Fake SIMs? Looks really close, some minor differences.

Ordered a new "SIM" off of ebay from a 100% positive feedback USA seller, price was average, seemed ok. Shows up today, club looks fine, but the headcover was fuzzier than I recall so I grabbed a 9.0 I had and then a 10.5 demo from the shop to compare.

Headcovers - ebay less shiny graphite weave, fuzz inside is really fuzzy vs. smooth.

Head - Serial numbers both etched but different font size, Ebay one bigger, messier. Draw/Fade paint on fake is shiny vs. dull on real one. Paint on sole near toe on fake is blurry vs. clean on real one. Noise is slightly different just tapping it but that plastic could be causing it.

Label - Real SIMs all assembled in Taiwan? Not sure on this, ebay one says Mexico, label font is also different. This could be from a different plant/line.

These are so close that had the headcover been the same fuzz I probably couldn't have seen a difference. I didn't try to hit it yet, not really interested, but either this is just a cosmetically tweaked real SIM or a fake that is almost identical to the real deal.

Thoughts?

good god i hate the way this new site shows uploaded photos.

I think it's real?? the fuzzy headcover could be from being used. the "

the ONLY thing i see could be an issue is this difference. i'm assuming yours is the one in the wrapper? the thickness of the end of the hosel where it meets the adapter is different from the other two.

*edit - upon further review again - i think it is fake. the "10.5" looks more center than the other two. the down arrow pointing to the loft looks different than the other two as does what I pointed out before.

That's a great catch, I didn't even spot that, can't imagine that piece should be that different between 2 clubs but maybe that piece has some manufacturing tolerance to it. Ebay seller says he got it direct from Taylormade, every other one on ebay, serial starts with "9" instead of "0" but maybe these were just assembled in Mexico instead of Taiwan and came off two different assembly lines. The "new" headcover is the fuzzy one, the not fuzzy one hasn't been used nearly enough to have matted all of the fuzz down. Again, maybe they came off different lines.

maybe check the shop heads and see if they're all similar in the spot I mentioned? take note of the loft arrow. the fake looks to be a tad off or darker than the others.

So the white hosel part is shorter on the two shop ones but all are the same length to the adapter end because of that thicker grey piece That middle fitting could be variable length depending on how the head was cut, sample of 3 isn't much to go off. Fourth pic is another from eBay, this time used, with a 9 serial that looks right but has that fatter hosel section too. The serial font and head over are the the real weird things, this piece might just be variable based on how the head is cut.

You should tell everyone who you bought it from on eBay so nobody else gets duped.

The white paint line here is different from the two unwrapped heads.

This is confusing. Taylormade CR says it's a valid serial, seller did a full refund before I even put the club in the mail. Suspicious seller with an overzealous refund, valid etched serial, and found more cosmetic differences on the sole and face.

Counterfeit with obvious differences but complete with a valid serial seems super unlikely.

Maybe these are just from a different line/batch, who knows.

looks like the screws on the face are more indented than the other.

At least they’re not just painted on. I’ve seen pics of fakes with blue paint for screws. Haha

Also, the screws are in different locations

TM could have shifted production to Mexico from Taiwan due to corona, and suffering bad QC along the way. Just a thought.

Callaway clubs are made in Mexico...maybe the same factory but with hastily started production line? Who knows.

I would say fake and if it's not fake then I still wouldnt play it due to poor quality control. Nothing stands out as an obvious sign of a fake, but when I look at all the details, every one seems minutely.... off.

I would say real. Not to confuse the issue here but I have had many TM drivers with different fonts on serials and such. TM sources through 2-3 different foundries in China/Taiwan and there can be minor differences.

Tough to tell. I would have to guess that it's probably real. If I were you, I would hope that it is fake, and beyond the accepted USGA tolerances for conforming equipment... then proceed to hit inexplicably huge bombs with your unknowingly juiced counterfeit driver

The paint looks like just slight angled differently. Look at the little markers. Wrapped one second from arrow isn’t nearly as close to the edge. Rest I think are within manufacturing tolerances if they are from a different plant. Unfortunately they are going to be slightly different it’s just impossible to expect them to be perfectly the same.

The seller has still not asked for this club back even after I messaged him to return it. Weird. Waiting a bit longer for him to follow up, then will just hit it which will provide an answer on it in about 3 swings max.

Absolutely not a fake. The only fakes are the Sim max driver and they are no screws just an impression on face paintes

This might be my favorite part of WRX, never knew fake clubs were such a thing. Have almost always ordered all my stuff straight from the OEM's out of need for custom fitting. Love reading these and seeing what you guys can find!

There is no way thats fake. That is two different manufacturing lines and TM not having that strict tolerances. Remember these probably cost about $150 to make.