Find the best drivers for 2020: If you're a beginner, mid handicapper, senior or simply want more distance, we'll help you figure out how much to spend and what factors to consider.
- The Callaway Optifit Hosel comes on all Callaway drivers and many of our fairway woods. But if you're unsure how to use it or what the cogs mean, let our Sr.
- Callaway Epic Driver Adjustment Chart. This is the easiest adjustment to understand: the ball will go towards the weight. If you move the weight toward the toe, the ball will be more inclined to fade or slice. If you move the weight toward the heel, the ball will be more likely to draw or hook.
- Callaway Epic Speed driver: Project X Cypher (40 grams), HZRDUS Smoke IM10 (50 and 60 grams) Epic MAX driver: Project X Cypher (40 grams), HZRDUS Smoke IM10 (50 and 60 grams) Epic MAX LS driver: Mitsubishi MMT (60 and 70 grams) Retail price for all Callaway Epic drivers is $529.99. Full availability begins Feb.
- Introducing Epic MAX Drivers Framing The Future Of Speed. We used Artificial Intelligence to engineer a NEW formula for speed. It's built on a simple equation: max ball speed (with the new Jailbreak A.I Speed Frame) + maximum forgiveness (with high MOI and adjustable weighting) = the ultimate max driver.
How much should you spend on a golf driver?
Let's face it. Golf can be an expensive hobby so you can expect to make a significant investment when you buy your new driver. It's the biggest golf club in your bag and will be the most expensive one too so you want to be careful when choosing the best for your game.
You can expect to pay anywhere from less than $100 all the way up to $500 depending on the features and the brand name you choose.
Our top drivers for 2020:
- Callaway Rogue (Best overall driver)
- Cobra Fly-Z (Best driver for beginners)
- Cobra King F8/F8+ (Best for distance)
- TaylorMade Aeroburner (Best drivers for seniors)
- TaylorMade M2 (Best golf drivers for mid handicappers)
- Pinemeadow PGX 500 (Best budget driver)
- TaylorMade R15 (Best for control and forgiveness)
Callaway Rogue -- Best Overall Driver
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Our top pick for best overall driver is the Callaway Rogue driver. As one of the hottest drivers on the market, it's also good for distance, control and forgiveness and a great consideration for seniors.
Who it's for:
- Intermediate players
- Seniors
The Rogue is an excellent upgrade to the massively successful Callaway Epic driver. The Callaway Rogue is one of the most forgiving drivers with a 10% to 16% tighter dispersion area than the Epic due to its lighter construction, bigger head and greater moment of inertia (MOI).
with a 10% to 16% tighter dispersion area than the Epic due to its lighter construction, bigger head and greater moment of inertia (MOI).
Callaway also worked with Boeing (yes, the airplane company!) to optimize the aerodynamics of the club, creating a faster club head speed and more distance for mid-handicappers and seniors.
What we like:
- Less twisting on impact for more control and straighter shots
- Improved Jailbreak Technology for faster ball speed
- Shallower and wider head for more confidence
The Callaway Rogue has better performance on mis hits from the increased moment of inertia (MOI) and the triaxial carbon composite on the crown -- basically being more resistant to twisting at impact, reducing side spin and keeping hitting your drives straight down the fairway.
Callaway's Jailbreak Technology (titanium bars that connect the crown and sole of the driver to stiffen the entire body) has been improved over the Epic to drive better ball speeds (1-3 mph) and more distance off the tee.
The Rogue has the same 460cc head as the Epic, but it has a more friendly shallower and wider head shape to boost confidence.
What we don't like:
- Price, all the goodies jam packed in this club puts it on the expensive side
- Doesn't have the same adjustability as the Callaway Epic
Like the Epic when it was released, the Callaway Rogue is not a cheap club, so be prepared to pay a premium for the titanium bars, carbon crown and other goodies that make this a great driver.
To save weight, the Rogue doesn't have the center of gravity (CG) adjustability of the Epic which may put off some players.
Also on our top overall driver list:
- The Callaway Epic Flash designers leveraged artificial intelligence and machine learning to increase the distance off this club
- The Ping G410 with its first moveable weight is also known for control and distance
- Titleist TS2 and Titleist TS3 with their speed chassis design are known as forgiving drivers
- Cobra King F8/F8+ is also know for control / forgiveness and distance
- TaylorMade M4 with its twist face technology is also known for control, distance as well as being one of the best driver for seniors
- Launcher HB from Cleveland Golf is good for beginners, seniors, control and forgiveness, distance as well as mid handicappers
- Ping G400 Max is also best for control, forgiveness, distance and advanced golfers
Cobra Fly-Z -- Best drivers for beginners
Our top pick for best driver for beginners is the Cobra Fly-Z. Not only is it great for golfers starting out, but it's also one of our best golf drivers for seniors and golfers looking for more forgiveness off the tee box and extra ball speed and distance.
Who it's for:
- Beginners (high handicappers)
- Mid-handicappers
- Seniors
Cobra says they 'are a golf company that is focused on making cool stuff that works and making the game more fun for everyone' and the Cobra Fly-Z definitely lives up to that motto with it's 460cc titanium head that comes black, orange, red and white.
The Cobra Fly Z offers a ton of features and technology that you wouldn't normally find at this price range making it the best driver for high handicappers, mid-handicappers and seniors who would appreciate that the control & distance are barely affected by mis hits with this game-improvement driver.
What we like:
- SmartPad technology to help square the clubface
- Large sweet spot for more accuracy & forgiveness
- Speed Channel Face technology to increase ball speeds
The SmartPad technology in the sole of the clubhead delivers a square clubface at address even after setting any one of the MyFly8 loft angle adjustments.
The 460cc head has one of the largest footprints in the industry with a high moment of inertia (MOI), enlarging the sweet spot and improving the accuracy even when you don't hit the ball dead center.
Their Speed Channel Face is an engineered trench around the perimeter of the face to increase ball speeds and distance.
Unlike most Cobra drivers, the Fly Z has a removable sole weight that allows you to control the launch and spin.
What we don't like:
- Unwanted ball spin
- Large club head size
For players with a higher swing speed, the Fly Z can create too much unwanted ball spin reducing the accuracy and distance of the club.
Some players might find the club head too big and will feel it throughout their swings.
Also on our top drivers for beginners list:
- Callaway Men's XR 16 is also known for additional distance and being one of the best golf drivers for seniors and mid handicappers
- TaylorMade R15 is also best for control and forgiveness, with extra distance
- TaylorMade AeroBurner driver is also a great budget option for beginners
Cobra F8/F8+ -- Best driver for distance
Our top pick for more distance is the Cobra King F8/F8+. In addition to more yards off the tee box, it's also great for mid to low handicappers looking for more control and forgiveness.
Who it's for:
- High handicappers
- Mid handicappers
The Cobra King F8 offers the first of its kind CNC milled face that will help high and mid handicappers drive the ball straight down the middle of the fairway.
Since Puma took control of the Cobra brand, they have added a ton of technology to keep up with the more traditional brands.
The E9 Technology of the F8 club face delivers more forgiveness on mis hits and puts more of an emphasis on accuracy. The F8 also includes Cobra Connect with Arccos sensors built directly into the grip so you can track your swing directly on your smartphone.
What we like:
- More forgiveness from the CNC Precision Milled Face
- Optimized Sweet Spot with E9 Technology
- Faster swing speed from a titanium face and carbon fibre crown
- More customization with two sole weights and 8 loft angle settings
- Track your improvements with the built-in Arccos system
Like a premium putter, the F8/F8+ comes with a CNC Precision Milled Face that allows for a slight curvature in the face creating more forgiveness on mishits.
Cobra's unique E9 Technology creates a more elliptical sweet spot (versus circular) allowing for more control on off-center hits.
The Cobra F8/F8+ comes with a titanium club face that is 10% lighter and a carbon fibre crown that increases ball speeds off the face, driving more distance.
The MyFly 8 with SmartPad Technology gives you eight adjustable loft settings and ensures the club face remains square. The F8 also comes with two adjustable weights to help shape shots.
Finally, we love the built-in Arccos system with Cobra Connect so you can see how all of these advanced features are improving your game.
What we don't like:
- Higher price point
- Pattern on the milled club face may be distracting
- Muted sound
The F8/F8+ with all of its technology is not a budget driver and some players have said that they find the pattern of the milled club face to be distracting at setup. The sound off the club is more muted when compared to other clubs.
Also on our top drivers for distance list:
- TaylorMade R15 is also great for more control and forgiveness as well as being suited to beginners
- Callaway Epic Flash for its enhanced stability and ball speeds
- Cobra Fly-Z also designed to provide more forgiveness as well as being suited for a high handicapper and senior golfers
- Mizuno ST-180 though they are more known for irons, the ST-180 is also a forgiving driver with great sound
- Callaway Men's XR 16 is another budget option for beginners, seniors and mid handicappers
- TaylorMade M4 and it's twist face technology is also great for the senior golfer and mid-handicappers that are looking for control and forgiveness
- Ping G410 and Ping G400 Max are also great for mid handicappers and pros looking for forgiveness
TaylorMade Aeroburner -- Best drivers for senior golfers
Our top driver for seniors is the TaylorMade Aeroburner. It's an extremely lightweight and forgiving club making easier to swing as you get older with age. It's also a great option for beginners that are looking for that extra control and forgiveness in their drives.
Who it's for:
- Senior golfers
- High handicapper
What stands out first with the TaylorMade Aeroburner 460cc club head is its aerodynamic shape and matte white finish.
Despite not having an adjustable hosel, the golf club still offers impressive forgiveness and a large sweet spot for players looking for a little extra help hitting the ball farther and straighter down the middle of the fairway as they age.
What we like:
- Easy on the wallet
- Ultra lightweight at 300 grams
- Available in higher (12 and 14 degree lofts)
- Bigger sweet spot for more forgiveness
They Aeroburner is one of the lightest drivers at only 300 grams and light on your wallet, making it a great budget option for beginners and senior golfers.
Comes with a Lightweight Matrix graphite shaft that comes in Stiff, Senior and Regular flexes. It also comes in 9.5, 10.5 and the higher 12 or 14 degree loft configurations.
The new Speed Pocket design increases the size of the sweet spot, reduces the amount of spin on the ball and improves forgiveness to keep hitting your shots on the fairway.
What we don't like:
- Too light for some golfers
- Lack of adjustability
- Prioritizes height over distance
The ultra-lightweight nature of the golf club is a bonus for some golfers but it can be harder to control for others. For more advanced golfers and pros, the lack of adjustability can be a turn off.
The Aeroburner trades some distance for height and the steep launch angle can be feel off for some golfers.
Also on our top drivers for senior golfers list:
- Cobra Fly-Z is also great for control and distance, as well as being suited for a high handicapper
- Callaway Men's Big Bertha V is also known to provide extra distance and another budget option for beginners
- Cobra King F7 is also a great for those looking for more distance and another option for mid-handicappers
- TaylorMade M2 is also great for those interested in more control and forgiveness and is also a great option for beginners
- Adams Blue Driver is also suited as a budget option for mid handicappers
TaylorMade M2 -- the best drivers for mid handicappers
Our top pick for the best drivers for mid handicappers is the TaylorMade M2. This versatile golf club is also a great budget option for beginners and senior golfers.
Who it's for:
- Mid-handicapper
- Beginners and Seniors
The TaylorMade M2 was originally launched with a multi-material construction (the M actually stands for multi-material) with a beautiful carbon fiber design.
The M2 delivers a nice flat, low spin trajectory giving you a balance of carry distance and roll on the fairway. The redesigned speed pocket will deliver consistent predictable results so players at all levels can enjoy the game.
What we like:
- Large 460cc club head
- High moment of inertia
- Forgiving sweet spot
- Great launch and spin conditions
- 12 setting adjustability
The large 460cc of the M2 and its redesigned speed pocket produces a beautiful sound with a high moment of inertia and large sweet spot to be as forgiving as possible on off-center hits.
The multi-material / carbon insert design of the head makes for a lighter driver increasing your swing speed and distance producing higher ball flight and low spin drives for less slice and hitting more fairways.
With the M2, the adjustable hosel gives you twelve settings to adjust the loft of the club to dial in your perfect trajectory.
What we don't like:
- Club design can be distracting to some
- No adjustable weights on the sole
The gold lettering on the crown and the two toned nature of the club can be distracting to some golfers.
While there's 12 loft adjustment settings, the club lacks adjustable weights on the sole.
Also on our best drivers for mid handicappers list:
- TaylorMade M4's twist face technology gives it more control & forgiveness as well as increased distance
- Callaway Great Big Bertha driver is also a great option for high handicapper
- Callaway XR 16 is also known for more distance as well as another great budget option for beginners and senior golfers
- Cobra King F8/F8+ are also known for that extra control & forgiveness and a that extra distance
- Cleveland Launcher HB is also known for more control, forgiveness and distance, as well as being suited to beginner and senior golfers alike
- Ping G400 is also great for control and forgiveness, plus extra distance in your drives
- Callaway GBB Epic is also known to give more distance as well as being suited to beginners and the senior golfer looking for an affordable option
- Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 is also known for more distance, control and forgiveness while also being suited to beginners
- Titleist 917D2 is also known for additional control, forgiveness and extra distance
- Wilson Staff D300 is a great budget option that's also known for distance and control
Pinemeadow PGX Offset -- best budget driver
Our top pick for the best affordable driver is the Pinemeadow PGX. In addition to being a great bang for the buck option, it's also great for beginners looking for more control and forgiveness in their drives.
Who it's for:
- Beginners and casual players
- Budget conscious
The Pinemeadow PGX 500 driver was designed for the casual player looking for a forgiving driver at less than $100.
As long as you're not interested in tournament play, the extremely large head size (500cc) gives you a massive sweet spot that will give you more consistent distance.
What we like:
- Less than $100
- Matte black finish
- Oversized club head (500cc) creates a massive sweet spot
- Better launch angle and distance
At less than $100, the Pinemeadow PGX 500 is the perfect option for budget conscious beginners looking for a stylish matte black driver.
The extreme oversized 500cc driver head creates a massive and one of the most forgiving driver sweet spot that's paired with a low center of gravity (CG) to increase launch angle and distance.
What we don't like:
- Oversized club head not tournament legal
Unfortunately, the extreme 500cc oversized head is more than is allowed under USGA rules and therefore, the PGX 500 is not tournament legal. If that's not your game, then this club works great for you.
Also on our best drivers on a budget list:
- TaylorMade M2 which is great for beginners, seniors and mid handicappers
- Callaway XR 16 gives a little extra distance for beginners, seniors and mid handicappers
- TaylorMade AeroBurner is also great golf driver for high handicapper and the senior golfer
- Callaway Big Bertha V is a great budget option that helps with distance for beginners, intermediate players as well as seniors
- Wilson Staff D300 provides a little extra control and forgiveness for mid handicappers
- Adams Blue Driver is a great budget option for seniors and mid handicappers
TaylorMade R15 -- Best driver for control and forgiveness
Our top pick for most forgiving driver is the TaylorMade R15, which are also great golf drivers for high handicappers in order to build confidence in their drives.
Who it's for:
- High handicappers
- Intermediate Players
The TaylorMade R15 460 Driver is one of the most forgiving drivers that will help keep your shots in the middle of the fairway.
The R15 is $200 cheaper than the newer TaylorMade M2 offering incredible value to a high handicapper who want more control and forgiveness yet don't want to compromise on distance and mid-handicappers whose game is improving.
What we like:
- Increased sweet spot for a more forgiving driver and less slice
- Adjustable sliders with 21 positions
- Lower and more forward center of gravity for more distance
The new Front Track System is positioned 12mm closer to the front acting like a Speed Pocket to reduce the spin and the Inverted Cone Technology increases the size of the sweet spot for a more forgiving driver.
Two 12.5 gram adjustable sliding weights giving 21 possible positions allows you to adjust your level of control and forgiveness.
Want maximum stability? Split the weights. Want maximum distance? Move both weights to the center. Draw bias or fade? Adjust the weights closer to the heel or toe of the club.
Thick Think Casting and the 460cc head give for a lower and more forward center of gravity (CG) to help beginner golfers with a higher ball flight and lower spin rates for more distance and reducing the chances of a slice.
What we don't like:
- No adjustable hosel
- Stiffer feel
- Difficult to curve the ball
While the TaylorMade R15 is adjustable, you can't adjust the loft angle of the club as your game improves.
Some beginner golfers say the R15 has a stiffer feel than many other new drivers and more advanced golfers looking for more shot shaping will find it more difficult to curve the ball with the R15.
Also on our most forgiving driver list:
- Cobra Fly-Z also gives a little extra distance for beginners and senior golfers
- Ping G410 also helps with distance for mid handicappers
- Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 is a great forgiveness option for beginners and mid handicappers
- TaylorMade M4 can also help with distance for mid handicappers and senior golfer
- Nike Vapor Flex is also great for mid handicappers
What look for from your golf driver?
Distance
The golf driver is all about getting you the most distance off the tee box. Today's golf courses are playing longer than ever. To shoot lower scores, you must get the maximum yardage possible off the tee from your equipment.
Control
All that extra distance is worthless if you can't keep it in the fairway. The new drivers offers several advanced features that will help you straighten out your slice and keep you in position to shoot lower scores.
Confidence
The key to success in golf is confidence. With the right driver, you can get on the tee box knowing you will hit a great shot. Plus, your new driver can help you shape the perfect shot for each hole.
What is Your Handicap?
Beginners
Most beginner golfers will have a higher handicap (above 18) while they are learning to play the game. At this stage, your ball striking is less consistent, swing speeds are slower and you'll be looking for equipment that will improve your confidence.
As a beginner golfer you should look for:
- Larger head size
- Flexible, graphite shaft
- 13 or more degrees of Loft
The best golf driver for beginners are a 460cc head size with a max stability center of gravity to give you the most forgiving driver. You will also want a flexible graphite shaft to give you maximum distance.
Intermediate
Medium Handicappers or intermediate players have a handicap between 8 and 18. Over time, intermediate players are beginning to get a good feel for their golf clubs but could still use a little help from a larger sweet spot and more swing speed.
As a mid-handicapper you should look for:
- Large head size
- Regular flex shaft
- Adjustable hosel
- 10 to 12 degrees of loft
A large driver head with a regular shaft flex will be the best choice for intermediate players. They should also strongly consider a golf driver with advanced adjustability options. This will allow the intermediate player to customize the driver as their golf game continues to develop and improve.
Advanced
Advanced players and Tour level pros have a handicap lower than 8. Since they already strike the ball consistently, their main goal with the driver should be to maximize distance.
Low handicap players should look for:
- Smaller head size
- Stiff or extra stiff shaft
- Advanced adjustability
- 10 degrees of loft or less
A smaller head with a stiff or extra stiff shaft will give the most distance. Adjustability is also key for advanced players and pros as they can use the club to shape different shots depending on the golf course and weather conditions. Advanced players should also strongly consider custom club fitting that matches their size and shape.
The Making of a Great Golf Driver
Select the Right Club Head
Club Head Size
- Beginners should look for larger club head size
- More advanced golfers may prefer smaller driver heads
The max head size allowed in golf is 460cc (cubic centimeters). Larger head sizes are better for beginners as they are more forgiving on mishit shots. Experienced golfers will prefer a slightly smaller head for better feel and the ability to shape golf shots when accuracy is more important than distance.
Materials
- If you're on a budget, stick to stainless steel
- If budget isn't a consideration, go for titanium
The various materials used to make new drivers will affect both the weight and the price of the club. Stainless steel is the most common and least expensive for beginners on a budget. Titanium is pricier but has a better size to weight ratio which improves distance for golfers of any skill level.
How to Choose the Right Shaft
Shaft Flex
- Beginners want more shaft flex
- Lower handicap golfers want a stiffer shaft
The flexibility in the shaft affects both distance and control. Beginners with a slower swing speed should choose a more flexible shaft (L-flex, A-flex or R-flex) for added distance. Lower handicappers with a faster swing speed should pick a stiffer shaft (stiff or x-stiff) for increased control.
Length
- For more control, stick to a shorter shaft
- For more distance, go with a longer shaft
The average driver shaft length for men is between 45 to 48 inches, with the average for women typically 1 inch shorter. Beginners should opt for shorter shafts, closer to 45 inches in length, as they are easier to control. Longer shafts can give up to 20 yards more distance and are best for lower handicap players with better control.
Materials
- If you're on a budget, stay with steel shafts
- Otherwise, opt for the graphite or composite shafts
The material of the shaft affects both flexibility and price. Steel shafts are stiffer but also cheaper and make excellent choices for any golfer on a tight budget. Graphite and composite materials are more expensive but they are far more flexible which gives any level of player more swing speed and better ball striking.
The Features to Match Your Game
Adjustability
- Depending on budget, adjustability can help all golfers
New drivers can come with sliders that adjust the weight distribution of the club head. The sliding weight allows the player to adjust the center of gravity on the club which helps the golf ball to curve to the left or right. Beginners can correct chronic slicing or hooking while advanced players can use this feature to help shape shots on the golf course.
Ideal Loft Angle
- Lower lofts are for beginners
- Higher lofts are for advanced golfers
Modern equipment also come with loft adjustments. The loft angle determines how high the ball travels when it is hit and will help with distance. A beginner golfer can benefit from higher loft adjustments that will improve control while advanced golfers can maximize distance from lower loft settings.
adjustments that will improve control while advanced golfers can maximize distance from lower loft settings.
Callaway Epic Driver Adjustments Chart Printable Word Free
Center of Gravity
- Lower and further back is better for beginners
- Forward is better for more advanced players
This aspect of a golf driver is about how the weight is distributed throughout the club head. This will affect both the spin rate of the golf ball and the amount of forgiveness. Beginner golfers want less spin to reduce the chances of a slice while advanced players want more spin for maximum distance.
Callaway Gbb Epic Driver Adjustment Chart
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