About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the golf club, which I purchased with my own money in June of 2021.

My take

The TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway Wood is a great club for any mid to low handicapper looking for a powerful club on par 5s and to tee off with. This very workable club can help mid-handicappers with consistency off the tee and on long par 5.

About the club I own

• Model: SIM Max Fairway 3 wood
• Loft setting: 14 degrees
• Shaft type: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6-S 60g
• Shaft flex: Stiff flex

About me

• Average score: 82
• Handicap: 10
• Experience: 10 years of playing golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
• Typical ball flight: Mid-High
• Golf ball used: Taylormade TP5x, Prov1x
• Club swing speed: 110 mph

Test conditions

• When I bought the club: June 2021
• Days tested: 1.5 years
• Where I’ve used it: I have used it on turf driving ranges and golf courses in Arizona with tight lies and narrow fairways.
• Weather and wind conditions: I have played it in very fair conditions and the desert heat of Arizona.

How it performs

What I was looking for

At the time I bought this club, I was looking for a higher launch 3 wood that I could control on a longer par 5 to help lower my score and reach the green more consistently.

Why I chose this club

I decided to go with a 14° high launch SIM Max in which I can get a higher ball flight and softer landing. I wanted a 3 wood with a consistent feel and a hot launch at impact. I wanted more distance as well with a high launch.

What I love about it

• Distance: The distance is what sets this club apart from the rest. It gives the distance everyone is looking for due to its titanium energy conservation and release.
• Feel: The feel at impact is very comparable to big brands like Callaway A.I. Jailbreak technology. The energy transfer in the SIM Max is explosive and makes every shot feel powerful.
• Sound: The sound is very crisp at impact and not too loud.
• Shaft Feel: The shaft is a stock Fujikura Ventus blue 5S, which has a great mid-launch and low spin.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The graphite look at the address makes it appealing when addressing the ball.
• Grip Feel: The stock Golf Pride grip is always consistent, making my hands feel snug.
• Launch: The SIM Max gives me a great mid-launch, which is what I was looking for in a club off the fairway for a softer landing.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Forgiveness: The SIM Max is built for the center of the clubface hits, so it’s not beneficial for inconsistent ball strikers.
• Workability: This club is workable with the right player behind it, but the center of the face is made for a straight-ball striker.

Best shot with this club

I was playing at a local golf club in Arizona and had a really good drive off the tee on a par 5. I had about 255 yards left to the hall, and I really wanted to set myself up for a birdie or even an eagle putt. I knew that with this 3 wood, I could get high in the air and land soft on the greens that were fast that day. I hit this club with a nice little draw in which it landed pin high and about 20 feet from the hole for an eagle putt. Although I missed the putt, I got a two-putt birdie, which is why I love this club.

Value for the money vs. other options

This is a great 3 wood for forgiveness and consistency off the clubface. At the time I committed to getting the SIM Max, I was hitting the older TaylorMade SLDR and even tried the Callaway Epic, which came out at the time. This club gave me more consistency, a better feel, and confidence, so I decided to go with it. The price was slightly higher than the Callaway Epic at the time, but I got a better feel on the ball for the extra money.

Final verdict

The SIM Max was worth the investment and achieving my high launch and soft landing for a 3 wood. It did not compromise distance which was my main concern, and this is why this club is awesome for mid to lower handicappers looking for consistency.