After extensive research, demo days, and sleepless nights, you have finally narrowed down your choice for a new driver to either the TaylorMade SIM2 Max or the TaylorMade Stealth driver.
Now, you might be contemplating whether to invest more in the Stealth or opt for the SIM2 Max, which could potentially deliver similar results at a more affordable price.
To help you make a well-informed decision, I present a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of both drivers.
Both drivers are for the player that is looking for premium technology, higher launch, higher spin, and more forgiveness. They are engineered for the mid to handicap player looking to improve their driving.
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In this article, I’ll share my firsthand experience with both drivers, as I have been fortunate enough to access and test each one for this review. I’ll discuss the sound, appearance, and overall feel of both drivers.
Additionally, I’ll evaluate their forgiveness and distance capabilities, explore the available stock shaft options, and highlight the pros and cons of each.
Finally, based on my assessment, I’ll provide my recommendation to help you make an informed decision.
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Driver
TaylorMade introduced the SIM2 Max driver to the market in 2021, and it rapidly gained popularity, ranking among TaylorMade’s top-performing drivers of all time.
This exceptional driver is offered in 8 degrees, 9 degrees, and 10.5 degrees options for right-handed players. Left-handed players can also enjoy its performance with 9 and 10.5-degree configurations.
The standard length of the SIM2 Max is 45.75″, and its stock swing weight is D4.
When compared to its counterparts, the SIM 2 and the SIM 2 Max D, the SIM 2 Max stands out as the most forgiving and offers the highest launch among the three. Unlike the SIM 2 Max D, it does not have a draw bias.
This driver is designed for players seeking added forgiveness and assistance in achieving higher ball launch with ample spin.
Based on my extensive testing of all three drivers, I can confirm that the SIM 2 indeed lives up to these expectations on the course.
Taylormade Stealth Driver
TaylorMade launched the Stealth driver in 2022, setting a new industry standard by introducing the first-ever complete carbon face in a driver.
This cutting-edge club is available in 9, 10.5, and 12 degrees configurations for right-handed players, and left-handed players can choose from 9 and 10.5-degree options as well.
The standard length of the Stealth driver measures 45.75″, with a stock swing weight of D4/D5.
Moreover, the Stealth driver also offers two other versions: the Stealth Plus and the Stealth HD. The Stealth Plus provides enhanced adjustability options and encourages a lower ball flight with increased spin when compared to the standard Stealth model.
On the other hand, the Stealth HD shares the same design as the original club but is specially designed to promote a draw ball flight for players who prefer that trajectory.
Sounds, Look, and Feel
The visual appeal of the SIM 2 Max is truly remarkable! The captivating blend of an all-black carbon fiber crown and a striking white stripe encircling the perimeter presents a stunning appearance when addressing the ball.
Moreover, the driver’s sound and feel are equally impressive, delivering a satisfying mid-pitch crack upon impact and a reassuring sensation, regardless of where the ball connects with the face.
In contrast, the newer Stealth driver showcases a distinct appearance compared to the SIM 2 Max. Its crown features a matte-black finish with a noticeable red face that I personally found appealing during setup.
However, one aspect that didn’t resonate as much with me was the sound and feel. While the innovative carbon face is undoubtedly a fascinating technological addition, I felt 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.
Forgiveness
The SIM 2 Max driver incorporates two essential forgiveness elements that significantly enhance its performance. Firstly, the 9-layer carbon sole and forged ring construction play a crucial role in promoting forgiveness.
The high-strength aluminum forged ring distributes weight strategically around the driver’s perimeter, ensuring remarkable stability during impact, leading to enhanced consistency and forgiveness.
An equally significant aspect of forgiveness lies in the driver’s moment of inertia (MOI). The SIM 2 Max driver excels in this regard, thanks to the heavy 24-gram weight positioned at the club’s rear, contributing to its impressively high MOI.
This gives the SIM 2 Max a higher launch and higher MOI than its counterpart the regular SIM 2. This 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 positioned near the face.
As for the Stealth driver, forgiveness sets it apart from the competition. The Stealth head incorporates a 60x carbon twist face, which is lighter than its titanium counterparts.
This weight reduction enables TaylorMade to reposition weight lower and farther back in the head, significantly increasing the driver’s MOI and, consequently, forgiveness.
Similar to the SIM 2 Max, the Stealth also features an interchangeable back weight, which aids in optimizing MOI and can be adjusted to suit individual swing weighting preferences.
Despite the implementation of new carbon twist face technology in the Stealth driver, I found it challenging to discern a substantial difference in forgiveness between the two driver heads.
Both heads wanted to keep me in play on misshits so I’m going to give this category a tie.
Distance
Both the SIM 2 Max driver and the stealth driver prioritize distance, incorporating the twist face technology and thru-slot speed pocket to deliver exceptional performance. However, the primary 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, carefully optimized to maximize ball speed while adhering to 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 personal experience with both driver heads, I can attest that the mentioned features indeed contribute to their exceptional distance capabilities.
While both drivers are remarkably long, I did notice that the carbon twist face on the Stealth offered a slight edge in terms of additional distance compared to the SIM 2 Max.
Therefore, the Stealth takes the lead in this category.
Stock Shaft Options
SIM 2 Max
- Mitsubishi KuroKage Silver
- Fujikura Ventus Blue
Stealth
- Fujikura Ventus Red
- Aldila Ascent Red
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 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
- Still not the most expensive driver on the market since the Stealth 2 is out now
Cons
- Dull sounds and dull feel
- Higher launch than some faster and better players may need
Real Numbers
Below are some numbers from 2nd Swing Golf YouTube, you can CLICK HERE to watch the video yourself.
| Club | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Spin | Smash | Carry | Total |
| SIM 2 Max | 87.9 | 127.4 | 2840 | 1.45 | 204.9 | 224.6 |
| Stealth | 88.3 | 130.5 | 2059 | 1.48 | 204.1 | 236.4 |
Recommendation
As evident from the data, the SIM 2 Max and Stealth drivers exhibit notable differences. The SIM 2 Max tends to generate higher spin, whereas the Stealth excels in producing greater ball speed and distance. My own testing corroborated these findings as well.
Comparing the two drivers, it becomes apparent that they cater to distinct groups of players. The SIM 2 Max is designed for those who prioritize a traditional sound and feel in their driver.
It suits players seeking a higher launch with added spin to keep the ball airborne. Additionally, the SIM 2 Max may appeal to individuals who don’t mind utilizing older technology and don’t feel the need to always possess the latest equipment.
On the other hand, the Stealth is an ideal choice for players in need of a higher launch off the tee, with lesser concern about the sound or feel of their driver. It particularly benefits those who tend to produce excessive spin and are looking for more roll.
Both drivers are exceptional, and my preference leans towards the Stealth due to its low spin characteristics, which resulted in increased distance.
Ultimately, the choice between these two clubs boils down to individual requirements and the specific needs of your game!
