The complete golf driver buying guide (finding the perfect one) 

A golf driver is the longest club in the bag and the one designed to hit the ball the furthest. Typically used at the start of each hole, its sole purpose is to get you as far and as straight down the fairway as possible. Drivers come in countless brands, head shapes, lofts and technologies, so choosing the right driver may feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. 

That’s why we’ve made this buying guide. The “best” driver for you isn’t always the newest or most expensive, it's the one that matches your swing speed, launch angle, strike pattern and budget. Modern drivers can vary massively in terms of forgiveness, spin characteristics and adjustability settings, so understanding these factors is key to finding the perfect fit for your game. 

Main Takeaways

• How a driver performs depends on a number of factors, including its loft, forgiveness, spin rates and adjustability settings 

• Brand new drivers from major golf brands typically cost between £450 to £600, while high quality used drivers range from £150 to £300. Offering excellent value with very similar performance. 

• Beginners should prioritise forgiveness first, as a larger sweet spot for off centre hits will provide more benefits than gaining an extra few yards of distance. 

The main aspects to consider when buying a driver

Forgiveness 

The forgiveness of a club refers to how easy it is to hit and how well it performs when the ball isn’t struck in the centre, or the “sweet spot”. Having a forgiving driver is essential as a beginner, it helps maintain distance and accuracy when mishit and can even reduce the severity of slices and hooks. Even experienced golfers hit the sweet spot a small percentage of the time, so you can imagine how important forgiveness is when you’re just starting out. A forgiving club provides consistency, builds confidence and allows you to focus on improving your swing without being punished for every off centre strike. 

The stability of driver heads on off centre hits is largely determined by the drivers moment of inertia (MOI). A higher MOI means the club twists less on those off centre hits, keeping the ball straighter and with more distance. High MOI drivers often feature larger clubheads, rear placed weights and stretched shapes, all designed to help stabilise the head at impact. 

Many premium models now use multi material constructions, combining titanium, steel and carbon fibre, which can increase retail prices. The good news is that forgiveness hasn’t changed dramatically in the last few years, meaning slightly older models perform very similarly at a fraction of the cost. As a general rule, any model with the word “Max” in the title is designed for maximum forgiveness and is ideal for players seeking more consistency and performance from off centre hits. 

Head Shape & Technology 

Driver head design has advanced dramatically in recent years, and understanding these differences is key to choosing the right model. The size, profile and aerodynamics of the club head affect everything from launch angle to stability through impact. Longer, more elongated heads tend to offer a bigger sweet spot and higher MOI, which improves forgiveness on off centre strikes. Compact, or more traditional head shapes often appeal to better players seeking more distance or more workability but can be far less forgiving. 

Modern drivers also incorporate a variety of advanced technologies to optimise performance. Adjustable weights, moveable hosels, and multi material constructions allow golfers to fine tune launch, spin and shot shape to suit their swing. Many models feature lightweight carbon crowns, titanium faces and internal weighting systems to maximise ball speed while maintaining stability. Even the aerodynamics of the head and shaft are carefully engineered to reduce drag and increase swing speed, which can add extra distance without extra effort. 

For beginners, these technologies can provide a real advantage. Drivers with forgiving head shapes, perimeter weighting, low and deep centre of gravity placement and draw biased designs make it easier to get the ball airborne and keep the ball going straight. The good news is that many slightly older models include similar technology to the newest releases, meaning you can benefit from advanced performance without paying premium prices. Drivers with “Max” or “Max D” in the name are often ideal choices for game improvement shapes and technology.

Loft & Launch Angle

The loft and launch angle of a driver are crucial for controlling how high and far the ball travels. Loft influences the angle at which the ball leaves the club face, directly influencing carry distance, roll and trajectory. Beginners often benefit from slightly higher lofted drivers, usually between 10.5 to 12 degrees, as these help get the ball airborne and make it easier to achieve consistently straight drives. Lower lofted drivers can produce more distance for stronger faster swings but are generally less forgiving, making them better suited for more experienced players who want more control over their launch. 

Launch angle is closely linked with loft but also depends on swing speed, attack angle and ball position. Similar to loft as mentioned above, a higher launch angle generally helps beginners achieve longer carry distances and more consistent ball flights, especially on off centre hits. Many modern drivers incorporate technology to optimise launch, such as moveable weights, adjustable hosels and low or deep centre of gravity designs. These features allow golfers to fine tune their ball flight, maximise distance and maintain forgiveness without needing a perfect swing every time. 

For beginners, choosing the right combination of loft and launch angle can make a dramatic impact on performance. It helps maximise distance, improves forgiveness and encourages a straighter ball flight. Even slightly older drivers can be highly effective if the loft and launch characteristics match your swing, meaning you don’t always need the latest release to see improvements off the tee. 

Shaft Flex, Weight & Length

The shaft you use on your driver plays a huge role in how the club feels and performs during your swing. The flex of a shaft refers to how much the shaft bends during the swing, it directly affects how the club head moves through impact and affects flight, distance and accuracy. Beginners generally benefit more from shafts that are more flexible, as they help generate additional club head speed and achieve higher launch angles. Stiffer shafts are designed for faster swings, offering more control and reducing the likelihood of unwanted side spin for stronger players. 

The weight of the shaft you use is also important. Lighter shafts are easier to swing, making them ideal for beginners or players who want to generate more speed without straining. Heavier shafts can improve stability and control, especially for golfers with faster, more aggressive swings, but may feel more difficult to handle for those just starting out. 

Shaft length impacts both distance and accuracy. Longer shafts can increase club head speed and potential distance, but they are harder to control and can magnify mishits. Shorter shafts offer greater accuracy and consistency, which is often more valuable for beginners who are still developing their swing. 

Modern shafts use advanced materials such as high modulus graphite and multi step tapering to optimise weight and feel. Getting the right combination of these three factors is essential for maximising performance, confidence and consistency. For beginners, a lighter, more flexible and slightly shorter shaft will produce the most forgiveness and consistency. 

Adjustability Features 

Modern drivers often come with an abundance of adjustability features that allow golfers to fine tune their club to match their swing and their desired ball flight. These features can include adjustable loft sleeves, lie angle changes and movable or interchangeable weights. For beginners, this level of flexibility is incredibly useful as it allows you to experiment with different settings and find what produces the most consistent results without needing to buy multiple different clubs. 

Adjustable loft is one of the most impactful features. Increasing loft can help you launch the ball higher, add spin and improve carry distance, while lowering produces a much more penetrating ball flight suited for faster swing speeds or those who often play in windy conditions. Even a one degree change can make a surprising difference in terms of both distance and control. Movable weights shift the centre of gravity within the club head, which can help correct common beginner mistakes such as slicing when the weight is toward the heel. Moving the weight further back increases forgiveness and stability providing more consistency. 

While adjustability can enhance performance, beginners should remember that more settings aren’t always better. It’s often best to start with small simple adjustments such as launch angle or slice correction. Many slightly older drivers still offer these features, like draw biased drivers, at a fraction of the cost of brand new. 

By choosing a driver with the right adjustability settings, beginners can grow with their club, fine tune their ball flight as their swing improves and ultimately build confidence and consistency off the tee. 

The 10 best golf drivers for beginners

TaylorMade Qi35 Max Lite

The TaylorMade Qi35 Max Lite takes the top spot on our list of best drivers for beginners thanks to its ultra lightweight design, exceptional forgiveness and modern technology. Built to maximise swing speed while making the driver significantly easier to hit. It’s perfect for new golfers who often struggle to generate power or find the centre of the club face.

The construction uses an advanced five material mix of chromium carbon, steel, aluminium tungsten and titanium. This allows Taylormade to reduce overall weight to an absolute minimum without sacrificing stability or durability. As the lightest premium driver Taylormade has ever produced, the Max Lite is designed to move effortlessly and the sleek aerodynamic shaping helps the club glide smoothly through the swing, reducing drag and encouraging a faster impact.

Forgiveness is another major strength. The Max Lite features a confidence inspiring head shape with a wide sweet spot that maintains ball speed on mishits, something every beginner can benefit from. Its high MOI design keeps stability on off centre strikes, helping keep the ball longer and straighter. Paired with Taylormade's modern face technology and lightweight shaft designed to maximise speed, beginners get a driver that feels easy to swing, easy to launch and incredibly stable. 

The Qi35 Max Lite has genuinely redefined what a beginner driver can be, delivering top tier performance in the lightest, fastest and most forgiving package Taylormade has ever created. As a 2025 release, picking one up second hand is the best way to get your hands on this model.  

Ping G430 Max 10K

The Ping G430 Max 10K comes in at number two on our list, a record breaking, beginner friendly driver designed for maximum forgiveness, straighter shots and consistent distance. It gets its “10K” name from surpassing the 10,000 g-cm² combined MOI threshold, making it Ping’s straightest and most forgiving driver ever. Used all over the world, from professionals on tour to beginners just starting out, it’s a perfect choice for anyone looking to improve their performance off the tee. 

The ultra lightweight composite crown wraps into the heel and toe, saving weight to be repositioned lower and further back in the clubhead. This lowers the centre of gravity, reduces spin and raises MOI, producing higher, straighter launches and maintaining ball speeds on mishits. A fixed back weight contributes to the record setting MOI, driving mass down and back to further optimise forgiveness and ensure consistent ball speed across the face. 

Ping’s shallow and thinner forged T9S+ titanium face flexes at impact for faster ball speeds, while Spinsistency, a variable roll radius technology, helps optimise spin across the entire face for added distance and consistency. 

For beginners seeking a forgiving, easy to hit driver that combines modern technology, confidence inspiring design and exceptional consistency, the G430 Max 10K is one of the best options on the market. And being a 2024 release, it’s actually more affordable than most of the 2025 options on this list, whilst offering equal or even better performance and as always, it’s made even more affordable picking one up second hand. 

Ping G440 Max

The Ping G440 Max earns the third spot on our list thanks to its unrivalled stability, exceptional forgiveness and beginner friendly design, making it an outstanding choice for golfers who want consistency and the confidence to hit more fairways even when the strike isn’t perfect. 

Ping has long been known for producing some of the most forgiving clubs on the market, and the G440 Max continues that tradition. It’s oversized 460cc head shape inspires confidence at address, offering a reassuring look that instantly makes the ball feel easier to hit. What really sets it apart is its incredibly high MOI design, one of the highest Ping has ever produced, meaning the club resists twisting on any off centre hits. For beginners who struggle to find the middle of the face, this stability is invaluable, helping maintain ball speed and keep drives straighter. 

The internal weighting structure pushes weight lower and further back in the head, making it easier to launch the ball high with minimal effort. This is another major advantage for newer players who struggle to generate height or carry distance. Paired with Ping’s proven face technology, the G440 Max delivers dependable performance swing after swing, even poor strikes. 

As a 2025 release affordability can be a concern, so we recommend either picking one up second hand, or finding a G430 Max or G425 Max. Both previous generations are extremely similar in terms of performance but come at a significantly lower price making them outstanding value for beginners. 

Taylormade Qi35 Max 

Fourth on our list is the Taylormade Qi35 Max, thanks to its perfect balance of forgiveness, speed and beginner friendly design. While not quite as ultra light as the Max Lite model mentioned above, the Qi35 Max is still engineered to deliver maximum distance with incredible consistency, making it ideal for golfers who want a driver that’s easy to hit but still offers exceptional performance. 

Like the Max Lite, it has the same 5 material construction keeping the head light but still strong and durable. Its 460cc head is slightly more traditional in shape than the Max Lite but still inspires confidence at address. The deep, low centre of gravity helps beginners launch the ball higher with less effort, while the wide, forgiving face ensures off centre strikes still carry well and stay straight. Combined with a high MOI design that stabilises the clubhead on mishits, maintaining ball speed and improving consistency for golfers who struggle to find the sweet spot every time.

Paired with a lightweight shaft and Taylormade’s advanced face technology, this driver makes it easy to generate club head speed and turns a smooth swing into some serious distance. Being the third 2025 release on this list, picking it up second hand is the smartest way to buy this model. And those looking for a slightly older, still extremely capable option, the Qi10 Max remains an excellent choice, offering much of the same forgiveness and performance at a lower price point. 

Callaway Elyte X

The Callaway Elyte X earns a spot on our list thanks to its combination of forgiveness, speed and distance. It’s one of the most technologically advanced and beginner friendly drivers Callaway has ever released, blending raw speed, exceptional forgiveness and precision tuned launch into a driver that feels both powerful and incredibly easy to hit. 

One of the standout features of the Elyte X is the lightweight yet strong construction. Callaway has engineered the club head with advanced materials, including lightweight titanium and a brand new ThermoForged carbon crown. This aerospace-grade carbon fibre not only reduces overall mass but also allows Callaway to position the centre of gravity perfectly for a high launch and low spin. For beginners, this means more height, longer carry distance and greater stability on mishits. 

Through advanced prototyping, Callaway has redesigned the head shape to maximise aerodynamics. A lower crown profile and refined heel section reduces drag, improving speed throughout the entire swing. Their new face technology is equally impressive. The new Ai 10x Face features ten times more control points than the previous Ai Smart Face, producing exceptionally fast ball speeds, tighter dispersion and optimised launch across a larger portion of the face. Even imperfect strikes perform noticeably better than previous models. 

The Elyte X also includes a discrete weighting system with neutral and draw biased settings giving newer golfers the ability to correct slices and fine tune shot shape, making it arguably the most complete, forgiving and speed enhancing driver Callaway has ever made. 

Taylormade SIM 2 Max

Coming in at number 6, the TaylorMade Sim 2 Max is a beginner friendly driver built for forgiveness, consistency and distance. It’s the oldest model on this list, having been released in 2021, but despite its age, it remains incredibly popular. You can still find them being sold brand new today, something you’d struggle with if you wanted a brand new stealth or stealth 2 from 2022 or 2023. Its proven performance, aesthetic design and high forgiveness has helped it stand the test of time.

The Sim 2 Max features a lightweight carbon crown paired with a strong titanium face, allowing weight to be repositioned lower and around the perimeter of the club head. This lowers the centre of gravity and increases the MOI, helping beginners launch the ball higher while keeping the club stable on off centre strikes. The wide, confidence inspiring face maintains ball speed across a large area, while TaylorMade’s speed injected twist face technology helps reduce side spin and keep shots straighter when contact isn’t ideal. For beginners, this means fewer wild misses and more tee shots in play. 

Paired with its aerodynamic head shape, the Sim 2 Max is incredibly easy to swing, making it one of Taylormade’s most forgiving and user friendly drivers. For beginners looking for a high performing driver without paying for the latest release, the Sim 2 Max is hard to beat. 

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max

Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke series was the first series of golf clubs to truly use and optimise the use of artificial intelligence in the design and development process. The Max model within this series was the beginner friendly model built for maximum forgiveness, it was built to help hit longer straighter drives without the need of perfect contact. 

Callaway’s Ai Smart Face technology, which was created using real swing data from thousands of golfers and designed to optimise performance. Instead of having one single sweet spot in the middle of the club face, this face uses micro deflections that activate at impact to optimise spin and launch across the entire face making it incredibly forgiving as you get similar performance no matter where you strike the ball out of. 

The Ai Smoke Max also features Callaway’s refined 360 degree carbon chassis, which is now lighter and stronger than before. By adding an internal titanium structure, the weight is reduced and pushed deeper into the club head, helping promote a higher launch and a more stable club head through impact. To top it off the Max model has perimeter weighting, meaning any beginner struggling with a slice may dial in a more neutral or draw biased flight as their swing develops. 

All in all the Ai Smoke is easy to swing and extremely forgiving, pair that with an aesthetic design and cutting edge AI technology and you get one of the most popular beginner driver choices on the market. 

Ping G440 SFT

While it shares many similarities with the G440 Max above, the Ping G440 SFT (Straight Flight Technology) earns its own place thanks to its specialised slice correcting design. Both the Max and SFT models are excellent beginner options and could easily be interchangeable on this list. However I’ve placed the SFT lower for one main reason: the SFT is purpose built for golfers struggling with a left to right miss. Now that does cover the majority of beginners, as slicing is far more common than hooking when starting out. But if a new golfer battles a hook, this driver would only exaggerate the issue, making it crucial to choose the right Ping model to suit your game. 

Like the Max model, the SFT features Ping’s stability focused construction, but it has a dedicated heel based weight that squares the club face at impact. The oversized 460cc head inspires confidence at address, while the deep, low CG promotes a high, effortless launch, something many beginners struggle to achieve consistently. Its high MOI structure keeps the head stable on off centre strikes, preserving ball speed and distance on mishits. 

The G440 SFT offers an ideal blend of forgiveness and draw bias for those who struggle with slicing. For those on a budget, the best way to pick this model up is either second hand or to find older generations, such as the G430 SFT or G425 SFT. Improvements between years are often gradual so you can expect a very similar performance at a much lower price. 

Cleveland Launcher XL2 

The Cleveland Launcher XL2 earns its place on our list as one of the most forgiving drivers Cleveland has ever made, and a great option for beginners starting out who want something easy to hit. Built with simplicity in mind, no adjustability or overly technical features, just a driver designed to help you get the ball airborne, keep it straighter and ultimately help you enjoy the game of golf more. 

Like most of the drivers on this list the XL2 has an oversized 460cc head, which looks great behind the ball and inspires confidence at address. The larger head also allows Cleveland to push weight to the perimeter of the club, significantly increasing MOI and making the driver extremely stable throughout impact. For beginners who struggle to consistently find the centre of the club head, this added stability helps maintain ball speed and reduces big misses left and right. 

The XL2 is called “Launcher” for a reason, with the weight positioned deep and low on the club head this club achieves extremely easy high launching drives and does all the work for you, perfect for beginners who struggle to get or keep the ball in the air. 

The reason the XL2 makes our list is simple, its exceptional value for money. Although it might not be considered a ‘premium’ brand like the ones mentioned above, it still delivers high forgiveness and strong performance and for a fraction of the price. This makes it an ideal option for beginners who want both a user friendly and budget friendly driver.

Cobra DS-Adapt Max K

Last but by no means least is the Cobra DS-Adapt Max K. An extremely forgiving, beginner friendly driver designed for longer and straighter shots off the tee. The “Max” in the name stands for maximum forgiveness, while the “K”, similar to the G430 10K mentioned above, refers to 10,000 MOI. Maximising stability on off centre strikes for straighter ball flights and effortless launch & distance. 

This is Cobra’s most forgiving driver yet, thanks to a smart combination of an external fixed back weight and an internal back weight pad. Additional perimeter weighting, an aerodynamic design and an oversized 460cc head makes this driver fast while maintaining maximum stability. A large forged face insert with their H.O.T Face technology flexes more at impact, delivering higher ball speeds. It also features FutureFit33, which offers 33 unique loft and lie settings to adjust and fine tune your ball flight, minimising misses and maximising distance. 

Although it’s last on our list, the DS Adapt Max K still earns its spot in our top 10 beginner drivers.out of hundreds of possibilities. It’s extremely forgiving, easy to hit and driver packed with adjustable performance features. The main reason it isn’t higher is that the 10k MOI concept was first introduced by the G430 Max 10K, as mentioned above. Essentially this is a newer, more expensive driver with very similar technology to our number 2 pick, so it loses out from a value for money perspective. 

How do drivers vary in size? 

Drivers can vary in size in many different ways. From different head shapes and sizes, to different lengths of shaft. All of these factors can influence distance, accuracy and forgiveness off the tee. 

• Standard Length:
  Most men’s drivers measure between 45 and 46 inches in length, while women’s drivers are usually at 44 inches. Beginners tend to benefit more from slightly shorter shafts as they are easier to control, while longer shafts can help more experienced golfers maximise their distance. 

• Shaft Length Variations:
  Amateurs and pros alike do occasionally use different lengths of shaft in their driver. Questionably the greatest player of all time Tiger Woods, notoriously used a driver of 44.5” through most of his prime as he found it easier to control. There are benefits to using a longer driver however as mentioned above, it’s easier to generate more ball speed and distance with a longer shaft. And of course there are those who need different lengths in their shafts to match their height. 

• Clubhead Size:
  Most modern day drivers have a volume of between 440-460cc, typically depending on what type of driver you’re after. 460cc is the maximum limit for manufacturers to make driver heads. As a general rule of thumb larger driver heads increase forgiveness and create a bigger sweet spot, however if you’re looking for a lower spinning driver with more workability a 440cc head may be more suited. 

How do drivers differ by type? 

There are many different driver types out on the market today. Even the new Taylormade QI35 has 5 different variants and that’s just from one model line. Because of this, it’s important to know what these differences are and how they’ll influence your performance. 

• Loft:
  Loft is one of the most important factors separating different types of drivers. A higher lofted driver will launch the ball higher into the air, and generally create a longer carry distance. A lower lofted driver on the other hand will create a lower, more penetrating launch and create a greater distance of roll after landing. Standard men’s drivers are commonly available in 9 or 10.5 degrees of loft, while women’s are typically around 13-14 degrees. Swing speed and course conditions play a big role in determining what loft suits your game. 

• Game Improvement / Tour Drivers
  Game improvement drivers are designed to offer maximum forgiveness, featuring larger club heads, higher launch and perimeter weighting for more stability on off centre hits. Ideal for beginners and golfers with a higher handicap. Some of these game improvement drivers also feature draw bias designs built to help combat the most common miss in golf, the slice. On the other side of the coin we have the player or tour design drivers, built to keep spin low and focus on control and workability. Best suited for golfers with faster swing speeds and good consistent ball striking.

Conclusion 

Choosing the right driver is essential to any golfer. Aside from the putter, it is arguably the most important club in the bag, setting you up for a strong start on every hole. Understanding how size, loft and type affect performance can make a significant difference to distance, accuracy and consistency off the tee. Whether you’re browsing our latest arrivals or exploring our range of men’s and women’s drivers, our team of experts are on hand to help you find the perfect driver for your game. So if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop us a message.