There are many difficulties facing someone who is new to the game of golf. As well as the complexities of actually learning to play such a difficult game, a new golfer also has to navigate the minefield of choosing equipment from the bewilderingly huge array of options available. Perhaps the most confusing decision comes when trying to choose the right driver, as the choices on offer are vast, with so many brands making so many models, and even those models often have three or five different head shapes to choose between.
It's easy to choose the wrong option so there are some things the new golfer needs to be aware when buying a new driver. As a general rule, a beginner golfer needs as much help as possible when it comes to hitting the ball off the tee, so finding one of the most forgiving drivers is a good starting point. While the golf driver is arguably the most fun club in the bag to use, it is also one of the most difficult to master consistently. If you've borrowed a buddies, or rented one at the driving range, you'll know how satisfying a feeling it is when it goes right, but you will also have experienced how frustrating it can be to do that consistently.
A new golfer does not have the same requirements as a low handicap player or professional, so having the same equipment makes no sense. New golfers need a driver that is suited to their specific needs, which is usually something to help them get the ball in the air easier, further, and straighter. This leads us to the following guide, with every model tried and tested! What's more, we would also recommend taking a look at our guides on the best high handicap drivers and the best golf drivers for distance.
WATCH: We run through the performance of the best drivers in 2024
The Quick List
The Darkspeed Max from Cobra is one of the best draw-bias drivers we have ever tested, to the point that in our testing we found it virtually impossible to produce a fade or slice. We also love the new black aesthetic.
The Max has seen a shift away from the TaylorMade norm head shape wise and it is arguably the headline model in the Qi10 range. Our testing showed exceptional forgiveness, accuracy, and we think it looks fantastic.
The Ai Smoke Max D is ideal for those seeking forgiveness and a draw-bias flight. We found it to be extremely easy to launch into the air and we think it hits the right notes visually as well.
The ST-Max 230 from Mizuno offers classy looks that will appeal to many, whilst the feel will suit purists as well. The spin may be a little high for some but overall this is an underrated model that performed well.
The most forgiving driver on this list, the SFT from Ping is easy to launch and offered good distance, making it a great all rounder that it is definitely worth trying if you struggle with a slice and consistency of strike.
As the name suggests this is a very easy to launch driver and a top pick for slicers as it can really negate that left to right miss. It spins more than other models but the sleek aesthetics make it a very desirable option.
Load the next 3 models
The Launcher XL 2 Draw driver from Cleveland comes in at a mid-price point but is crammed with good performance. We were also impressed with the nice attention to detail in the engineering.
The high level of forgiveness and a powerful ball flight combine to make this a very playable model that should suit a wide range of different abilities. It's an excellent driver at a superb price.
The C524 is a seriously impressive driver at an even more impressive price point. It delivered strong results in testing, it's packed with technology and the value for money on offer here is staggering.
Best Golf Drivers For Beginners
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Top pick
Our top pick is the Cobra Darkspeed Max, which we think is the best option out there for the beginner golfer.
Cobra have taken the dark theme to the extreme in their Darkspeed range but we love the simplistic look and think many others will as well. It looks great in and out of the bag, and we love the premium head cover that comes with it too.
This driver ticks an awful lot of boxes but the one major standout for us in testing was the ability to straighten up a slice. Even when our tester tried to deliberately hit a slice they just couldn't get the ball going right, as the Darkspeed Max found a way to override the attempts while producing a high, drawing flight.
This is the main reason it is our top pick, but we were also really impressed with the playability and forgiveness. We saw no significant drop in ball speed on off-centre strikes and the dispersion remained tight and consistent which will really help beginners to keep the ball in play more.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Driver Review
Most accurate
The Qi10 Max is the standout model of TaylorMade's excellent 2024 Qi10 range. The range is actually named after this model, as the Max achieved 10K MOI. To achieve this TaylorMade has stretched the head shape to give it an 8mm longer profile from front to back. They also moved the centre of gravity deeper making this one of the most forgiving drivers on the market.
In our testing we noticed that the ball speed remained consistent even on off-centre strikes, while the dispersion was nice and tight. Adding to the appeal of this club is that the overall impact and feel was really impressive, which is important to provide confidence to really go after the tee shots.
We also liked the new dark navy aesthetic that TaylorMade have introduced in place of the previous bright red of Stealth 2. This gives it a clean, uniform, gloss black finish that covers the entirety of the crown and provides a much less fussy aesthetic overall.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver Review
Best for launch
The Max D is the high launch, high MOI driver in the Paradym Smoke Ai range. It should appeal to the beginner golfer due to the incredibly confidence-inspiring look it has at address thanks to its stretched-out look that makes the head look positively huge when behind the ball. This will divide opinion, but we do like it a lot and it should suit the golfer who lacks confidence with driver.
We like really like the new aesthetic of the Paradym Ai Smoke range. Callaway has opted for a new light grey body that we feel blends seamlessly into a refined, dark grey top edge. It's in the technology department where this driver really excels though. Callaway are market leaders in A.I. and the brand took data from 1000s of swings from regular golfers to help create a new smart face, with multiple sweet spots. The tag line of this range is ‘Sweeter From Every Spot’ and, in testing, that was certainly evident.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver Review
Best looking
Mizuno say this is its most stable driver ever, which makes it an ideal choice for the golfer that needs help with consistency of strike. The technology is designed to aid forgiveness and increase MOI. This has been achieved by lowering the profile of the ST-Max head to accommodate spreading, increasing the overall footprint of the driver head whilst remaining within the maximum permitted 460cc head size. All of this has allowed weight to be added in more extreme locations to increase MOI.
Aesthetically this is one of the nicest looking drivers on the market. The premium-looking head has an expanded CoreTech Chamber and 54 grams of back-weighting which makes for a stylish looking sole. The club looks great at address too as the face sits nice and square, while and the large footprint really does inspire confidence over the ball.
In testing we noted that the spin rate was high, so it isn't good for high spin players as it will balloon up into the air. It is something that will greatly benefit the beginner golfer, however, as it will increase height which is an area where new golfers often struggle. The most notable aspect of our testing was accuracy, as our tester hit 89% of his fairways. It certainly isn't the best golf driver for distance but it will keep you in play and get the ball up in the air.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Max 230 Driver Review
Most forgiving
The Ping G430 range offers a variety of drivers for different skill levels, all of which feature prominently in our buying guides. The G430 SFT features on on our most forgiving drivers guide as well as in this one, largely due to its adaptability and general playability.
It's a draw bias driver so it will really help those who struggle with a slice (a common problem for new golfers). It sits pretty square behind the ball and the generous profile is confidence-inspiring when down at address. We were glad to see that it still features the turbulators on the crown that we see in other Ping models, but the stretched-out look, alongside the square set-up, will be a big confidence booster for many.
Our testing showed that the spin from this driver was the highest of the Ping models, but it didn't compromise on ball speed, thankfully. The high spin is beneficial to most new golfers so that's a good thing, while the draw-bias was also on show throughout our testing. So too was the forgiveness, and the balance of distance and consistency of flight is something to commend Ping's engineers for.
- Read our full Ping G430 SFT Driver Review
Best for slicers
The Wilson Launch Pad is a slightly older model now but it still stacks up well as a great driver for those trying to negate the damage done by a slice off the tee. This is a game improvement driver due to the clever design of the club face. Wilson found that the average golfer strikes 68% of shots from the toe half of the face so they introduced something called PKR face geometry, which makes the striking area of the face 5% bigger when compared to previous models.
It's very much a specialist driver for a specific type of golfer. It isn't going to work for those with faster swing speeds or who hit the ball high, as the lightweight head will increase club speed and cause the ball to balloon into the air. However, this is definitely one of the best drivers for slow swing speeds and we enjoyed hitting it in testing. We noticed that the closed face meant we rarely missed a shot right, but the closed face at address won't please the eye of those who like the face to sit square, while it's also worth mentioning that there is no adjustable hosel.
- Read our full Wilson Launch Pad 2022 Driver Review
Best budget
The Launcher XL 2 Draw model is a lightweight, draw-bias driver from Cleveland Golf that is aimed at players with a slow to moderate swing speed. Because of its draw-bias nature it is definitely among the best drivers for slicers, but if you do not suffer with a slice then the standard Launcher XL 2 will be a better choice.
Aesthetically, the color and finish of this driver do look good and we think it creates a premium aesthetic that makes this club look more expensive than it is.
In our testing we noted a firm impact and fairly loud acoustics, although nothing too offensive. We were impressed with the ball speed produced, while not only is it quick off the face but it's also exceptionally easy to launch which make it idea for the newer golfer or the high handicap player who struggles off the tee. The spin was on the higher side, as we would expect, but thanks to the adjustable hosel you can reduce or increase those spin numbers to the desired preference, which is ideal for the newer player who can make adjustments as their game improves.
- Read our full Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Driver Review
Best simple model
Inesis drivers are generally in the budget category and even though the 900 is the most expensive option in their range, it is still considerably cheaper than some other models in this list, so if you are looking for a good balance of performance and value then the 900 is well worth your consideration.
In terms of looks, there's nothing flashy about it. It has a glossy black crown and a dark face, giving a very clean aesthetic that we feel smartly highlights the simple arrow-style alignment aid. It looks great over the ball and should inspire confidence to any new golfer. There are adjustable weights on the solebut the hosel is fixed so there are no options to change the loft settings. We also noticed that the clubface sits a little closed at address, which won't be for everyone.
The performance in testing was good. We saw a strong flight that produced decent carry numbers, although it's far from being the longest driver out there. Neverthless, it is a nice user-friendly driver which given the louder acoustics will create the impression for the new golfer that the ball is going further than it actually is.
- Read our full Inesis 900 Driver Review
Best for distance
The C524 is brilliant value at $250. It provides excellent performance while also looking great behind the ball. Tour Edge has implemented ridgeback technology to provide more structural integrity to the clubhead through impact, but it also frames the ball beautifully and we felt during testing that the ‘ridge’ provides a really useful alignment aid.
Visually it's a lovely looking head while in terms of performance it was solid right across the board. We found the ball speed was reasonable, whilst the spin and launch were on the higher side, which is ideal for new golfers who are looking to get the ball airborne with as much carry distance as possible.
All in all this is one of the best budget golf drivers on the market thanks to the solid performance, stylish looks and premium feel. It is available in four shaft flexes, all of which are designed to help produce a high amount of swing speed. In terms of value, it's hard to top this excellent offering from Tour Edge.
- Read our full Tour Edge Hot Launch C524 Driver
How we test for the best golf drivers
Here at Golf Monthly we take product testing for both reviews and buying guides very seriously. Testing is done by a team that is packed with knowledge and experience and by testing so many products we can build up our content to help you the consumer to make a more informed decision when it comes to picking your next driver. All our testers are passionate when it comes to golf and come from a variety of backgrounds, whether they are ex pros or high handicappers, they all bring a different knowledge and understanding when it comes to golf.
Our driver testing is headed up by Staff Writer Joe Ferguson, a PGA Professional who has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years. Joe is ably assisted by technical editor Joel Tadman, and both Joe and Joel have been testing golf clubs for many years and are able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
With most new club releases, especially drivers, we will usually attend product launches to speak with the manufacturers in order to build an understanding of the equipment we are testing. Once we get hold of the gear and begin testing, the first step is usually indoor testing using premium balls and launch monitors to get valuable data. This allows us to compare data on the day to see how these clubs stack up against each other as well as their competitors.
We then move on to the all-important outdoor testing, this could be on the range, or the course, and often both. Which ever it is, it is important to get these drivers out into the elements and get some real-world feedback on how they react on the course and when in real conditions.
How to choose a new driver
Given the significant cost involved, when it comes to investing in a driver there are a few important things to take into consideration before purchasing, especially at the beginner level, where you want something to help your game.
Are you looking for more distance, something to correct a slice, or something that could find more fairways? Do have a specific budget you need to work to, or a brand that you prefer? One thing we would recommend is getting a fitting from a trained fitter, however, if you know what you need and you are informed enough then you should be fine, especially if you get to try the product before you buy it.
If you are reading this, you are likely a beginner or shopping for a beginner, so first and foremost we would advise you to go for something forgiving. Some drivers that tend to be long-distance drivers can be unforgiving a detrimental on off-center strikes, and beginners tend to not hit the ball especially far anyway and won't benefit from a driver that is designed for distance. Forgiveness is the way to go, while draw bias drivers are also excellent options for beginners. We have a guide on the most forgiving drivers that will help you if you are stuck for ideas, as well as one for the best drivers for slicers.
FAQs
How do I choose a golf driver?
There are a lot of factors that will influence your decision, such as looks, feel and your swing. If you swing it slow, then a more flexible shaft will work but, if you swing fast, then a stiffer shaft will suit. Also, you may need a driver with more loft or adjustability so, overall, it's crucial that you get fitted for your driver.
What is the best driver for a beginner?
Obviously this will vary but, if you are starting out fresh with the game of golf, then we would say a driver that provides forgiveness in the face is needed. Ideally, the driver will have a large head and face which will also inspire confidence at address.
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