver, TM has carefully selected stock shafts. These will support everything that the driver’s head is designed to do.
Sim 2 Shaft Options
Mitsubishi Tensei AV RAW Blue 60 – This shaft is very popular at your local golf course and on tour. It is known for a very stiff butt end that’s wrapped in a unique aluminum vapor (AV) which makes it very stable on the top end.
The latest improvement is throughout the middle of the shaft. It’s a much smoother transition from top to bottom, which allows for a softer tip. This shaft does not have a huge hinge-like feel to it. The middle section allows for maximum speed. This keeps your club stable throughout your swing for longer.
Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Black 70 – If you are looking for something more stable, then this shaft is the one for you. It’s constructed to be very stable and maintain its strength throughout the swing. You can now swing fast without fear of the shaft flexing too much.
This is made for the faster swingers, and you will need a higher swing speed to load the shaft so it can release properly.
Sim 2 Max Shaft Options
Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 – This shaft is one of the best at reducing spin. It features a special kind of carbon fiber at its core that is much stronger than most other shafts.
Since a Sim 2 Max has its weight further back, that can encourage increased spin. This shaft is a great pairing since it greatly reduces spin.
While this shaft is quite new, it’s not as popular on tour like some other shafts. No shaft works for everyone, but Fujikura is seeing a rise in usage on both the mens and ladies tours.
This is a great sign for success if it is appealing to a wide range of golfers.
Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver – If you’re looking for the most twist resistance shaft, then this is it. It’s made to help high swing speed players gain more control over their ball and prevent twisting.
If your swing speed is over 95 mph, this shaft, coupled with the forgiveness of the Sim 2 Max, will make a world of difference in your tee shots.
Related: Guide to Driver Shaft Fittings
Loft
| CLUB | LOFT | HAND | LIE | VOLUME | LENGTH | SWING WEIGHT |
| SIM2 Driver | 8° | RH | 56° – 60° | 460CC | 45.75″ | D5 |
| SIM2 Driver | 9° | RH/LH | 56° – 60° | 460CC | 45.75″ | D5 |
| SIM2 Driver | 10.5° | RH/LH | 56° – 60° | 460CC | 45.75″ | D5 |
| SIM2 Max Driver | 9° | RH/LH | 56° – 60° | 460CC | 45.75″ | D4 |
| SIM2 Max Driver | 10.5° | RH/LH | 56° – 60° | 460CC | 45.75″ | D4 |
| SIM2 Max Driver | 12° | RH | 56° – 60° | 460CC | 45.75″ | D4 |
The loft you choose will have a great effect on your launch angle. You will want to make sure that you are launching a bit higher than normal. Both of these clubs will reduce spin, and a higher launch angle will give you more distance.
Both clubs come equipped with a loft adjustment sleeve. This allows you to change the loft 1° in either direction. For this reason, the 10.5° will be the best for most golfers out there.
Even if you currently play a 9° or 9.5°, the low spin features of these two drivers allow you to get a higher launch angle.
Even if you get the 10.5° and decide it’s not right for you, then you can always adjust it back down to 9.5°.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best Taylor Made driver for high handicappers?
The best Taylor Made driver for high-handicappers is the Sim 2 Max. They have re-positioned the weights to increase the forgiveness and fight against slicing.
Added weight in the heel allows the toe to rotate quicker through impact. This is a great way to reduce slicing and keep your ball flying straight.
Which is the best Taylor Made driver for low-handicappers?
The best Taylor Made driver for low handicappers is the Sim 2. It features a larger face than its predecessor to add some forgiveness.
This is welcome, seeing as the weight has been moved closer to the face to reduce spin. The addition of a carbon sole has reduced the weight and is perfect for getting some added distance.
What is the biggest difference between the Sim 2 and the Sim 2 Max?
The biggest difference between the Sim 2 and the Sim 2 Max is where the internal weights are positioned.
In the Max, they have moved the weight back, away from the clubface. This promotes maximum forgiveness. The Max also has added weight in the heel to help keep your drives straight.
Conclusion
Choosing one of these clubs depends on the current status of your game. Depending on where you are now and how often you practice will determine which driver is best for you.
Luckily, both these drivers contain cutting-edge technology from one of the most innovative companies. If you know your swing speed and natural shot shape, then choosing a club should be easy.
Enjoy longer and straighter drives with either one. Now you have time to work on your putting.
Also, don’t forget to read our review of the Best TaylorMade Drivers next!
