Contents
- Best Driver for Mid-Handicap Golfers
- Best Driver for Fast Swing Speeds – TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver
- Best Driver for Low Handicappers – Titleist TSR3 Driver
- Longest Driver – Ping G430 LST Driver
- Best Feeling Driver – Mizuno ST-G 440 Driver
- Best Driver for Distance – Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver
- Best Sounding Driver – Cobra DarkSpeed X Driver
- Most Forgiving Driver – Ping G430 Max 10K Driver
- Best Driver for High-Spin Players – Wilson Dynapower Carbon Driver
- Best High Launch Driver – Titleist TSR1 Driver
- Best Driver for High Handicappers – Srixon ZX5 MK II Driver
- Best Driver for Good Ball Strikers – Cleveland Launcher XL Driver
- Finding the Best Driver for Your Golf Game
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How Do I Measure A Golf Driver’s Shaft Length?
- Q: Driver vs Fairway 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?
Updated April 2024 to add the TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver Review
Mid handicap golfers are often good at certain aspects of playing and struggle with others. Out of each handicap class, mid handicappers golfers tend to be the most diverse. Often they have average swing speed. The things that work for some mid handicappers may not work for others. Players that are great drivers of the ball may need to focus more attention on their wedges and short game. Others feel more comfortable around the greens and need help getting off the tee so they can attack greens for more birdie opportunities.
No matter what style of mid handicap player you are, these best golf drivers for mid handicappers can help upgrade your bag, allow you better center of gravity and sweet spot this season and turn your current weaknesses into strengths. The loft usually is from single digit or 9. 5 degrees to 12. 5 degrees rarely to 13 degrees. Often mid handicappers use draw bias loft for more launch and use more lower center of gravity.
We golf course tested and fully reviewed all of the golf drivers for mid handicappers in these guides, and wrote them just for you. Please take a look and let us know what you think and which will be best golf drivers for you.
Best Driver for Mid-Handicap Golfers
Best Driver for Fast Swing Speeds – TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver
If you swing the club at a fast rate of speed, chances are a driver that produces minimal spin is going to benefit you most.
The TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver is designed to deliver exactly that. Low spin conditions are due in large part to the deep face and compact head shape.
Even though this driver is designed for elite players, it still offers plenty of forgiveness thanks to multi-material construction that maximizes MOI.
An infinity carbon fiber crown covers 97% of the top of the clubhead. This allows for maximum mass distribution and even more forgiveness.
In the back of the club, you’ll find an 18-gram moveable weight that not only allows for shot shape optimization, but decreases spin and reduces turbulence.
The Qi10 LS also features TaylorMade’s third generation of the Twist Face which is made of 60X carbon fiber. Lighter than traditional titanium and most other alloys on the market, this material reduces weight and maximizes energy transfer at impact.
Played by the likes of Tiger Woods and Tommy Fleetwood, the TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver is sure to be a head-turner for better players with faster than average swing speeds this year.
Worldwide Golf Shops
PGA TOUR Superstore
Global Golf - U.S.
Amazon.com
Fairway Golf, Inc.
Best Driver for Low Handicappers – Titleist TSR3 Driver
If there’s a brand that’s known as the good player’s brand it’s Titleist. For decades, they’ve produced high-performing golf clubs that are preferred by the game’s most elite players.
In 2024, the TSR3 driver continues that tradition as a driver that’s meant for high-level golfers that expect nothing but the best performance.
Speed Ring Face Technology cues in a precise point that can be precision-tuned for maximum speed. Combined with variable face thickness, the R&D team at Titleist has been able to maximize the CT/COR relationship.
Always known for being pleasing to the eye, this year’s TSR3 driver has undergone slight refinements to make it more aerodynamic. In testing, I noticed a significant increase in my clubhead speed compared to other drivers.
The SureFit Adjustable CG Track System allows you to position the focused hitting zone in a spot that matches your individual swing.
The Titleist TSR3 driver has been the preferred player’s driver since it was introduced, and it’s no different this year.
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Longest Driver – Ping G430 LST Driver
For years, Ping has been known for making some of the most forgiving drivers in golf. While that trend continues this year, they’ve also produced one of the longest. It’s the G430 LST.
This driver helps golfers with fast swing speeds reduce spin and increase ball speed. That’s the ticket when it comes to maximizing distance.
The LST features a Carbonfly Wrap crown that wraps into both the heel and toe. This ultra-lightweight design allows the CG to be set lower in the clubhead allowing for both increased ball speed and MOI.
The T9S+ forged clubface uses variable thickness to maximize deflection and again, increase ball speed.
An all-new internal rib structure creates a sound that’s neither tinny or dead. It’s downright solid.
Variable roll radius lessens loft on the bottom of the clubface to reduce spin and maximize distance on thin drives.
The 22-gram backweight is adjustable and allows you to customize launch conditions as well and neutral, draw, and fade biases.
As we’d expect from Ping, the G430 LST is loaded with advanced tech and design features that all work to produce maximum ball speeds and distance.
Best Feeling Driver – Mizuno ST-G 440 Driver
With the new ultra-low spin Mizuno ST-G driver they’re looking to ramp things up to a whole new level and build on that trend.
Over the last few years though the company has found a new dedication to only producing drivers that compete alongside the very best.
The ST-G has a new Ti-LFS face that’s lighter, stronger, and faster.
A new carbon fiber wrap-over crown eliminates inefficient mass from the toe, helping also to absorb vibration and tune sound/feel to desired levels.
The ST-G has been designed with additional internal sound ribs to create the sound and feel favored by their tour staff.
Best Driver for Distance – Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver
The Callaway Paradym AI Smoke line of drivers just might be the most comprehensive for 2024.
For golfers looking for raw distance above all else, there’s no better driver in 2024 than the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max driver.
Like the others in this family the Max driver’s clubface is designed by AI that’s taken into account hundreds of thousands of different swing iterations. The end result is more than 20 micro deflections that act as sweet spots all over the clubface. So, no matter where you catch the ball on the face, maximum performance is guaranteed.
The AI Smoke Max also features adjustable perimeter weighting in the back of the clubhead allowing for up to 19 yards of shot shape correction.
Lastly, the 360-degree carbon fiber chassis is 15% lighter than last year’s Paradym model. This allows weight to be concentrated in more strategic parts of the clubhead. The result is less drag, more speed, and forgiveness.
If you want to bomb it like the big boys, check out the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max driver.
Best Sounding Driver – Cobra DarkSpeed X Driver
Out of all the drivers I tested this year, the Cobra DarkSpeed X sounded the best. There wasn’t anything tinny about it, yet it didn’t sound dull or dead either. Solid is the best word I can use to describe its sound.
More than that though, this driver performs on all fronts. It packs a powerful punch of speed, forgiveness, high launch, and stability.
Like the DarkSpeed LS, Cobra’s DarkSpeed X driver was conceived by aerospace engineers using space-grade materials.
You can easily optimize your spin conditions with the DarkSpeed X thanks to adjustable back and forward weights.
The DarkSpeed X sees Cobra’s patented PWR-BRIDGE moved lower and farther forward in the clubhead than in years past. This increases ball speeds, minimizes spin, and increases club-to-ball energy transfer at impact.
The PWRSHELL L-Cup face is also 10% larger. This provides golfers more forgiveness.
The upgraded H.O.T. clubface design also maximizes the efficiency of both spin and speed across the clubface.
Out of the drivers in this year’s Cobra family, the DarkSpeed X not only sounds the best, it performs at an elite level too.
Most Forgiving Driver – Ping G430 Max 10K Driver
For years, Ping has consistently made the most forgiving drivers in golf. That’s why it’s no surprise that golfers across the board (me included) think the G430 Max 10K is the most forgiving in 2024.
As its name would suggest, the G430 Max 10K exceeds the 10,000 g-cm2 combined MOI threshold making it the most forgiving driver Ping has ever made.
Combined with a fixed back weight, oversize head profile, and a Carbonfly Wrap crown, you’ve got the ultimate recipe for helping both solid shots and mishits soar straight down the middle of the fairway.
The clubface is made from T9S+ titanium which optimizes flex for explosive ball speeds and increased distance.
Trajectory Tuning 2.0 utilizes an aerodynamic hosel sleeve that lets you customize the club in eight different positions for optimal launch and ball flight conditions.
Lastly, unlike a lot of Ping drivers that have sounded tinny in the past, the G430 Max 10K produces a more muted, solid sound that’s pleasing to the ear.
If you struggle finding the center of the clubface with your current driver, I highly recommend taking the Ping G430 Max 10K out for a test drive.
Best Driver for High-Spin Players – Wilson Dynapower Carbon Driver
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I hit the Wilson Dynapower Carbon driver. But I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.
This driver is perfect for players that spin the ball too much. Its carbon composite panels on the sole and crown move the CG low and forward in the clubhead. This promotes drives that come off with minimal spin and a neutral ball flight.
The variable thickness club-face is AI designed and optimized for maximum shot performance at spots across the entire clubface.
Lastly, the six-way adjustable sleeve allows for easy spin and launch customization.
Best High Launch Driver – Titleist TSR1 Driver
A lot of golfers have trouble getting the ball in the air with their driver due to its lack of loft. As a result, they lose a lot of distance.
The Titleist TSR1 driver is perfect for this type of golfer. It’s incredibly lightweight and aerodynamically superior to most drivers on the market. This allows golfers to swing it faster, and therefore launch the ball higher.
Multi-Plateau Variable Face Thickness design produces exceptional ball speed on both solid shots and off-center strikes.
SureFit adjustability makes personal customization easy as well.
If you’d like to launch your drives higher and gain more distance, be sure to check out the Titleist TSR1 driver.
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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.
3balls.com
Best Driver for Good Ball Strikers – Cleveland Launcher XL Driver
Cleveland wanted to increase the enjoyment of driving the ball. The newest iteration of the Launcher family includes the Cleveland Launcher XL.
A head that is XL in size and made to effortlessly launch the ball into the air and maintain its trajectory.
This head is known for its high launch and straight ball flight, making it one of the most forgiving. That is definitely aided by the big head with a deep center weight.
There is a lot of face on the Cleveland Launcher XL. It travels straight and high even if you strike it all across the face.
There are 12 settings available on the adjustable hosel, so you may move it down little or go much higher.
The Cleveland Launcher XL is equipped with a concealed technology known as Rebound Frame. It is a two-part frame with stiff and flexible sections intended to impart as much energy as possible to the ball upon impact.
The Cleveland Launcher XL’s matte black crown and the white paint “fins” that surround the back of the crown help to conceal its massive footprint rather effectively. With alignment help guiding you in the proper direction, it sets up perfectly behind the ball.
Below, we take you through different ball flight and club engineering parameters to help you upgrade your current mid handicappers game. Seeing a club fitting professional and trying different models is always the best way to know which are best golf drivers for your swing and swing speed. We arm you with the knowledge and the right questions to ask to ensure that your money isn’t wasted and you walk away from this article a better golfer than average mid handicappers.
Drivers are used on par-4 and par-5 golf holes where players value proximity for their approach shots and want to hit the ball with more distance. Drivers can also be used from the ground, however, many opt for more friendly fairway woods as the drivers can be a more risky choice.
Finding the Best Driver for Your Golf Game
The best golf driver for mid handicappers 2022 and you is based on several factors. Price, performance, style, visual preferences, shaft flex, swing speed, loft options and feel all play a role in determining which golf driver for mid handicappers should go into your bag. Balancing your subjective desires with the measured performance and engineering of each golf club is an important relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most asked questions associated with new driver club buying.
Q: How Do I Measure A Golf Driver’s Shaft Length?
A: To measure your golf driver, take a 48-inch measuring stick or tape measure and set up the club as if your were addressing a golf ball. Set the measuring stick next to the club shaft flex and measure the club from the butt end of the grip to the bottom of the golf club. This length is your driver club length. Shaft length should be measured from grip end to the hosel.
Q: Driver vs Fairway Woods: What is the Difference?
A: Drivers and fairway are very similar in their appearance and internal constructions. The most visually apparent difference is the size of the club head and the static loft options. Driver are larger in size and tend to have less loft at lest 5 degrees and can be up to 12 degrees than fairway woods. They differ in the moment of inertia too. Drivers are designed to hit the golf ball off a tee. Fairway woods are built to hit the ball from both a tee and several different ground conditions. The difference in the sole shapes and adjustable weights of these two clubs make the better suited to different situations around the golf course.
Q: What is an Adjustable Driver, and Does it Really Matter?
A: Adjustable drivers have become more popular as movable weights and custom club fitting with adjustable hosel is advancing long time. Adjustable drivers with adjustable weights allow golfers and club builders to fit golfers into their ideal setups more easily. Adjustable hosels can create an array of change the loft, face angles, and shot shape biases all within a single production head. Moveable weights can influence forgiveness, center of gravity, sweet spot, shaft flex, swing speeds, spin, and shot shapes as well. Getting the right face angle, loft, and center of gravities and sweet spot are critical in getting your best driver fit.
Q: How Do You Know if a Driver is USGA Conforming?
A: Drivers that are a part of the USGA conforming list can be found at the link below. Drivers are regulated so that they do not award players an advantage over the rules of golf as mandated by the USGA.
http://www.usga.org/ConformingGolfClub/ConformingClubList_M.pdf
Graphite Design MAD 55 R-Flex Shaft + Ping G / G30 / G400 Driver Tip + Grip
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Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver Review
TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver Review
What Driver Should You Buy?
All the drivers produced by all the major equipment manufacturers are great products designed to perform a particular role in different player’s hands. Finding the best driver for you involves matching these subtle differences in profiles to your swing dynamics and visual preferences. Getting the right club head matched to the best shaft and your grip of choice is the best way to build your new club from the ground up.
Understanding which questions to ask and why club fitters may push you towards certain club or shaft models over another is important as you develop your game and complete your golf bag with equipment that helps you shoot better scores. Knowing your swing is the best way to make smarter equipment choices. The driver is one that will provide more speed, ball straight flight and better performance.
Find a driver that fills you with confidence as it sits behind the golf ball. Built some of those models to fit your launch angles, spin rates, and shot shapes. If you want a driver for mid handicap level test various drivers and see how each model reacts as you hit the shots you will be playing during your rounds. Buying a new golf club should be a fun experience. It is an opportunity to learn about your game and get something that helps you play better golf. Make sure to check back often for updates about how to improve your golf and shoot your best scores ever. Thanks for reading our review and our recent posts!
