Titleist AP3 718 Vs. Taylormade SIM 2 Irons Comparison Overview
Both the Titleist AP3 718 and the Taylormade SIM 2 irons were built to give players more forgiveness – though the designs go about it in very different ways.
We wanted to see which set was more forgiving and what else each set brings to the table for the everyday golfer.
In the following article, we will cover only the most important features and performance aspects of these irons to give you a better idea of which ones would be best for you.
Titleist AP3 718 Irons Overview
The Titleist AP3 718 irons give you the look of a player’s iron with the forgiveness of a game improvement iron.
One of the things we really liked about these irons is that they feature the L-shaped face inserts that Titleist likes to use.
This face insert essentially wraps into the sole to correct low-face shots. They also have a very smooth leading edge that makes them a dream to work in the rough.
You get really great launch from these irons as well so they are great for getting over hazards. The hollow body design allows the face to play hot but overall, you will be getting more distance from the Taylormade SIM 2 irons.
Overall, the Titleist AP3 718 are fairly forgiving if you are a mid to low handicapper. Keep in mind that these irons have smaller heads than the SIM 2’s.
Taylormade SIM 2 Irons Overview
The SIM 2 irons will yield more distance and higher handicap players will like the larger head profile.
However, apart from the head size there is really nothing that differentiates the SIM 2 irons from the Titleist AP3 718’s in terms of forgiveness.
These things are really more about ball speed than anything else. In fact, SIM stands for Speed In Motion.
They feature the famed Speed Pocket that allows the face to hinge and inverted cone technology which forms an asymmetrical sweet spot that expands out towards the toe as you work down the set.
Both the Titleist AP3 718 irons and the SIM 2’s provide excellent launch and a low center of gravity.
These irons feel good on the downswing but at contact, we liked how the 17-4 stainless steel face inserts of the Titleist AP3 718 irons felt.
In terms of forgiveness, these irons performed about the same – you just have to get used to the smaller heads of the Titleist AP3 718’s.
Titleist AP3 718 Irons
Category: Player’s/Distance Irons
Sim 2 Max Irons
Category – Distance/ 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.
Sim 2 Irons – First Impressions
Immediately noticeable on these irons is that they look pretty similar to the Sim Max irons but the Cap Back technology does stand out as being more solid.
We weren’t expected much difference in performance either and turned out to be true as well, the Sim 2 Max are slightly longer and lower launching than their predecessor which shows an incremental improvement but nothing overly major to write home about.
The echo dampener and cap back does make these irons feel a good bit smoother in the shorter irons and you can really get a good command of the ball with the forged feeling face.
Thru slot and ICT technology ensure the sweet spot is large and playable and that is another feature that we enjoyed about these clubs.
Overall the clubs do mark an improvement over the Sim Max in terms of distance, feel and control and we recommend giving these clubs a shot before committing to a purchase, because the Sim Max are still competitive and may be available for a keener price.
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
Taylormade Sim 2 Max Irons – Selling Points
- Artificial Intelligence Used In Weight Placement
- Massive Sweet Spot
- Cap Back Is Excellent For Feel
- Echo Dampener Increases Consistency
- Straight Biased shots without much offset
- Some Of The Leading Irons On The Market
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 2 Irons For
Because these irons offer so much, literally any golfer can get good performance from them although they are going to be a perfect fit for Beginners, High Handicappers and Mid Handicappers.
Lower handicap players and pros might look to the consistency and enhanced workability of some players irons but these are still going to be easily usable by any player.
Taylormade Sim 2 Family Of Irons
The Sim 2 Max also comes in the Sim 2 Max OS which is more forgiving and has a higher loft.
The Sim 2 follows on from the Sim Irons and offers slight improves in all aspects of the game.
Distance: 96/100
Accuracy: 95/100
Forgiveness: 94/100
Feel And Control: 92/100
Overall Score: 96/100
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