TaylorMade SIM Max D Driver Review

TaylorMade’s SIM Max D is a slice busting draw biased driver with weight moved towards the heel and a larger face profile

Related: See how the TaylorMade SIM Max D driver compares to 2020’s other drivers in our big driver test

TaylorMade’s new SIM Max D driver is one of three new drivers for TaylorMade in 2020, focusing on geometry and aerodynamics to achieve greater speed through the downswing. 

TaylorMade introduced its first draw-bias D-Type driver in the second gen M2, and thanks to its success at helping club golfers keep a slice in check, it continues into the SIM family with the SIM Max D.

Related: Why the TaylorMade SIM Max D is one of the best drivers for beginners and high handicappers

TaylorMade’s progressive face size tech means the D-Type’s face is 18% bigger than the SIM, but thanks to some clever top edge graphics it doesn’t look closed at address. Low and deep weighting (at the tip of the inertia generator) has been halved so mass can be moved to a heel pad, creating a draw bias like previous D-Type drivers.    

What TaylorMade say: The SIM Max D is engineered to help golfers avoid the right side of the course; a strategically placed heel-bias internal weight and divergent topline masking, which makes the driver look more open at address helping golfers close the face at impact. The draw-biased design promotes the highest launch and offers the largest, most forgiving face in the SIM lineup.

Related: TaylorMade SIM2 drivers reviewed

TaylorMade SIM Driver: Need to know

TaylorMade’s M-series drivers have been part of the brand’s product line-up since the M1 launched in 2015. The marque has been around for five years, which says “M” really hit the spot with consumers and on Tour.

Designing M led TaylorMade down a road of carbon-fibre-fuelled discovery, creating innovations like TwistFace and Speed Injection, which has allowed the company to post gains of 2mph of ball speed per year.

But TaylorMade believe now is the time to retire M, take everything they’ve learnt from all six M models and move on. And where “M” pioneered new materials, the focus has switched to geometry in 2020’s SIM drivers.

TaylorMade’s engineers have come up with a brand new “Shape in Motion” concept, which improves aerodynamics at the point in the swing where drivers experience most drag – from nine o’clock to six o’clock in the  downswing – or just before impact, where you need speed to peak.

According to TaylorMade, typical drivers aren’t optimised for this critical point in the swing – most focus on speed in a straight line, not a swing arc.

But by throwing the kitchen sink of aerodynamic analytics at SIM – thanks to an enormous wind tunnel and sophisticated 3D motion analysis tech – TaylorMade has optimised three new drivers with a new “asymmetrical” sole, which targets how the head rotates aerodynamically through 45° at impact.

And initial internal testing (including with TaylorMade’s tour payers) shows a gain of 2 mph in ball speed over M, which could rinse out an extra three-five yards from
a club golfer’s swing.

READ NEXT: Why you shouldn’t chase high launch, low spin in 2020

TaylorMade SIM Max D driver

SIM Max D is a slice busting draw biased driver with weight moved towards the heel, there’s also an 18% larger face profile to increase confidence.  

Shape in Motion

The asymmetrical, curved sole optimises sole aerodynamics right where golfers create most speed. So it’s super slick when you create speed and not just optimized to perform in a straight line at impact. DJ’s swing speed at the nine o’clock position is 90mph; at impact (six o’clock) it’s 120mph; SIM is designed specifically to perform at this moment of truth.

BEST DRIVER 2020 – How the leading drivers compare in data

Speed pocket tech

A straight-through speed pocket means the face isn’t attached at the bottom, like TaylorMade’s P790 irons.

New cosmetics

SIM has had a makeover cosmetically, too. A chrome carbon-fibre crown and grey-tinged chalk paint give a sleek appearance. Both are taken from the automotive industry. 

WATCH: BEST OF 2020 – DRIVERS

TaylorMade SIM driver

RRP: £479

Lofts: 8° / 9° / 10.5°

Stock shafts: Mitsubishi Diamana S Limited 60, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 70

Adjustable hosel: Yes (+/- 2°)

TaylorMade SIM Max Driver

RRP: £449

Lofts: 9° / 10.5° / 12°

Stock shaftS: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 or Red 5

Adjustable hosel: Yes (+/- 2°)

TaylorMade SIM Max D Driver

RRP: £449

Lofts: 9° / 10.5° / 12°

Stock shaftSs UST Mamiya Helium 5 / 4

Adjustable hosel: Yes (+/- 2°)