Paul Liberatore
Contents
- Best Driver for High Handicap Golfers
- Most Accurate Driver – TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver
- Best Driver for Seniors – Ping G430 SFT Driver
- Best for Better Players – Titleist TSR2 Driver
- Best Broad Appeal – Cobra DarkSpeed Max Driver
- Best Driver for Mid Handicappers – Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max D Driver
- Best Driver for Broad Appeal – Mizuno ST-X 230 Driver
- Best Looking – Wilson Staff Launch Pad 2 Driver
- Best Driver for High Handicappers – Srixon ZX5 MK II Driver
- Best for Slicers – Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Driver
- When Do You Use A Golf Driver?
- Finding the Best Driver for Your Golf Game
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How Do I Measure A Golf Driver Length?
- Q: Driver vs Woods: What is the Difference?
- Q: What is an Adjustable Driver, and Does it Really Matter?
- Q: How Do You Know if a Driver is USGA Conforming?
- What Driver Should You Buy?
High handicapper golfers struggle off the tee. Getting a properly fit forgiving driver for high handicappers can mean better distance and more accuracy even if your struggle with major swing flaws or lower swing speed. Surprisingly, even high handicap players are consistent swingers of golf clubs, they just often need a bit of help stabilizing mis hits and optimizing their launch and ball flight characteristics. These drivers will help golfers launch the golf ball higher and hopefully find more fairways and areas in-play. Beginners get the ball airborne easier with higher loft options. Having game improvement driver with adjustable weight gives you flexibility with your shots.
Modern drivers for beginners and high handicappers will have draw bias suited for them, compact shaft flex, better center of gravity with wide sweet spot for better launch angle and maximum forgiveness. If they want help to eliminate slice they will use offset driver. The high handicap golfers drivers also provide easier to hit sweet spot on every shot with the golf ball. It will help them to have better center shots and improve their slower swing speeds. Best driver for beginners and high handicappers will have adjustable hosel and adjustable loft sleeve to adapt their shaft flex for higher launch with moderate swing speed.
We golf course tested and fully reviewed all of the drivers in these guides, and wrote them just for you. Please take a look and let us know what you think!
Best Driver for High Handicap Golfers
Most Accurate Driver – TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver
If you have a propensity to miss more fairways than you hit, you might want to give the TaylorMade Qi10 Max driver a try. Out of all the drivers I tested this year, it was by far the most accurate.
The feature that stands out most with the Qi10 Max driver is 10k inertia. The simple fact is, the more inertia a driver has, the more forgiving it is. And the more forgiving it is, the straighter you’re going to hit it.
Another way you can think of inertia as it relates to a driver is its resistance to change during rotation. This driver is one of the most stable drivers through impact of any in the game.
Because the shape of the clubhead is narrower in the QI10 Max, mass is moved away from the center of the clubhead toward the perimeter. This maximizes stability and limits face rotation allowing the clubface to remain square to the target throughout your swing.
A lightweight carbon crown covers 97% of the driver’s top, further allowing mass to be transferred to the perimeter. You guessed it, this only adds to the forgiveness equation.
The Qi10 Max also employs TaylorMade’s patented Twist Face made from 60X carbon. It’s one of the lightest weight faces on the market and helps golfers increase both clubhead and ball speed.
If you’re looking to hit it straighter off the tee without sacrificing any distance, the TaylorMade Qi10 is the driver for you in 2024.
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Best Driver for Seniors – Ping G430 SFT Driver
As you age, you lose swing speed and therefore distance. It’s an unfortunate fact of life for all golfers.
That’s why Ping designed the G430 SFT driver. Its design and tech features help golfers hit tee shots longer and straighter, while also maximizing forgiveness.
The G430 SFT uses Straight Flight Technology and a 22-gram adjustable backweight to provide up to 13 yards of draw bias. It also allows you to perfectly position the CG in a spot that matches your swing.
The T9S+ variable thickness forged clubface increases deflection for explosive ball speeds which results in added distance.
Just like the G430 LST, the SFT has an internal rib structure that not only increases stability, but optimizes sound.
The variable roll radius also lessens loft on the bottom of the clubface helping golfers minimize spin and get the most out of their off-center drives.
Lastly, Trajectory Tuning 2.0 provides eight different loft and lie positions for easy customization.
Best for Better Players – Titleist TSR2 Driver
For decades, Titleist has been a stalwart in the golf club industry when it comes to producing quality drivers. The all-new TSR2 is no different.
Compared to last year’s model, the body of the new TSR2 is slimmed down, but its performance features are ramped up.
The new head shape is one of the most aerodynamic Titleist has ever produced. Golfers are able to generate more clubhead speed which results in faster ball speeds and more distance.
The Multi-Plateau Variable Thickness clubface optimizes shot performance not only on center strikes, but mishits as well.
The CG has been moved forward and lower in the clubhead eliminating unnecessary spin while increasing ball speed at the same time.
While it might not seem like there’s anything too revolutionary about this year’s TSR2 driver, it performs consistently for golfers of all ability levels.
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Best Broad Appeal – Cobra DarkSpeed Max Driver
If you’re like me and the majority of weekend warriors out there, you struggle with a slice from time to time, especially with your driver.
The good news is that there’s hope for us in 2024. The Cobra DarkSpeed Max driver was engineered to help us slicers straighten out our tee shots.
Like the other DarkSpeed drivers, the Max is made of nothing but premium space-grade materials that ensure maximum performance.
The shape of the clubhead has been reengineered as well. The new design is much more aerodynamic and forgiving than previous iterations. It also produces higher launch conditions which is ideal for golfers that struggle with distance or fight a slice.
The rear weight is the key in maximizing this driver’s draw bias. It’s positioned in the heel and gives slicers unparalleled accuracy. A second weight in the back of the clubhead aids in forgiveness and produces high launch conditions.
The PWRSHELL L-Cup clubface is 10% larger for more forgiveness and the H.O.T. clubface delivers consistent speed and spin.
There are a lot of drivers out there that claim to help golfers straighten out their slice, but none does it better in 2024 than the Cobra DarkSpeed Max.
Best Driver for Mid Handicappers – Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max D Driver
Just like the AI Smoke Triple Diamond, the AI Smoke Max D driver from Callaway utilizes a clubface that was designed by AI and inspired by hundreds of thousands of swings to optimize performance across the entire surface.
It too features micro deflections across the clubface that act like miniature sweet spots to optimize launch, speed, and accuracy.
A 15% lighter 360-degree carbon fiber chassis allows weight to be moved elsewhere in the clubhead for increased overall performance.
The Max D looks big and forgiving at address, and that’s because it is. The clubhead profile has been stretched to maximize MOI and confidence when you look down at it.
The Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max D driver delivers on every front and is perfect for the average player looking for more distance, forgiveness, speed, and accuracy.
Best Driver for Broad Appeal – Mizuno ST-X 230 Driver
If you’re looking for a driver that delivers on just about every front, don’t overlook the Mizuno ST-X 230.
This driver has a round, deep profile that has mass centered toward the heel. This promotes a natural draw which is perfect if you tend to hit a slice.
The Coretech Chamber encases a 3-rgam stainless steel weight with elastomeric TPU that takes stress off the clubface and acts as an additional power source.
The CG in the ST-X 230 is set low and farther back in the clubhead than previous models. This increases MOI and helps golfers get the ball in the air.
A one-piece carbon sole plate allows weight to be strategically placed throughout the head and affords outstanding stability and clubface control through the hitting area.
While there’s nothing earth-shattering about this driver and its features, it more than met my expectations in terms of overall performance.
Best Looking – Wilson Staff Launch Pad 2 Driver
Wilson’s Launch Pad 2 driver features state-of-the-art technology for extreme speed and forgiveness.
The natural draw bias helps eliminate slices for straighter, more precise shots.
The PKR face shape is powered by cutting-edge computer modeling, which produces a tour-tested fast design with rapid ball speeds throughout the face.
For players of all skill levels, the Launch Pad—one of the lightest drivers on the market—offers a smooth swing speed.
The Launch Pad 2 driver can get you from the tee box to the fairway with just one swing because of its enhanced carry, straighter strokes, and ability to get beyond that annoying slice.
Best Driver for High Handicappers – Srixon ZX5 MK II Driver
Out of all the drivers I tested, the Srixon ZX5 MK II was the most forgiving. It was also one of the hottest.
This driver’s Rebound Frame has two flex zones, while most drivers only have one. This feature elevates COR across the face for faster ball speeds.
The Ti51AF titanium alloy face is one of the hardest surfaces on earth and allows the ball to come off like a rocket.
The crown of the ZX5 MK II consists of a series of ridges and latticework that are both ultra-lightweight and stable. This allows mass to be placed elsewhere where it can be used to optimize launch and spin conditions.
On the bottom of the club, you’ll find an interchangeable 8-gram sole weight which can be customized to your specific swing.
On the whole, I found the Srixon ZX5 MK II driver to be plenty forgiving without sacrificing anything in the distance department.
Best for Slicers – Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Driver
When you hear the name Cleveland, premium wedges are probably the first things that come to mind.
But this year, they’ve introduced a driver that’s setting the golf world abuzz. It’s the Launcher XL 2.
The MainFrame XL face is AI-inspired and features variable thickness that creates a larger sweet spot.
The XL 2’s crown is also razor thin and lightweight, and it’s supported by an exceptionally durable frame. The result is both increased clubhead speed and plenty of stability.
With the weight saved from the lightweight crown, Cleveland has been able to move the CG lower and farther back in the clubhead. This increases MOI and fosters high-launch, low-spin conditions for maximum carry distance.
The Rebound Frame features two flex zones that each act like a spring when the ball hits the club face. As a result, energy transfer effectively doubles and ball speed increases exponentially.
An Action Mass CB 8-gram weight is found at the top of the shaft near the end of the grip. This counterbalance feature increases stability and makes the club feel lighter during your swing.
It’s been a while since Cleveland came out with a top-tier driver. But if the Launcher XL 2 is any indication, that trend just might have ended.
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When Do You Use A Golf Driver?
Understanding how a driver fit should be done, and what the most important factors are in your ideal driver for high handicapper is the best way to identify what new club is best for you. Many players that choose off-the-rack golf clubs options are leaving distance and accuracy on the table by not having that golf club built for their swing speed. Below, we take you through each of the components of the driver fitting process and detail how your new club can be built for your game.
We have also included a list of great drivers for beginners and high handicappers for this year’s lineup to help you narrow your choice before you see your fitting professional. Armed with knowledge and more understanding of best golf drivers, you can make a better choice for your game this year.
Drivers are most often used from the tee box when the ball can be placed upon a tee. High handicap players are discouraged from hitting their drivers from the ground as this shot has a lower chance of success and requires precision ball striking and better swing speed.
Finding the Best Driver for Your Golf Game
Drivers have to balance several factors to truly suit a player’s needs. The club head should be shaped to fit your eyes, the head and swing weight should allow you to maximize your club head speed and speed of the ball, and the center of gravity with the sweet spot and loft should give you the ideal balance of launch and spin. Often using a driver with adjustable weights is great for moderate swing speeds high handicappers. It offer more shaft options.
Match all these up with a grip and a shaft that helps you deliver the club more consistently and you will find instant improvements in your game and your confidence. Understand that there is no one driver perfect for every golfer, however, each golfer does have one great driver that is best for their swing and swing speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have provided some of the most common questions for high handicapper golfers looking to purchase a new driver in 2022.
Q: How Do I Measure A Golf Driver Length?
A: By using a 48-inch measuring stick or tape measure, set up the club similar to if you were approaching the ball. Once the sole of the club is set squarely with the ground, line up the leading edge of the measuring device to the shaft and ensure that it’s in line with the hosel.
The measurement from the butt end of the grip to the hosel is the length of the driver’s shaft. The length from the butt end of the grip to the middle of the club face is the total length of the driver.
Q: Driver vs Woods: What is the Difference?
A: While drivers and fairway woods may have similar names and loft, the construction of these clubs make them unique to different playing positions on the golf course. Drivers are designed with deeper club faces that make them ideal for hitting a ball from a tee. Fairway woods have a curved sole that makes them more playable from a short tee or the ground.
Drivers are created to give players maximum distance while fairway woods are built to hit specific yardage markers like irons or hybrids. They have different sweet spot also. Depending on your swing, you may find more success with hitting your fairway wood instead of your great driver in terms of distance and accuracy.
Q: What is an Adjustable Driver, and Does it Really Matter?
A: Adjustable drivers give players more options and club fitters more ways of helping golfers hit better shots. Torque wrench hosels create an array of adjustable loft and face angle positions for each driver model. This means that one club head can have several different configurations with different sweet spot that can help individuals especially high handicapper golfers in several ways.
Moveable weights can adjust centers of gravity. This movement gives players an ability to adjust their ball flight shape and backspins to get more distance and help them find more fairways. Players struggling with slices or hooks can benefit greatly from finding a loft, spin, and center of gravity that helps them eliminate their big miss and keep them in play more often.
Q: How Do You Know if a Driver is USGA Conforming?
A: Whenvever a new golf club is introduced, the USGA measure it to ensure that it does not award golfers an advantage over the golf course or their competition. The complete list of all club and best drivers for beginners made acceptable for competition can be found below at the link provided.
http://www.usga.org/ConformingGolfClub/ConformingClubList_M.pdf
Titleist TSR2 Driver
CALLAWAY Paradym AI Smoke Max D Driver
What Driver Should You Buy?
The best driver for you gives you more distance, more accuracy, and more consistency off the tee. Many modern driver models allow club fitters and coaches to work with player’s techniques and swings to help them play better golf and enjoy the game more immediately. New models also incorporate innovations and technology such as jailbreak technology, speed pocket etc. in their drivers. Optimizing your swing to the proper ball speed, launch angle, and spin rates can give you an instant boost. Sometimes adjustable weight with graphite shaft can improve your game. Some beginner golfer is using driver head with hammerhead slot.
Testing different club heads, shafts, and grip combinations is the best way to identify which golf driver can give you the best fit. Handicap golfers especially can benefit from playing properly fit equipment that helps make the game easier for them. Higher loft of the driver will increase their ability for higher launch. No matter if you fight a slice or just need more distance to get to par-4s and par-5s in two, a better fitting driver can unlock an easier game of golf. Bottom line many beginners want to get best budget high end good driver options available.
As always, thank you so much for reading. Be sure to head over to our other buying guides and reviews to make sure you have the best golf gear in your bag for this season. Taking the information you have learned, go test different clubs and find something that is best in your hands. Happy testing and find the best drivers!
