I experienced the exact same thing with the SIM Max (spin was 2200 range) when I compared it to the Mavrik and Speedzone drivers. I only need to compare the SIM Max to my current gamer before pulling the trigger.
TaylorMade SIM Drivers
I had time between client meetings and went to Roger Dunn to burn some time. Again compared the SIM vs Mavrik and Mavrik was just launching way to high robbing me of distance and ball speed was 4-5 mph less compared to the SIM.
Top numbers is the SIM Max at 9* with Ventus Blue.
Bottom numbers is the SIM at 10.5* with Diamana shaft
I personally liked the SIM more, but I have justed changed to the old Diamana Limited S+ Blue after 2 years playing Evenflow Black. That could be why I preferred the SIM more.
Top numbers is the SIM Max at 9* with Ventus Blue.
Bottom numbers is the SIM at 10.5* with Diamana shaft
I personally liked the SIM more, but I have justed changed to the old Diamana Limited S+ Blue after 2 years playing Evenflow Black. That could be why I preferred the SIM more.
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TM_Bobby723
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Just hit the SIM and SIM Max this morning @ Club Champion (Willowbrook, IL) against my M5 gamer. All were hit using my Graphite Design BB6s shaft... Much like the M6, the SIM Max was a total miss for me. The SIM on the other hand, WOW!!!
Both clubs hit @ standard 9.0 loft. The details below are on average per TrackMan data...
M5 (both weights full toe):
108.7 club speed
159.3 ball speed
1.47 smash
14.2 launch
1790 spin
265.2 carry (278.8 longest carry)
294.4 total (305.5 longest total)
SIM (weight fully toe):
110.3 club speed
163 ball speed
1.48 smash
14.0 launch
1690 spin
277.1 carry (286.7 longest carry)
306.3 total (311.2 longest total)
Overall, the SIM was an improvement in performance in basically every category. Most surprising to me were the club speed, ball speed and the carry/total distance numbers. The dispersion was shockingly tight and consistent, too. I honestly did NOT expect this, but I couldn't argue the results.
Both clubs hit @ standard 9.0 loft. The details below are on average per TrackMan data...
M5 (both weights full toe):
108.7 club speed
159.3 ball speed
1.47 smash
14.2 launch
1790 spin
265.2 carry (278.8 longest carry)
294.4 total (305.5 longest total)
SIM (weight fully toe):
110.3 club speed
163 ball speed
1.48 smash
14.0 launch
1690 spin
277.1 carry (286.7 longest carry)
306.3 total (311.2 longest total)
Overall, the SIM was an improvement in performance in basically every category. Most surprising to me were the club speed, ball speed and the carry/total distance numbers. The dispersion was shockingly tight and consistent, too. I honestly did NOT expect this, but I couldn't argue the results.
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You got 3 mph more club head speed but less than 4 mph of ball speed, but with a better smash factor? That is super strange.
TM_Bobby723
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What I also liked is the SIM needs to be lofted up and to my eye seeing more loft provides confidence I can grip and rip without worrying about spraying it.
I guess I shouldn't get my panties in a wad without hearing some more feedback on the Max, but I absolutely loathe seeing spin numbers so low. 1,700rpm is just not playable unless you not only button it every time, but also have pretty much perfect launch conditions and face-to-path. otherwise, misses will be unplayable.
yeah, that's not surprising given how low spin it is.
I am pretty intrigued by the feedback generally received on this driver. Plenty of people seem to be raving about it, which is great. But to my eye at least the spin numbers posted or reported seem way way low. It makes me wonder about actual playability and forgiveness on the course. Can 1600-1800 spin tee shots be anything other than wounded ducks when we miss the middle? How will this be something other than another SLDR? Those are honest questions, btw.
Easy to increase spin; loft up and use a mid launch and mid spin shaft.
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While true, adding loft can also reduce speed.
I have found the SIM to be the lowest launching and lowest spinning of the new assortment of drivers. It is a bit of a ball speed monster though. I think it will require a bit more fine tuning and proper fitting than some of the others will. Seems a bit more fickle.
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And that's the problem with testing drivers indoor on a monitor unfortunately. On the screen low spin shots don't show up as those wounded duck drives. Would they on the course? It's quite possible and is what I saw with the M1 when I played it. For me without seeing it on an actual course I really can't answer that unfortunately.
I know. I was fit into a low spin option with it lofted up. It probably depends on guys SS but I’m not sure we can lost up enough to get from 1600 to a more optimal range. I just have a feeling we are going to see a wide dispersion of results with this club come spring - absolute bombs when we nut it but death when we miss the middle.
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Did you try the sim in a higher loft? Looking at your numbers I would be interested to see what happens when you lift up. Could make the sim even better for you.
I really want to try out the 10.5° SIM next time. This thing has me intrigued.
Lots of options, add loft, change the shaft, change the ball, change your swing (not saying your is bad). Play with it and adjust. Lots of options. For most people adding loft and spin is a benefit not a hindrance.
Absolutely, spin and loft provides forgiveness.
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It's good seeing a TM driver make an impressive showing. Seems like it's been a while since we've seen them make these kind of gains over a previous release
I have the M6 driver and the SIM Max spin is considerably less. Feel and sound is similar.
good to know...less spin probably isn't in my best interest.
I just returned from my range. Outdoor Trackman. Very reliable numbers.
SIM with Helium, plus 2* to get it to 10*
SIM Max with Smoke Green, stock 10.5(?)
Mavrick with Ventus, stock (10.5?)
My Flash SZ with Smoke +1 to make it 11.5
I hit 5-7 shots with each club then rotated another one in. I probably hit 20-25 with each. I turned and looked at the numbers after each swing. Looking to see if anything anomalous showed up. FWIW my swing today was 3 to 4* from the inside and AoA of 4-5*
General observations:
- if you like the “thwack” sound of carbon heads either SIM or the Mavrik are for you
- I had more swings at 95mph with the SIM options, and some in the 93mph range; that was basically reversed with the Callaway drivers.
- Spin with the SIM options ranged from a low of like 1400 to a high of like 3400. That range was tighter with both Callaway drivers, more like 2200-3200.
- Dispersion was easily worst with the SIM drivers and easily best with Mavrik
- No discernible ball speed, carry or total distance differences between any of them (The TM wasn’t auto set to calculate smash factor and I didn’t manually calculate it every time. The times I did Calc it I was in the 1.44-1.46 range, and that was pretty consistent across all models)
My conclusion is to be a little wary of these indoor simulator numbers some of you are getting. Maybe other people will get ball speed improvements, I definitely didn’t over my 2018 model driver. I think this release seems to be about what happens when we miss the middle. If I’m right about that based on today I saw clear winners and losers.
SIM with Helium, plus 2* to get it to 10*
SIM Max with Smoke Green, stock 10.5(?)
Mavrick with Ventus, stock (10.5?)
My Flash SZ with Smoke +1 to make it 11.5
I hit 5-7 shots with each club then rotated another one in. I probably hit 20-25 with each. I turned and looked at the numbers after each swing. Looking to see if anything anomalous showed up. FWIW my swing today was 3 to 4* from the inside and AoA of 4-5*
General observations:
- if you like the “thwack” sound of carbon heads either SIM or the Mavrik are for you
- I had more swings at 95mph with the SIM options, and some in the 93mph range; that was basically reversed with the Callaway drivers.
- Spin with the SIM options ranged from a low of like 1400 to a high of like 3400. That range was tighter with both Callaway drivers, more like 2200-3200.
- Dispersion was easily worst with the SIM drivers and easily best with Mavrik
- No discernible ball speed, carry or total distance differences between any of them (The TM wasn’t auto set to calculate smash factor and I didn’t manually calculate it every time. The times I did Calc it I was in the 1.44-1.46 range, and that was pretty consistent across all models)
My conclusion is to be a little wary of these indoor simulator numbers some of you are getting. Maybe other people will get ball speed improvements, I definitely didn’t over my 2018 model driver. I think this release seems to be about what happens when we miss the middle. If I’m right about that based on today I saw clear winners and losers.
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TM_Bobby723
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As a high ball hitter, I did not...and I have no doubt I'll hit it plenty high in the air. I tee the ball high and hit up on it, so I'm sure the launch will change some once I use my tees at the tee up height I prefer vs. the adjustable tees they have @ Club Champion (it just doesn't get quite as high as I prefer it)