Titleist AP3 718 Vs. Taylormade SIM Max Irons Comparison Overview
The first time you look down at the Titleist AP3 718 irons, you wouldn’t think that they would help you very much with distance unless you have a stellar swing speed. At least, we didn’t think much of them as distance irons at first.
However, we must start this article out by saying that we were pleasantly surprised. Then we got a wild hare. How would the Titleist AP3 718 irons perform next to established distance irons like the Taylormade SIM Max’s?
Taylormade SIM Max Overview
The Taylormade SIM Max irons are known for ball speed and distance. Everything about them is designed to push the ball further.
We know you’ve probably read all about the SIM Max irons so we’re only going to stick to the most important aspects we discovered in our comparison.
With the 4 iron of the SIM Max irons, we were getting 179 yards on average.
With the 4 iron of the Titleist AP3 718’s, we were getting about 175 yards on average. So for all intents and purposes, the Speed Pocket of the SIM Max’s did more for ball speed.
However, we discovered that the Titleist AP3 718 short irons provided better spin control.
So it’s a bit of give and take with these irons. The SIM Max’s are sure to give you more distance; but you lose a lot of short game accuracy with them.
Titleist AP3 718 Irons Overview
The Titleist AP3 718 have a superior feel even though both iron sets essentially have an unsupported face design.
The heads of the Titleist AP3 718 iron are hollow which allows for a free-floating face. This is where most of the ball speed and distance comes from because the smaller heads surely don’t help.
What the smaller head does do however is provide superior feel and control on approaches.
What we liked the most about these clubs was that they are supremely workable. You can pop them high on a fast green or keep the trajectory nice and low – with the SIM Max irons, you really only get the option to play high and far.
That’s not necessarily a drawback and in the end the Titleist AP3 718 irons did not end up playing longer than the SIM Max’s. However, we liked the overall performance and value you get from the Titleist AP3 718’s more.
Titleist AP3 718 Irons
Category: Player’s/Distance Irons
Taylormade Sim Max Irons
Category – Game Improvement Irons
Titleist AP3 718 Irons First Impressions
We tested the AP3’s second so the lower handicap players in our party were relieved at the sight of the slightly larger heads.
The AP3’s have something of a hybrid cavity back/muscle back design. The undercut in the rear also serves to pop the ball high in the air in both the long and short irons.
The AP3’s were also noticeably more forgiving than the Titleist AP2 718 irons. That’s probably because of perimeter weighting in the heel and toe via tungsten weights.
The AP3’s also have the “L-shaped” face insert that has been included in many other Titleist irons.
The Titleist AP3 irons are slightly more suited to lower handicap players and lack some of the advanced features of the Titleist AP2 718 irons like the co-forged, infused tungsten weighting and carbon steel construction.
Taylormade Sim Max – First Impressions
The first thing to notice about these Irons is the striking looks. The clubs have a cavity back design with more thickness towards the bottom of the design for more ball speed.
In the clubs we have a low Center of Gravity, a wide sole for a bigger sweet spot, forgiveness and echo camping technology for a nice sound even on Mishits.
The Speed Bridge, Speed Pocket and and ultra thin face all account for club head transferring into balls speed for maximum distance, accuracy and tons of forgiveness.
The Sim Max Irons have recently been upgraded to the Sim2 family for 2021.
Titleist AP3 718 Selling Points
- Better for mid handicappers
- Slightly larger profile
- L-shaped face insert
- Good forgiveness on low face shots
- Brushed leading edge
- Good forgiveness
Sim Max – Selling Points
- Speed Bridge Technology
- Speed Pocket
- Echo Damping System
- Ultra Thin Face
- Progressive Inverted Cone Technology
Who are the Titleist AP3 718 Irons for?
The AP3’s would be great for any single digit handicapper who is looking for a bit more feel and help with contact.
While the Titleist AP3 718 irons are a great introduction to the AP family. They are more forgiving than the Titleist AP2 718 irons but provide you with better short game control than the AP1’s.
While not on the same performance level as the Titleist AP2 718 irons, the AP3’s do provide comparable distance in a great looking player’s iron shape.
The Titleist AP Irons
The great thing about the Titleist AP3 irons is that they sit perfectly between the AP1 and AP2 in terms of size.
While the AP2 is certainly the only model that can be considered a tour-grade iron set, the AP3 and AP1 will appeal more to players who have just broken into single digits.
Titleist AP3 718 Irons Final Assessment
Distance: 94/100
Accuracy: 92/100
Forgiveness: 92/100
Feel & Control: 92/100
Overall Score: 92/100
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Who Are The Sim Max Irons For:
These Irons are going to be ideal for High and Mid Handicappers who want a perfect balance of distance and forgiveness.
The Family Of Irons
The Sim Max also comes in the following:
Sim which is going to be better for those looking for more distance and less forgiveness.
The Sim Max OS are going to be the most forgiving but be prepared to sacrifice a little bit of distance for the pleasure.
Distance: 98/100
Accuracy: 98/100
Forgiveness: 96/100
Feel And Control: 88/100
Overall Score: 97/100
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