Most Forgiving Drivers: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Most forgiving
3. Best for draws
4. Best wide appeal
5. Best adjustable
6. Best traditional style
7. Best for feel
8. Best for looks
9. Best budget
10. Why a forgiving driver?
11. How we test
12. How to choose
13. FAQs
A driver is arguably the most important golf club in the bag, as it's crucial that you get the ball in play off the tee to secure the best score possible. Put it this way, you don't want to be hacking out from the rough or bunker, do you?
However, not even the professionals find the centre of the clubface every single time so, in the case of the amateur, weekend golfer, it's imperative that you find a driver that will offer forgiveness. This means searching for a driver which will still provide distance and accuracy, even when the centre of the face hasn't been struck.
Thankfully, in this day and age, the best golf drivers are much more user-friendly than those of five years ago and, for 2024, a big thing has been made about the pursuit of 10K MOI (Moment of Inertia). If you are unsure what MOI is, it's the measurement of a club's stability and resistance to twisting. When you strike the ball towards the toe of the club, the impact pushes against the toe of the face and that forces it slightly open. Likewise, in terms of the heel, the impact causes the face to close slightly.
Manufacturers have achieved this by moving weight around in the head. Essentially the further back from the face you can place weight, the higher the MOI reading and the more stable the clubhead will become. So, if you are after a forgiving driver, you're in the right place, as we have tested each and every one of the models in this guide and picked out our favorites for you to check over.
However, if it's not forgiveness you are after, and you want a driver which will help in other ways, then why not check out our guides on the best golf drivers for distance, best golf drivers for slicers, or even the best golf drivers for slow swing speeds.
The Quick List
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.
The Cobra Darkspeed Max is not just one of the best draw-bias drivers we have ever tested, but also one of the most forgiving, proving to be an excellent all-rounder.
The Max model really is the headline product of the new Qi10 range. Incredibly easy to launch and with impressive stability, this driver will hold a lot of appeal to many golfers.
An excellent driver for those seeking a draw bias flight and maximum launch. Seriously easy to get in the air and extremely forgiving on mis-hits, the Paradym Ai Smoke Max D really hits the mark!
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.
An excellent all-rounder that provides a good blend of distance and forgiveness. Add to that the aspirational aesthetics and powerful feel and you have another strong contender within the 2023 driver market.
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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.
In a market where many prices are going up, the Launcher XL 2 Draw driver from Cleveland offers a more digestible price point. Despite not being our favorite-looking head, you will find some good performance with nice attention to detail in engineering.
Most Forgiving Drivers
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Most forgiving
A lot of talk has been made about the Ping G430 Max 10K, with the company adding the driver to their expansive G430 range. How does the 10K differ, you may ask? Well, Ping claim it is the straightest and highest MOI (moment of inertia) driver it has made to-date!
Cutting straight to the chase, we were amazed by the performance. Striking the ball, the stability and forgiveness are outstanding but, where this stands out against the best golf drivers, is that Ping have managed to combine this forgiveness with a low level of spin.
Our tester felt that this is 'the most stable and forgiving driver head he has ever used,' such is the performance available. Ball speed on mis-hits barely dropped 2mph and, in terms of dispersion, the tee shots were all extremely tight. What's more, with the larger footprint and stretched out look at address, the 10K excels in pretty much every department!
- Read our full Ping G430 Max 10K Driver Review
Best for draws
Undoubtedly one of the best drivers for slicers money can buy, the Darkspeed stands out for its ability to draw the ball with ease. The real standout was how we found it impossible to miss to the right, with the back and heel weighting making the draw bias flight easy to manipulate.
Aesthetically, you wouldn't know that this is a draw bias driver, with the club square at address. Along with the set-up, the all-black matte look is very classy and the tiny accent dashes in red only heighten the shelf appeal. Overall, the simple looks with forgiveness make it an appealing option to all.
When it came to the forgiveness aspect, we found the Max to be the most user-friendly driver in the Darkspeed range and a great performer all-round. When not struck out the middle, the feedback was noticeable but, as is the case with the most forgiving drivers, the drop in ball speed was minimal with dispersion remaining tight.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Driver Review
Best wide appeal
The Qi10 Max driver is the highlight model in the new Qi10 range and, as such, the whole series was named after this club. For those who don't know, the quest for 10k MOI was what the TaylorMade engineers set out on, hence the ‘Q’ for quest, the ‘i’ for inertia and the ‘10’ for 10k, giving us the Qi10.
Has it worked? Well, the Qi10 is unbelievably forgiving on off-centre strikes, with the ball speed not dropping and the flight remaining consistent. All in all, we felt it flattered the poor shots, as the 10k MOI worked its magic and kept dispersion tight when the strike wasn't there.
Where the Max, and the Qi10 range, also stand out is in the looks department. TaylorMade have moved away from the red we saw in the Stealth and Stealth 2, with the brand opting for a more modest clean, dark navy face. What's more, the Qi10 has been stretched out by 8mm which, although it may not sound like much, creates a very confidence-inspiring look; when combined with the forgiveness on offer, it gives the club very wide appeal.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver Review
Best adjustable
The new Paradym Ai Smoke range features numerous different heads, with the most forgiving model being the Max D. Like the Paradym X in 2023, the Max D is designed to be the easiest to launch, thanks to high MOI, as well as the draw bias option of the choices available.
When it comes to forgiveness, Callaway have given the tag line ‘Sweeter From Every Spot’ to this driver, with its engineers using player testing and Ai to create this model. In terms of adjustability, it has an adjustable hosel that can alter the loft by a number of degrees. The addition of a rear weight that has been strategically placed further increases MOI and creates a draw bias.
Overall, the performance of this driver was seriously impressive, with ball speeds not dropping significantly on off-centre strikes. This is down to the the new Ai face, which essentially creates more sweet spots across the impact zone. Along with the performance, everything about this club screams confidence-inspiring. For example, Callaway have introduced a new light grey body that works superbly with the dark grey top edge. Like other models on this list, Callaway's engineers have stretched out the head so that it sits and looks really good at address.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver Review
Best traditional style
The Titleist TSR2 performs superbly in a number of key areas, but it's the consistency and forgiveness where you will see the big difference, with it ranked as one of the best Titleist drivers out there.
We've given the TSR2 the 'most traditional style' tag because of its aesthetics. Within this model, the looks have been refined with a slightly smaller profile front-to-back making way for a more rounded head shape. Put simply, it has an aspirational, premium appearance when behind the ball and on the shelf, with the TSR2 striking the balance of providing confidence whilst maintaining the classic, sleek look perfectly.
In testing, we noticed a jump in speed but what stood out was the all- round playability of the head. During our testing, off-centre strikes were more or less keeping up with clean impacts, as the aerodynamic design and forgiveness shone through. Overall, it's the benefit of greater consistency that makes the biggest difference here.
- Read our full Titleist TSR2 Driver Review
Best for feel
When you think of Mizuno, you often think of the best golf irons on the market. However, their offering of woods are certainly up there with some of the best manufacturers and, with this new ST-Z 230, that is certainly the case in point as it offers an excellent all round performance, especially forgiveness.
Before we get to the looks, we will explain why we chose this for the best for feel, as the ST-Z 230 delivered a very powerful and lively sensation through impact. This translated to solid distance with a high launch, but what really stood out was the playability. If we didn't hit the ball properly, the spin rates went up slightly and that helped maintain the flight and distance.
We were huge fans of the aesthetics of the ST-Z 230 and felt this is one of the most sleek, premium-looking drivers money can buy. It has a new CORTECH Chamber that encases a stainless-steel weight and this is showcased by a Mizuno-blue finish on the sole. What's more, it still keep the gloss black finish with the carbon effect pattern underneath, but the new version has a darker alignment aid which helps build confidence.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver Review
Best for looks
Released in 2023, the ZX5 Mk II features an all-titanium head construction instead of a carbon crown. This thin titanium crown is placed above a Star Frame structure and features three ribs criss-crossing on the inside to provide greater rigidity between the face, sides and rear of the head.
Looks-wise, it features a more stripped-back aesthetic, with a dark grey color being used on the crown, something which is far more restrained than other drivers on this list. The last point is that the graphics on the face have also been updated to frame the ball better.
In our testing, we felt it was one of the easiest drivers to launch in the air and this is thanks, in part, to the weight that is saved by the crown being repositioned. Also, we thought that the slight draw bias in the head shape was subtle enough to keep shots pretty straight.
- Read our full Srixon ZX5 Mk II Driver Review
Best budget
To begin with, the Launcher XL 2 Draw model is the latest lightweight, draw bias driver from Cleveland Golf and is aimed at players with a slow to moderate swing speed. Off the bat, because of its draw-bias nature, it is up there with the best drivers for slicers.
Aesthetically, we weren't blown away by the looks of the Launcher XL 2, with the head shape behind the golf ball slightly out of balance. Looks are subjective, though, and the color and finish of this driver do look good and create a premium aesthetic that is more than the price tag suggests. However, if you are looking at a confidence-inspiring driver at address, it may be worth going for the standard model, or another driver in this list.
In testing, a firm impact and fairly loud acoustics feature, with there being ample ball speed produced. Not only is it is quick off the face, but it's also exceptionally easy to launch which will please the target demographic here. The spin was on the higher side but, thanks to the adjustable hosel, you can reduce or increase those spin numbers to the desired preference.
- Read our full Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Draw Driver Review
Why A Forgiving Driver?
So what exactly are the benefits of a forgiving driver? Well, the main thing is forgiving drivers usually have larger heads and have been specifically designed to help players maintain a degree of distance and accuracy despite being inaccurate and possibly inconsistent when it comes to strike.
They allow players to optimize as much distance as possible which then allows players to hit shorter clubs on their next shots which often leads to better scores. All the above models have been designed to do this by limiting the effect of mishits on ball speed, and reducing curvature through the air so the ball can stay within the confines of the fairway for longer.
How we test the most forgiving drivers
The first thing we should mention is our overall testing ethos at Golf Monthly which is to put all products through a rigorous testing procedure to give you crucial insights into how they perform, how they compare to their predecessors and where they stack up in relation to the competition.
As such, we regularly attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology. Then, the first port of call to test golf clubs is usually the indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, where the team can test in a controlled environment using premium balls and the GCQuad launch monitor.
We then do outdoor testing mainly at West Hill Golf Club, a course in Surrey with excellent practice facilities. Getting more specific, our equipment specialists have hit most drivers out on the market, in testing, practice and competition play, and deduced the above models are the most forgiving models out right now.
How to choose a 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.
Size
Forgiving drivers tend to be slightly larger than other models for the basic reason of giving them a larger clubface and larger footprint.
When hitting, try and take note of where you are striking the golf ball with the face of the club and see if there is any performance drops. Many forgiving drivers these days are designed to perform regardless of where you strike them off the face and you being able to see and understand that in person will help you be more confident with one model over another.
The other thing to acknowledge when looking at the size is also the looks. It is important you get a driver that suits your eye especially when it is down behind the golf ball. If it is too big, that may put you off, but if it is too small this may dampen confidence. Finding the right balance is key. You also need to make sure you like the shape too because some drivers have a more rounded look, or more pear-shaped. Some also have a draw-bias too.
Draw-biased?
Speaking of draw bias, if you are a slicer of the golf ball then a forgiving, draw-biased driver could be the way to go to eradicate the big slices.
Weight
Weight has become a big factor when it comes to forgiving drivers, with most brands making models that have a weight towards the back of the head to aid forgiveness and launch. When it comes to whether you want a forgiving driver, it is worth acknowledging whether this is important to you because if not then manufacturers usually make a model without a weight there.
Adjustability
Often this weight is moveable too and adjustability has become a huge part of modern golf. Being able to tinker and change loft, lie, and many other factors, has become all the rage and if you like to try new things then plenty of the models above, like the Titleist TSi2, will cater to that. However if that doesn't interest you one bit, there are also models which keep things more simple, like the Ping G425 Max.
Shaft
Some shafts have been designed to help players get as much distance as possible so it is worth thinking about which models will help you achieve those extra yards. Also check out our guide on the best driver shafts too.
Price
Price is obviously an important factor and thankfully there are lots of drivers coming in at different price points. This means you can go down the premium route if you want, but there is good value to be had too.
Therefore it is about working out what you want to pay, what you can afford, and to some extent, which brand you want. Some people remain loyal to the same brand for a long time because they have had performance gains in the past, and as such this could mean paying slightly more, or slightly less on a certain model.
FAQs
What driver is the most forgiving?
This is a tricky question to answer definitively because there are many brands that make models that offer premium forgiveness. For example the Ping G430 Max 10K, TaylorMade Qi10 Max, Cobra Darkspeed Max and Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D are just four models that deliver forgiveness but then there are drivers from brands like Titleist, Wilson, Mizuno and Cleveland that compete too. Our specific guide on the most forgiving drivers gives a significant list of the best models.
What does most forgiving driver mean?
When we talk about forgiveness in golf we are talking about clubs that, through technology and design features, help players hit the ball further and straighter, despite the contact not being good or consistent. A forgiving driver is designed to help players maintain a degree of distance and accuracy despite being inaccurate and possibly inconsistent when it comes to strike.
What is MOI?
MOI stands for Moment Of Inertia. It is a measurement to show how much resistance a clubhead has to twisting. The higher the MOI, the more resistance it has to twisting on the strike. Higher handicap golfers, or golfers who struggle to strike their driver consistency, should opt for a driver with more MOI and therefore more forgiveness.
What is the best driver for high handicappers?
All of the drivers in this guide will suit high handicap golfer as they have high MOI, large heads and perimeter weighting that will make it easy to launch. Check out our full guide on best high handicap drivers for a more in-depth look.
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