TaylorMade is no stranger to golf club innovation. Their SIM golf drivers arrive with a new take on the shape of the club. SIM stands for Shape In Motion and it is that innovative structure that powers the performance of the driver as you swing it.
The key is the Inertia Generator on the sole of the club. It is cocked at an 18-degree angle, creating an asymmetric sole to make the club more aerodynamic. A new footprint also generates more speed. When you swing a driver, most of the speed is generated right before you make contact with the golf ball. This unique shape and structure on the sole drive proper airflow through the downswing. The Inertia Generator also adds more weight low and deep in the club head for a more forgiving experience. That performance connects with all types of golfers. Everyone can gain speed and the faster you swing, the more benefit you will see. That is why TaylorMade has three SIM driver options. There is something for every type of player.
TaylorMade SIM Driver Review
The SIM driver is the flagship shape of this year’s TaylorMade driver lineup. It has a smaller footprint when compared to the other two models and includes a movable weight track behind the face on the sole of the club. After the M3 and M5 golf drivers of prior years featured dual-sliding weight technology, TaylorMade simplified the adjustability in the SIM driver. “We wanted to simplify the weight track. We learned that players want high MOI but still want the ability to shape their shots. So we moved the track back to keep the MOI high while the sliding weight provides up to 20 yards of draw or fade bias,” said Chandler Carr of TaylorMade.
TaylorMade’s new Inertia Generator and simplified weight track combined with their proven technologies like the Speed Injected head and Twist Face creates explosive speed and maximum forgiveness in a revolutionary new driver shape. The face of the golf drivers in the SIM family is progressive as well. With the smaller footprint of the SIM driver, it also has a smaller face for more control. At address, this driver looks familiar thanks to the carbon fiber crown we have become used to with TaylorMade drivers.
Who It’s For
The TaylorMade SIM driver is made for the better, skilled golfer with their driver. Golfers who have a consistent shot shape or a single consistent miss on the face will benefit most from this model. The movable weight technology allows that golfer to adjust the center of gravity to match their impact location or the shot shape they are trying to achieve. Players with moderate to higher club head speed will see improved performance with the SIM driver.
Performance
We tested the TaylorMade SIM driver next to the M5 model. The new Inertia Generator structure allowed our product expert to increase both club head speed and ball speed by 2 mph. That averaged out to a 3 yard gain in distance. However, for our tester’s club head speed, he lost some carry distance because he was not getting enough spin. Golfers may see more distance increases if they are able to produce more spin with their swing.
TaylorMade SIM Max Driver Review
With the SIM Max driver, TaylorMade created a version of the SIM driver designed to maximize speed and forgiveness. There is no adjustable weight track in this golf club. The weight saved by not including adjustable weights is moved into other places in the club head to make it more stable and forgiving. SIM Max drivers include all the signature technologies in the SIM family. The new shape, asymmetric sole, Inertia Generator, Twist Face, and Speed Injected club head are all in the Max version of the SIM driver.
With TaylorMade’s progressive face design in the SIM drivers, the SIM Max model has a larger, more forgiving face. Pair that with their Speed Injected technology, which raises the face right up to the legal limit of speed, and TaylorMade has maximized speed and forgiveness in an extremely playable driver for golfers of all ability levels.
Who It’s For
The TaylorMade SIM Max is a game improvement driver that fits the majority of golfers. Players who are looking for maximum forgiveness and are not necessarily super consistent off the tee will benefit from the SIM Max model.
Performance
We compared the SIM Max driver model to the last year’s M6 model. The biggest difference in the new TaylorMade driver was the speed. Our product expert picked up about 5 mph more club head speed with the SIM Max when compared to the M6. That produced almost 2 mph more ball speed and an improved spin rate that lead to about 3 yards more carry and then another 5 to 7 yards more on the roll out.
TaylorMade SIM Max Draw Driver Review
The third driver in the TaylorMade SIM family is a special one: the SIM Max Draw driver. This is a driver made for golfers who want to get rid of their slice. It is built on the same profile as the Max driver but includes three differences to set it up for more draw bias:
- Center of gravity moved more toward the heel
- Slightly reduced face progression
- Manipulation of the divergent face and topline
In addition to all the technology made to maximize speed and forgiveness, these three changes all make the SIM Max Draw driver easier to square up at impact. Getting the face square at impact reduces the sidespin that causes a slice and the changes to the weighting and appearance provide those cues to do just that.
Who It’s For
The TaylorMade SIM Max Draw driver is made for maximum forgiveness and draw bias to eliminate their slice. Golfers who need help keeping their driver in control and the player who slices are going to benefit from the weighting and features of the Max Draw option. With maximum forgiveness, this player won’t lose out on any of the other SIM performance benefits.
Performance
We tested the TaylorMade SIM Max Draw driver next to the M6 D-Type model. Just like the other SIM models, our tester gained club head speed and ball speed that all adds up to more distance. In this model, with the added ball speed came a little lower spin rate that resulted in about 6 yards more carry distance and 10 more yards total. The draw bias also made quite a difference in performance. Our product tester was hitting the ball about 30 yards left of target compared to the other SIM models so golfers who do have a big miss to the right will see straighter shots.
Appearance
TaylorMade put a lot of time into creating the shape of the SIM drivers and it shows when you look at them. The most eye-catching part of the design is the Inertia Generator structure on the bottom of the club. It is so different than anything you are used to seeing on a driver that it draws your attention. You get a feeling of confidence with that weight behind the ball and you believe you can power the ball off the tee and down the fairway. At address, the carbon fiber crown is a look we are used to from TaylorMade drivers. The contrast on the crown does aid in framing the ball.
Each model of SIM driver does have its subtle differences in appearance. The SIM driver looks like a standard driver. It has a little bit smaller footprint than the others and sits as you expect it to behind the ball. The SIM Max looks larger and more forgiving, inspiring more confidence for the golfers that need a little help off the tee. Finally, the SIM Max Draw driver is visually set up to help you hit the ball square. From visual cues and differences in weighting, the Draw model truly takes away the tendency to hit a slice.
Feel
When hitting these drivers for the first time, you notice a good “thud” type of feel. This is due to the carbon fiber crown and sole area. Those materials also help smooth out the sound so you do not experience a loud, harsh noise when you contact the ball. With the TaylorMade SIM drivers, you can expect solid, consistent contact that feels pleasing and powerful with no harsh feedback.
TaylorMade SIM Driver Specs
You can learn even more about the TaylorMade SIM Drivers on TGW.com and order to be the first to get yours!
