8 Best Golf Drivers For High Handicappers – 2024 Reviews & Buying Guide
-
Alex Wolff
- Updated March 03, 2024
As a golfer, you need to be able to hit the ball well off the tee, send it a long way, and (hopefully) land it on the green. It’s important to use a good driver that fits your swing and the way you play.
Since every player is different, it’s not easy to find a driver that would work for all high handicappers. But there are a few things that most players in this group tend to want a lot of.
Most golfers with high handicaps have slower swing speeds and could use some help getting the ball farther and higher. People with high handicaps also have a hard time hitting the ball solidly and would do better with bigger, more flexible heads.
Still, there are a lot of options on the market, which can make it hard and confusing to choose the right driver for you. You’ve come to the right place, though.
In this guide, we’ll talk about and compare the golf drivers we think are the best for golfers with high handicaps. These drives could have come out for this year’s golf season or any year before.
We chose these drivers based on how well they worked for us, how popular they were, and how customers and critics, in general, felt about them.
Our Top Picks For Drivers For High Handicappers
Curious as to why the PING is our top pick? As to why the Titleist was our “seasoned” option, we’ll never know for sure. Read on (I promise it will be a quick and fun read) to find the best golf driver for you, and then check out more of our independent golf reviews!
Table of Contents
Best Golf Driver For Consistency: PING G425 MAX
The PING G425 MAX Driver’s dragonfly crown and weight-saving technology allow for a fully customizable tungsten head weight of just 26 grams. With the new tungsten “CG Shifter,” you can adjust the center of gravity to hit the ball with a draw, fade, or neutral trajectory, greatly improving the club’s playability.
The PING G425 Max Driver Looks
The G425 MAX’s design, which features a busy sole and minimal color accents, is sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing without detracting from the shoe’s performance on the field. The G425 MAX is a matte black driver with a valley-shaped club face pattern, a sole weight that can be adjusted along the trailing edge, and a wide crown with ridges that give it a substantial appearance.
What It's Like to Hit with a PING G425 Max Driver
When the G425 MAX club makes contact with the ball, there is a loud metallic pop, but the explosive sensation more than makes up for this. The G425 MAX is a reliable driver that has a great deal of clubface flex and a robust, contemporary feel. While the driver’s forgiveness means that the heel and toe won’t take much of a beating, the golfer won’t feel much of an impact.
The G425 MAX is not a great driver for distance because the design and technology are mostly focused on making the club more stable and giving it a high MOI. Don’t let the fact that you can adjust the weight on the PING G425 MAX Driver deter you. Changing where the weight is on the sole may make the ball go farther than with your present driver.
The G425 MAX’s moveable sole weight helps golfers who tend to slice the ball a lot. This amazing driver’s forgiveness and ability to be adjusted make 18 holes a blast. The G425 MAX has a deep center of gravity, which gives it a lot of loft and better control over where the ball goes.
The G425 Max’s forgiveness is so good that you almost have to miss the clubface to go out of bounds. If you miss the sweet spot, you will lose some space, but not as much as you might think.
When the weight of the driver is in the middle position, the G425 MAX leans toward a draw bias, but it has a good trajectory height. The draw bias is great for the slicer, but if it’s hard to move the weight to the heel, you can increase the draw to get rid of the slice.
The deep CG of the G425 MAX gives it high backspin, which may be a problem for some players. However, it improves launch, which makes it less likely that you’ll miss-hit. The G425 MAX is made for golfers who want steadiness, have trouble slicing the ball, and need stability off the tee.
Best Golf Driver For Distance And Forgiveness: TaylorMade Stealth 2
- The Carbon Reinforced Composite Ring unites the driver head into a singular force
- The corrective tendencies of Twist Face combined with advanced ICT help
- A lighweight full-carbon body allows engineers to harvest mass and strategically place weight for optimal launch and forgiveness
TaylorMade’s Stealth 2 Driver is great if you want to hit the ball far and not worry about hitting it wrong. The Stealth 2 is a great addition to a golfer’s bag if they want a driver that is easy to hit and goes a long way.
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver
With a few small changes, TaylorMade kept the same color scheme as its SIM line. The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver has a modern look, and the company didn’t make many changes to the color scheme because it worked well in the past. The first model was known for its looks, technology, and speed, while the Stealth 2 was known for its forgiveness.
The Stealth 2 is similar to the SIM series in that it has a black body and a red face. However, the crown has changed from matte black to shiny black, with a red accent on the back of the head. All of these parts, including the weight screw, the composite ring, the inertia generator, and the stealth mark on top, are under the club head.
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver's Feel and Sound
Every player expects the best from TaylorMade, and with the Stealth 2 Driver, they did not let them down. The makers made a loud, explosive sound that doesn’t stand out in a bad way. Players and onlookers are amazed by the whole thing. The Stealth 2 makes a solid, low-pitched sound that feels a little bit like plastic, but this doesn’t change how the driver feels too much.
How Well Does the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver Work?
When the Trackman 4 is used to test the Stealth 2 indoors, the ball goes between 130 and 135 mph with low spin. The TaylorMade Stealth 2 has an average spin rate of about 2000 rpm, but it feels like it’s going faster, and it goes about 212 yards. The lower spin rate makes the ball roll farther, which adds a few yards to the shot.
Best Golf Driver For Looks And Feel: Callaway Paradym
| Color | Black, Silver |
| Golf Club Flex | Stiff |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Golf Club Loft | 9 Degrees |
| Material | Graphite |
| Brand | Callaway |
| Shaft Material | Hzrdus Black 60G |
| Item Weight | 2.3 Pounds |
Callaway took out the titanium from the Paradym driver so that it would be 20 grams lighter. The Paradym is 11% lighter than the Rogue ST. This makes it easier to handle and gives it a higher MOI.
All players will be able to control their shots better with a dispersion level that is 30% tighter.
The Callaway Paradym Driver:
When compared to other Callaway drivers in terms of looks, the Paradym doesn’t fail and stays true to the good results that the brand has had with its other good-looking drivers.
At first glance, you might not think that the sole gives the driver enough grip, but after a while, even the lack of pop from the soles grows on you. The dark milky green-blue color hits all the right notes, and it goes well with the shape of the sole, creating a beautiful balance between simplicity and appeal.
The Paradym’s crown is unique because it can be split into three parts. Titanium is used near the clubface, carbon fiber is used in the middle, and more titanium is used at the back to finish it off.
The way that Callaway put the tungsten cartridge and sliding weight track into the Paradym driver shows how good their makers are and how simple things can be beautiful. The current and stylish look of the Paradym driver keeps up with the times.
Feel and Sound of the Callaway Paradym Driver:
Because Callaway looks, sounds, and feels different from other drivers, it is almost impossible to mistake it for something else. The Paradym driver feels the same as the other drivers made by the brand, but it also has its own style. With the Paradym driver, you can count on a satisfying sound when the driver goes by your ear and a strong sound when it hits the golf ball.
The Paradym driver makes a sound in the middle that gets sharper when the ball hits the face high and a lower, grinding sound when the ball hits the face low. Overall, the sound and feel of the driver are steady and nice.
How Well Does the Callaway Paradym Driver Work?
The Paradym driver goes farther than the Rogue ST MAX, but not by much: probably no more than ten yards. The way the face is made on the Paradym driver makes the ball go faster, which is called the “smash factor.” The Paradym driver gives you a smaller level of spin, but it still gives you great flight.
The Callaway Paradym is one of the few drivers on the market that can give you both a fast ball and the ability to hit it in any direction. Callaway is right that the Paradym is a medium-high launch driver with a slightly lower flight than the Rogue ST MAX.
Best Value For Money Golf Driver: PXG 0211
- The PXG 0211 Z Driver produces nice distance and loft off the tee for golfers
- UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY & PERFORMANCE – Approachable and advanced,
- MATERIALS – Ti811 titanium alloy body. Ti412 titanium alloy face.
- ADJUSTABLE HOSEL – Adjustable hosel can change the loft
Drivers are expensive, but in the golf world of today, you pay for quality, style, and technology. If you look at how much drivers cost, you’ll see that the PXG 0211 Driver has everything you want at a price that makes sense.
The weight of the PXG 0211 is put at the back of its high-speed titanium face. This creates a low center of gravity and a high MOI for maximum mercy. The PXG 0211 has the same technology as other expensive drives.
The PXG 0211 Driver Appears to Be:
With its slightly smaller head and black, mixed-material cap, the PXG 0211 is a stylish and beautiful driver. The lighter shade of gray in the back goes well with the darker parts of the head in the front to add a touch of class.
The PXG 0211’s crown is matte black and has a small X on it to help with alignment. This X is placed opposite the trailing edge stripe to make it look nice. Aside from the silver PXG logo, the driver is mostly black, and its design is on par with that of the best drivers on the market right now.
Feel and Sound of the PXG 0211 Driver:
When compared to drivers like the PING G425, the sound of the new PXG 0211 driver will surprise you. It has a mid-pitch sound that won’t hurt the ears of other players but lets you know it’s there on the tee. When you add the sound of the PXG 0211 to its strong feel, you get a driver that gives you great feedback when you hit the ball.
How the PXG 0211 Driver Works:
The PXG 0211 driver is a good all-around performer that works for almost any player and gets the ball moving fast even when it’s not hit perfectly. PXG says that the PGX 0211 is 1.7 mph faster than its predecessor and has a middle launch and spin rate of 150 RPM.
The hosel and loft of the new PXG 0211 can be moved up or down by 1.5°, which makes for good ball flight and face angles. With the PXG 0211 driver, you can choose from different grip sizes and shaft lengths to fit your needs.
Best Golf Driver For Technology: Callaway Epic Speed
- NEW Jailbreak A.I. Speed Frame
- A.I. Designed Flash Face SS21
- Fastest Driver Head From A Cyclone Aero Shape
- Increased Forgiveness
The name of the Epic Speed driver from Callaway says it all. The Epic Speed driver makes the club head move as fast as possible to make great, long shots.
Callaway surprised everyone with the Epic Max and the Epic Max LS, but with the Epic Speed driver, they are putting it all on the line.
The Callaway Epic Speed driver is faster than the Max and the LS by about 0.8 to 1.5 mph, and every 1 mph of club head speed adds about three yards to the distance.
The Callaway Epic Speed Driver:
The Epic Speed has a modest 460-cc footprint compared to the Callaway Epic Max and LS. The Epic Speed looks like a classic driver because its toe is a little higher and its clubface is a little deeper, but it is not a deep-face driver. The Epic Speed design has a Cyclone Aero head with a flat top that is aerodynamic and has less drag.
The Callaway Epic Speed has a carbon fiber Triaxial crown that makes the driver lighter. The crown is black. Its flexibility is improved by moving the weight around and using carbon fiber in a smart way. The Callaway Epic Speed has a carbon fiber toe panel that makes the clubface close faster and creates a small draw.
The Feel and Sound of the Callaway Epic Speed Driver:
The idea behind Callaway’s Jailbreak Frame is to make a rigid club head that keeps its shape on impact so that less energy is lost. The Jailbreak Frame technology from Callaway puts the energy back into the ball to make it go faster and feel more solid.
When you combine the Callaway Epic Speed Jailbreak Frame technology with the titanium Flash Face SS21 design, you get a driver that feels strong and accurate. The Epic Speed driver is solid and accurate, with a quiet but nice sound. The rigid carbon fiber structure of the head eliminates all metal pings and “pops” when the club hits the ball.
How well does the Callaway Epic Speed Driver work?
The Epic Speed driver from Callaway should be a driver with a middle launch and spin, but it seems to have a lower launch and less spin. The Epic Speed gives you great control and sends the ball flying far.
Best Golf Driver For Seasoned Players: Titleist TSi3
- Titleist TSi3 Premium
- Faster In The Air. Faster At Impact: Improved aerodynamics lead
- Multi-Dimensional Stability: Players often equate high MOI with heel to toe forgiveness, but we employ a
- Performance-Tuned Adjustability: TSi3 Drivers feature a new SureFit CG track technology, offering five unique
The Titleist TSi3 is an example of how dedicated the company is to making one of the best drivers on the market. It is a mix of quality and new ideas. The TSi3 is shaped like an apple or pear and uses the SureFit center of gravity track system.
The SureFit technology, which is on the back edge of the head, lets players change their shots and the angle at which they launch the ball. The Titleist TSi3 has a rounded top, makes a quiet thud when it hits the ball, and has a noticeable weight on the sole, which is something many golfers will like.
The Titleist TSi3 Driver is made to look
Titleist made some small changes to the TSi3 driver compared to its predecessor, the TSi2. It now has a standard pear-shaped head with a curved toe and heel. The clubface of the TSi2 is longer than the clubface of the TSi3, and the TSi3 looks more square from the clubface to the back.
The TSi3 has a smooth clubface that makes it easy for a golfer to tell the difference between the black crown and the face of the driver when he or she is standing behind the ball. With its sleek black design and logo on the side of the shoe, the TSi3 is sure to stand out.
The Titleist TSi3 Driver's Feel And Sound
When carbon fiber is used to make a driver, it dampens sound and pressure. When you hit the golf ball with a Titleist TSi3, the head of the club feels like metal instead of carbon fiber because it is made of titanium. The new TSi3 driver from Titleist makes a beautiful, low-pitched, muffled sound and pops when it hits the ball.
Even if you miss the sweet spot, the TSi3 will still make the same sound when you hit it, but it will feel harder in your hands. No matter where you hit the golf ball with the TSi3, it feels fast and accurate.
Titleist could have spent more time on the creation of the TSi3’s feedback from missed shots. Most shots have a unique feel to them, but sometimes the response isn’t as good as it could be. Overall, the Titleist TSi3 is a driver that is very flexible, sounds good, and looks good in any golf bag.
How Well the Titleist TSi3 Driver Does Its Job
If you’re used to the TSi2, you might be a little let down by how far the TSi3 goes. When you consider that Titleist doesn’t sell the TSi3 as a long-distance driver and that it only hits the ball 5 to 10 yards shorter than the TSi2, the TSi3’s other benefits quickly make up for the distance difference. The TSi3 is forgiving and will always put the ball on the green, making up for those few yards lost.
With the TSi3 design, it still has a lot of distance, especially for experienced players who want the ball to go as far as possible while still staying on the course. The Titleist TSi3 is made to control distance and be forgiving, and it always does better than most drivers.
The TSi3 has a high MOI, is very forgiving, and is designed to be both accurate and easy to use. The Titleist TSi line is great because the TSi3 has all the technology of the TSi2, including the ATI 425 face. Even though the TSi3 is forgiving, it is not a miracle club. However, low and mid-handicap golfers will get great distance, ball speed, and direction from it.
Please click here to see our review guide for the Titleist TSi3 Driver Review
Spy Golfers is reader-supported. When you buy through links on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Our affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network and Amazon Associates.
Best Golf Driver For Women: TaylorMade Sim MAX
- Multi-Material Fairway Wood Construction with Steel Body and Carbon Crown: Creates a 185cc head design where
- V Steel Sole Design: Designed to improve turf interaction through reduced friction and provides additional
- Twist Face: Uses corrective face angles designed to
- C300 Ultra-Strong Steel Face: High-strength C300 steel allows for a stronger,
The TaylorMade SIM MAX is all about controlling the ball, making sure it doesn’t spin too much, and giving you the most forgiveness off the tee.
The face of the SIM Max driver is 8% bigger than the normal SIM driver, and the tip of the inertia generator in the sole has 20 grams of back weight.
The Max has a 70-point higher MOI than the normal Sim driver because its tip is 20 grams heavier.
The TaylorMade Sim MAX Women's Driver
The SIM MAX driver looks almost the same as the SIM driver. Its head is just a little bit bigger and longer.
The Inertia Generator on the TaylorMade SIM MAX is bigger than the one on the normal SIM driver, so it covers a bigger area. With its white and silver crown and blue details, the SIM Max is a nice-looking driver.
TaylorMade Sim Max Women's Driver Sound & Feel
The TaylorMade Sim Max driver is the same all over the clubface, and it stays the same even if you miss the sweet spot. The Max makes a sound when it hits something that is similar to the Sim’s but slightly louder, so you won’t be surprised by it.
Even if you miss-hit with the Max, you’ll like how stable it feels, how great the feedback is, and how well it responds to your hands.
The performance of the TaylorMade Sim Max Women's Driver
The TaylorMade Sim Max has a slight advantage over the normal TaylorMade Sim driver. It launches higher and adds a few yards to your drive while reducing rollout. The SIM Max’s distance isn’t affected by how fast it spins; it can go as far as some of the best distance drives on the market.
With the Sim Max, players have to be careful because a strong and fast swing speed could cause the ball to spin too much, which could cause it to fly lower. With a slower swing speed, Max sends the ball farther because it stays in the air longer. If you hit the center of the club, the distance goes even further.
The Sim Max driver has a D version that is even more forgiving than the Max. However, most players will find that Simulator Max is forgiving enough. If you care about spin, the SIM Max has a lot of it. The Max has a big Inertia Generator that moves the weight back. This causes the ball to fly at a medium height.
The Max driver technology is better for golfers with slower swing speeds because it makes it easy to get the golf ball in the air. Even if you have a faster swing speed, the Max still works well because it gives you control and distance without making you force the driver all the time.
Please click here to see our review guide for the TaylorMade Sim MAX Driver
Best Overall Golf Driver: PING G430 Max
The Distance Difference
More ball speed comes from the shallower and thinner VFT forged face design engineered with Spinsistency
The Adjustable Answer
A 25-gram, moveable, high-density tungsten backweight influences shot shape ±7 yards between the Draw, Neutral and Fade settings to help fine-tune trajectory. Loft is adjustable ±1.5° and lie up to 3° flat from standard using the 8-setting Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel.
The G driver series from PING is known for being very forgiving, and the G430 MAX keeps up that name with a 10,000 moment of inertia. The internal rib structure of the PING G430 Max driver gives it a nice, solid sound, and it is a surprising improvement over its predecessor, the PING G425 MAX.
The PING G430 Max Driver appears to be
Many golf brands are making their drivers easier to use, and most of them have a clean, simple look. The G430 MAX shows that PING isn’t done with its busy and exciting look. At the back of the G430 cap, there are pieces that look like carbon fiber, and the Turbulators can still be seen.
The 460cc PING G430 driver head has a narrow face that makes it look bigger. PING likes the D-shape of their G series drivers, and the G430’s longer head makes the D-shape look even better.
Like the G425 driver, which has a matte black finish and a design on the sole, the G430 has a lime green color on the club head. Some players might find the G430 MAX to be too busy, but its modern look is one of PING’s best and makes it a beautiful driver all around.
The Feel and Sound of the PING G430 Max Driver
The sound of the G430 MAX has been improved. It sounds much duller and has a lower tone than other PING drivers. Players and tour pros didn’t like the sound of PING’s previous drivers, so the company chose to make the G430.
PING driver heads are well-known for being stable. Even if you hit the ball way to the right, the technology will bring it back into the green. The PING G430 MAX driver is very stable, and players are always surprised by how well it bounces back after a miss.
How Well Does the PING G430 Max Driver Do?
PING says that the G430 MAX can fly farther than the G425; they both start out at 132 mph, but the G430 has a little more.
The G430 MAX could hit the ball at speeds of up to 134.6 mph, which is 2 mph faster than the G425. If a driver adds two mph, it will gain four yards, which is what PING said the G430 driver would do, and it did.
Please click here to see our review guide for the PING G430 MAX Driver
Conclusion: Best Drivers Golf Has to Offer in 2023
Golf drivers are always changing, and golf makers are always redesigning and improving their clubs to focus on different areas for different skill levels.
Some drivers are better at going long distances, while others are better at being in control or being forgiving.
Find a driver that will improve your game and give you the best results, no matter which one you choose. There are different types of drivers, and one of them will fit right in with the rest of your clubs.
If you wish to learn Golf Basics, visit our Lessons section. There, you’ll find tutorials, articles, and videos designed to teach golf newbies the game’s fundamentals. Our Lessons page can help you improve your swing, putting, or overall game.