Best Drivers For Slow Swing Speeds 2026
Do you have a slow swing speed and are in need of a new driver? We run you through the leading options
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Everybody wants to hit the ball as far as possible, but swinging the driver as fast as Rory McIlroy is a pipe dream for most of us. Even at club level, there is a great variety in the clubhead speed golfers can generate.
When it comes to defining a slow swinger, we are generally referring to golfers with a clubhead speed under 85mph. If you're unsure what yours is, book yourself a session on a reputable launch monitor with a PGA Pro to find out. However, manufacturers have thought about golfers that fall within this bracket, producing lightweight, high-launching models that will help those with low swing speeds maximize their carry distance off the tee.
WATCH: We test and compare the best drivers of 2026
Joe has over 20 years of experience in the golf industry, ranging from becoming PGA Head Professional at Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor to serving and leading the National Fitting Centers for both Titleist and Taylormade. Joe heads up our testing and reviews for Drivers and Irons with the help of Deputy Editor Joel Tadman, who has spent many years testing golf clubs, and Sam De'Ath, a professional who has competed on both the EuroPro Tour and Clutch Pro Tour.
The Quick List
Cobra has produced an excellent option for high-handicap golfers that doesn’t overly resemble a traditional “game-improvement” driver. All things considered, there are few better anti-slice drivers currently on the market.
The TaylorMade Qi4D Max driver will tick plenty of boxes for a wide range of golfers. It combines exceptional looks with forgiving performance and excellent feel, putting it right up there with the very best in the high-MOI driver category.
The GT driver range from Titleist has surged in popularity among both amateur and professional golfers. You won’t see many GT2 drivers in use on the PGA Tour, as it’s the most forgiving model in the lineup, but it’s a superb choice for players with slower swing speeds.
The new more premium aesthetic with the addition of the Caronfly Wrap crown elevates the visual while the new technology advancements make this excellent driver easy to launch and draw.
We were thoroughly impressed by the latest range of drivers and woods from Srixon this year, with the ZXi MAX standing out as an excellent option for higher-handicap golfers or players who struggle to launch the ball off the tee.
Load the next 3 models
The Tour Edge Exotics Max driver shines when it comes to correcting mis-hits. It delivers excellent acoustics, while the 18g sliding weight positioned at the rear of the head offers genuine, meaningful adjustability, making this a driver that provides strong forgiveness and excellent value for money.
If you’re looking for a true safety net off the tee, look no further. The Optm Max-K is impressively stable with exceptionally tight dispersion, making it a genuine fairway-finding machine.
The Callaway Quantum Max is a standout performer, combining outstanding speed with impressive stability. For those looking for a fast, high-launching and consistently dependable driver, the Quantum Max is a seriously impressive option.
Best Drivers For Slow Swing Speeds
Top pick
The Wilson Dynapwr Max+ represents a major milestone for Wilson Golf, marking the brand’s first true step into the super high-MOI driver category. With MOI figures breaking through the 10,000 g-cm² barrier, the Max+ sets out to be the straightest driver Wilson has ever produced. By pushing beyond that 10K threshold, Wilson has engineered the Dynapwr Max+ to resist twisting on off-center strikes more effectively than any previous model. This is achieved through a combination of a larger, stability-focused head shape and carefully considered weight placement.
A key contributor to its performance is the substantial 26g flippable rear weight. This sizeable mass allows golfers to fine-tune shot shape, helping reduce a slice or encourage a draw to find more fairways. Complementing this is Wilson’s AI-driven PKR-360 face technology. Unique to each model, it optimises face thickness to help maintain ball speed across the entire hitting area, ensuring mis-hits still deliver plenty of punch.
On performance, Wilson has done an excellent job of making the Dynapwr Max+ exceptionally stable and forgiving. The difference in feel between centerd and off-center strikes is minimal, and any drop-off in performance is hard to detect. Stability through impact is immediately noticeable. Shots struck towards the toe or low on the face still launched high and held their line impressively well and I really liked this driver. It does everything required to put itself firmly in the conversation alongside the best models in the category but it comes in significantly cheaper, making it our top pick.
- Read our full Wilson Dynapwr Max+ Driver Review
Best draw bias
Cobra claims to be the first to optimize both MOI and POI to reduce club rotation across all three axes during off-center hits. For the slicer, however, the most important "axis" is usually the one curving the ball into the trees on the right. Enter the Optm Max-D, a model designed specifically to be one of the best drivers for slicers.
Often, the compromise with heavily draw-biased drivers is a face that appears shut or closed at address - a look many golfers find off-putting - but that isn’t really the case here. In its standard setting, and unlike many draw-biased models, it didn’t visually aim left at address (for a right-handed player), instead presenting a far more neutral look than you might expect.
Much of this can be credited to Cobra’s FutureFit33 adjustable hosel and its innovative SmartPad design. The SmartPad helps keep the face angle square regardless of loft setting, allowing you to take advantage of the technology without the visual distraction of a hooked-looking face. The FutureFit33 system itself is impressively robust, offering 33 unique settings to fine-tune ball flight by +/- 2 degrees.
Testing results were good. In terms of its draw bias, this is right up near the top of the list of anything I have tested this launch season in terms of prevalence. If you struggle with a slice, the gear effect on offer here is genuinely significant. Forgiveness is generous too, and when you factor in the looks, technology and on-course performance, the Cobra Optm Max-D stands out as a strong option for golfers seeking slice-correction, especially as it undercuts the premium pricing of the traditional big four brands.
- Read our full Cobra Optm Max Driver Review
Best shelf appeal
The TaylorMade Qi4D Max is the stability- and forgiveness-focused model in the new Qi4D lineup, built for golfers seeking maximum MOI without giving up adjustability or modern speed tech. For those who prefer a large, rounded driver profile, the Qi4D Max looks excellent behind the ball. Its generous, circular footprint inspires real confidence at address and frames the ball beautifully, hinting at a big, inviting sweet spot.
Where the previous Qi35 range could feel a little firm, the Qi4D Max offers a far more satisfying sound and impact sensation. Whether it’s the new Carbon Face, the forged 7075 aluminium collar, or improved damping, the feel is a clear step forward.
The Qi4D family also introduces TaylorMade’s revived REAX shaft concept. After analysing swing “rate of rotation,” players are categorised into High (e.g. Charley Hull), Mid (Rory McIlroy), and Low (Collin Morikawa) rotation profiles, with Mitsubishi-designed REAX shafts tailored to each type.
Performance-wise, the Max delivers rock-solid high-MOI stability that competes with anything on the market. The addition of TAS weighting and its much-improved feel make it a joy to hit. For golfers who value forgiveness and consistency above all else, the Qi4D Max is a top-tier option.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi4D Max Driver Review
Best at address
The classic Titleist look carries through with the GT2. While other drivers on this list may inspire more confidence for golfers with slower swing speeds or higher handicaps, we still think it looks fantastic. There are no flashy graphics or eye-catching gimmicks here, it’s simply got a lovely, clean simplicity to it.
Within the GT range, the GT2 is the most user-friendly model. Not only does it offer the highest MOI, but it achieves this without sacrificing speed. It’s also one of the lightest drivers in this guide, a big plus for golfers with slower swing speeds, allowing you to swing a little faster and more freely in search of extra launch and distance.
The new GT2 features what Titleist calls its ‘Proprietary Matrix Polymer’ crown which noticeably improves both sound and feel, both of which were excellent in our testing. Forgiveness has also been enhanced, particularly on strikes low on the face and towards the heel of the club.
- Read our full Titleist GT2 Driver Review
Best tech
We love Ping drivers because they are some of the most forgiving drivers on the market no matter which version is in your hand, but we'll recommend the SFT version in the latest batch of Ping drivers for those with slower swing speeds. It's the most forgiving driver in the new G440 family, boasting an upgraded look compared to the G430 SFT, a driver we were massive fans of.
The upgrade in looks comes thanks to the new carbonfly wrap on the head - it gives the driver a real premium look, especially when we consider Ping clubs aren't always known for their good looks when compared to other options like rivals from Taylormade or Callaway. Although the design of the sole and the black and blue colorway, a nod to the original Ping G driver, may divide opinion, I still think this is an excellent looking club in the playing position which is most important!
In terms of performance, there isn't a massive upgrade when compared to the G430. However, this driver has a draw bias that is second to none on the market - perfect for those players who struggle with the dreaded right miss off the tee. I put this to the test while reviewing the club and I'd estimate the draw bias has increased by around 15-20% from the previous model, a significant and impressive achievement.
- Read our full Ping G440 SFT Driver Review
Most underrated
We think Srixon clubs are pretty underrated and the ZXi Max proves this theory correct. Delivering outstanding levels of playability and forgiveness, the Max harnesses the same technology as the ZXi or ZXi LS drivers but caters towards the more inexperienced or higher handicap golfer.
Beginning with looks, this is an awesome looking golf club. It doesn't have the chunky head that some higher handicappers like behind the ball, but we also realize not all players with slow swing speeds are high handicappers! Instead, our eyes are met with a slightly more compact head that looks fantastic as we stand over the ball.
During testing, this club gobbled up mishits and spat them out as average looking drives, boasting a really impressive dispersion rate both side to side and back to front. A bit more draw bias could be thrown in to help those who struggle with a slice, but that is a point of nit-picking given how solid the launch and flight is. Srixon isn't a brand that comes to the mind straight away when we think of drivers, but it should be!
- Read our full Srixon ZXi Max Driver Review
Best value
It’s easy to gravitate towards the biggest names in golf, especially when Sunday TV coverage shows the likes of McIlroy, Koepka and Korda launching drives with the latest models from brands such as TaylorMade and Titleist. However, if you can put the ego to one side and look beyond the headline names, there’s a real gem to be found here.
We were genuinely impressed after testing the Tour Edge Exotics Max driver, particularly given its significantly lower price point compared to many premium alternatives on this list. It ticks all the key boxes: a premium look and feel, a confidence-inspiring head shape at address, and plenty of forgiveness that will appeal to golfers of all abilities.
That ease of use makes it an excellent fit for players with slower swing speeds, especially as many leading brands focus heavily on speed and power in their flagship models. The Exotics Max could quickly become a trusted companion for golfers who can’t swing quite as hard as they once did, or for those new to the game who haven’t yet reached their peak swing speed. In terms of value for money, it’s hard to beat.
- Read our full Tour Edge Exotics Max Driver review
Most forgiving
Every manufacturer is currently racing to hit that magic 10K inertia number to promise golfers straighter drives, and with the release of the Optm Max-K, Cobra hasn’t just entered this crowded arena; it has attempted to redefine the geometry of forgiveness entirely.
On the course, the stability is immediately apparent. The dispersion numbers with the Optm Max-K were remarkably tight for me - perhaps more so than any other driver I have tried this year, suggesting that this is indeed one of the most forgiving drivers on the market right now.
The 13K MOI story in this model isn't just marketing fluff; the resistance to twisting on toe or heel strikes is palpable. Cobra claims this leads to 82% more playable drives compared to the previous DS-Adapt model, and my testing supports that sensation of security.
The Optm Max-K is an engineering success that solves a specific problem: keeping the ball in play. It effectively reduces side spin and straightens out miss-hits via that massive MOI and low POI combination. If you are willing to trade a tiny fraction of absolute top-end speed for the peace of mind that comes with hitting more fairways, this is the driver for you.
- Read our full Cobra Optm Max-K Driver Review
Best ball speed
The Quantum Max is engineered for speed and consistency, utilizing the same ‘Tri-Force Face’ as its tour-inspired siblings. This technology layers ultra-thin, high-strength Titanium, Poly Mesh, and Carbon Fiber into a fully integrated speed system. This is paired with a next-generation AI-optimized face Design, which supposedly tunes every part of the face to optimize speed, spin, and launch based on real impact patterns from real players.
The performance was nothing short of outstanding. Ball speeds were impressively high, but came along with a solidity and reliability that make it a standout offering that will appeal to a huge array of players. It wasn't just fast on center hits; the speed retention on toe and heel strikes was genuinely impressive, potentially validating the Tri-Force Face technology.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the Callaway Quantum Max. It takes the winning formula of previous generations and supercharges it with new face technology that delivers genuine speed and forgiveness gains. While the aesthetics are far from original, the performance speaks for itself. It is a powerful, reliable, and highly forgiving driver that will undoubtedly help many golfers hit it longer and straighter.
- Read our full Callaway Quantum Max Driver Driver
How we test golf drivers
Our overall testing ethos at Golf Monthly is to put every product through a rigorous testing process, giving you clear insight into three key areas: how it performs, how it compares to its predecessor, and how it stacks up against the competition.
As part of this commitment, our testing begins by attending product launch events with the manufacturers themselves, where we speak directly with R&D teams to gain a deeper understanding of new clubs and the technology behind them.
Joe Ferguson testing the Mizuno ST-Max 230 Driver
Our driver testing is led by PGA Professional Joe Ferguson, who brings over 30 years of experience in the golf industry. Every driver we test goes through two key stages of thorough evaluation: controlled indoor testing and real-world testing out on the golf course.
Indoor testing comes first, where we use one of the best golf launch monitors to capture and analyse performance data. These figures provide objective insight into how each club performs, allowing us to compare metrics such as total and carry distance, dispersion, launch angle, smash factor and more against rival models.
It's then out onto the golf course to put each driver through their paces. We do our best to try each club across multiple rounds at different venues in different conditions in an attempt to put it through the most strenuous test possible. If a club is designed to perform well in the wind, we'll wait until a blustery day before playing 18 holes to see how it deals with the elements.
When it comes to testing, our goal is simple - to deliver the most informative, impartial review to then provide our loyal readership with informed buying advice - we don't say a product is good because we love the brand or were paid to do so, and we never will. Instead, our reviews are delivered by passionate golfers who are free from bias and know a thing or two about what makes a good golf product. No brand gets preferential treatment, nor can a manufacturer pay for a good review.
How to choose a new driver
As you're here, you’ve probably already wondered whether it’s time to invest in a new driver, but there are a few key factors worth considering before making a purchase. Working through these questions should help narrow your search and make comparing different models much easier.
When buying a new big stick, it’s important to be clear about what you want it to deliver. Is outright distance your top priority, or are you looking for something that helps you find more fairways? We’d always recommend a custom fitting with a PGA professional, but having a clear idea of your needs will allow you to make a more informed choice.
If accuracy is your main focus, look for a driver with high MOI or adjustable weighting to fine-tune spin and flight. If distance is the goal, a low-spinning model can help prevent the ball from ballooning. For those seeking a balance between the two, the ‘standard’ heads found in most driver line-ups are likely to be the best fit.
For more driver buying advice, check out our guides on the best drivers for beginners and best drivers for mid handicappers.
FAQs
What swing speed is considered slow?
Swing speeds of course vary between individuals, but a slow swing speed is anything under 85 mph with a driver.
What flex is best for a slow swing speed?
Once again, this will vary depending on the player, but generally speaking a driver swing speed of less than 75mph requires a ladies flex, 75-85mph requires a senior flex, 85-95mph is regular flex, 95-105mph is stiff flex and anything over 105mph is extra-stiff. But this is only a very rough guide and will be affected by how the individual swings and loads the club.