Ping G425 vs Taylormade Sim Max Irons Review & Specs 2023

Ping G425 vs Taylormade Sim Max Irons Review & Specs 2023

A good game improvement iron may be hard to come by if you have very specific issues with your swing.

But both Ping and TaylorMade are throwing their hats into the ring of premium “all-around” game improvement irons.

The Ping G425 are a smaller, neater and more compact version of their predecessor, the G410’s, while the Taylormade Sim Max are brimming with technology to offer distance and forgiveness.

So, to help you make sense of all the tech and features that are behind two of their most prized new iron lines, we have composed this comparison article.

One thing is for sure, there has never been a better time to buy game improvement irons, perfectly suited to your game.

Let’s take a closer look.

Background Of The Clubs

Ping G425

Remember the Ping G400 and the G410’s? If you were waiting around in 2020 for their successor then you were disappointed.

But in 2023, the much anticipated G425’s have finally arrived. And with the G425’s Ping is focusing not only on distance; but forgiveness as well.

Taylormade Sim Max

If you were a fan of TaylorMade’s M line then chances are you’re gonna love the Sim Max line of irons. They come in standard, Sim Max Pro and Sim Max.

For this review we will be taking a look at the Sim Max line which promises a forged feel in a distance iron.

Ping G425 Key Features

Selling Points

• Cleaner, More Compact Design With Higher MOI

• Tungsten Perimeter Screw Weighting For Low CG And High Launch

• Thin Steel Face With Various Thickness For Ball Speed

• Undercut With Cascading Sole For ‘Towering Height’

• Multi Material Badge For Vibration Dulling And Excellent Feel

Key Features

The Ping G425 irons have expanded perimeter weighting which increases flex and widens the sweet spot.

So as you would imagine, they are forgiving. But more than that, they feature Ping’s VFT or Variable Face Technology which increases distance consistency for each club in the set.

TaylorMade Sim Max Key Features

Selling Points

• Speed Bridge For Distance And Forgiveness

• Echo Damping Systems For Improved Feel

• Thin Face With Speed Pocket For Ultimate Connection

• Inverted Cone Technology For Reduced Spin On Mishits

Key Features

The Sim Max irons feature the Speed Bridge that we have all grown to know and love along with the Speed Pocket which helps to dampen unwanted vibrations on miss hits.

All of this amounts to a set of irons that feels like a forged player’s set but one that was built for distance and ball speed.

Ping G425 Improvements

The Ping G425 irons have a lot of similar qualities as their predecessors the G400 and G410’s. But one improvement that you will pick up on right away is the notched heel which provides better deflection.

With the Ping G425’s the company is attempting to improve the accuracy, forgiveness and draw correction of their previous models.

Sim Max Improvements

The Sim Max’s are the heir apparent to the popular M5 and M6 irons which were the originators of the Speed Bridge.

But the Sim Max line builds upon the Speed Bridge technology by combining it with a free-floating face on each of the clubs.

The sole is essentially detached from the top line of each iron in the Sim Max set to provide more responsive and resonant flex, which in most cases, should equal better ball speed and distance.

Quick Loft Comparison Chart

Club	Ping G425	Taylormade Sim Max
4 Iron	20.5°	19°
5 Iron	23.5°	21.5°
6 Iron	26.5°	25°
7 Iron	30°	28.5°
8 Iron	34.5°	32.5°
9 Iron	39.5°	38°
PW	44.5°	43.5°

Ping G425 Set Options

The Ping G425 irons come with either Ping Alta CB slate graphite shafts or Ping AWT 2.0 steel shafts.

The Ping Alta’s come in either soft regular, regular, or stiff flex.

The Ping AWT 2.0 shafts come in either regular, stiff or extra stiff flex.

TaylorMade Sim Max Set Options

With the Sim Max irons, you get to choose from Fujikura Ventus Blue graphite shafts or KBS Max 85 steel shafts.

The Ventus Blue’s come in senior, regular and amateur flex while the KBS Max 85 is available in stiff and regular flex.

Quick Length & Lie Comparison Chart

Club	Ping G425 – Length/Lie	Sim Max – Length/Lie
4 Iron	60.5/38 7/8”	61.5/39.125”
5 Iron	61/38 ¼”	62/38.50”
6 Iron	61.5/37 5/8”	62.5/37.88”
7 Iron	62/37”	63/37.25”
8 Iron	62.8/36 ½”	63.5/36.75”
9 Iron	63.5/36”	64/36.25”
PW	64.1/35 ½”	64.5/35.75”

 

Who is Each Set for?

Ping G425

The Ping G425 are certainly better for players who are having trouble with right draw.

The etched heel of the irons and the oval or egg shaped centers of mass in the face make it easier to square up to the ball and get straighter shots.

One thing that has to also be mentioned is that the G425’s have 2 degrees higher loft on each club so if you struggle getting the ball in the air, this may be the better set for you.

They are also pretty forgiving overall.

Taylormade Sim Max

The TaylorMade Sim Max irons are more for players who want a forged-feel iron set without the discomfort.

These irons utilize the ECHO damping system which reduces harsh vibration upon impact but still deliver forged distance and ball speed.

So essentially it comes down to distance or forgiveness with these two sets.

Composition Comparison

The composition of both these iron sets are closely comparable. You get the options of steel or graphite shafts with both.

Where they differ slightly is in the face architecture.

The Ping G425’s feature metal-wood style faces with varying thickness throughout the set and smaller soles than the Sim’s

The Sim Max’s have free floating faces wherein the sole is separate from the top line.

The Ping G425 are also available with Arccos Caddie Smart grips, Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet grips and Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet Cord grips.

The TaylorMade Sim Max irons are available with stock Lamkin Crossline 360 grips.

Performance Comparison

While we were getting good repeatable distances from all of the irons thanks to the VFT of the Ping G425, our shots weren’t flying as far as the Sim Max’s.

But the Ping G425’s did provide higher launch angle for what it’s worth. The Sim Max’s were better for overall distance but lacked the heightened feel of the Ping G425.

Price Comparison

You can get a full set of Ping G425 irons for between $800 and $950 while the Sim Max’s will run you about $800 on average.

Ping G425 Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Better launch angle
• Good gap spacing
• Better feel
• Smaller & more compact
• Tungsten infused
• Better hosel offset
• Grooved MOI faces

Cons:

• Not as long
• They can cost more
• Chunkier face
• Harder to work

Overall Score: 96/100

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Sim Max Pros & Cons

 

Pros:

• Better distance
• Easier to work
• Slightly More Forgiving
• They sound great
• They minimize vibration
• Head shape designed for distance

Cons:

• Fewer grip options
• Less pronounced offset
• Not great for slow swing speeds
• Weaker lofts

Overall Score: 98/100

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Final Words

In the end, you can’t go wrong with either of these iron sets if you are looking for good game-improvement clubs. But as far as an “all-around” iron, we have to give it to the Sim Max’s.

They provided more of what every player really wants: distance. So if you’re looking to take your game to the next level, check the TaylorMade Sim Max irons out.

Overall Score: 98/100

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