SIM 2 vs SIM 2 Max Driver

[tomg1969]

Has anybody hit both of these yet? Most of the online reviews seem to think that there isn't a difference between the two, but I have to believe the 8 gram difference in weights does something to launch and spin. I've even seen a few videos that show the SIM2 spinning and launching higher.

No one seems to have a strong opinion on the difference in forgiveness either, but the latest TXG live session seemed to show a bit of a difference.

 

I know that release date hasn't arrived yet, but thought I'd see if anyone has had a chance to compare either on a LM or the course.

[prouse25]

Hit about 20 balls with each head. Not a big sample size. As the online reviews have said, there isn’t much difference between the two. Visually almost identical. Spin was about 100 to 200 rpm lower with the regular SIM. Ball flight was just slightly easier to work left to right. 
 

really liked both heads. Will need to hit a lot more balls to determine which is best for me. 

[phizzy30]

Went to my local golf store yesterday.  They let me pop in my Ventus Black.  Said they should be getting SIM 2 on Monday.  I like the regular SIM 2 over the MAX.  Launch 1 degree lower and 300 rpm less.  I'm a high launch/spin player so I gravitate towards head/shaft combo that ideally would give me 11-12 degrees of launch and 2000-2400 rpm of spin.  My current setup is launching a tad bit high atm. 

[tomg1969]

12 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

Went to my local golf store yesterday.  They let me pop in my Ventus Black.  Said they should be getting SIM 2 on Monday.  I like the regular SIM 2 over the MAX.  Launch 1 degree lower and 300 rpm less.  I'm a high launch/spin player so I gravitate towards head/shaft combo that ideally would give me 11-12 degrees of launch and 2000-2400 rpm of spin.  My current setup is launching a tad bit high atm. 

I'm currently playing a Sim Max 98 head with a Ventus Blue Velocore and it does launch a bit high. I'm leaning towards the SIm 2 but don't want to give up any significant forgiveness for 100-200 rpm spin.

[tomg1969]

21 minutes ago, prouse25 said:

Hit about 20 balls with each head. Not a big sample size. As the online reviews have said, there isn’t much difference between the two. Visually almost identical. Spin was about 100 to 200 rpm lower with the regular SIM. Ball flight was just slightly easier to work left to right. 
 

really liked both heads. Will need to hit a lot more balls to determine which is best for me. 

Are you a lefty or just prefer to play a fade?

[phizzy30]

7 hours ago, tomg1969 said:

I'm currently playing a Sim Max 98 head with a Ventus Blue Velocore and it does launch a bit high. I'm leaning towards the SIm 2 but don't want to give up any significant forgiveness for 100-200 rpm spin.

You know, I didn't find there to be a huge difference in forgiveness between the regular and MAX head.  I'm finding the center of the face more so lately than in the past so I'm looking for something that gives me the best numbers.  We all have our priorities. 

[rjp217]

I’m assuming you saw it but Rick Shiels review had these as nearly identical.

 

 

[tomg1969]

2 hours ago, rjp217 said:

I’m assuming you saw it but Rick Shiels review had these as nearly identical.

 

 

 

Yes, I watched his review as well as some others. Consensus seems to be that they are very similar.....that's why I posted. Was just wondering if anybody else had seen something different. The TXG clip that I watched yesterday, which I believe was Matt's second go around seemed to suggest that there was a little more difference than what they originally thought, although they never actually made the difference clear.

[SmashGolfBall]

Not very sure about the version 2 of the SIM family, but I played the SIM MAX then switched to SIM later on (with the same shaft and specs). The SIM MAX is just a little too much spin when hitting some fades or cuts, and launched higher than preferred. On the other hand, the SIM had very a consistent spin number and penetrating ball flight. Forgiveness wise, really felt no difference at all. The SIM felt very forgiving and stable. So If you are looking for cutting down the spin number, then SIM or SIM 2 may worth looking.

[cgasucks]

Driver tech has plateaued for years.  

 

Here's Rick Shiels reviewing the Ping i25 driver in 2014 and its performance is nearly identical to his own review of the Sim 2 driver.  Note the ball speed on the i25 being slightly faster than the Sim 2.

 

 

Edited April 6, 2023 by cgasucks

[J2putts]

I just returned from testing out SIM 2 for an hour on trackman vs my F9 . I was fit for F9 .. 10.5 cranked down to 9 ... hazrdus smoke  60g x stiff . SIM 2 with hazrdus smoke 70 g xstiff blew my F9 away as far as dispersion.  I gained 3mph club speed and 2 mph ball speed , but 9 more yards average carry , 10 yards total . I like to play a small pull fade . I found that toe strikes with the SIM still managed to cut a bit , where my driver I'd lose it left all day . SUPER forgiving driver in my opinion , and spin was pretty steady, averaged out 2400-2500 .  I didnt find the SIM 2 to be "low, low" spin .  My F9 spun a bit lower. 

[Brooks_Cupcake]

On 2/10/2021 at 8:42 PM, phizzy30 said:

Went to my local golf store yesterday.  They let me pop in my Ventus Black.  Said they should be getting SIM 2 on Monday.  I like the regular SIM 2 over the MAX.  Launch 1 degree lower and 300 rpm less.  I'm a high launch/spin player so I gravitate towards head/shaft combo that ideally would give me 11-12 degrees of launch and 2000-2400 rpm of spin.  My current setup is launching a tad bit high atm. 

A tad bit high?

Most of the pros in ideal conditions hit 120ft to 140ft, so you’re not high.

[AC168]

Yes ... their tee shots are really impressive looking.  I remember years back when the "target" was 90 feet high or something low like that.

[phizzy30]

8 hours ago, Brooks Cupcake said:

A tad bit high?

Most of the pros in ideal conditions hit 120ft to 140ft, so you’re not high.

Well, I like to see a lower ball flight.  My launch angle atm is 15 degrees.  Not ideal IMO due to the Santa Ana winds we get here especially during the winter.  I want to see it around 11-12 degrees at my ball speed. 

[caller]

Which one has more fade bias face?

 

How do they compare to first version of SIM and SIM MAX?

[TTRacer]

The question is how much will the price of 2nd hand Sim/Sim Max gen 1 heads will be avail in 5-7 days when SIM2 comes out?

[SpacklersEdge]

I had never been fit for a driver.  Always played off the rack.  Went in a for a fitting on a trackman last week and hit all the new heads.  Ended up fit for the SIM2 MAX.  Behind the ball you can't tell the difference between SIM2 and the SIM2 MAX.  For it just gave me the proper spin numbers.  For someone else, that may occur with the regular SIM.  To me, it's more about the shaft than anything.  As long as you like the shape of what you are looking down at and the sound...

[J2putts]

I just had a fitting yesterday . Opted for the SIM 2 . The MAX i saw a bit of a left miss , more than with the SIM2. Dispersion wasn't any better than the SIM 2. Spin rates weren't that different either. I lost 5 yards total distance with MAX due to a 300 or so more of spin.  MAX head is slightly lighter than the SIM2 .  Swing speed stayed the same with both 104 -105 .. Ball speeds 151 to 155. The SIM 2 isn't a SUPER LOW SPIN driver as its being called. I I hit up around +3 to +5 and spin never got crazy low. Occasional 1950 spin ..but stead between 2000 to 2400.

[phizzy30]

On 2/15/2021 at 8:41 AM, SpacklersEdge said:

I had never been fit for a driver.  Always played off the rack.  Went in a for a fitting on a trackman last week and hit all the new heads.  Ended up fit for the SIM2 MAX.  Behind the ball you can't tell the difference between SIM2 and the SIM2 MAX.  For it just gave me the proper spin numbers.  For someone else, that may occur with the regular SIM.  To me, it's more about the shaft than anything.  As long as you like the shape of what you are looking down at and the sound...

Head will dictate more on launch and spin than shaft.  Yes, shaft will influence those numbers but not as much as you think.  I myself am going with the SIM 2, 8 degree.  My current gamer is launching a touch too high. 

 

[J2putts]

5 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

Head will dictate more on launch and spin than shaft.  Yes, shaft will influence those numbers but not as much as you think.  I myself am going with the SIM 2, 8 degree.  My current gamer is launching a touch too high. 

 

I would say that is subjective and changes from player to player ..

[mikec3672]

I find the SIM 2 Max to be a touch more left bias and slightly louder than the SIM Max (same shaft, Graphite Design AD DI 7s, in a 194g 10.5 on both, I own both original and new heads, 1 shaft). Both of these things I like, as I found it hard to move the SIM Max left, and misses were big rights (flat out blocks). So I do believe that the new Max head might be a bit more draw bias, and with the DI 7s shaft, I really like a lot. Probably need to move to a slightly lighter and softer shaft in the SIM (DI 6s, thinking). 

[Cactus Jack]

Below is my take on the SIM 2 vs SIM 2 Max. I plan on testing a few more shaft and the effectiveness of the adjustable sleeve. 

 

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by Cactus Jack

[Skhacker]

On 2/11/2021 at 10:47 AM, cgasucks said:

Driver tech has plateaued for years.  

 

Here's Rick Shiels reviewing the Ping i25 driver in 2014 and its performance is nearly identical to the current stuff out there.

 

This is true. But on the other hand, shaft tech has been constantly getting better. Find a cheap "old" head, pair with a new shaft and you're set. 

[cgasucks]

56 minutes ago, Skhacker said:

This is true. But on the other hand, shaft tech has been constantly getting better. Find a cheap "old" head, pair with a new shaft and you're set. 

Me personally, the performance is more attributable to the head rather than shaft.

 

If you think drivers from this past 6 years can keep up with the current stuff, you are wrong.  It goes way further back than that.  Check this out.  You'll be surprised which driver was the longest in this video.

 

 

Edited April 19, 2021 by cgasucks

[Skhacker]

11 minutes ago, cgasucks said:

Me personally, the performance is more attributable to the head rather than shaft.

 

If you think drivers from this past 6 years can keep up with the current stuff, you are wrong.  It goes way further back than that.  Check this out.  You'll be surprised which driver was the longest in this video.

 

 

Good share. With Titleist, I’m not surprised the TSi was the longest. They traditionally didn’t chase distance, but really changed the face this year for ball speed. Was funny to see him not be able to keep the old 975 in play ha ha. 

[bogey777]

9 hours ago, mikec3672 said:

I find the SIM 2 Max to be a touch more left bias and slightly louder than the SIM Max (same shaft, Graphite Design AD DI 7s, in a 194g 10.5 on both, I own both original and new heads, 1 shaft). Both of these things I like, as I found it hard to move the SIM Max left, and misses were big rights (flat out blocks). So I do believe that the new Max head might be a bit more draw bias, and with the DI 7s shaft, I really like a lot. Probably need to move to a slightly lighter and softer shaft in the SIM (DI 6s, thinking). 

pretty funny i bought a sim 2 max with the fake ventus it is way to light for me i have the same shaft that you are putting in your club DI 6 let us know how it goes 

[boxerdoc]

I have Sim2 @9 degrees, x flex tensei white and hit it well. I hit down 2-3, have always been a high spin player, swing speed 112.

I have a chance for a good deal on a Sim2 max @10.5. I have been working on a positive attack angle but also read a lot about lifting up, curious if this is a good idea or just sit tight with my current setup

[gioguy21]

6 minutes ago, boxerdoc said:

I have Sim2 @9 degrees, x flex tensei white and hit it well. I hit down 2-3, have always been a high spin player, swing speed 112.

I have a chance for a good deal on a Sim2 max @10.5. I have been working on a positive attack angle but also read a lot about lifting up, curious if this is a good idea or just sit tight with my current setup

odds are you would see a bit higher spin with max vs the std sim2 head; esp in a higher degree head. 

not worth the swap or cash IMO. 

[phizzy30]

1 hour ago, boxerdoc said:

I have Sim2 @9 degrees, x flex tensei white and hit it well. I hit down 2-3, have always been a high spin player, swing speed 112.

I have a chance for a good deal on a Sim2 max @10.5. I have been working on a positive attack angle but also read a lot about lifting up, curious if this is a good idea or just sit tight with my current setup

I wouldn't pull the trigger especially if you're getting good launch and spin numbers. 

[boxerdoc]

I guess he said he also has a 9* Sim2 max head, just curious as we did not even hit the max during fitting because I have too much spin, but read some on here about the max playing better than the regular