TaylorMade have introduced three new SIM drivers which feature a new “asymmetrical†sole designed to provide more speed and forgiveness.
The latest SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max D drivers replace the successful M series, which has been around in various guises for about five years.
The company claims that its new SIM series uses geometry to unlock the next frontier of performance.
Specifically, their engineers have been working to increase clubhead speed in what they describe as the Speed Generation Zone, the last 3 feet of the swing before impact. At tour level, players commonly accelerate from 90 mph to 120 mph in that area. SIM drivers are engineered to improve aerodynamics, thereby adding clubhead speed at that point.
“The history of driver design has been about prioritising trade-offs,†said Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade’s senior director of product creation. “You could have great launch conditions, but poor forgiveness. You could have great forgiveness, but at the sacrifice of distance. You could have aerodynamic shape, but with less-than-optimal launch conditions. But through the use of multi-material technology, we’ve developed a new shape that optimises performance in all three areas. It’s forgiving, fast and promotes the ideal launch conditions.â€
The new SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max D drivers provide different things for different players.
The SIM will be the choice of golfers who crave customisation and adjustability to optimise ball flight – characteristics achieved by creating plus or minus 20 yards of draw/fade bias through sliding weight technology. Its head is 8 percent smaller than the SIM Max while the SIM Max D has a face that is 18 percent larger than the SIM model.
The SIM Max driver is designed to deliver maximum forgiveness as well as increased moment of inertia while the SIM Max D is the most forgiving of the three, with a draw-biased design intended to help slicers avoid the right-hand side of the course.
All three new drivers will be available on February 20. The SIM has a RRP of £479 (€579) and is offered in 8-, 9- and 10.5-degree lofts. Stock shafts include the Mitsubishi Diamana S Limited 60 and Project X’s HZRDUS Smoke Green 70, with numerous custom shaft options available at no additional cost.
SIM Max and SIM Max D drivers are offered at a RRP of £449 (€529) in 9-, 10.5- and 12-degree lofts. Women’s clubs are available, featuring an Aldila NV Ladies 45 shaft.
