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
There are a number of ways to improve your golf game and save shots out on the course, but two of the biggest gains can be on the greens with putting and off the tee by getting longer and more efficient with your driver. Put simply, if you are consistently getting the ball in play with a sufficient amount of distance, you are going to be nearer to the green in more favorable positions and, therefore, more likely to get the ball closer to the flag with your approach shots. If you aren't putting the ball in good positions off the tee then everything else becomes a struggle.
Due to its importance to scoring well, Over the years the golf driver is the club which has seen the most technological innovations, with companies seemingly coming up with new ideas every year to maximize every aspect of driver 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.
The selection is mind blowing and can be quite confusing. As well as choosing between which brand or model you want, you then often have a choice of three or sometimes even four different head types. Deciding which driver is best for your golf game can be tricky, but we're here to help. So in this guide we have listed the best drivers currently available on the market and here at Golf Monthly we have tested the entire class of drivers out on the course, as well as on launch monitors.
The video below offers a full insight into what you can expect across the board, including our launch monitor data comparing the performance on offer. We have found that 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Load the next 3 products
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.
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.
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
Why you can trust Golf Monthly Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best wide appeal
TaylorMade's offering for 2024 is the Qi10 range which, as usual, features three head options. Sitting in the middle of the range in terms of its spin and forgiveness levels, is the standard Qi10, which will appeal to the broadest range of players. The Max version is catered towards the player who needs maximum forgiveness, while the LS option is aimed at the longer hitting, lower handicap golfer who needs to reduce spin.
The tech story with the Qi10 is pretty simple; TaylorMade has aimed to maximize the MOI without compromising ball speed. They have done this by re-engineering their 60X Carbon Twist Face and by providing 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, the Qi10 hits the mark in all the important aspects, with our testing showing an improvement over its predecessor the Stealth 2.
Visually, TaylorMade has also come away from the red face that we saw in the Stealth range of clubs, with the Qi10 drivers featuring a more subtle and less garish navy colour, which we really like. Furthermore, the new ultra rounded shape of the Qi10 is a real delight and should inspire confidence when at address.
All in all this is a driver that performed really well for us in testing and that should appeal to a wide range of golfers of varying skill levels.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Driver Review
Best for forgiveness
If forgiveness is your main requirement then look no further. 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. Subsequent models such as the G410 Plus and G425 Max have built on that ultra forgiving capability, making Ping the clear number one in this category.
How have they improved on what was already the most forgiving driver out there? Well, for starters, the G430 Max 10k 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.
In our testing we have to say that the G430 Max 10K performed incredibly. Spectacularly even. The stability and forgiveness of the head in isolation is impressive enough, but to achieve this while keeping the spin so low is quite remarkable. We found the ball speed numbers were comparable to anything on the market yet the spin output stands up against any of the best low-spin drivers.
We feel that this driver suits just about every level of golfer. Cameron Champ and Tony Finau have both already used it on the PGA Tour, but the playability makes it a viable option for much less proficient ball strikers too. Slower swingers may need to tweak their lofts up a little to increase hang time, but this small adjustment is well worth it for the stability and forgiveness you get from this head.
The head comes in a choice of 9, 10.5 or 12 degree lofts (all with Ping’s standard 1.5 degrees of adjustability) so the Ping G430 Max 10k caters for all types of ball flights and a variety of swing speeds.
- Read our full Ping G430 Max 10K Driver Review
Best adjustable
After the resounding success of the original Paradym family from Callaway, 2024 sees the launch of the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke family. There are three heads in the Ai Smoke range but we are focusing on the Ai Smoke Max, which is the standard head of the three.
We love the new grey colorway, which we think blends nicely with the grey banner strip to create a really clean aesthetic that places it among the best looking drivers on the market. Callaway has really improved the shelf appeal with the smoky graphic pattern too, so full marks to the design team for that.
As for the tech, Callaway are always one of the most interesting brands when it comes to the latest innovations. The tag line with this product is ‘Sweeter From Every Spot’ and that has been achieved with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (hence the Ai in the name). The Ai-Smoke drivers feature a bigger effective hitting area thanks to the use of Ai Smart Face technology. This means a wealth of data is collected from thousands of real golfers which the Ai system then uses to produce a whole new face which Callaway says creates micro deflections across various points of the striking area. In layman's terms it produces multiple sweet spots!
Our testing seemed to confirm this as the forgiveness was certainly impressive. We hit a LOT of balls with this driver so inevitably not everything came out of the center, but when we did mishit slightly there was no huge drop off in results and the dispersion even from poor strikes was reassuringly tight. We found that the sound and feel were not worlds apart from the original Paradym but if anything the Ai Smoke felt a touch livelier off the face.
Overall this is a really good option for those looking for great adjustability of flight and genuine playability, combined with that forgiveness you need if you aren't consistently finding the middle of the face.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver Review
Best sound
One of the most pleasing sensations for any golfer is when they hit one right out of the middle with driver, but if the acoustics aren't right it can really ruin the moment. Sound is very much subjective of course, and who knows, maybe you like the loud, high pitched noise of the old Nike Sasquatch drivers. Each to their own is what we say, but for most golfers there's a specific type of sound they like to hear when they mack one with the big stick, and those golfers will love the Cobra Darkspeed X driver.
The sound and feel are very similar to its predecessor the Aerojet, which is no bad thing given the popularity and success of that range. It's not too loud but certainly provides enough feedback to let you know you’ve given it a good whack!
It looks sensational too. When we took this driver out of the box we loved it right away as the all matte black profile gives this club a really sophisticated look. 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.
We would suggest that 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 appealed to us. The stylish aesthetic really makes you feel you have a premium driver in your hands but from a tech perspective the Darkspeed X is not really much of leap forward from the Aerojet driver. The main improvements have been in looks, but nevertheless when in came to performance in testing, the Darkspeed X ticked a lot of our boxes.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed X Review
Best traditional style
In comparison to the previous generation TSi2, the differences are small - the new model is slightly shorter from front to back and the toe area is a little more rounded, making the TSR2 a fraction more compact at address. It looks superb though, striking a perfect balance between being big enough to inspire confidence whilst also retaining that classic, sleek look that Titleist drivers are known for.
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 to give us an additional 4mph of ball speed. For a head that looks so generous in size behind the ball, it is impressively rapid.
So that's one area where this driver really impressed us, but perhaps even more than the speed it's the consistency that really shines through with the TSR2. We found the all-round playability of the head to be incredible and it really helped favor off-centre strikes, making this one of the best Titleist drivers anywhere on the market.
- Read our full Titleist TSR2 Driver Review
Best for looks
For 2023, Srixon released the ZX5 MK II, ZX5 MK II LS and the ZX7 MK II, with the ZX5 MK II our choice for this guide. We could have chosen any of them though as these are some of the nicest looking drivers around.
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. Whereas its predecessor, the Srixon ZX5, had a carbon crown, the the ZX5 Mk II has an all-titanium head construction that also includes a very thin titanium crown, which is placed above a Star Frame structure. This consists of three ribs criss-crossing on the inside and providing greater rigidity between the face, sides and rear of the head.
There is more to this driver than just looks though and in our testing we felt it was one of the best high handicap drivers of 2023 simply because of how easy it was to launch in the air. Many high handicap golfers struggle to get the ball airborne with driver but the ZX5 Mk II can definitely help with that. Weight has been saved by the repositioning of the crown and that weight has been strategically redistributed in the rear to improve the launch.
Another aspect of this river that will appeal to higher handicap golfers and slicers is that there is a slight draw bias which we certainly picked up on in testing.
- Read our full Srixon ZX5 Mk II Driver Review
Most underrated
When most golfers think of drivers, Mizuno is probably not one of the first few brands that comes to mind. It's true that Mizuno haven't always made the best drivers and they are more known for the excellence of their irons, but in recent years the Japanese brand has worked hard on upping their driver game and some of their newer models are excellent.
The Mizuno ST-Max 230 driver is said to be the brand'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 beauty of this is that it allows the designers to relocate weight to more extreme locations which increases the MOI number and boosts performance.
It's a nice looking driver too featuring a really premium looking head and a rather fetching blue and black color scheme. Behind the ball it's very appealing as the larger profile is certainly evident. We found that when we looked down on the head at address it looked much bigger than its 460cc dimensions. We really enjoyed the feel and sound of this driver too. The feel at impact is more subtle than some of the other most forgiving drivers on the market and the acoustics follow the same pattern.
We have found the super stable, high MOI category of drivers to be a very interesting one this year and the Mizuno ST-Max 230 is certainly one of the top options for anybody shopping in that particular market.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Max 230 Driver Review
Best alignment
Similar to Mizuno, PXG aren't necessarily the first name you think of when it comes to drivers but they should not be under-estimated as the brand has done some very interesting things in recent times and we loved the Black Ops 0311 driver when we tested it.
From a technology point of view, the two areas of most focus are - as you probably expect - distance and forgiveness. For distance PXG has introduced a titanium alloy face that it is referring to as AMF Technology. The idea behind this is that higher strength and added flexibility increases face deflection to produces a higher launch and lower spin. Extra forgiveness is achieved thanks to composite construction which has been specifically designed to push mass to the perimeter to get the combined MOI reading to near 10,000 gcm2.
Behind the ball there is quite. bit going on and we'd describe it as a fairly busy aesthetic, but there is no denying that this does feel conducive to lining the ball up nicely. It's an easy to align driver that has a nice look, with an all gloss finish, carbon crown and subtle, light grey accent graphics. The shape is nicely rounded and the head sits extremely square in the neutral setting, which we felt really helped to promote confidence over the ball. It feels great too, sitting nicely in that middle ground of lively without being harsh. When you strike a nice one with this driver it's a genuinely pleasurable experience.
PXG always do a great job of catering for the different requirements of golfers and adjustability is a real strength of the brad. On the sole of the Black Ops there are three adjustable weights to help you dial in you own launch preferences and once we got it to our preferred setting it produced a really nice flight and impressive stability.
- Read our full PXG Black Ops Driver Review
Best for low spin players
Another brand not renowned for its driver is Wilson, but the Dynapower driver is the best they've produced in many a year and it can hold its own against anything else out there. This was one of the best drivers of 2023 and has got Wilson back into the game. There are two versions of the Dynapower driver; a titanium head and a carbon head. The general view is that the carbon is for better players and the titanium is more suitable for mid-high handicap golfers, but much of it comes down to personal preference. The biggest difference is in sound and feel rather than performance.
The most significant aspect of Dynapower is that it is one of the most adjustable drivers ever created by Wilson, so you can change your loft settings to dial in your perfect ball flight.
In testing, when we set the Dynapower behind the ball we were smitten by how traditional and inviting it looked at address. In terms of performance we noticed 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 and to decide between the carbon or the titanium head.
- 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. Our driver testing is headed up by Staff Writer Joe Ferguson, a PGA Professional who has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years. Joe is ably assisted by technical editor Joel Tadman, and both Joe and Joel have been testing golf clubs for many years and are 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 the manufacturers to get a full understanding of the technology. The next stage is test the golf clubs indoors, usually at Foresight Sports where we test the products with premium golf balls on a launch monitor.
Then it's on to outdoor testing which 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. Our team tells it how it is as our aim is to try and find the best golf clubs on the market and to give you some valuable insight on them, which requires us being thorough and transparent.
How to choose a new golf driver
The driver is probably the club many of us change the most. This is partly because golfers are always looking for that little bit of extra distance off the tee and also because new drivers are just so much more exciting than other clubs. The brands tend to make a big splash when they launch a new driver and it creates a buzz.
So even if you've purchased a driver in the last few years you've probably already asked yourself whether you need to buy one. Maybe, maybe not, but you're probably going to do it anyway so here's a few key things to consider when splashing out on a new driver. Hopefully asking yourself these questions will help to narrow your search down slightly and make comparing between various models much easier.
The first thing to ask yourself is what exactly are you looking for in a new driver? Is distance your main priority or are you looking for something to help you find more fairways? Perhaps you just like the look of the latest release from your favorite brand, which is fine, we're not judging, but if that is the case make sure you get the correct head shape to suit your needs. Most of the leading brands will have three different heads so you need to decide what you are looking for in a driver. 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 you want more distance then look at a low-spinning head 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.
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.
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.
-
Shot Scope V5 Golf GPS Watch ReviewWe take a look at Shot Scope’s latest wearable GPS offering…
-
'My Identity Is Secure Forever' - Scottie Scheffler's Mindset Provides The Fuel To Secure A Second Green JacketScheffler's second Masters win came with his first child due in a matter of weeks. His mindset off the course is clearly helping him do great things on it.
