Having conducted extensive research, demo days, and enduring sleepless nights, you have arrived at a critical juncture in your quest for a new driver: choosing between the TaylorMade SIM2 Max and the TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver.
The dilemma lies in whether to invest more in the Stealth 2 or go for the SIM2 Max, which might offer comparable performance at a more budget-friendly cost.
To facilitate your decision-making process, I offer a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of both drivers, enabling you to make a well-informed choice.
Both these drivers cater to players seeking top-tier technology, increased launch, higher spin, and enhanced forgiveness. They are specifically designed to benefit mid to handicap players who aspire to enhance their driving performance.
VS
In this article, I will recount my personal encounter with both drivers, having had the privilege of accessing and thoroughly testing each one for this review. I will delve into the sound, appearance, and overall sensation offered by both drivers.
Furthermore, I will assess their forgiveness and distance capabilities, examine the stock shaft options available, and shed light on the respective advantages and disadvantages of each.
Finally, based on my comprehensive evaluation, I will offer my recommendation to assist you in making a well-informed decision.
Taylormade SIM2 Max Driver
In 2021, TaylorMade unveiled the SIM2 Max driver, which quickly became a crowd favorite, establishing itself as one of TaylorMade’s most high-performing drivers ever released.
This exceptional driver is available in 8 degrees, 9 degrees, and 10.5 degrees options for right-handed players, while left-handed players can also relish its performance with 9 and 10.5-degree configurations.
The standard length of the SIM2 Max measures 45.75″, and it comes with a stock swing weight of D4.
In comparison to its counterparts, the SIM 2 and the SIM 2 Max D, the SIM 2 Max distinguishes itself as the most forgiving and boasts the highest launch among the three. Unlike the SIM 2 Max D, it lacks a draw bias.
This driver is meticulously engineered for players desiring increased forgiveness and assistance achieving higher ball launch with sufficient spin.
After conducting thorough testing of all three drivers, I can confidently affirm that the SIM 2 unquestionably lives up to these expectations on the course.
Taylormade Stealth 2 Driver
In 2023, TaylorMade introduced the Stealth 2 driver, refining its design from the previous year by incorporating additional carbon to enhance sound and feel.
This state-of-the-art club comes in configurations of 9, 10.5, and 12 degrees for right-handed players, while left-handed players have the choice of 9 and 10.5-degree options.
The standard length of the Stealth 2 driver measures 45.75″, accompanied by a stock swing weight of D4/D5.
Additionally, the Stealth 2 driver presents two other variants: the Stealth 2 Plus and the Stealth 2 HD. The Stealth 2 Plus introduces heightened adjustability options, encouraging a lower ball flight with amplified spin in contrast to the standard Stealth model.
On the flip side, the Stealth 2 HD retains the same design as the original club but is tailored to facilitate a draw ball flight, catering to players who prefer that trajectory or seek to counter a slice.
Sounds, Look, and Feel
The SIM 2 Max exudes an astonishing visual allure! The captivating fusion of an all-black carbon fiber crown complemented by a bold white stripe encircling the perimeter creates a striking appearance when setting up for a shot.
Furthermore, the driver’s sound and feel leave an equally remarkable impression, producing a gratifying mid-pitch crack upon impact and instilling a reassuring sensation, regardless of where the ball strikes the face.
On the other hand, the more recent Stealth 2 driver presents a unique appearance, setting it apart from the SIM 2 Max. Its crown boasts a sleek black finish with a noticeable red face, which I found personally appealing during setup. However, one aspect that didn’t resonate as much with me was the sound and feel.
Although the newer Stealth 2 shows a noticeable improvement in sound and feel compared to the original Stealth, I still felt that it somewhat diminished the sense of feedback upon impact, resulting in a somewhat muted club sound.
I’m a traditionalist when it comes to sound and feel so for me, the SIM 2 Max wins in this category.
TaylorMade SIM 2 Max – Forgiveness
The performance of the SIM 2 Max driver is elevated by the inclusion of two vital forgiveness elements. To begin with, the 9-layer carbon sole and forged ring construction play a pivotal role in boosting forgiveness.
The high-strength aluminum forged ring strategically redistributes weight around the driver’s perimeter, ensuring exceptional stability during impact, resulting in improved consistency and forgiveness.
Equally important in terms of forgiveness is the moment of inertia (MOI) of the driver. In this regard, the SIM 2 Max driver excels, thanks to the inclusion of a substantial 24-gram weight positioned at the rear of the club, contributing to its impressively high MOI.
This feature grants the SIM 2 Max a higher launch and superior MOI compared to its counterpart, the regular SIM 2. Additionally, the weight can be customized to optimize swing weight and launch conditions based on individual preferences.
To maintain a well-balanced and forgiving performance with low spin, a smaller TPS weight is strategically positioned near the face.
TaylorMade Stealth 2 – Forgiveness
When it comes to the Stealth 2 driver, its remarkable forgiveness sets it apart from the competition. The Stealth head incorporates a 60x carbon twist face, which is lighter compared to traditional titanium materials.
This weight reduction allows TaylorMade to reposition the weight lower and farther back in the head, resulting in a substantial increase in the driver’s moment of inertia (MOI) and, consequently, forgiveness.
Like the SIM 2 Max, the Stealth 2 also includes an interchangeable 25-gram back weight, which proves valuable in fine-tuning MOI and can be adjusted to match individual swing weighting preferences.
Although the Stealth 2 driver incorporates new carbon twist face technology, I encountered difficulty in discerning a significant difference in forgiveness between the two driver heads.
Both heads demonstrated a remarkable ability to keep me in play even on mis-hits, leading me to conclude that this category warrants a tie.
Distance
Both the SIM 2 Max driver and the Stealth 2 drivers prioritize distance, employing twist face technology and a thru-slot speed pocket to deliver outstanding performance.
However, the key distinction lies in their face construction, with the Stealth driver featuring a carbon twist face and the SIM 2 driver boasting a titanium face.
TaylorMade has equipped both drivers with the twist face, skillfully optimized to maximize ball speed while staying within the legal limits set by the USGA.
This innovative twist face design includes curvature and weighting adjustments, greatly enhancing accuracy even on off-center hits, ensuring shots veer towards the fairway with impressive distance.
Furthermore, both drivers feature a thru-slot speed pocket positioned behind the face. This meticulously engineered milled cup enhances face flexion, leading to heightened ball speed and overall performance, all while strictly adhering to the USGA regulations.
Based on my experience with both driver heads, I can confirm that these features contribute to their exceptional distance capabilities.
While both drivers exhibit remarkable length, I did observe that the new and improved carbon twist face on the Stealth 2 offered a slight advantage in terms of additional distance compared to the SIM 2 Max.
Therefore, the Stealth takes the win in this category.
Stock Shaft Options
SIM 2 Max
- Mitsubishi KuroKage Silver
- Fujikura Ventus Blue
Stealth 2
- Mitsubishi Diamana S+
- Fujikura Ventus TR Red 5
SIM 2 Max Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very forgiving due to strong perimeter weighting and twist face techonolgy
- Fast ball speed
- Lower price than Stealth
- Great sounds, look, and feel
- Super high MOI due to heavy 24 gram back weight
Cons
- Not as fast ball speed as Stealth
- Promotes a high ball flight with lot of spin that may not be right for all players
Stealth 2 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extreme forgiveness due to massive perimeter weighting promoted by light carbon face and light carbon crown
- Fast ball speed due to carbon 60x carbon face
- Improved feel and sound compared to the first generation Stealth
Cons
- High price tag
- Higher launch than some faster and better players may need
Real Numbers
Below are some numbers from Dan Hendriksen Golf YouTube, you can CLICK HERE to watch the video yourself. This video is of the draw version of both these heads but it can give you an idea of how they will react on the golf course.
| Club | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry |
| SIM 2 Max | 159.3 | 15 | 2890 | 269 |
| Stealth 2 | 160.6 | 14.4 | 2856 | 269 |
Recommendation
The data clearly indicates that the SIM 2 Max and Stealth 2 drivers yield very similar results. The Stealth 2 produces a slightly faster ball speed but, with a lower launch, achieves an identical carry.
Both drivers cater to a similar player profile. They are designed for players seeking increased forgiveness in their drives while maintaining high distance and ball speed.
For players looking for higher ball speed and a slightly lower launch, the Stealth 2 would be an excellent choice, whereas those seeking a more traditional sound and feel might find the SIM 2 to be perfect.
Both drivers are exceptional, but I prefer the SIM 2 due to its lower price and nearly identical results. I found it to perform just as well as the Stealth 2 and provided me with a superior sound and feel.
Ultimately, the decision between these two clubs hinges on individual preferences and your game’s specific needs!
VS
Budget Friendly – Forgiveness & Distance
