Once you hit 50, you're technically a senior - in the golfing world at least, that age when you're eligible to play on most senior Tours. A look at the driving stats on the Champions Tour, where the top ten in driving distance all average over 290 yards, provides proof that power doesn't just vanish as soon as you wave goodbye to your forties.
However, given the distances these younger guys and girls are hitting it these days, it's easy to think it might be time for a change of driver. Thankfully, manufacturers aren't just catering drivers for the young bombers, and senior players are well covered.
The best drivers for senior players will combine distance with forgiveness. They'll typically have a light head and shaft, meaning you can keep your clubhead speed high even if your swing speed is decreasing. Great senior drivers find the right balance between flex and weight with the best driver shafts, of which there are plenty to choose from.
So, we've taken a closer look at the best golf drivers for seniors, clubs designed to help you keep that speed up. It's not all about speed, of course; there are other areas of performance senior golfers may need a little help with, such as a lighter feel, higher launch and extra forgiveness. Speaking of which, we also recommend checking out our other driver guides - such as the most forgiving drivers, the best golf drivers for distance, or even the best golf drivers for women.
WATCH: We run through the performance of the best drivers in 2024
The Quick List
The Cobra Darkspeed Max is not just one of the best draw-bias drivers we have ever tested, but also one of the most forgiving, with it proving to be an excellent all-rounder.
An excellent driver for those seeking a draw bias flight and maximum launch. Seriously easy to get in the air and extremely forgiving on mis-hits, the Paradym Ai Smoke Max D really hits the mark!
The Max model really is the headline product of the new Qi10 range. Incredibly easy to launch and with impressive stability, this driver will hold a lot of appeal to many golfers.
The TSR1 is visually appealing, super lightweight and effortless to swing. It certainly helps players with a moderate swing speed to generate power for high-launching drives.
The classy looks will appeal to many and the sophisticated impact feel will please the purists. Although the spin is a little higher than its competitors, we think that will be music to many players' ears.
The Ping G430 SFT is very easy to launch, forgiving and surprisingly long. There's no doubt that it’s a model that will have broad appeal to a range of golfers.
Best Golf Drivers For Seniors
Why you can trust Golf Monthly Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Top pick
We begin with the Darkspeed Max, which offers strong ball speed and exceptional looks. In testing, we found that the launch and spin were a little higher than the X and LS versions, this is something that will help senior golfers get the ball airborne, with the Darkspeed striking a great balance of adding spin and launch without sacrificing distance.
This model features draw bias, which may not sure every player given the variable characteristics of the golf swing, but the bias on the Darkspeed Max left us really impressed. This driver will really suit those who have a right miss, making it one of the best drivers for slicers on the market. We tried our best in testing, but were unable to hit a slice due to the amazing technology packed into this club.
The look is clean, sleek and simple with the carbon fibre styling on the head complimented by the minimalist Cobra logo. Not only does this driver look good in general, but it sits beautifully at address which can only help inspire confidence off the tee. The Darkspeed Max therefore has to be considered one of the best Cobra drivers available today.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Driver Review
Best for launch
Since introducing the Ai Smoke range, the drivers have been considered some of the best Callaway drivers available to players, with performance and looks ranking amongst the best drivers on the market.
The Max D in the latest Ai Smoke range from Callaway is most comparable with the Paradym X from last year with its high MOI and slight draw bias, but there are some clear alterations the brand has made to improve the head.
Callaway have made some alterations to improve the head, including a flashy grey finish and pattern to match which helps this driver really 'pop' in the looks department. The head inspires confidence with the large overall footprint and looks.
Callaway have increased the MOI in the quest for stability, with Ai technology creating, arguably, the most forgiving driver anywhere on the market. In our opinion, this is one of the easiest drivers to get off the ground and an absolute game-changer when it comes to user-friendliness.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver Review
Best looking
Taylormade have revamped the head of the Qi10 driver range in comparison to the Stealth and Stealth 2 drivers of previous years, with the clean, dark navy face which will sitting better both in the bag and at address in our opinion.
The biggest plus of the Qi10 Max was the forgiveness. During testing we saw bad strikes out of the heel and toe only drop a few miles per hour in ballspeed while dispersion stayed tight and consistent. The best Taylormade drivers are known for their distance, but the Qi10 Max combines those characteristics with the forgiveness it gives players off the tee box.
Personally, we felt that the real stand out was the stability. The resistance to the face twisting, even when struck at the very extremities of the face, was genuinely impressive. Again spin levels were on the high side, but that will only help the senior golfer who is looking to get the ball airborne with ease.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver Review
Best lightweight
The Titleist TSR1 is not as forgiving as other options on this list, but the ultra-lightweight design is 40 grams lighter than the TSR2 to help those with slower swing speeds.
This driver will suit players with moderate swings speeds a little better though, and we recommend getting a custom fitting if you are looking to purchase the TSR1 for maximum performance from your driver. The latest face technology, it also maintained consistency in speed and an impressive level of forgiveness on off-center strikes. We also like the unfussy alignment aid on the top of the crown, which simply says 'TSR'.
Aesthetically, you still see the premium, traditional looks in Titleist metal woods and, although you may not notice, the TSR1 is quarter of an inch longer than the standard 2, 3 and 4 models. This is another design characteristic to help moderate swing speed players deliver greater distance. For more excellent drivers from the American golf brand, check out our guide to the best Titleist golf drivers.
- Read our full Titleist TSR1 Driver Review
Most accurate
Mizuno are maybe better known for making some of the best irons in golf, but they have become a serious player in drivers and fairway woods also.
The Mizuno ST-Max 230 driver promises to be Mizuno’s most stable driver ever, with the company doing this by lowering the profile of the ST-Max head to accommodate spreading and increasing the overall footprint of the driver head whilst staying within the maximum permitted 460cc head size. This has allowed Mizuno to add weight in more extreme locations to increase that all important MOI number.
Contact with the face of the ST-Max 230 is more subtle and the audio follows suit. Spin rates are higher than other ST models Mizuno produce, which may not suit those who play on windy golf courses.
Mizuno make some of the best looking clubs in golf, and this driver continues that trend. Over the past few years, the company have a knack of creating great looking driver heads and, in the St-Max 230, it's no different.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Max 230 Driver Review
Most forgiving
The best Ping drivers have always been some of the most playable clubs on the market and, with their new G430 range, we find that this is still the case, with the G430 SFT the best driver for those with slower swing speeds and, we think, senior golfers!
Ping promised more distance than the previous G425 model , which we feel they have delivered after we tested the G430 SFT. The face is more shallow and 6% thinner, whilst the Variable Face Thickness technology deliver more face flexing which allows for greater gear effect and greater ball speeds for shots struck outside of the sweet spot.
The same Ping-style from previous drivers remains, with the club sitting square and compact at address - those who slice the ball might prefer a driver with more of a closed look when standing over the ball.
- Read our full Ping G430 SFT Driver Review
How we test
When it comes to product testing, our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team. They are done by golfers, for golfers - so we know what a customer is looking for from a purchase of a driver, wedge, golf bag or even golf gadget.
Headed up by technical editor Joel Tadman, and assisted by Neil Tappin, both have been testing golf clubs for years and both play to a handicap of 5. Both are also able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
Getting into specifics for drivers, we first attend product launches and speak to manufacturers to understand the technology. We then hit the golf clubs indoors, usually at Foresight Sports and test the products with premium golf balls on a launch monitor.
Outdoor testing is the next port of call and this usually takes place at West Hill Golf Club, a course in Surrey with top-notch practice facilities. Ultimately, we aim to be as insightful and honest as possible in our reviews so it is important to acknowledge that no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our team tells it how it is.
How to choose a new driver
You've probably already asked yourself whether you need to buy a new driver, but there's a few key things to consider when investing in a new driver, especially as a slower swinging player.
1. Distance and power
Senior players may not possess the same power or swing speed they once did, so we now need to rely on the technology a little more to make up for those lost yards. There isn't a golfer in the world who doesn't want a few extra yards off the tee, but senior payers need this in particular. You're going to want to look to get a club that offers up plenty of power off the tee. Check out our guide to the best drivers for slower swing speeds for more options.
2. Forgiveness
The ideal driver is one that is both straight and long - easier said than done of course, but it's what we want off the tee. We mention this word a lot at Golf Monthly because we're all searching for a little more leeway for those off-center strikes, not matter what club we're hitting. Particularly if you're a senior golfer, who may find it a little harder to perform your usual swing and get the ball up into the air, being comfortably able to strike through the golf ball consistently with your club is a very important factor to consider.
3. Style
Looks matter - look good, feel good, play good is a real thing. If you hate the look of your driver at address, chances are you won't perform as well as you should with it. In my opinion, style is perhaps one of the most important things to look out for when buying any piece of golf gear.
4. Adjustability
modern clubs allow us to tinker with them to suit our game - whether that's loft, weight or draw/fade bias. Having adjustable settings can help you also combat any inconsistencies in your swing.
5. The Feel
The impact sensation on your club can be a real game changer when it comes to how you play each shot. The noise, the feeling and the responsiveness of the golf club can all affect how you follow through the golf ball. So for that reason, we always recommend attending a club fitting session to establish which club most suits your preferences.
For more advice on some of the best golf drivers in the game, check out our guides to the best drivers for beginners, best drivers for slow swing speeds and most forgiving drivers.
FAQs
What is the best driver for distance for seniors?
From our list, we'd recommend the Cobra Darkspeed Max, Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D, Ping G430 SFT, Titleist TSR1, Mizuno ST-Max 230 and the TaylorMade Qi10 Max for senior golfers.
What is the best driver for forgiveness for seniors?
From our list, we'd recommend the Ping G430 SFT for the most forgiveness. Our guide on the most forgiving golf drivers takes a more in-depth look at what makes a forgiving driver as well as listing the most forgiving drivers across the handicap spectrum.
How far should a 70 year old man hit a golf ball?
Using data collected from Arccos, the average 65 year old male golfer with a handicap of 10 hits his driver 202 yards. For anyone categorised as a senior golfer, anywhere between 180-220 yards is most common.
-
Showing Off For The USA: PING’s Limited Edition Patriot Gear Really Caught Our AttentionFrom headcovers to golf bags, Mike Bailey picks out some of his favorites from the new red, white, and blue collection from PING Golf
-
Which Course Is Hosting The 2028 Olympic Golf Competitions?The Games heads to Los Angeles in 2028, but which course will be hosting the men’s and women’s golf competitions?
