8 Best Golf Drivers For High Handicappers – 2026 Reviews & Buying Guide

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Your ability to hit the ball solidly off the tee, send it a long way, and (hopefully) find the fairway is essential to your success as a golfer. It’s important to use a quality driver that suits your swing and your style of play.

Narrowing down a driver that would suit all high handicappers isn’t so easy since every player is unique. However, there are a few attributes that tend to be very desirable for most players in this category.

Generally speaking, most high handicappers have slower swing speeds and could use some help with distance and launching the ball in the air. High handicappers also typically have trouble hitting the ball solid and would benefit from larger, more forgiving heads.

Still, there are countless options on the market, which can make the process of choosing the best driver for you feel difficult and overwhelming. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, we’ll review and compare our picks for the best golf drivers for high handicappers across a range of different brands. These drivers may have been released for the most current golf season or any year prior.

Note: Golfstead has tested and/or conducted in-depth research into all of the products featured in this guide. Our editorial process for these rankings takes into account a mix of many factors which may include performance, reliability, usability, value for money, cost, and the general consensus from other users of the product. The list that follows may be reassessed or updated over time. We do not guarantee that other users will have the same or similar experience with the products as described on this page.


Our Top Picks For Drivers For High Handicappers

Based on our own testing, research, and experience, here are our top selections:

  1. TaylorMade Qi35 Max Driver
  2. Callaway Elyte X Driver
  3. PING G440 MAX Driver
  4. PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver
  5. Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-D Driver
  6. Srixon ZXi Driver
  7. Titleist GT2 Driver
  8. Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Draw Driver

Note: Prices for the items listed on this page are subject to change. To see the current price, please click on the relevant links below.

1. TaylorMade Qi35 Max Driver

TaylorMade Qi35 Max Driver - 3 Perspectives

If we had to recommend one driver for high handicappers, it would be the Qi35 Max by TaylorMade.

TaylorMade is a top golf equipment brand that has developed high-performing drivers for decades. This one checks all the boxes a typical high-handicapper would look for including exceptional forgiveness, an great launch, and a confidence-inspiring look.

Like its predecessor, the Qi35 Max boasts a “10K inertia”, but is even longer and more forgiving this time around. Key features include:

  • 10K MOI with low CG projection: an extremely high moment of inertia (MOI) of 10000g/cm² gives the Qi35 Max the stability of the Qi10 Max. This is combined with a lower balance point and CG projection which is designed to produce higher ball speeds over a larger area of the face.
  • Multimaterial construction: the driver is made of tungsten, steel, chromium carbon, titanium, and aluminum, all of which contribute to a complete performance package.
  • Symmetric Inertia Generator: contains a 34g tungsten weight for improved launch conditions compared to older TaylorMade driver models.
  • Infinity Carbon Crown: this special carbon crown design extends virtually all the way to the top line to cover nearly all of the top of the driver, enabling weight savings that are redistributed to increase MOI.
  • Thru-Slot Speed Pocket: this flexible pocket increases sole flexibility, leading to increased ball speed and forgiveness low on the face.
  • Carbon Twist Face: 60 layers of carbon sheets are strategically arranged to maximize energy transfer and ball speeds in all regions of the face.

The stock graphite shafts are the Fujikura Air Speeder and Mitsubishi Diamana T+. The stock grip is the Golf Pride ZGRIP. A hosel adapter is included.

Lofts9°, 10.5°, 12°
Lie58°-62°
Length45.75″
Swing WeightD5

Pros

  • longer and more forgiving than the Qi10 Max
  • good launch with ideal spin for a game-improvement driver
  • attractive confidence-inspiring looks with alternative colour option
  • powerful feel
  • incredibly stable through impact

Cons

  • marketing material for the driver could be clearer
  • lacks any draw bias

Final Thoughts

For high handicappers looking for an extremely forgiving driver that is easy to launch and keep in the fairway, you can’t do much better than the Qi35 Max, which enjoys a very high average customer rating on the TaylorMade store.

While the MOI of the driver is at the same sky-high level as the Qi10 Max, it’s a bit longer and puts out a lot of distance off the tee.


2. Callaway Elyte X Driver

Callaway Elyte X Driver - 3 Perspectives

The Elyte X is a game-improvement driver from Callaway that benefits from technologies like a new Ai 10x Face and Thermoforged Carbon Crown. It has a stretched back profile, discrete perimeter weighting, and draw bias geared towards golfers who are seeking more forgiveness.

The driver has a superb average rating of 4.8/5 (94% recommended) on the Callaway store and won a gold medal on the 2025 Golf Digest Hot List. Its key technologies are:

  • Ai 10x Face: replacing the Ai Smart Face found in previous Callaway drivers, this face technology delivers 10 times more control points, further enhancing performance across the face. The results is higher ball speeds, tighter dispersions, and better optimized spin and launch.
  • Thermoforged Carbon Crown: a new aerospace-grade carbon fiber crown allows the center of gravity (CG) to be positioned optimally for low spin and high launch. It also works with the unique shape of the driver to deliver unprecedented speed and distance.
  • Elyte Shape: a new aerodynamic shape, developed through advanced prototyping, consists of a lower heel section and lower crown profile. It’s designed to minimize air resistance and maximize speed through the entire swing.
  • Discrete Weighting System: a new discrete perimeter weighting system with a 13g movable weight. The system has neutral and draw positions.

The stock graphite shafts are the Project X Denali Charcoal 50 & 60 and Mitsubishi VANQUISH PL 40. The stock grip is the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360. Custom options are available.

Lofts9°, 10.5°, 12°
Lie59°
Length45.75″
HandRH/LH (9°, 10.5°), RH (12°)

Pros

  • incredibly forgiving across the face
  • higher launch and spin make it easy to get the ball airborne
  • healthy draw bias for straightening out slices
  • sharp aesthetic
  • solid, satisfying feel

Cons

  • spin is a little high
  • not a lot of workability

Final Thoughts

The Elyte X may just be Callaway’s most forgiving driver yet, with some apparent gains over the Paradym Ai Smoke MAX from the previous season.

This driver is suitable for higher handicaps seeking modern game-improvement performance with ball flight adjustability.


3. PING G440 MAX Driver

PING G440 MAX Driver - 3 Perspectives

The G440 MAX is designed to be PING’s most forgiving driver ever, with more speed and distance than the previous generation.

This thing has incredible forgiveness, and our tests indicate that it has a slight performance edge over the G430 MAX. At the same time, the lighter configuration with a longer 46″ shaft helps foster more clubhead speed, a higher launch, and more carry.

The key technologies of the G440 MAX are:

  • Carbonfly Wrap Crown: this saves discretionary weight which is reallocated to lower the CG, leading to increased MOI and a more muted, pleasant impact sound.
  • Free Hosel: weight is removed from a section of the hosel and reallocated to lower the CG to record levels — the result is more distance and forgiveness.
  • Low Face: the height of the G440 MAX’s face is lower than previous models, which enables it to be thinner and hotter for higher ball speeds across the face.
  • Tungsten Backweight: a 29-gram backweight can be moved into neutral, draw or fade positions for ball flight adjustability.
  • Trajectory Tuning 2.0 Hosel: this lightweight, aerodynamic, adjustable hosel offers eight loft and lie combinations to fine-tune your trajectory.

There are many stock shaft options offered at no upcharge including the PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65, Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Black 65, and Project X Denali Red.

Also available is the G440 MAX High Launch (HL) driver. This custom option combines a lighter aluminum backweight with a lighter stock shaft and grip; it’s designed so that golfers with slower swing speeds can boost their clubhead speed and distance.

Lofts9°, 10.5°, 12°
Lie58.5°
Length46″
Swing WeightD3

Pros

  • truly exceptional forgiveness
  • straight ball flight
  • significantly improved sound and feel compared to older models
  • easy launch
  • adjustable ball flight

Cons

  • expensive

Final Thoughts

The PING G440 MAX driver is all about maximizing distance off the tee and keeping the ball in the fairway. Most people won’t have any trouble getting the ball airborne, and the feel and sound are among the best of any PING driver.

We really can’t find anything to criticize about this club. It does what it’s supposed to do as a game-improvement driver, although it’s worth noting that the performance gains over the G430 MAX are minor at best.


4. PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver

PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver - 2 Perspectives

PXG is a golf equipment manufacturer that was founded in 2014 and has quickly gained a foothold in the industry. It has been supported by a slew of pro golfers including Zach Johnson and Jason Kokrak.

Their 0311 Black Ops is a versatile driver built for high launch as well as extreme power and forgiveness, which are things that practically every high handicapper wants. PXG has innovated to unlock the best performance of any PXG driver yet.

The technologies of the 0311 Black Ops driver include:

  • AMF: short for Advanced Material Face, this high-strength, flexible titanium alloy face produces superior face deflection, higher launch, and lower spin compared to the 0311 GEN6. A non-uniform bulge and roll profile optimizes forgiveness and overall performance across the entire face.
  • Carbon Fiber Crown & Sole: the crown and sole inserts are made of a high-strength, high-grade carbon fiber pre-preg that is just 0.03″ thick. This allows for weight savings which are redistributed to the perimeter of the clubhead, pushing the CG low and back, increasing MOI, and improving forgiveness.
  • Precision Weighting: a special structure consists of three weights (two 2.5g and one 12.5g) strategically placed in the perimeter of the clubhead and anchored to the outer wall. These weights are interchangeable and can be used to add draw or fade bias or increase stability. Depending on the configuration, MOI can reach upwards of 10000g/cm².
  • Natural Frequency Optimization: the natural resonances and vibrations of the driver have been fine-tuned to create the most desirable feel and sound possible.

PXG offers a selection of shafts for the 0311 Black Ops at no additional charge including ones from Mitsubishi and Project X. The stock grip is the PXG Lamkin Z5 High Performance.

Lofts8°, 9°, 10.5°, 12°
Lie60°
Length45.5″
Head Mass203g

Pros

  • a versatile all-rounder
  • feel and sound are just right
  • premium, modern looks
  • spin is lower than the 0311 GEN6
  • forgiveness is fantastic

Cons

  • expensive
  • a fitting is recommended to get the most out of the driver

Final Thoughts

The PXG 0311 Black Ops driver is a true gem that doesn’t really have any weaknesses. Golfers of any skill level, including high handicappers, can have great success with it.

Whether it’s competitive distance, high launch, low spin, outstanding forgiveness, a pleasing feel, or a look that most people will love, this driver either matches or outclasses the previous GEN6 model in every category that counts.


5. Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-D Driver

Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-D Driver - 3 Perspectives

Cobra Golf is another golf equipment manufacturer that has some big names behind it, including Rickie Fowler and Gary Woodland.

Their DS-ADAPT MAX-D driver is designed primarily for two things: a robust draw bias and maximum forgiveness, which many high handicappers are sure to appreciate.

Part of this is an advanced aerodynamic design, new adaptive weighting system, and new FutureFit33 hosel adapter which makes the DS-ADAPT the most adjustable Cobra driver ever.

Here’s some of the key tech packed into the DS-ADAPT MAX-D:

  • Advanced Aero Design: the aerodynamic design of the DS-ADAPT MAX-D both minimizes air resistance through the swing for more clubhead speed and positions the CG for a draw bias.
  • Internal Adaptive Weighting System: this new system consists of an internal weight pad positioned in the heel as well as an external fixed heel weight. The result is a robust draw bias and maximum stability and forgiveness.
  • H.O.T Face Insert: the thickness of the face is optimized in multiple locations for more consistent spin and increased ball speeds across the face. With the DS-ADAPT, the H.O.T face insert is larger for even more ball speeds than the DARKSPEED.
  • FutureFit33: this new adjustable hosel system allows you to get more granular than ever before. It features 33 unique loft and lie settings that can be adjusted by ±2 degrees, and the face angle remains square in each setting thanks to a new SMARTPAD design.

Several premium aftermarket shafts are available for the DS-ADAPT MAX-D. The stock shaft options are the Project X Denali Red 50 and Mitsubishi VANQUISH 40, and the stock grip is the Lamkin Crossline 60R.

Lofts10.5°, 12°
Lie61° (adjustable)
Length45.50″
Swing WeightsC9.5, D0

Pros

  • fantastic slice correction
  • awesome adjustable hosel
  • highly forgiving
  • sleek aesthetic
  • very satisfying impact feel

Cons

  • not quite as long or forgiving as other DS-ADAPT drivers

Final Thoughts

The DS-ADAPT MAX-D driver by Cobra is one of the best draw-biased drivers of the 2025 season. Its ability to mitigate slices is powerful, and the driver also produces the distance and forgiveness you would expect from a modern driver.

Throw in great looks and a great feel, and you have a driver that is ideal for high handicappers who would benefit from a draw bias and need some help getting the ball airborne.


6. Srixon ZXi Driver

Srixon ZXi Driver - 3 Perspectives

Many people are familiar with Srixon as one of the top manufacturers of golf balls. It turns out that they make excellent drivers too.

Their ZXi driver, which won a gold medal on the 2025 Golf Digest Hot List, is engineered for loads of ball speed, high forgiveness, and ball flight adjustability in a confidence-inspiring footprint.

The ZXi is the balanced “middle” model in the ZXi family of drivers. Its key technologies include:

  • i-FLEX Face: a new variable face thickness pattern, enabled by a new internal face structure, results in more efficient energy transfer at impact. The thickness of the face in the sweet spot region is thinner than the previous generation for more ball speed.
  • Rebound Frame: adds a second layer of flexibility for even more recoil at impact. The “spring within a spring” dual-flex design delivers unprecedented ball speeds, particularly in the middle of the face.
  • Star Frame Crown: an internal structure of latticework and ridges allows for an extremely thin titanium crown. This frees up discretionary weight which is redistributed for higher launch and optimal spin.
  • Sole Weights: two weight ports in the toe and heel regions of the sole contain adjustable weights (4g and 10g) that can be swapped to introduce draw and fade biases depending on individual preferences.
  • Laser Face Milling: this adds roughness to the face, making spin more consistent and improving forgiveness in wet conditions.
  • Adjustable Hosel: offers 12 combinations of loft, lie and face angle.

The ZXi driver comes stock with the Fujikura VENTUS TR Blue graphite shaft. The stock grip is the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360. Custom options are available.

Lofts9°, 10.5°
Lie59°
Length45.75″
Swing WeightD3

Pros

  • impressive ball speeds
  • easy to swing
  • improvement in looks over its predecessor
  • strong feel off the face

Cons

  • only one stock shaft option
  • many dislike the loud impact sound

Final Thoughts

The Srixon ZXi driver does a fantastic job of providing balanced game improvement performance for high handicappers.

This driver either matches or outclasses the previous Mk II driver in all key categories and most notably has a better feel. Its strong adjustability, between the sole weights and hosel, also makes the driver viable for a range of different golfers and swing types.

If you don’t mind going with a brand that is very reputable but perhaps not as popular as other brands when it comes to golf clubs, the ZXi should be at the top of your consideration list.


7. Titleist GT2 Driver

Titleist GT2 Driver - 3 Perspectives

You may think of Titleist as mainly catering to the professional crowd, but this isn’t really true; they also offer plenty of options suitable for high handicappers that live up to the Titleist standard of quality.

The goal of their GT2 driver is to provide maximum performance at every impact point on the face, meaning ball speeds, stability and forgiveness. This is unapologetically a game-improvement driver, designed to inspire confidence in every swing for golfers who don’t find the center of the face every time.

The features of the GT2 driver are:

  • Thermoform Crown: this unique composite crown made from a new proprietary matrix polymer saves significant weight in the crown which is reallocated to optimize performance. At the same time, this new crown maintains the sound and feel golfers have come to expect from Titleist.
  • Split Mass Construction: the internal weighting of the GT2 focuses mass towards the back of the clubhead for increased MOI, and low and forward to add speed and flight penetration.
  • Speed Ring VFT Face: this technology combines an upgraded titanium Speed Ring, which stabilizes the perimeter to increase ball speeds in the center of the face, with a variable face thickness (VFT) design that maximizes speed across the entire face.
  • Aerodynamic Improvements: sharper contours in a refined head shape that is enabled by the GT2’s new technologies work to minimize air resistance and maximize clubhead speed.
  • Complete Adjustability: an interchangeable back weight that alters swingweight combines with an integrated SureFit hosel that enables sixteen unique loft and lie combinations. This gives you plenty of room to fine-tune your ball flight.

The featured shafts for the GT2 are the Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Black & Blue, Project X HZRDUS Black 5G, and Project X Denali Red. The stock grip is the Titleist Universal 360. Many premium shafts are also available.

Lofts8°, 9°, 10°, 11°
Lie58.5°
Length45.50″
HandRH/LH

Pros

  • the most forgiving Titleist driver yet
  • quiet sound with responsive feel
  • classic, clean, understated looks

Cons

  • ball flight may be too high for faster swingers

Final Thoughts

The Titleist GT2 driver is a pretty significant departure from the previous TSR2, both in terms of technology and performance. This is unusual as most drivers today only offer marginal changes from their predecessor.

Having said that, the driver offers high handicappers practically everything they could want off the tee: an easy launch that is not too high or too low, plenty of speed and distance off the face, and fantastic forgiveness.

This is Titleist’s best game-improvement driver yet, so we highly recommend giving it a try.


8. Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Draw Driver

Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Draw Driver - 3 Perspectives

Are you a high handicapper with a moderate swing speed who wants speed, forgiveness, a high launch, and a healthy draw bias to help keep you in the fairway? The Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Draw should fit the bill.

Cleveland Golf is known to manufacture excellent golf clubs and offer them at relatively affordable prices. And they built this driver model with high handicappers and beginners in mind.

The Launcher XL 2 Draw builds on the first generation of the Launcher XL by introducing a new, optimized MainFrame XL face and reworked head design with a low & deep CG. Players also benefit from distance-enhancing tech and an internal grip weight.

The key features of the Launcher XL 2 Draw driver are:

  • MainFrame XL Face: this new variable-thickness design takes into account the most common impact points over thousands of shots and optimizes face thickness. This effectively increases the size of the sweet spot and improves ball speed preservation across the entire face.
  • XL Head: this design has been refined from the previous generation. A very thin crown supported by a strong, light framework enables weight savings which can be placed low and deep in the clubhead, further improving forgiveness and optimizing launch and spin.
  • Rebound Frame: more energy is transferred to the ball from two zones of flexibility and rigidity which activate simultaneously upon impact.
  • Action Mass CB: an internal 8g weight at the end of the grip is designed to make the club feel lighter and improve balance and control.
  • Draw Bias & Adjustability: the chassis of the Launcher XL 2 Draw is altered to introduce a draw bias which will help mitigate slices. In addition, an adjustable hosel allows golfers to tweak loft and lie settings.

The stock shaft is the ALDILA ASCENT PL 40, and the stock grip is the Lamkin Crossline 360.

Lofts9°, 10.5°, 12°
Lies59.5°, 61°, 59.5°
Length45.5″
Swing WeightD2

Pros

  • healthy draw bias for slicers
  • superb forgiveness
  • more affordable than most name brand drivers
  • great sound and solid feel
  • great all-rounder

Cons

  • faster swingers may be disappointed with the distance
  • a little inconsistent

Final Thoughts

Those high handicappers who tend to do well with draw drivers can’t go wrong with the Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Draw. If you prefer a neutral flight bias with lower launch and spin, we suggest taking a look at the standard Launcher XL 2.

This driver delivers the modern forgiving performance that high handicappers want, with a draw bias and lighter feel. And it’s still relatively affordable compared to modern name brand drivers, coming in at less than $500.


Buying Guide

There are many drivers on the market, and knowing which one to choose as a high handicapper (18 or above) isn’t necessarily easy, especially if you’re not sure what to look for. This guide will provide you with the education you need in that regard.

In general, you should choose a driver that provides a healthy amount of distance and forgiveness off the tee. If you want to find the right driver, here are the most important factors to consider:

1. Forgiveness

Callaway Rogue ST MAX Driver Face

Forgiveness is certainly one of the most important factors to consider, especially for a high handicapper who often fails to make contact with the center of the face.

Having a degree of forgiveness in your driver is highly beneficial because at these high swing speeds, minor mis-hits can be amplified into very poor results. It’s important to avoid the rough as often as possible.

Forgiveness can be divided into two subtypes: ball speed forgiveness and directional forgiveness.

Ball speed forgiveness refers to the amount of ball speed that is preserved in mis-hit regions (towards the toe or heel) relative to the center of the face. Most modern game improvement drivers strive to maximize speed across the entire face so that even moderate mis-hits might result in only a few yards of lost distance.

Directional forgiveness refers to how far a shot deviates from the target line when struck in mis-hit regions. This is closely related to a quantity called moment of inertia, or MOI.

The higher the MOI, the more the club is resistant to twisting at impact when the ball doesn’t make contact at the center of mass. The more the club (and hence the face) resists twisting at impact, the closer to the target line the ball will start.

Many modern drivers have high MOI as a selling point, and now you’re seeing manufacturers quoting MOI values of 10000g/cm² in the most forgiving models. This will certainly add stability to your shots and help you find more fairways, but you tend to get slightly reduced distance and higher backspin as a tradeoff.

Closely related to the concept of forgiveness is the flight bias of the driver. Most high handicappers appreciate a driver with a draw bias because it helps cancel out their chronic slice off the tee.

2. Distance

Yellow arrow

Of course, every golfer wants more distance off the tee, and high handicappers are no exception. A longer drive will enable you to hit shorter, more precise shots into the green.

Even if you miss the fairway, it turns out that distance contributes more to strokes gained driving (about 60%-65%) than accuracy does. So, however you slice it, distance is hugely important, especially in a world of lengthening golf courses.

Most modern drivers have distance as their primary focus. The two main quantities that lead to more distance are ball speed and club head speed.

Ball speed is the speed of the ball immediately after impact with the club face. Obviously, higher ball speed results in more distance. One of the primary factors that affect ball speed is a number called the coefficient of restitution, or COR.

COR is a measure of how much energy is transferred from the club to the ball at impact. The higher the COR, the higher the ball speed. The value can technically be between 0 and 1, but current USGA rules prohibit it from being any higher than 0.83 in golf clubs.

Club head speed is the speed of the club at the moment of impact. Manufacturers typically increase this through certain club aerodynamics which allow the club to move faster and more efficiently through the air.

In short, driver manufacturers strive to maximize COR across the club face and optimize aerodynamics to maximize speed. For the longest drivers, they also try to minimize spin which further increases distance.

3. Looks

TaylorMade Stealth Driver Front View

One factor worth considering is how the driver looks. Aesthetic is one thing, but if you play a driver that doesn’t suit your eye, you’ll probably be less likely to make a good swing.

Many high handicappers prefer a large 460 CC head with an elongated crown and large face. This tends to inspire confidence when set up behind the ball. On the other hand, a few high handicappers may prefer a more compact head that allows for easier shot-shaping.

Related to this are adjustability features, the main ones being movable sole weights and adjustable hosels. These allow you to alter the loft & lie, introduce draw bias, or add stability depending on the position of the weights.

Adjustability is very beneficial in drivers because it gives you the opportunity to dial in a setting that works best for you, even if you might not have been seeing great performance initially. However, it does tend to come at the cost of less forgiveness because of the added weight.

4. Feel

Cobra LTDx MAX Driver - View from below

Another factor that can affect how likely you are to make a good swing is feel: specifically, how the driver feels through the swing and how it feels at impact. For some golfers who play by feel, this is imperative.

The weight of the club should feel balanced, but more than that, it should not be too heavy or too light, as both situations will negatively impact your performance.

When it comes to drivers, you ideally want impact to feel solid and like the ball is exploding off the face. This will tend to give you more confidence and increase your speed through the shot. A hollow or “tinny” sound can work against this.

You also need to consider how much the feel degrades as the impact moves away from the sweet spot towards the mis-hit regions. Most high handicappers will prefer the feel to be as consistent as possible across the face, and in fact, most game-improvement drivers are designed for this.

However, the downside of consistent feel is reduced mis-hit feedback, which means it becomes more difficult for you to tell where the face makes contact with the ball. Achieving a balance that you’re satisfied with will go a long way.

5. Shaft

Mitsubishi Diamana Graphite Shaft Sample

The shaft can make or break your success with a driver because of how much it influences swing weight, feel, trajectory and spin.

Graphite shafts have pretty much become the standard for today’s drivers (as opposed to steel shafts) because their increased torque, increased flex, and lighter weight help promote launch and speed.

Having said that, choosing the right shaft is a highly individual matter. These days, manufacturers pair modern drivers with one or more stock shaft options that tend to appeal to a wide range of golfers, but custom shafts are usually available as well.

The two main things to keep in mind when choosing a shaft are the weight and the flex.

If a shaft is too heavy for you, it will likely result in less control, less club head speed, and an excessively low launch. If a shaft is too light for you, it can result in excessively high launch and spin as well as a lack of precise contact with possible deceleration in the downswing.

The shaft flex that suits you is generally dependent on your swing speed, with lower swing speeds calling for more flex and higher swing speeds calling for less flex. Here’s a guideline:

Driver Swing SpeedSuggested Shaft Flex
Greater than 105 mphExtra Stiff
96-105 mphStiff
84-95 mphRegular
Less than 84 mphSenior or Ladies

Playing a flex that doesn’t match your swing speed can result in sub-optimal ball flights. But if you’re in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of more flexibility.

6. Price

Price tag graphic

Drivers are pretty expensive these days and the prices seem to rise with every new season. Fortunately, there are many affordable options out there.

As a general rule, the older the driver model, the better the deals you can find on it. And it’s not at all uncommon to find that you perform better with a $300 driver than a $600 driver.

You certainly don’t have to get a current-season driver. But the problem is that as time passes, availability of a particular model gets more limited, and eventually, you lose the ability to order it custom. At that point, you may only be able to get it used. In general, we don’t recommend buying drivers that are more than three years old.

In this guide, we have included driver models that span a range of different prices and brands. But the great thing is that there are ways to reduce both the final cost and risk of the purchase.

For example, one of our top recommended online golf equipment stores, Global Golf, offers club trade-ins as well as a program called Utry that lets you try a driver before you buy it. There has never been this much allowance for finding your ideal clubs, and you should take advantage.


Conclusion

A reliable, quality driver can be a huge boon to a golfer’s toolkit. Finding a model that does the job you want it to do as a high handicapper is certainly possible with some research.

At the end of the day, while high handicap golfers can play any driver successfully, they generally tend to gravitate towards game improvement drivers with large, confidence-inspiring heads, high ball speed, lots of forgiveness, and optionally draw biases.

While no driver will tick your every box, many will come pretty close.

Each of the driver models reviewed above deliver exceptional performance. We’ve given you the information you need to make a decision; now it’s up to you to go the rest of the way.

It is highly recommended to read consumer and professional reviews to acquire some useful insights as to how driver models actually perform. This will help you a lot in the decision-making process.


Thanks for reading this guide. Which drivers are you interested in as a high handicapper? Do you have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

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