I’ve tested every 2024 golf driver and these are the best models for beginners and high handicappers
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What are the best drivers for beginners and high handicappers to get your scores tumbling in 2024? We look at the best clubs for forgiveness, stability, and control
When we’re struggling with a part of our game, it can be one of the most frustrating things to deal with. Driving is particularly aggravating as it can set up the rest of the hole for us in a positive way, but not doing well can see us find double or triple bogeys far too regularly. So finding the best drivers for beginners (or those of us who have been playing for a little while but still find consistent drives to be an issue) is a massive part of ending that frustration.
What can we look for in drivers to help out with our tee shots then? One of the largest factors is the forgiveness on offer but what does actually mean; typically, we’re talking about help across the face regardless of strike location.
The phrase you’ll hear often when looking for that factor is ‘moment of inertia’ or MOI.
MOI refers to the resistance of the club head to twisting on off-center strikes. The more manufacturers can keep the club face pointing at the target, the less you’ll see a ball move away from where you want it.
The second important factor is Spin. More spin is good, because it adds stability to the ball in flight, however be careful it doesn’t become excessive. Too much will limit your distance and, if the ball is moving on a tilted axis, spin will keep the ball moving in that direction more.
Best Drivers for Beginners – Jump To:
Selecting the best golf driver to help you get the ball sailing as far as possible down the middle of the fairway seems like a pretty important decision for golfers of all abilities, but those new to the game will want to find the best drivers for beginners and high handicappers, maybe even adding an iron to your cart if you want to really up your game. The driver tends to be the club beginners and high handicappers struggle with the most, with many battling to control a slice and/or launch the ball high enough.
With the longest shaft and highest clubhead speeds, the driver has the potential to make or break your round. That’s why manufacturers are constantly innovating to help mitigate the common technical flaws that we all experience on our golf journeys. Today, finding a great driver for lower skill sets is easier than ever and will undoubtedly enhance your off-the-tee experience rather than giving you a panic attack every time you pull off the headcover. Don’t forget the difference a ball can make to your swing either, especially if you’re just starting out or need to shave some points off your handicap.
How we test
We collect data points from the ball and club for every shot hit using a Foresight GQ Quad launch monitor. We chose Foresight as their launch monitors are recognized as industry-leading, and they replicate the technology employed by top brands when testing their own clubs and balls. They’re also owned by many of the best players in the world.
Our main club tester is PGA Professional and Custom Fit Technician Neil Wain. We chose Neil as he’s a very consistent striker of the golf ball, which means we don’t need to remove lots of mishit data (which is an inefficient use of energy and hitting time). It also allows us to create clean accurate comparison data which can be relied upon for proper analysis.
Our test spec for drivers is 10.5° loft with a stock stiff flex shaft. Shots are always teed up, and our launch monitor keeps an eye on impact location and records how shots are launched into the air and where they go.
For each model, we capture data for 12 shots our test pro is happy with. When analyzing our data we look at ball speed and carry distance, backspin, peak height, and descent angle as these have a crucial impact on distance, consistency, and accuracy.
Best At A Glance:
Best for ball speed: TaylorMade Qi10 Max | Buy Now
Most forgiving: Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Max D | Buy Now
Most confidence-inspiring: Callaway Launcher XL2 Draw | Buy Now
Best for generating swing speed: Cobra Air-X Driver | Buy Now
While we first advocate lessons and practice as the fundamentals for improving your swing, making an informed decision about the exact requirements you need from a driver is also paramount. You can read in detail about the key factors worth considering when choosing a new driver by jumping down to our buying guide. Of course, if you happen to have a tried and tested brand that you are keen to remain loyal to, why not check out some of our specific best-by-brand pages such as the best Ping drivers, best TaylorMade drivers, or the best Callaway drivers?
Below is our informed shortlist of the best drivers for helping beginners and high-handicap golfers correct a slice, increase swing speed, and hit more fairways. These selections naturally include some of the most forgiving drivers and best draw drivers, backed by our test pro’s launch monitor data during our comprehensive equipment testing of the latest driver models.
Best Drivers for Beginners & High Handicappers:
TaylorMade's most forgiving driver to date is the complete package.
With a shot area of 325.7 yds2, the Max produced a dispersion inside my test average which hasn’t always been the case with TaylorMade drivers before. I also liked being able to dial down the loft a fraction as the footprint is so big and rear-weighted that the spin is a little higher than the competition. I didn’t feel though like I gave up any fairway finding confidence, despite being able to produce my fastest ball speeds of the year. If you’re a TaylorMade fan and you’ve been waiting for a forgiving driver option from them 2024 is the time to fill your boots.
Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max driver review.
Pros
- Finally a super forgiving TaylorMade driver
- The bigger profile is confidence inspiring at address
- The extreme shape and weighting might mean you can use a little less loft to get more ball speed
Cons
- I honestly don't see any
| Lofts | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts | Speeder NX TCS (High Launch), Mitsubishi Diamana T+60 (Mid-Launch). |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Z-Grip Plus 2 (52g). |
An AI-inspired slice buster with excellent all-round performance.
I really enjoyed hitting this model and my data with it wasn’t half bad either. With just a single yard between it and my longest driver (the PXG 0311 XF GEN6), there’s little to choose between them as I know the data could be reversed on another test day. What sticks out though, in a year when MOI is the hot topic, is the Max D managed to group shots into my smallest shot area (143 yds2). With an AI Smart face optimized for low heel-to-high-toe strikes, I feel like the Max D has mine and many other club golfers’ misses covered. A cracking draw bias driver option in 2024.
Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Max D driver review.
Pros
- The optimized Smart Face is tailored to those struggling with a slice
- One of the longest and most forgiving draw drivers available
- Some clever topline shaping means the face doesn't look massively closed at address
- Powerful and stable through impact
Cons
- Some may prefer less busy aesthetics
| Lofts | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts | Project X Cypher 2.0 (high launch), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue (mid launch), Project X Denali Black (low launch). |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360. |
A confidence-inspiring draw driver designed for the avid club golfer.
All in as far as draw drivers go the XL 2 did a job for me, it powered shots down the left side of the range at similar levels to the most draw-biased driver I’ve ever hit – the Ping G430 SFT. It also produced a carry distance that came in Tied-2nd at 272 yards and a shot area of 384 sq yards. So long as a left tendency is the shot shape your game requires the XL 2 does what it says on the tin. Just be aware, it felt like shots were driven forward a little lower and less flighted than I would typically expect.
Read our full Cleveland Launcher XL2 Draw driver review.
Pros
- Lots of driver for the money
- Packed with slice-busting tech
- Great looking head shape
Cons
- You won't see it played on Tour
| Lofts | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts | Aldila Ascent PL 40. |
| Stock grip | <strong> </strong>Lamkin Crossline 360. |
High launching with maximum forgiveness and draw-biased control.
In terms of data, the Max wasn’t my fastest or longest driver but that’s typical for most traditional forgiving models. It wasn’t our test pros in the 'forgiving driver' category either, with 265 yards carry, but perhaps that’s where the benefit lies. It can make the game more playable and enjoyable for everyday club golfers, a point highlighted by producing a shot area smaller than my test average, at 370.8 sq yards. Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking this is the most powerful driver out there, it's not, but thanks to a slightly lower price than some of its major competitors, I can see why lots of price-conscious golfers will have their heads turned by this model in 2024. I’m a big fan of the murdered-out black head too!
Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max driver review.
Pros
- Incredibly soft and responsive feel off the face
- Fantastic workability thanks to MyFly adjustability and interchangeable weights
- Outstanding aesthetics - looks great in the bag and behind the ball
- Makes a very sweet sound
- Quality stock shaft offerings
Cons
- More powerful drivers are available
| Lofts | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts | Project X HZRDUS CB Red, UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red. |
| Stock grip | Lamkin Crossline |
Great driver for beginner and high-handicap golfers struggling with a slice.
Internal testing from Ping has shown golfers with slower swing speeds (less than 90 mph) experience gains in ball speed of 1.5 mph with higher launch angles of 1.5° when using the SFT model. Aside from strong performance credentials, the SFT is a fantastic-looking driver, free from exaggerated closed-face angles while still providing you with the confidence-inspiring feeling you require on the tee. One of our best draw drivers.
Read our full Ping G430 SFT driver review.
Pros
- Moveable draw-biased weights
- Increased ball speeds for slower swings
- Does not appear overly closed at the address
Cons
- Severe slicers may prefer a more closed look
| Lofts | 10.5° |
| Stock shafts | Alta CB Black, Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome, Ping Tour 2.0 Black, Alta Quick |
| Adjustable hosel | +/- 1.5° |
| Stock grips | Golf Pride Tour Velvet |
A powerful and stable option that stands up to the best in this category.
I played the XF throughout 2023 and loved how its super forgiving set-up helps me find a ton of fairways, a trait my short-hitting game is based around. The head sits beautifully square behind the ball and its big profile looks incredibly forgiving without ever being distracting. Admittedly at my swing speed, there’s not a ton of gains to be had in terms of ball speed or carry distance between the nine different models tested. That said, the PXG did produce my longest carry distance and 3rd smallest dispersion area within the category. If you’re looking for a forgiving easy to square driver in 2024, the XF is an exceptional option. Just make sure you get fitted to maximize your fairway finding potential.
Read our full PXG 0311 GEN6 XF driver review.
Pros
- These are the best-looking drivers PXG has made
- There's a good selection of stock shafts plus lots of premium upgrade choices
- PXG's weight and length fitting capability is second to none
Cons
- Keep an eye on the PXG website as prices can fluctuate regularly
| Lofts | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts | Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue, Mitsubishi Diamana S+, Aldila Rogue Elite Blue, Project X Cypher, Project X Smoke Blue RDX, EvenFlow Riptide. |
| Stock grip | PXG Z5 Black. |
A slice-busting and confidence-inspiring driver to help boost your consistency.
Wilson’s research demonstrated that 68% of the shots hit by average golfers occurred out of the toe-half of the face. With this knowledge in mind, Wilson has created a face that’s 5% bigger, with a deeper toe section, ideal for both confidence and forgiveness. A cleverly designed face bulge (from toe to heel) helps disguise the Launch Pad’s closed face at address which contributed to shots finishing an average of 13.5 yards further left during our testing.
Read our full Wilson Launch Pad driver review.
Pros
- Easy to launch
- Face geometry specifically targeted at high handicappers
- Improved aesthetics
Cons
- More suitable options for non-slicers
| Lofts | 9°, 10.5°, 13° |
| Stock shafts | Project X |
| Adjustable hosel | No |
| Stock grips | Wilson Staff Midsize (men's), Wilson Staff Performance (women's) |
One of the lightest and most forgiving drivers on the market.
Often with lightweight drivers, there is little excess material that can be assigned to help forgive off-center strikes. However, as the Air-X weighs around 35g less than some of its competitors, Cobra has added some heel-biased weighting to help straighten up slices and make it easier to find the fairway.
Read more in this full Cobra Air-X driver review.
Pros
- Ultra-light driver to help slower swing speeds
- The weight rests lower to provide forgiveness
- An attractive price point for beginners to the game
Cons
- Fast improvers may require more weight
| Lofts | 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5° |
| Stock shafts | ULTRALITE 40 shaft (S, R, Lite); ULTRALITE 40 shaft in ladies flex |
| Adjustable hosel | No |
| Stock grips | vLamkin REL Standard (58R) – Black (41g) |
A Titleist driver built to maximize launch and spin for slower-swinging players.
The entire TSR1 collection has been stripped of all non-essential weight to ensure the lightest possible build without damaging performance. Multi-Plateau Variable Face Thickness technology assists in speed retention from off-center hits. A deep CG almost perfectly centered to the face promotes higher launch and exceptional ball speed.
Read our full Titleist TSR1 driver review.
Pros
- Easy to swing faster not harder
- Deep center of gravity to generate launch
- Added yards for slower-swinging players
Cons
- Not the ideal choice for faster-swinging players
| Lofts | 9°, 10°, 12° |
| Stock shafts | Mitsubishi MMT SpeedMesh 40 (Men’s) and 35 (Ladies) |
| Adjustable hosel | Yes – Titleist SureFit hosel |
| Stock grips | Golf Pride TV 360 Lite Grey Flat Cap |
Best Drivers for Beginners and High Handicappers: Buying Guide
Choosing a new driver is a decision not to be rushed. Do your research thoroughly and make sure you’re investing in the club that will take your game to the next level. That’s critical for all clubs, but particularly as second to your putter, your driver should be the club you reach for the most.
However, as a beginner or higher handicap golfer, we understand that sometimes pulling out driver on the tee is not always the most confidence-inspiring option. That’s why this ‘best guide’ has only selected models of drivers designed and engineered specifically with the attributes demanded from this target group of golfers. If you find your game to be a little more advanced, there are also some great options for those mid-handicap players too.
Here are the key things you might want to prioritize when it comes to selecting your perfect fairway finder.
Forgiveness
This is a word sprayed around in the golf world more than your tee shots. But what does it mean and why is forgiveness important? Scientifically speaking, forgiveness is quantified using MOI (moment of inertia), measured in grams per centimeter squared, and defines how resistant the club face is to twisting on impact. Higher MOIs will provide greater forgiveness by keeping the clubface square with your alignment at the point of impact.
To put the numbers in context, drivers with MOIs of over 9,000g-cm2 are typically at the highest end of the MOI spectrum and worth looking out for in the manufacturer’s specifications. In other words, a forgiving driver will help you find more fairways more often and will reduce the severity of those offline shots.
Weight distribution
Research is driving the optimal positioning of weight across the club head to achieve specific outcomes. When it comes to forgiving drivers, the weight will usually be distributed toward the back of the head as this will promote a launch angle that will help you get the ball airborne and knock off those yards.
The swing path of many new and high-handicap golfers typically slices across the face of the ball causing a left-to-right trajectory (for a right-handed player). This is why, as well as easy launching, drivers for this caliber of player usually will have built-in draw-bias, or even adjustable weighting so you can customize based on the severity of your slice.
Custom fitting
It is often overlooked, but dialing in your optimal driver set-up through a custom fitting session will likely be of more benefit than the slight performance edge you hope to achieve by selecting one driver over another. This point is demonstrated by our Equipment Editor Simon Daddow, who lost 3.1 mph of ball speed overall compared to last year’s test but still gained six yards of distance on average. That’s because he was hitting drives higher and with 700rpm less spin. So of course, ball speed is important, but finding your optimal set-up is key.
Swing speed
Beginners and high-handicap players are likely to sit slightly below the average club golfer swing speed of approximately 93mph. If this rings true for your game then it is worth considering some of the lighter-weight options on this list. Manufacturers in this space have trimmed any unnecessary mass from the club head, shaft, and grip to make it easier for players to swing faster without swinging harder. Furthermore, some of this shaved-off weight is typically redistributed to other parts of the club head to help promote those enviable high-launching draws.
Budget
As with most things in the golf world, prices for drivers can vary considerably. Value for money is subjective and therefore you should spend however much you feel comfortable with, be it a premium model, or one with a more competitive price point. Powerhouse driver brands such as Ping, TaylorMade, and Callaway will typically be positioned at the top end of the market, however, there is excellent value (with performance) to be found with other brands such as PXG, Wilson, and Cobra.
Best Drivers for Beginners and High Handicappers: FAQs
What should I look for in a beginner driver?
For many beginner golfers, forgiveness is the most important factor to look for in a new driver. This is because less skilled golfers lack the accuracy of more proficient players and are more prone to off-center strikes and cutting across the ball, leading to inconsistent ball trajectories. Therefore, beginners should look for one of the most forgiving drivers that are easy to launch and help to straighten out offline shots.
How do I choose a new driver?
When choosing a new driver, it is crucial to consider your specific game before filtering down the options most suited to you. Things to keep in mind are your swing speed, typical ball flight, level of forgiveness required, and obviously your budget. Most of the major manufacturers have multiple driver models designed with particular types of players in mind.
What loft driver should a high handicap use?
A high-handicap golfer should typically look to use a driver with a loft of approximately 10.5°. This club face angle will help to get the ball airborne consistently which might be something less skilled golfers struggle with. Those who find this particularly challenging may want to experiment with lofts of 11° and above. Very skilled and professional golfers aim to reduce spin rate when taking driver and will opt for lofts around 9°.
What is a high-handicap golfer?
Players with a handicap of 20 and above are considered high-handicap golfers and will usually shoot scores in the mid to late 90s, although this can vary a lot from one round to the next. A mid-handicap golfer between 10 and 20 will typically shoot a score in the low 80s to mid-90s, while single-figure handicappers will aim to post rounds of 80 and below.
What is MOI?
MOI is a term used in physics to objectively describe how much resistance an object has to turn about its axis. It stands for ‘Moment of Inertia’ and is used by golf club manufacturers to measure the resistance a clubhead has to twist throughout impact. The higher the MOI, the more stable the club is deemed to be. Scores in the region of 10,000 g/cm2 provide the very highest levels of stability and are generally better suited to beginners and high-handicappers.
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About the author
Ross Tugwood
Golf Equipment Writer
Ross Tugwood is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.
Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.
He has post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.
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The best drivers on the market for beginner golfers and high handicappers
