Best Golf Drivers 2024
We take a look at the best golf drivers currently available on the market
Best Golf Drivers: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Best wide appeal
3. Best for forgiveness
4. Best adjustable
5. Best sound
6. Best traditional style
7. Best for looks
8. Most underrated
9. Best alignment
10. Best for low spin players
11. How we test
12. How to choose
13. FAQs
When it comes to your golf game, there are a number of ways in which individuals can save shots out on the course. One of those is to focus on shots off the tee as, put simply, if you are putting the ball in play with a sufficient amount of distance, you are going to be nearer to the green and, therefore, more likely to get the ball closer to the flag with your approach shots.
Over the years, the golf driver is the club which has arguably come on the most technologically-wise, with companies seemingly coming up with new innovations every year to maximize a number of different aspects of performance. Whether you’re a fast swinger looking for workability, or a beginner searching for as much distance as possible, today’s drivers provide a new level of playability that should help you find a few more fairways and maximize forgiveness.
However, this throws up yet another conundrum: which driver is best for your golf game? Well, in this guide, we have listed the best drivers currently available on the market and, what's more, we at Golf Monthly have tested the entire class of drivers out on the course, as well as on launch monitors, with the video below offering a full insight into what you can expect across the board, including our launch monitor data comparing the performance on offer.
In our experience, each of the main brands has a model that will work well for pretty much every golfer but, if you are looking for a specific type of performance, you can take a deeper dive into some of our other guides on the most forgiving drivers, best golf drivers for distance, or even the best high handicap drivers.
WATCH: We run through the performance of the best drivers in 2024
The Quick List
Best wide appeal
Combining the best bits of both the Max and LS models, the standard Qi10 model is an exceptional all round performer that is extremely forgiving and will appeal to a broad spectrum of players.
Best forgiveness
The Ping G430 Max 10K delivered in bucket loads. The stability and forgiveness of the head would be remarkable in isolation, but combined with the relatively low spin levels and high ball speed, it’s pretty exceptional.
Best adjustable
An excellent all-round performer in the premium driver category, wrapped up in a much improved aesthetic. The sliding weight on the back really does offer a broad range of flight customization.
Best sound
The Darkspeed X is an exceptional all-rounder. Competitive ball speeds coupled with comfortable levels of spin and playability make this a great option for a huge range of golfers.
Best traditional style
A classic-looking driver that delivers impressively fast ball speeds. The consistency of flight and distance comes from a generous 460cc clubhead that is up there with the most aspirational drivers on the market.
Best for looks
The Srixon ZX5 Mk II driver combines a lot of forgiveness in a no-nonsense design that offers very good performance in a good looking head. Ideal for mid to slower swing speed players, the ZX5 Mk II also sounds better with the all titanium head.
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Most underrated
The classy looks will appeal to many and the sophisticated impact feel will please the purists. Spin a little higher than its competitors, but that will be music to many players' ears.
Best alignment
The Black Ops is a really enjoyable driver to use. The acoustic and feel in particular are right out of the top drawer, as is the new aesthetic with its multi-material glossy crown.
Best for low spin
The Dynapower Carbon is a tech-advanced, visually appealing driver that, well fitted, should perform admirably against what’s in your bag. A little lacking in ball speed but we certainly enjoyed the dull, dense sound and feel at impact.
Best Golf Drivers
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Best wide appeal
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Sitting in the middle of the Qi10 range in terms of its spin and forgiveness levels, in theory the Qi10 will appeal to the broadest range of players. One thing that is for certain is that the tech story is pretty simple; TaylorMade has aimed to maximize the MOI without compromising ball speed.
How have they achieved this you may ask? Well, the company have re-engineered their 60X Carbon Twist Face and provided a new supporting structure to promote faster ball speeds and improve the durability of the face. Coupled with a brand new, larger address footprint and a lower CG projection, and the Qi10 hits the mark in all the important aspects, with our testing showing an improvement over the Stealth 2.
Visually, TaylorMade has also come away from the red face that we saw in the Stealth range of clubs, with the color being replaced with a more subtle and less garish navy colour. Furthermore, the new ultra rounded shape of the Qi10 is a real delight and should inspire confidence when at address.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Driver Review
Best for forgiveness
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Ping says the Max 10K is the straightest and highest MOI (moment of inertia) driver it has made to date, eclipsing the 10,000g-cm2 combined moment of inertia threshold first surpassed by the G400 Max five years ago.
How, you may ask? Well, it features a significantly bigger footprint, a fixed back weight and a Carbonfly wrap on the crown. The fixed back weight facilitates the high MOI as it drives mass down and away from the face to increase forgiveness and optimize the center of gravity position. This in turn lowers spin and ensures ball speed preservation across the clubface for added distance.
Performance-wise, the G430 Max 10K performed incredibly! The stability and forgiveness of the head in isolation would be a hugely impressive feat, but to cultivate this while keeping the spin so low is genuinely remarkable. In testing, we found the ball speed numbers are comparable to anything on the market and the spin output stands up against any of the best low-spin drivers. The real story, for us, is how that low level of spin combines with potentially the most stable and forgiving driver head we have ever used.
- Read our full Ping G430 Max 10K Driver Review
Best adjustable
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
After the resounding success of the original Paradym family from Callaway, 2024 sees the launch of the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke family. The first model to discuss here is the Ai Smoke Max, which is the standard head of the three, and there are a few key changes to mention.
Starting with the looks, when we first put it down we were really pleased to see the new grey colorway. We feel that it blends so much better with the grey banner strip, creating a really clean aesthetic that, from a visual perspective, places it among the best drivers on the market. Callaway has really improved the shelf appeal with the smoky graphic pattern too.
In terms of the tech story, Callaway's tag line with this product is ‘Sweeter From Every Spot’. Essentially, this means a bigger effective hitting area, a concept it has created by advancing its Ai Smart Face technology, using swing dynamics from thousands of real golfers. This information has then been inputted into its Ai system and has produced a whole new face which Callaway says creates micro deflections across various points of the striking area, essentially producing multiple sweet spots!
But how did the Max perform? Well the forgiveness was impressive. We hit an awful lot of balls with the Max so inevitably missed the center on occasion, but when we did, we were really pleased with the results. While there was good feedback of strike location, it was in no way unpleasant and the dispersion even from my most questionable hits was reassuringly tight. Sound and feel were not worlds apart from the original Paradym, which is no bad thing, but - if anything - we found the Ai Smoke felt a touch livelier off the face. Overall the Callway Paradym Ai Smoke Max is a really good option for those looking for great adjustability of flight and real playability.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver Review
Best sound
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Out of the box, first impressions were excellent with the all matte black profile giving a seriously sophisticated appearance. The headcover is a thing of beauty too, continuing the all black visual and adding a touch of class with some high quality embossed logos.
The lack of accent colors and graphics makes the Darkspeed X look a little more compact than it actually is, which may deter some but really suited our eyes. The aesthetic really makes you feel you have a really premium driver in your hands. The sound and feel are very similar to the Aerojet, which is no bad thing given the popularity and success of that range. Not too loud, but enough feedback and decibels to let you know you’ve given something a good whack!
From a tech point of view it would be a lie to say that the Darkspeed X is a significant leap forward from the Aerojet driver, but in terms of performance, the Darkspeed X ticked a lot of our boxes. Launch and spin sat perfectly in the mid-windows that we look for at around 11 degrees and the 2300rpm mark, and the ball speed was just as impressive as its predecessor the Aerojet, coming in at approximately 173mph.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed X Review
Best traditional style
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Over the last six years, the Titleist driver designers have been on something of a journey. Following the original TS model, we then saw the TSi driver and now we are graced with the TSR, which promises further refinements through, amongst other technologies, better aerodynamics and a new multi-plateau variable thickness face design.
Aesthetically, we noticed the traditional shape that you find in most Titleist drivers, with the new model slightly shorter from front to back and the toe area being a little more rounded. If anything, we thought that the TSR2 appeared a fraction more compact at address but there's no denying that it looks superb.
In testing, we noticed the powerful feel off the tee, with the work that Titleist has done, both on the aerodynamics and on the design of the face, boosting the speed on offer. Along with the added speed, it's the consistency where we thought the TSR2 really shone as, in testing, the all-round playability of the head was incredible and helped favor off-centre strikes. There's no denying that this sits as one of the best Titleist drivers anywhere on the market.
- Read our full Titleist TSR2 Driver Review
Best for looks
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
For 2023, Srixon has released the ZX5 MK II, ZX5 MK II LS and the ZX7 MK II, with the ZX5 MK II our choice for this guide. Compared to its predecessor, the Srixon ZX5, the Mk II version has an all-titanium head construction instead of a carbon crown. What's more, it also includes a very thin titanium crown, which is placed above a Star Frame structure. This features three ribs criss-crossing on the inside to provide greater rigidity between the face, sides and rear of the head.
In our testing, we felt it was one of the best high handicap drivers of 2023 because of how easy it was to launch in the air. This is thanks, in part, to the weight that is saved by the crown being repositioned to improve the launch.
Aesthetically, it has a more stripped-back look, with a dark grey color being used on the crown, something which is far more restrained than other drivers on this list. Plus, because of the slight draw bias in the head shape, it helped straighten up our slice out on the course and the range.
- Read our full Srixon ZX5 Mk II Driver Review
Most underrated
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Mizuno ST-Max 230 driver promises to be Mizuno’s most stable driver ever. As with the Ping G430 Max 10K and the TaylorMade Qi10 Max, Mizuno has lowered the profile of the ST-Max head to accommodate spreading and increasing the overall footprint of the driver head whilst staying within the maximum permitted 460cc head size. This has allowed Mizuno to add weight in more extreme locations to increase that all important MOI number.
In terms of the looks, much like other drivers in the Mizuno range such as the ST-G, it is a really premium looking head. Down behind the ball, the larger profile is certainly evident, looking much bigger than its 460cc dimensions. From a feel and sound standpoint, we really like this driver. The impact feel is more subtle than some of the other most forgiving drivers on the market and the audio follows suit.
Overall the category of super stable, high MOI drivers is a very interesting one this year and the Mizuno ST-Max 230 driver should certainly be in the conversation for those shopping in this market.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Max 230 Driver Review
Best alignment
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
From a technology point of view, the two main targeted areas - as normal - seem to be distance and forgiveness. PXG feels it has addressed the distance element through a titanium alloy face that it is referring to as AMF Technology. It claims that the higher strength and increased flexibility increases face deflection and produces a higher launch and lower spin. With regard to the forgiveness, the composite construction has been specifically designed to push mass to the perimeter, which has pushed the combined MOI reading to near 10,000 gcm2.
When you put the Black Ops driver down behind the ball, you are greeted with a fairly busy aesthetic, but one that does feel conducive to lining the ball up . PXG has pulled this off well with an all gloss finish, carbon crown and subtle, light grey accent graphics. The shape is pleasingly rounded and the head sits extremely square in the neutral setting. It feels great too, in a lovely middle ground of lively without being harsh, impacts with the PXG Black Ops are a genuinely pleasurable experience.
On the sole of the club there are three adjustable weights to help you dial in launch conditions really precisely. This produced a really nice flight and impressive stability.
We genuinely liked the Black Ops driver. It feels and looks extremely premium and well built, and the acoustics are very good. Furthermore, we found it to be a genuinely stable and reliable driver that inspires confidence over the ball.
- Read our full PXG Black Ops Driver Review
Best for low spin players
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
As stated in the product specs, there are two versions of the new Wilson Dynapower driver, with the club featuring either a titanium head or a carbon head. However, the most notable factor is that it is one of the most adjustable drivers ever created by Wilson.
When we set the Dynapower behind the ball, we instantly noticed that it was very traditional and inviting at address. What's more, these premium looks also provided a neutral to slight fade shot shape bias that will certainly help those who have a tendency to hook the ball off the tee.
There really is a lot to like about the driver and it's comfortably among the best Wilson golf clubs you can buy. One thing we would recommend though is to get fitted for the Dynapower so that you will be able to get the maximum amount of potential from it.
- Read our full Wilson Dynapower Carbon Driver Review
How we test for the best golf drivers
When it comes to product testing, our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team. Headed up by Staff Writer Joe Ferguson, a PGA Professional who has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years, and assisted by technical editor Joel Tadman, both have been testing golf clubs for years and both play to a handicap of 5. Both are also able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
Getting into specifics for drivers, we first attend product launches and speak to manufacturer's to understand the technology. We then hit the golf clubs indoors, usually at Foresight Sports and test the products with premium golf balls on a launch monitor.
Outdoor testing is the next port of call and this usually takes place at West Hill Golf Club, a course in Surrey with top-notch practice facilities. Ultimately, we aim to be as insightful and honest as possible in our reviews so it is important to acknowledge that no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our team tells it how it is. We want to try and find the best golf clubs on the market and give you some insight on them, which requires being thorough and transparent.
How to choose a new golf driver
You've probably already asked yourself whether you need to buy a new driver, but there's a few key things to consider when investing in a new driver. Hopefully answering these questions will narrow your search down slightly and make comparing between various models much easier.
When purchasing a new big stick, it is crucial to ask yourself just what you need from it. Is distance your main priority or are you looking for something to help you find more fairways? We'd always recommend a custom fitting with a PGA Pro but if you know what you're looking for you can make an informed decision.
If accuracy is what you're after, go for something with a high MOI or adjustable weights to help alter spin and flight characteristics. If distance is key to you, look at a low-spinning driver to help ensure your ball doesn't balloon too much. If you're after something in the middle, the so-called 'standard' heads in most driver ranges will suit you the best.
FAQs
Which golf brand makes the best drivers?
There are lots of golf brands that make excellent golf drivers for a wide range of abilities and swings. Those brands include the likes of Callaway, TaylorMade, Wilson Staff, Ping, Cobra, Cleveland, Titleist to name a few.
What is the number 1 driver in golf?
There are lots of drivers that will claim to be number 1 this year. Some of them include the TaylorMade Qi10, Cobra Darkspeed, Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke and Ping G430 line to name a few.
Which driver is the most forgiving?
You can check out our full guide on the most forgiving golf drivers, but a few example are the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D, Ping G430 Max 10K and Cleveland Launcher XL.
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In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf.
Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points.
Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X
- Joel TadmanTechnical Editor
- Matt CradockStaff Writer
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