Best Draw Drivers 2024: Our data backed slice-busting shortlist reveals all
Last updated:
What are the best draw drivers to help keep your slice in check? Today’s Golfer pitches contenders Head-to-Head to help find your fix off the tee this year.
Best Draw Drivers – Jump To:
Draw models tend to be the best golf drivers for players who struggle with a slice, as they’re designed to straighten out wayward shots, adding more distance and helping you find more fairways. And don’t think you’re alone on this one! The majority of club golfers spend a significant number of weekends throughout their golfing lives watching tee shots defy orders and take the wrong turn mid-flight. A slight out-to-in swing path combined with an open club face relative to that path is all it takes for unwanted side spin to grab hold of the ball.
Luckily, help is at hand, and it doesn’t require you to rebuild your swing overnight (although some technical changes wouldn’t go amiss!) Golf club engineers are well aware of the slice epidemic plaguing golf communities and continually optimize clubhead center of gravity (CG) to provide at least some immunity for this type of player. By distributing weight towards the heel, draw-biased drivers impart corrective spin on the ball, helping golfers further by squaring the face off at impact with the CG sitting closer to the shaft.
Many of the best draw drivers can be adjusted via sliding or interchangeable weights to provide different levels of draw bias, depending on the severity of the slice you’re trying to overcome. Draw drivers are typically some of the best drivers for beginners and high handicappers as it’s those golfers who often struggle most off the tee, but there’s nothing to say more advanced golfers looking to dial in a particular shot shape can’t use them too. Fundamentally though, a draw-biased driver will only mask the symptoms of your slice, and as always, the underlying cause is best addressed with a teaching pro for a long-term solution.
Best At A Glance:
Best draw driver for speed: TaylorMade Qi10 Max | Buy Now
Most forgiving draw driver: Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Max D | Buy Now
Best for draw capability: Ping G430 SFT | Buy Now
To help you make the most informed buying decision we have independently tested the most draw-capable drivers on the market in 2024. Launch monitor data from TG’s Equipment Editor – Simon Daddow can be viewed in the data table, which has narrowed down our shortlist below, where you can read driver summaries with links to full reviews for everything you need to know. And don’t forget to complement your decision by pairing your new purchase with your choice of one of the best golf balls too.
Best Draw Drivers 2024
TaylorMade's most forgiving driver to date is the complete package.
Best draw driver for speed
Rrp: $599.99
Rrp: $599.99
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.
Best for most forgiving draw driver
Rrp: $599.99
Rrp: $599.99
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. |
Great looks, lots of forgiveness, and a huge amount of draw bias available.
As has been the case with several generations of SFT, the model is a really good-looking driver. Ping drivers are rarely the fastest or longest, a trend the SFT followed for me this year. However, it was almost spot on my test averages for ball speed, backspin, shot height, descent angle, and carry distance, plus comfortably inside my dispersion average. All in that’s got to say this is a very strong across-the-board performer for slicers, and in its Draw + setting, is probably still the most draw-capable driver on the market in 2024.
Read our full Ping G430 SFT driver review.
Pros
- Huge amount of slice reduction in the most draw-biased setting
- Attractive looks
- Lots of forgiveness
- Very accurate
Cons
- Slightly shorter distances than the longest draw drivers
| Loft | 10.5° |
| Stock shafts | Alta CB Black, Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome, Ping Tour 2.0 Black, Alta Quick. |
| 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 ball speed and carry distance just above my test average. 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, 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. 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. |
A powerful and stable option that stands up to the best draw drivers.
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 super draw-biased driver that will appeal to slower-swinging players.
Best for slow swing speeds
Aesthetically, there’s the whiff of draw drivers from yesteryear about it, but it does what draw drivers are supposed to - keep you out of the right-side rough. We struggled not to hit shots left with it – a ringing endorsement of its capabilities. The model is a couple of seasons old now, however, if you’re after a strong draw-biased driver on a budget then, this remains a worthy contender for your cash in 2024.
Read our full Wilson Staff Launch Pad driver review.
Pros
- Easy launching, consistent performance.
- An excellent option for slow-to-moderate swing speeds.
- Effective at combatting a slice.
Cons
- Strong non-adjustable hosel offset.
| Lofts | 9° /10.5° / 13° |
| Stock shaft | Project X Even Flow 65. |
| Stock grip | Wilson Staff Midsize. |
Great draw-biased driver for golfers with decent swing speeds.
Best for workability
In the hands of our test pro, the ST-X 230 produced spin rates under 2000 rpm with some of the lowest launch angles, highlighting the danger for those lacking sufficient ball speed. It struggled to get within 10 yards of his longest carries. It's not going to be for everyone due to its nuanced nature, and is a bit of a 'complex character', according to Chris Voshall, Mizuno’s Director of Product. If you are looking at Mizuno in 2024, we advise also hitting the more forgiving ST-Z 230 as well to see which model fits you best.
Read our full Mizuno ST-X 230 driver review.
Pros
- Mild draw bias for those with less severe slices.
- Very workable in the right hands.
- Great looking and explosive-sounding driver.
Cons
- Less forgiving and harder to launch than some.
| Lofts | 9.5º, 10.5º, 12.5º |
| Stock shafts | UST Mamiya LIN-Q Red, Mitsubishi Kai'li Blue, UST Helium Nanocore F2. |
| Stock grip | Lamkin ST. |
Best Draw Drivers 2024: The Data
I pitched the best draw drivers Head-to-Head at Woodhall Spa Golf Club to see how the numbers stacked up on a launch monitor. My test data below shows how the nine models compare.
| Driver | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Backspin | Height | Descent Angle | Carry Distance | Shot Area |
| PXG 0311 GEN6 XF | 120 MPH | 12º | 2563 RPM | 21 YDS | 30.9º | 211 YDS | 196.4 SQ YDS (3) |
| TaylorMade Qi10 Max (9º) | 121 MPH | 12º | 2650 RPM | 19 YDS | 34.4º | 210 YDS | 325.7 SQ YDS |
| Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D | 119.9 MPH | 14.9º | 2517 RPM | 25 YDS | 37.1º | 210 YDS | 143 SQ YDS (1) |
| Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Draw | 119.5 MPH | 12.7º | 2495 RPM | 21 YDS | 32.4º | 208 YDS | 564 SQ YDS |
| Ping G430 SFT | 118.9 MPH | 14.9º | 2760 RPM | 24 YDS | 36.4º | 206 YDS | 278.4 SQ YDS |
| Cobra Darkspeed Max | 119.1 MPH | 11.8º | 2579 RPM | 26 YDS | 36.8º | 205 YDS | 299.6 SQ YDS |
| Inesis 500 HL | 117 MPH | 16.3º | 2849 RPM | 28 YDS | 40.6º | 203 YDS | 515.2 SQ YDS |
| Yonex Ezone Elite 4 | 117.9 MPH | 13.9º | 3026 RPM | 24 YDS | 37.8º | 202 YDS | 342 SQ YDS |
| Cobra Air X | 118.9 MPH | 14.4º | 2507 RPM | 26 YDS | 38.6º | 201 YDS | 645.3 SQ YDS |
| AVERAGE | 119.2 MPH | 13.5º | 2657 RPM | 23.4 YDS | 36.1º | 206.4 YDS | 347.7 SQ YDS |
*All lofts at 10.5º unless otherwise stated.
How we tested the best draw drivers
We asked the leading brands to send us their 2024 draw-biased drivers in our Equipment Editor Simon Daddow’s preferred setup.
We created an indoor test lab at Keele Golf Centre to ensure a controlled environment, which meant we could use premium Titleist Pro V1x golf balls and a Foresight GC Quad launch monitor to create the most reliable data possible. We rejected major misses but recorded how shots launched, span, peaked out, and how far they flew in which direction.
See more about how TG tests golf clubs and other equipment.
Best Draw Drivers: Buying Guide
Choosing a new driver should be a decision you take some time over, to research thoroughly and make sure that you are investing in the club that will take your game to the next level. That’s critical for every player, particularly as second to your putter, the driver should be the club you reach for the most. Regarding draw-biased models specifically, here are the key things to consider when selecting your perfect fairway finder.
Weight distribution
R&D teams are constantly refining the optimal positioning of weight distribution across the club head to achieve specific outcomes. When it comes to draw-biased drivers, more weight is distributed in the heel to help promote a closed face on impact and reduce the amount of side spin imparted on the ball. Those seeking maximum forgiveness alongside anti-slice performance should also ensure there is a good distribution of weight toward the back of the clubhead too, which promotes stability through the delivery.
Adjustability
Having the ability to tinker with loft and lie is something that can pay dividends for all levels of golfer, and as such is becoming increasingly commonplace in the latest driver releases. This adjustability enables you to achieve launch angles and spin rates that best suit how you deliver the club through the ball. For those struggling to control a slice, moveable weighting systems, such as those found in the Ping G430 SFT will allow you to customize the amount of draw bias to match the demands of your shot shape.
MOI
A term sprayed around in the golf world more than your wayward tee shots. But what does it mean and why is MOI 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 with some models now hitting the 10K mark.
Custom fitting
Often overlooked by club golfers, but dialing in your optimal set-up with 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. Not every draw-biased driver will dampen the severity of your slice to the same extent which is why getting custom fitted to find the driver and set up that suits your shot shape best is so important.
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 Draw Drivers: FAQs
What is a draw driver?
A draw driver has built-in technology to promote a right-to-left ball flight (for right-handed golfers). Many draw drivers are adjustable, allowing you to customize the amount of draw-bias you want. This can be particularly helpful if the severity of your slice reduces over time as a result of golf lessons and/or practice.
How do I know if I need a draw driver?
Around 80% of golfers are battling an unwanted left-to-right shot shape (for right-handers) with their driver… also known as the dreaded slice. If you see your ball curving off to the right, then a draw-biased driver could help keep you on the fairway more often. A severe slice can also cost you a lot of distance, so a draw-biased driver may well give you extra yardage off the tee as well as a straighter ball flight.
Should you have more or less loft to stop slice?
Typically, a lower-lofted driver is likely to make your slice worse. If you can learn to hit up on the ball with a positive angle of attack and less out-to-in swing path, you’ll benefit from higher flight, longer drives, and ultimately reduce the severity of your slice.
What makes a driver forgiving?
One of the key factors in the level of forgiveness offered by a driver is the MOI (moment of inertia), which is how stable the clubhead is through impact. This resistance to twisting helps the face stay square to the intended target for longer, encouraging straighter drives, even on off-center strikes.
The most forgiving drivers also pack in technology which helps mishits maintain ball speeds and spin rates closer to what you get from a centered strike, which helps with ball flight and distance.
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.
About the author
Simon Daddow – Today’s Golfer Equipment Editor
Having tested and played more than 10,000 clubs in his life, what Simon doesn’t know about golf clubs isn’t worth knowing.
He spent a large part of his career as a golf club maker and product development manager, and has worked in the golf industry for more than 30 years. He joined EMAP Active (now Bauer Media) as Equipment Editor in 2006 and has worked for both Today’s Golfer and Golf World.
You can contact Simon via email and follow him on Twitter for loads more golf equipment insight.
-
-
TG's test pro Neil Wain hits drivers for our 2022 test.
-
Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Max D Driver
-
Cleveland Launcher XL2 Draw Driver
-
Ping G430 SFT driver.
-
PXG 0311 XF GEN 6 Driver
