G425 vs SIM2 vs Tsi3

[J13]

12 hours ago, lordemsworth said:

Shiels looks to be sponsored by Nike, but I think he chooses his own clubs (no club contract).  To be honest, I’m not sure it matters - we look for things in all the reviews (spin, launch, comments on feel) and end up comparing against each of them.

 

They all have their strengths and weaknesses -

I like Dan Hendrickson 

 

Mark Crossfield (Lockey has a Callaway bias - but he is open about it, and always provides comparisons against the Callaway in his bag)

 

James Robinson always has the eye-grabbing headline.  If you look at his channel, it would seem he changes clubs almost every day:  best club ever, should this go in my bag, mind blown, etc.

TXG (and now 2nd Swing) provide a bunch of great info - but everything is great, so the criticism is always in comparison (looks, sound, etc).  One thing on TXG that I don’t understand is that 1800 spin level on driver reviews - I’ve got to to believe those aren’t really playable even at Matt’s speed, but what do I know?  
I mean, the Mavrik won the driver bracket in 2020, but when they took that driver to the course, Matt couldn’t keep it in play.  The club reviews in studio only really go so far.

 

Rick Shiels - his most recent driver reviews where he compares previous years is helpful, I think from a context perspective.

 

The Average Golfer - usually pretty fair especially provides insight for those that swing at 98mph for a driver.  His video production is also great.

 

There are others.  Everyone’s mileage may vary.

 

 

The golf course is always where it matters.  Indoor fittings are very helpful but golf isn't played by hitting 20 tee shots in a row.  

[EBE-GOLFIN]

On 1/17/2021 at 11:17 AM, lordemsworth said:

yes -  technically true, but based on the sound you may end up dreading hitting it, which has measurably more impact on the result.  It is how I felt about the Rogue fairways.  They sounded like crap and over time, how I felt about them influenced my result too often - and out they went.

 

I’ve liked Ping drivers (and still keep a Rapture V2 in the backup bag).  But listening to all the videos, the 425 Max doesn’t have my preferred sound.  I’ll test it against my TS2 and the new TSI drivers to see what makes the bag this year.  

 

[caller]

Does anyone know how G425 or SIM Max compare to TM M6?

 

I love M6 and gave me more distance over my hotmelt G400. 

[EBE-GOLFIN]

BEFORE I rant on 'sound .............. I have range demoed both the G425 Max and the new TM SIM2.  I also own the TSi2 right now. 

 

1. TM SIM2 can't even stay on a Martine tee compared to the G425. Confess, never been a TM wood guy. But I ALWAYS take the new girl(s) for a spin. 

 

2. The G425 sweet spot is Dirty Harry's 357 magnum.   My eyes fixated on the launch of a pure soring drive. AND then one after the other. What sound? My eying the drive is like earplugs. OK there are some off center strikes but minimal consequence and in the fairway. Even when I swing out of my shoes its a predictable draw which could be adjusted. 

3. TSi2.  Its not going anywhere for now. It is HOT and respectfully long. Haven't TRACK MAN yet. But will Feb 1, along with G425 (Club C).. I read the ball speed is higher than the G425.  Also my current TSi shaft isn't a good fit. Will fig that out at CC. 

 

OK you SOUND complainers. I know this therapy wont help (LOL)--- Ok its loud cuz its a .357 mag. Honestly, I don't hear the .357 BANG.. Its just smokin hot and PURE. Like the iconic actress Kim Basinger, if she had crocked front teeth, I wouldn't kick that out of the bag. Get braces (hot metal).   Hope most enjoy the EBE-HUMOR 

 

[tsecor]

On 1/15/2021 at 10:40 AM, evoviiiyou said:

I think this year is going to be more of the same:

 

LOW SPIN

SIM2 > 425LST

 

FOREGIVENESS/ MOI

425MAX > SIM2 MAX

 

SOUND/ LOOKS/ OPTIONS

SIM2 seems like it will introduce custom color options (love this). The rest is subjective but I will say the 425 line is the best a PING driver has ever looked

Ping has to get rid of the Turbulators......horrible design from an asthetic standpoint. 

[evoviiiyou]

22 minutes ago, tsecor said:

Ping has to get rid of the Turbulators......horrible design from an asthetic standpoint. 

Or at least an evolution of some sort...maybo micro milled turbulator tech (minimize) visually or your right just get rid of it.

[J13]

3 minutes ago, evoviiiyou said:

Or at least an evolution of some sort...maybo micro milled turbulator tech (minimize) visually or your right just get rid of it.

 

 

I wasn't a fan either but they disappear after a few shots.  I actually like them now as they frame the ball well.

[GeauxGolfLSU]

Went for my very first launch monitor driver fitting this afternoon. I knew I was a low spin player, but it wasn't until this fitting that I saw just how low spin.

 

Current gamer is a 10.5° SIM with Hzrdus Smoke Yellow 60g 6.0. Loosened up and started to hit what seemed to be a normal looking ball flight for me with some of my usual miss (low hooks) mixed in. Average spin was <1,700 RPM with quite a few in the 1,300 RPM range. Lots of knuckle balls that fell out of the sky. Total distance on the monitor was fine, but carry distance was too short.

 

Tried the SIM2 and SIM2 Max. Hzrdus Smoke Black RDX didn't give me any better launch and spin numbers in the SIM. Moved to the SIM Max, and spin was marginally better, but launch was too high and didn't square the club up enough.

 

Moved to the Ping G425 Max with Tensei Raw shaft and immediately saw better launch, spin and ball flight. Launch was 14° and spin was 2,100 RPM. The sound was marginally louder, but not something that was egregious. 

 

Tried the Epic Speed and saw slightly higher ball speed numbers, but launch was too high even though spin was OK (just under 2,000 RPM). Tried to bring the ball flight down with lower loft, but then the spin was too low. Moved to the Epic Max and got very inconsistent contact. We cycled through several shafts and just couldn't dial it in.

 

Went back to the Ping G425 Max and immediately everything was optimized. Launch angle and spin were perfect, and of all the drivers I hit, it was by far the straightest. Even the handful of mishits still had acceptable spin and launch numbers that never got above 3,000 RPM and 16.5° launch angle.

 

Ended up with the 10.5° set to 9.5° in the flat setting with the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 65 stiff flex at 45" with a Golf Pride Z-Grip.

 

Of all the drivers I hit today, the G425 Max was the only one that I could really feel the clubhead throughout the swing. The slightly heavier weight of the clubhead may not give me the fastest ball speed numbers, but it seemed to lead to the most consistent contact. The standard deviation on the spin, launch angle and distance from center was the smallest as well.

 

Fitter said I was one of the easiest to fit that he's done lately. He said nearly everyone he fits comes in with crazy high spin numbers and it's a challenge to get them down.

 

Excited to get the new driver and see how it sounds outside, but I don't have any reason to believe it will be off putting based on what I experienced inside today.

 

 

[OhYeahPlayer]

2 hours ago, J13 said:

 

 

I wasn't a fan either but they disappear after a few shots.  I actually like them now as they frame the ball well.

Interesting! I find the opposite. I play the 410LST and I'm pretty indifferent on the turbulators. But, I find an arrow or logo or whatever on other drivers to be easier to line up to a ball than the Ping turbulators and otherwise naked crown. 

[J13]

14 minutes ago, EatDrinkRunLSU said:

Went for my very first launch monitor driver fitting this afternoon. I knew I was a low spin player, but it wasn't until this fitting that I saw just how low spin.

 

Current gamer is a 10.5° SIM with Hzrdus Smoke Yellow 60g 6.0. Loosened up and started to hit what seemed to be a normal looking ball flight for me with some of my usual miss (low hooks) mixed in. Average spin was <1,700 RPM with quite a few in the 1,300 RPM range. Lots of knuckle balls that fell out of the sky. Total distance on the monitor was fine, but carry distance was too short.

 

Tried the SIM2 and SIM2 Max. Hzrdus Smoke Black RDX didn't give me any better launch and spin numbers in the SIM. Moved to the SIM Max, and spin was marginally better, but launch was too high and didn't square the club up enough.

 

Moved to the Ping G425 Max with Tensei Raw shaft and immediately saw better launch, spin and ball flight. Launch was 14° and spin was 2,100 RPM. The sound was marginally louder, but not something that was egregious. 

 

Tried the Epic Speed and saw slightly higher ball speed numbers, but launch was too high even though spin was OK (just under 2,000 RPM). Tried to bring the ball flight down with lower loft, but then the spin was too low. Moved to the Epic Max and got very inconsistent contact. We cycled through several shafts and just couldn't dial it in.

 

Went back to the Ping G425 Max and immediately everything was optimized. Launch angle and spin were perfect, and of all the drivers I hit, it was by far the straightest. Even the handful of mishits still had acceptable spin and launch numbers that never got above 3,000 RPM and 16.5° launch angle.

 

Ended up with the 10.5° set to 9.5° in the flat setting with the Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 65 stiff flex at 45" with a Golf Pride Z-Grip.

 

Of all the drivers I hit today, the G425 Max was the only one that I could really feel the clubhead throughout the swing. The slightly heavier weight of the clubhead may not give me the fastest ball speed numbers, but it seemed to lead to the most consistent contact. The standard deviation on the spin, launch angle and distance from center was the smallest as well.

 

Fitter said I was one of the easiest to fit that he's done lately. He said nearly everyone he fits comes in with crazy high spin numbers and it's a challenge to get them down.

 

Excited to get the new driver and see how it sounds outside, but I don't have any reason to believe it will be off putting based on what I experienced inside today.

 

 

 

 

425Max is hard to beat for consistency and accuracy.  Most players would be better served to not chase that 1 in 10 long drive and instead focus on total avg distance over the course of a round.  

[Joe Jordan]

On 1/25/2021 at 12:31 PM, tsecor said:

Ping has to get rid of the Turbulators......horrible design from an asthetic standpoint. 

And the Taylormade Sim2 cheap blue is a good look?!?!

[tsecor]

15 hours ago, Joe Jordan said:

And the Taylormade Sim2 cheap blue is a good look?!?!

if you read above you will see the critique i had of the SIM 2

[tsecor]

On 1/25/2021 at 1:54 PM, evoviiiyou said:

Or at least an evolution of some sort...maybo micro milled turbulator tech (minimize) visually or your right just get rid of it.

agreed. There is no documented recorded gains from the turbulators. Its just a rough look for an awesome driver

[jt2gt]

5 hours ago, tsecor said:

agreed. There is no documented recorded gains from the turbulators. Its just a rough look for an awesome driver

Seeing the sick smooth looking crowns on the new Callaway and Titleist drivers and fairways has me wishing I didn't hit the Pings so good.  But guess I am stuck with the turbulators for now.  

[onafriday]

Gonna need to throw the Tsi3 into the mix.  I thought for sure it’d be G425 or SIM2.... but the more I read about the titleist the more intrigued I am by it.  

[golfer55082]

On 1/24/2021 at 9:26 PM, lordemsworth said:

Shiels looks to be sponsored by Nike, but I think he chooses his own clubs (no club contract).  To be honest, I’m not sure it matters - we look for things in all the reviews (spin, launch, comments on feel) and end up comparing against each of them.

 

They all have their strengths and weaknesses -

I like Dan Hendrickson 

 

Mark Crossfield (Lockey has a Callaway bias - but he is open about it, and always provides comparisons against the Callaway in his bag)

 

James Robinson always has the eye-grabbing headline.  If you look at his channel, it would seem he changes clubs almost every day:  best club ever, should this go in my bag, mind blown, etc.

TXG (and now 2nd Swing) provide a bunch of great info - but everything is great, so the criticism is always in comparison (looks, sound, etc).  One thing on TXG that I don’t understand is that 1800 spin level on driver reviews - I’ve got to to believe those aren’t really playable even at Matt’s speed, but what do I know?  
I mean, the Mavrik won the driver bracket in 2020, but when they took that driver to the course, Matt couldn’t keep it in play.  The club reviews in studio only really go so far.

 

Rick Shiels - his most recent driver reviews where he compares previous years is helpful, I think from a context perspective.

 

The Average Golfer - usually pretty fair especially provides insight for those that swing at 98mph for a driver.  His video production is also great.

 

There are others.  Everyone’s mileage may vary.

This is good write up. I think 2nd Swing has started to make high quality videos recently, in video quality as well as technical depth and insight. The tester Thomas Campbell is a very good player and seems to be honest and knowledgeable. I also like Mike Newton reviews a lot.

[OrangeGravy]

On 1/16/2021 at 7:10 PM, Kevmonton said:

Let's say the the sound from the driver at impact last's 1.5 seconds.  You hit your driver 14 times a round. That equates to 20 seconds a round of this "unpleasant sound".  I will take that plus a few extra fairways hit per round.

I can't imagine ever letting sound sway me from a club if it performed better than others for me. Maybe if 2 clubs were in a dead heat performance wise. 

I'm the opposite of most people it seems when it comes to preferred driver sound. I like a metal club to sound like metal. The old Ping Rapture sounds/feels like an aluminum bat from the old days. To me, that sound matches what a metal head should sound like. The newer thwack type sound to me sounds like something made out of plastic. It took me a while to adjust to that sound and not expect the ball to fly 50 yards shorter than normal. That thwack sound is what my old FT Tour sounded like when the face started separating from the carbon crown. 

[caller]

Found some time on Trackman with Ping and TM drivers.

avg 103mph, ball speed around 148mph.. Puts spin anywhere between 2100 to 2600rpm.

 

1. 425LST.... not a fan and not sure if that works for me. Going right. Need more time on this.

 

2. 425Max

  Sound like 223 short barrel going off without my suppressor.

  It's ok. I played Nike Mach before. They are all loud as long as they are straight.

 Hit few balls with their stock stiff shaft and was losing a few 20 yards right but still carries. total distance around 260

 Hit more with Tensei orange shaft. Straight or sligiht baby draw with total 270.  It's ok. nothing special.

I think what Max is about having bad shots as playable as good shots. Good driver here.

Does anyone know what Ping does with hotmelt? is that for sound or reducing spin?

 

3. TM SIM Max2

I popped in my gamer Tour AD BB shaft in it. 280 total distance and more draw. 

Lower the loft to reduce the spin and open the face. 1 out of 4 swing 290 total distance with optimum launch and ball speed. 

It's hot. It's better sound and feel. Has more horsepower than Max. One issue.... I feel TM face looks open even though it is square. I try to swing differently and that leads to snap hook or push but will get use to it.

 

They are very solid and I think Max is for almost everyone... I will wait longer to see more on course reviews. 

[9ironiscash]

Has anyone compared the g400 max to the g425 max? Not sure how much they can improve that. 

[Lobber]

4 minutes ago, 9ironiscash said:

Has anyone compared the g400 max to the g425 max? Not sure how much they can improve that. 

 

4 minutes ago, 9ironiscash said:

Has anyone compared the g400 max to the g425 max? Not sure how much they can improve that. 

From what I have read the 425 MAX is lower spin than the 400.  In fact the 425 MAX spun a bit less than the 425 LST in a recent review by Rick Shiels

[QuigleyDU]

For what it is worth. I am pretty unimpressed with then ping G425 in terms of feel, sound and performance.

 

it is slow, I could not get anywhere near the ball speeds I could with other drivers. Now ball speed is not the only thing that matters but everything else seems to be with a margin of error in terms of accuracy as well. So if all things are pretty equal and the ping is slow well then it does not get considered.

 

I think it looks good, but it is loud and slow. No thanks for me.

[GolfTurkey]

5 hours ago, QuigleyDU said:

For what it is worth. I am pretty unimpressed with then ping G425 in terms of feel, sound and performance.

 

it is slow, I could not get anywhere near the ball speeds I could with other drivers. Now ball speed is not the only thing that matters but everything else seems to be with a margin of error in terms of accuracy as well. So if all things are pretty equal and the ping is slow well then it does not get considered.

 

I think it looks good, but it is loud and slow. No thanks for me.

 

Which of the 2021 drivers have you hit that are up there with the Ping in accuracy?

 

I have a Sim Max (v1) that I spray more than ideal, but I don't want to give up ball speed for accuracy if I don't have to.

[scott_Donald]

9 hours ago, QuigleyDU said:

For what it is worth. I am pretty unimpressed with then ping G425 in terms of feel, sound and performance.

 

it is slow, I could not get anywhere near the ball speeds I could with other drivers. Now ball speed is not the only thing that matters but everything else seems to be with a margin of error in terms of accuracy as well. So if all things are pretty equal and the ping is slow well then it does not get considered.

 

I think it looks good, but it is loud and slow. No thanks for me.

 

With any club, I love that it fits some and not others.

 

Fascinating to see everyones findings!

[caller]

11 hours ago, 9ironiscash said:

Has anyone compared the g400 max to the g425 max? Not sure how much they can improve that. 

I have G400 Max with Tour AD Di.

G425 felt it was lower spinning with stock shaft. It had longer carry distance however it was slightly more forgiving. 

Your mileage may vary.

[9ironiscash]

5 minutes ago, caller said:

I have G400 Max with Tour AD Di.

G425 felt it was lower spinning with stock shaft. It had longer carry distance however it was slightly more forgiving. 

Your mileage may vary.

Are you planning on making the switch? I usually play the stock ping tour shaft; did u test the Alta or the tour? 

[GolfChannel]

On 1/23/2021 at 10:04 PM, onafriday said:

Early reviews of Sim 2 seem favorable, but somewhat lateral.  Same as 410 to 425.  In case of the Sim I am reading incrementally better, and in Pings case perhaps marginally a step backwards. 
 

I would appreciate any further takes.  
 

thanks

I would say the big advancement is for the tweener player who couldn't fit completely into SIM or 410 LST for spin lowering (and for who the 410+ spins too much).

 

I know for me, SIM pushed my G410+ last year, but the spin consistency with the SIM wasn't great. That was really the only thing I hoped they were going to improve on with the SIM to make the thing damn near perfect. Alas, they did not. The 410 LST was consistent on spin, but just below my comfort level in terms of playable spin levels on the actual course.

 

The 425 LST is the perfect bridge for a tweener like me while keeping the stability with right amount of spin that will get me more efficiency and as a result more playable distance.

 

That said, I got fit into the TSi3 which is truly special. Arguably, the easiest driver I've ever hit to date.

[caller]

27 minutes ago, 9ironiscash said:

Are you planning on making the switch? I usually play the stock ping tour shaft; did u test the Alta or the tour? 

 

I am on the fence. I would like to try it on the course (demo day or friend's) to see actual performance.

I demoed G425Max on Trackman. average 103mph swing with 148mph ball speed in average.

 

First was Alta 55 Stiff shaft. 

- Push fade. Was trying to hit straight. 235 carry 265 total avg. Most of shots went right but still carried.

- Tried other shafts (stock stiff) and it flew straighter and carried longer 245-255 and getting total 275-285 depends on the hit.

- Tensei seemed to work better for me. I didn't try Tour because tour stiff doesn't feel right to my swing for some reason. 

[9ironiscash]

24 minutes ago, caller said:

 

I am on the fence. I would like to try it on the course (demo day or friend's) to see actual performance.

I demoed G425Max on Trackman. average 103mph swing with 148mph ball speed in average.

 

First was Alta 55 Stiff shaft. 

- Push fade. Was trying to hit straight. 235 carry 265 total avg. Most of shots went right but still carried.

- Tried other shafts (stock stiff) and it flew straighter and carried longer 245-255 and getting total 275-285 depends on the hit.

- Tensei seemed to work better for me. I didn't try Tour because tour stiff doesn't feel right to my swing for some reason. 

Our numbers are very similar. Let me know what u decide to do and how it works out! I have a g400 max that I game when I lose confidence in my g410 lst. Might do a trade-in depending on how the new Max performs. 

[caller]

6 minutes ago, 9ironiscash said:

Our numbers are very similar. Let me know what u decide to do and how it works out! I have a g400 max that I game when I lose confidence in my g410 lst. Might do a trade-in depending on how the new Max performs. 

 

New Max is little bit more forgiving, louder, lower spinning and more expensive!

[endy]

On 1/27/2021 at 10:04 PM, golfer55082 said:

This is good write up. I think 2nd Swing has started to make high quality videos recently, in video quality as well as technical depth and insight. The tester Thomas Campbell is a very good player and seems to be honest and knowledgeable. I also like Mike Newton reviews a lot.

 

I have also been extremely impressed with the 2nd swing guys, they have done a fantastic job in my opinion.