Best Golf Drivers For Beginners: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Top pick
3. Most accurate
4. Best for launch
5. Best value
6. Most forgiving
7. Best for slicers
8. Best looking
9. Best simple model
10. Best for distance
11. How we test
12. How to choose
13. FAQs
If you are new to the game of golf it can be a slightly daunting prospect picking out a new golf club, especially a driver. Firstly, you've got to work out what driver is right for you, with brands offering different versions of their standard models, and that's even before you go through the various shafts and set ups.
Ideally, a beginner golfer needs as much help as possible when it comes to hitting the ball off the tee, with one of the most forgiving drivers a good starting point for when you need to make a selection. The golf driver is probably one of the most fun clubs in the bag to use, but it is also one of the most difficult to master consistently. If you've borrowed a friend's or rented one at the driving range you'll know how much fun they are to hit when it goes right, but how frustrating it can be to strike well.
This is just one of the many reasons that a beginner may need a driver that can be adapted, with adjustable hosels and strategized weighting providing all the help you need to get the ball flying straight and far.
Mastering the tee shot can be difficult but, with the drivers we have listed here, they will certainly help speed up the process. So, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the best golf drivers for beginners. We also recommend taking a look at our guides on the best high handicap drivers and the best golf drivers for distance.
The Quick List
The Cobra Darkspeed Max is one of the best draw-bias drivers we have ever tested. It does exactly what it says on the tin and we found it next to impossible to produce a fade or slice. Wrapped up in a very sophisticated aesthetic, if you struggle with a slice, the Darkspeed Max is a must try.
The Max model really is the headline product of the new Qi10 range. With a vastly different head shape to the TaylorMade norm and exceptional levels of forgiveness, this driver could be a real market disruptor.
An excellent driver for those seeking a draw bias flight and maximum launch. Seriously easy to get in the air and extremely forgiving on mishits. The new grey crown really hits the mark visually.
With its simple, refined aesthetics and impressive overall all-round performance, PXG’s new 0211 driver has to be one of the best value for money products on the market right now.
There’s a lot to like about the Ping G430 SFT driver - it’s easy to launch, forgiving and surprisingly long. It’s a model that will have broad appeal, and is especially worth trying if you struggle with a slice.
One of the easiest-to-launch drivers we’ve hit this year, this delivers impressively on its promise of making the game easier for people off the tee. The simple, sleek aesthetics make this a very desirable option.
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A driver that stands out for its feel, the Launcher XL will suit a wide range of golfers looking for a combination of forgiveness and carry distance off the tee.
An excellent driver at a superb price. The powerful ball flight and high levels forgiveness combine to make this a very playable driver that we see benefitting a range of different abilities.
From a performance standpoint, the Tour Edge C522 is long, forgiving, and consistent, and it's one of the best values in golf in any category at its price point.
Best Golf Drivers For Beginners
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Top pick
In terms of looks, along with the rest of the Darkspeed family, the draw-biased Max is straight out of the top drawer. Taking the “dark” theme to the extreme, Cobra has almost entirely done away with any color here. Down behind the ball the Darkspeed Max delivers again. Whilst the head shape isn’t quite as refined as its siblings, the Darkspeed LS and the Darkspeed X, the carbon effect crown and minimalist Cobra logo give a very sophisticated look.
With regard to performance, the Darkspeed Max delivered strong results for me across the board. We tested the Darkspeed Max both on the golf course and indoors, using Trackman 4 launch monitor and Titleist Pro V1x golf balls.
Ball speed was strong, producing some very pleasing carry distances. Launch and spin were predictably a little higher than the other two drivers in the Darkspeed family but far from excessive. Cobra has really struck a great balance here of adding some spin and launch to help the intended market for this type of driver, but not too much so as to alienate higher speed players that might be entertaining a draw bias option.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Review
Most accurate
Having been fortunate enough to receive a full product briefing by the TaylorMade team, it's very apparent that the Qi10 Max is very much the hero product of this particular family, so much so, the whole series was named after this model. The quest for 10K MOI was what the TaylorMade engineers set out to do, hence the ‘Q’ for quest, the ‘i’ for inertia and the ‘10’ for 10k, giving us the Qi10.
Stretching out the head shape to create an 8mm longer profile from the front to the back has allowed the CG to be moved deeper and into a more MOI friendly location. In testing, this was certainly the case, as the Qi10 Max is astonishingly forgiving. Some of the poorer strikes our tester administered to the ball were hugely flattered by the high MOI of the driver.
What's more, the ball speed remained pretty constant no matter where the ball was struck on the face and dispersion was pleasingly tight both from a length and directional perspective. It's worth noting that the spin was on the slightly high side, but the whole point of this driver is to get the ball airborne. Overall, we think the Qi10 Max justifies its position as the hero product of this range, with it delivering incredible levels of forgiveness and stability without compromising speed.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver Review
Best for launch
The Max D in the latest Ai Smoke range from Callaway is most comparable with the Paradym X from last year with its high MOI and slight draw bias, but there are some clear alterations the brand has made to improve the head.
Starting with the looks, the grey finish and cool, pattern design on the sole aids shelf appeal a lot in our opinion. The head is also extremely confidence-inspiring with a very large overall footprint which Callaway has achieved by stretching it outwards in all the right places. This presents a genuinely larger looking head than the 460cc it actually is, and the stretching backwards has allowed Callaway to increase the MOI in the quest for stability.
The Ai technology continues here and along with the stretching of the club head, a rear weight has also been strategically placed to further increase MOI and create a draw bias. What were the results of this in testing? Well the forgiveness of this model is off-the-charts good. Rarely have we found a driver so extremely easy to get off the ground.
For the right category of player, we think this could be an absolute game-changer. One of the most user-friendly drivers we have ever picked up, if you struggle with launch and spin then this is a must try.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver review
Best value
Despite PXG's notoriously premium prices when it comes to its product line, the 0211 2022 driver seems to buck that trend, making it one of the best budget drivers on the market right now. This is something which will appeal to beginners, because you can purchase a premium-performing driver which won't break the bank.
In testing, we were impressed with its all-round playability and how similar it was to models that are more than double the price. It still had sufficient distance, but the amount of control on offer was superb and the strong and stable ball flight will help beginners in an array of weather conditions.
- Read our full PXG 0211 2022 Driver Review
Most forgiving
If you’re looking for one of the best drivers for slicers this year, then Ping's offering in the draw-bias category is the G430 SFT. It features a moveable weight that can be set in either a Draw or Draw + setting and, according to Ping, on the Draw + setting, it delivers seven yards more draw bias versus the G430 Max version in neutral.
You still get the technology seen in the other models, but for a draw-bias driver, it sits fairly square behind the ball. Other models like the Cobra Aerojet Max and Paradym X sit fairly closed, but Ping has made this model slightly longer from front to back. This slightly stretched out look works well here as it's fairly subtle and combined with a modern-looking matte black crown.
In testing, that draw-bias was noticeable, as the dispersion was a few yards left of centre. Our feeling is that, because it sits square at address, you will have the confidence to swing with just as much commitment as the other two models. The result was a right-to-left ball flight that was consistently hitting the fairway.
- Read our full Ping G430 SFT Driver Review
Best for slicers
This Wilson Launch Pad 2022 driver is designed to be an all-out game-improvement offering, with the first point to mention being the face design. Through research, Wilson says that average handicap players hit 68% of their shots out of the toe half of the face. So, in the Launch Pad, they’ve introduced their PKR face geometry that actually makes the striking area 5% bigger than the previous Launch Pad.
One of the best drivers for slow swing speeds, it has a lightweight head and shaft that should help players swing a little faster for more distance. Above all, the Wilson Launch Pad 2022 driver felt very friendly to hit. During our range testing, we were able to hit shot after shot that was very easy to launch and we didn’t lose any shots to the right.
Another helpful touch that will benefit beginners is the lie angle, which is two degrees upright to help golfers square up the face at impact. There is also the face itself, which sits quite closed and you can definitely see that as soon as you set it down behind the ball. There is also some heel side weighting within the head to help promote more of a draw shape.
- Read our full Wilson Launch Pad 2022 Driver Review
Best looking
Aimed at mid-handicap golfers and higher, the Launcher XL will definitely suit the true beginner golfer. The driver benefits from a larger head and an incredibly confidence inspiring look at address.
The length of the head from front to back has increased by 6% and the contrasting crown and face finishes mean you can see all of the loft from address. Performance wise, the Launcher XL gave solid carry distance on an easy swing. For the wide range of players this driver is aimed at, the spin rates created with this club will help keep the ball in the air and provide good carry distance.
With a recommended retail price that is significantly lower than the likes of Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist this year, the Launcher XL offers significant value for money and extreme forgiveness.
- Read our full Cleveland Launcher XL Driver Review
Best simple model
To begin with, the 900 model is the most expensive Inesis driver but, in comparison to the premium market, with the likes of the Callaway Paradym, TaylorMade Stealth 2 and PING G430, it still represents a significant saving.
The first thing we noticed was the moveable weights that sit on the sole. One is heavier than the other and these can be swapped to help dial in the spin profile to the player’s need. In addition, the face is made from a different titanium alloy to the body and it features a ‘bee’s nest design structure’ that Inesis says delivers, “an improved trampoline effect.”
In testing, we found the clean aesthetic was backed up by performance, with the 900 managing to keep up with the more premium models. The main stand out though came in the ball flight, which performed very well on both clean strikes and mis-hits. If the ball wasn't struck out of the middle, it would spin up, meaning we could still get a relatively strong carry.
- Read our full Inesis 900 Driver Review
Best for distance
The Tour Edge C522 driver has been one of our biggest surprises in testing. It's available at an incredibly competitive price point but delivers all of the performance that golfers would expect from more expensive drivers. Most notably, in our testing, it proved to be highly forgiving on off-center strikes but also long and consistent in terms of ball flight.
The C522 also looks very good at address, with a profile that inspires confidence without sacrificing the traditional shape that most golfers want to see. Its aesthetics also offer more of a premium look than one might expect at this cost. The C522's impact sound is a bit on the loud side, but in an explosive way, as opposed to being off putting.
It is worth noting that the C522 does not have an adjustable loft sleeve and is only offered with one stock shaft option; however, for a retail price of around $200 - $250, that shouldn't come as much of a surprise. That said, while the C522 won't fit everyone for those reasons, it will suit the vast majority of golfers just fine and, at its price, it should be a consideration for any golfer who's looking for a solid all-round driver without having to break the bank.
- Read our full Tour Edge C522 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 Neil Tappin, and assisted by Joel Tadman, both have been testing golf clubs for years and both play to a handicap of around 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 manufacturers 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.
How to choose a new 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, especially as a beginner. 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.
As a beginner, we'd recommend going down the forgiving route to start as drivers that are built to produce out-and-out distance can be harder to hit consistency well. Our guide on the most forgiving drivers has an extensive list of drivers made for just that and we recommend this because when you first start playing golf consistency of strike is one of the big issues, and a forgiving driver could limit this variety somewhat.
FAQs
How do I choose a golf driver?
There are a lot of factors that will influence your decision, such as looks, feel and your swing. If you swing it slow, then a more flexible shaft will work but, if you swing fast, then a stiffer shaft will suit. Also, you may need a driver with more loft or adjustability so, overall, it's crucial that you get fitted for your driver.
What is the best driver for a beginner?
Obviously this will vary but, if you are starting out fresh with the game of golf, then we would say a driver that provides forgiveness in the face is needed. Ideally, the driver will have a large head and face which will also inspire confidence at address.
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