Think all drivers are the same? Think again! There’s 25 yards between these two 2025 models
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Not all drivers are created equal. We tested all of the latest 2025 models head-to-head, and the results revealed a staggering 25-yard difference. Here’s what you need to know before upgrading your gear.
There’s plenty of skepticism around golf equipment these days, with many golfers believing that driver performance has hit a plateau and that there’s little difference between models. But after testing every 2025 driver, we can confidently say that’s not the case.
How we tested the 2025 drivers
We’re dedicated to making sure we are clear and transparent on how we test equipment, so you know you can trust the data.
- For drivers, our test pro hits balls with each driver until we have six good shots, while we track every piece of data on a GC Quad launch monitor. Any drives that our test pro felt weren’t a fair representation of the club – severe mishits, etc – were discarded and replaced with another shot. Thanks to our test pro’s remarkable consistency, this was a very rare occurrence!
- Our test pro, Neil Wain, is a very consistent golfer, having played for England as an amateur before turning pro off a +4 handicap. He’s a highly regarded player, coach, and custom fitter.
- The test was conducted under strict conditions, overseen by a former Team GB bio-mechanist, at an indoor facility. We chose to test indoors to eliminate the influence of wind or temperature changes.
- We used the TaylorMade TP5 golf ball.
- All of the drivers were tested in the same loft and using the same shaft.
The long and short of it
The TaylorMade Qi35 led the pack in carry distance, averaging an impressive 298 yards. On the other end, the Wilson DynaPower Max produced a more modest average carry distance of 273.2 yards.
| Make | Model | Club Speed (mph) | Ball Speed (mph) | Carry Distance (yds) | Spin Rate (rpm) | Launch Angle (°) | Peak Height (yds) | Descent Angle (°) | Offline (yds) | L-R Dispersion (yds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TaylorMade | Qi35 LS (forward) | 119.1 | 167.0 | 298.0 | 2266 | 13.0 | 38.2 | 40.0 | -16.7 | 23.3 |
| TaylorMade | 9° – Qi35 Core (forward) | 119.4 | 169.7 | 295.7 | 2226 | 11.1 | 31.7 | 37.7 | -21.0 | 79.6 |
| Titleist | GT3 | 117.3 | 165.7 | 292.8 | 2378 | 13.0 | 38.9 | 41.6 | -12.8 | 25.2 |
| Titleist | GT4 (forward) | 116.6 | 165.1 | 292.4 | 2274 | 12.9 | 37.1 | 39.9 | -15.2 | 33.3 |
| Callaway | Elyte Triple Diamond (forward) | 116.5 | 165.0 | 290.8 | 2202 | 11.6 | 32.3 | 36.9 | -18.1 | 33.7 |
| Wilson | Dynapwr Carbon (forward) | 117.0 | 165.2 | 289.9 | 2442 | 12.8 | 38.1 | 42.0 | -11.0 | 44.3 |
| Ping | G440 LST | 115.6 | 164.7 | 289.8 | 2502 | 13.7 | 41.6 | 43.8 | -14.5 | 17.7 |
| Srixon | ZXi LS (forward) | 117.6 | 164.4 | 289.4 | 2365 | 12.7 | 37.2 | 41.7 | -23.4 | 46.8 |
| Cobra | DarkSpeed LS (forward) | 117.9 | 164.4 | 287.1 | 2504 | 13.3 | 39.9 | 42.7 | -12.6 | 34.8 |
| PXG | Black Ops Tour (back) | 114.8 | 162.9 | 286.4 | 2126 | 12.6 | 33.1 | 38.4 | -5.8 | 45.6 |
| Wilson | Dynapwr LS (forward) | 114.6 | 162.2 | 286.4 | 2228 | 12.8 | 35.1 | 39.6 | 0.8 | 13.6 |
| PXG | Black Ops Tour (forward) | 112.5 | 164.5 | 286.2 | 2204 | 11.2 | 30.4 | 36.8 | 5.4 | 25.4 |
| Callaway | Elyte Triple Diamond (back) | 116.1 | 164.2 | 286.2 | 2516 | 12.8 | 38.3 | 41.7 | -4.1 | 25.7 |
| Wilson | Dynapwr Carbon (back) | 115.6 | 165.3 | 284.8 | 2682 | 11.7 | 37.4 | 42.3 | -22.6 | 16.1 |
| TaylorMade | Qi35 LS (back) | 117.4 | 165.6 | 284.6 | 2715 | 11.9 | 37.6 | 42.0 | -24.5 | 39.0 |
| Cobra | DarkSpeed LS (back) | 117.4 | 165.2 | 284.2 | 2778 | 12.3 | 39.8 | 43.3 | -16.5 | 32.1 |
| TaylorMade | Qi35 Core (forward) | 116.1 | 163.0 | 283.7 | 2284 | 11.8 | 32.5 | 37.7 | -16.5 | 27.0 |
| Callaway | Elyte Core | 117.3 | 165.3 | 283.3 | 2692 | 11.4 | 35.7 | 40.8 | -12.8 | 26.1 |
| Srixon | ZXi LS (back) | 116.4 | 161.8 | 282.6 | 2337 | 11.8 | 33.3 | 39.4 | -21.3 | 33.0 |
| Callaway | Elyte X | 116.0 | 163.9 | 282.2 | 2585 | 11.9 | 35.4 | 40.5 | -11.1 | 26.7 |
| Wilson | Dynapwr LS (back) | 114.6 | 161.6 | 282.1 | 2408 | 12.9 | 36.8 | 41.4 | 2.9 | 15.9 |
| Ping | G440 Max | 115.1 | 163.1 | 281.8 | 2702 | 12.9 | 39.9 | 43.7 | -12.0 | 31.9 |
| Mizuno | ST-Max | 115.1 | 162.4 | 281.7 | 2519 | 12.8 | 37.3 | 42.1 | -3.5 | 32.3 |
| Cobra | DarkSpeed X (forward) | 116.2 | 161.1 | 281.4 | 2443 | 12.9 | 37.1 | 42.1 | -22.7 | 36.7 |
| Titleist | GT2 | 115.5 | 163.1 | 280.4 | 2728 | 12.1 | 37.9 | 41.9 | -9.2 | 26.2 |
| PXG | Black Ops (forward) | 113.7 | 163.1 | 280.1 | 2610 | 11.2 | 34.0 | 40.3 | 1.5 | 25.6 |
| PXG | Black Ops (back) | 113.2 | 162.5 | 278.0 | 2696 | 12.0 | 36.7 | 42.1 | -7.1 | 41.9 |
| Cleveland | HiBore XL | 113.6 | 160.3 | 277.9 | 2561 | 12.5 | 36.7 | 41.9 | -15.0 | 24.7 |
| Titleist | GT4 (back) | 117.2 | 163.1 | 277.7 | 2876 | 12.8 | 39.7 | 43.5 | -0.9 | 50.9 |
| Cobra | DarkSpeed X (back) | 116.7 | 161.4 | 276.8 | 2777 | 12.9 | 39.6 | 44.0 | -7.7 | 21.5 |
| Cobra | Max D | 117.7 | 163.3 | 276.1 | 2963 | 13.0 | 42.1 | 45.3 | -14.3 | 29.2 |
| Cobra | Max K | 114.6 | 160.6 | 276.1 | 2646 | 12.2 | 36.0 | 41.8 | -3.3 | 33.5 |
| TaylorMade | Qi35 Core (back) | 115.9 | 162.4 | 275.8 | 2856 | 11.7 | 36.7 | 41.9 | -7.0 | 17.9 |
| Srixon | ZXi Core | 115.3 | 161.1 | 275.4 | 2822 | 13.4 | 40.9 | 45.0 | -9.9 | 48.4 |
| TaylorMade | Qi35 Max | 115.8 | 162.3 | 275.4 | 2825 | 11.4 | 35.7 | 41.3 | -19.1 | 16.7 |
| Ping | G440 SFT | 115.9 | 161.8 | 275.3 | 2859 | 13.7 | 41.9 | 46.8 | -39.4 | 42.5 |
| Wilson | Dynapwr Max | 113.9 | 161.5 | 273.2 | 2887 | 12.6 | 38.8 | 44.0 | 5.7 | 18.7 |
| Average | 116.0 | 163.5 | 283.3 | 2554 | 12.4 | 37.1 | 41.6 | -11.8 | 31.4 |
A 24.8-yard difference is significant, but it’s not the whole story. It doesn’t mean that simply buying a TaylorMade Qi35 will guarantee you 25 extra yards, nor does it imply the Wilson DynaPower Max is a poor choice.
Beyond the numbers
We’re not necessarily saying you should rush out and buy a TaylorMade QI35 driver. It wasn’t the model we crowned the best driver of 2025, nor was it our test pro Neil’s personal favorite. And Rory McIlroy even ditched his Qi35 in favor of the previous model, going on to win The Players Championship using the older Qi10.
- This is the fastest and longest golf driver in 2025 – but here’s why it wasn’t our top pick
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As ever, the devil is in the detail.
For a start, our test pro, Neil, has a driver clubhead speed of 115-119 mph and typically carries the ball close to 300 yards. At that level, even a 1% performance gain translates to nearly three extra yards. For the average golfer carrying their driver 220 yards, a similar 9% gain would add around 21 yards to their driver carry distance.
It’s also worth noting that the DynaPower Max isn’t designed with high-speed swingers like Neil in mind. Wilson’s DynaPower Carbon delivered a far more competitive 289.9-yard carry, making it the fifth-longest driver we tested.
Ultimately, while the TaylorMade Qi35 was the longest driver and the Wilson DynaPower Max the shortest in our test pro’s hands, your results may vary. Different drivers suit different golfers, so it’s important to get a good custom fitting and test multiple models to see what delivers the best performance for you.
And remember, distance isn’t everything. The Wilson DynaPower Max may not have topped the distance charts, but it was one of the most accurate drivers we tested, delivering impressively tight dispersion. For golfers prioritizing fairways over pure yardage, it could be a strong option.
The best driver for you is the one that works for your swing and delivers the best results on the golf course. Whether you’re aiming to add yards, tighten your dispersion, or simply find a club that inspires confidence, there’s a 2025 driver that fits the bill. Take the time to get fitted, test different options, and find the one that helps you play your best golf.
The most adjustable driver of 2025
Pros
- Incredible adjustment options make it a one size fits all
- New chromium carbon finish looks amazing
- Consistency in very high in every setting
Cons
- The head size footprint is too big for my liking
| RRP | £529.00 / $599.00 |
| Lofts | 9° / 10.5° (RH/LH), 12º (RH) |
| Head Size | 460cc |
| Standard Shaft Length | 45.75” |
| Stock. Shaft Options | Fujikura Air Speed 50g / Mitsubishi Diamana T+ 60g |
| Stock Grip | Golf Pride Z-Grip Black/Silver |
- Ultra Low Center of Gravity
- Multi-Material Construction
- High Moment of Inertia Design
- Trajectory Adjustment System
- Carbon Twist Face
Pros
- Good value
- Forgiving and easy to hit
- Sits well at address
Cons
- Not as long as the Carbon and LS models
- Not as much adjustability as the other two heads
- Slower ball speeds than the Carbon and LS drivers
| Lofts | 9° / 10.5° / 12° / 12° Lite |
| Head Size | 460cc |
| Stock Shaft Flex Options | Soft-regular | Regular | Stiff |
| Standard Shaft Length | 45.75” |
| Stock Shaft Options | UST LIN-Q M40 Red 5/6 | UST Helium NCT 4 Lightweight |
| Stock Grip | Lamkin Crossline 360 Black |
| Lie Angle | 57.0° |
- Stability-driven shaping
- Sound engineered
- PKR-360
- All-titanium design
- Full Adjustability
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Not all drivers are created equal. We tested all of the latest 2025 models head-to-head, and the results revealed a staggering 25-yard difference.
