Before you walk onto the tee box and start setting up your shot, you’re going to want to make sure that you have the best golf driver on hand. Drivers are purpose-built to provide you with great distance and the low loft. Often referred to as a 1-wood, drivers play an integral role in your golf club set. These clubs will be your go-to whenever you approach par 4 or par 5 holes.
The design of golf drivers has changed quite a bit in the last few decades. Despite having the moniker of 1-wood, most modern drivers aren’t made out of wood at all. Over three decades ago, manufacturers started to implement tough metals like steel and titanium into their drivers. This innovation led to a fundamental change in the way golf is played. Thanks to the impressive distances that golfers can achieve with contemporary drivers, courses have gotten longer and more challenging.
Whether you’re a novice golfer or a seasoned pro, the best golf driver can help you overcome those challenges. Drivers are a worthy investment. The quality of your club can make all the difference in your technique. To help you on your search, we’ve rounded up a collection of some of the best drivers on the market.
Best Golf Drivers 2022 Reviews
Have a look at some of the best golf drivers that money can buy in 2022.
| Best Golf Drivers 2021 | Shaft Material | Loft | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TaylorMade M6 Driver | Fujikura Atmos Black | Adjustable | Check Price |
| Cobra King F9 | Fujikura Atmos Tour Spec Black 7 | Adjustable | Check Price |
| Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero | Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue, 60G | Adjustable | Check Price |
| Ping G410 Plus Driver | ALTA CB Red Graphite | Adjustable | Check Price |
| Mizuno Golf ST190 Driver | Graphite | Adjustable | Check Price |
TaylorMade M6 Driver
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TaylorMade was the first company to use steel in its drivers. As such, the company is a pioneer in the industry. The M6 driver continues with that tradition of excellence.
Technology:
This highest rated driver has several great features to improve your game. The first is the speed resin, which is injected into the face. The resin adds weight to the face strategically, making it feel more solid. The result is more speed. This club can provide you with the fasted legal ball speed available.
Performance:
Another cool perk about the M6 driver is the twisted face. While most clubs have a flat face, the M6’s face features a noticeable curve. It’s designed to prevent sidespin and give you a straighter shot.
Specs:
- Four flex levels
- 9, 10.5, and 12 degrees of loft available
- Speed resin injection
- Fujikura Atmos shaft
- Maximum legal ball speed
- Adjustable weight
- Provides straighter shots
- No adjustable loft angle
Final Verdict:
It’s easy to see why TaylorMade is one of the most trusted brands in the business. The M6 continues to push the boundaries on what drivers can do. It’s an excellent option for golfers of all skill levels.
Cobra King F9
- Speedback Technology-King F9 Speedback driver is the first of its kind to achieve true optimization of aerodynamics and low CG, making it the fastest, and longest COBRA driver.
This driver from Cobra golf looks intimidating. It has a modern aerodynamic shape that’s meant to improve your performance in many different ways.
Technology:
The driver uses Speedback technology. It’s expertly designed to glide through the air with every swing. Not only that, but the weight is concentrated on the bottom of the head. This creates a very low center of gravity to improve speed and power.
Performance:
As if the core design of the driver wasn’t enough, Cobra has included some great adjustability features as well. You can change the center of gravity by moving a single weight. There are only two positions to choose from. However, that small change affects draw bias. Loft adjustments are also available to modify the ball’s trajectory.
Specs:
- Available with five stiffness levels
- 9, 10.5, and 12 degrees of loft available
- Aerodynamic club face
- Adjustable loft
- Adjustable center of gravity
- Large sweet spot
- Doesn’t come with adjustment wrench
- May be difficult to hit a straight shot
Final Verdict:
There’s no doubt that this Cobra driver can serve you well. It has all the features you’d need to be in full control of your golf shot. Plus, it looks great on the course.
Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero
- The Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero is the ultimate combination of low-spin and high MOI in a driver, led by new Flash Face Technology.
Callaway is another big-name golf brand that continues to innovate. The Epic Flash Sub Zero driver has some unique technology that was created using artificial intelligence.
Technology:
Flash Face technology is a feature that was meticulously designed with AI and machine learning. Computers helped to create this unique wave design out of more than 15,000 iterations. The final version used in the club offers more speed and impressive distance.
Performance:
Another cool feature is the Jailbreak bars. They’re installed inside the head to provide greater stiffness. This makes the impact zone more stable. Callaway has also included a movable weight that affects the center of gravity.
Specs:
- 5 or 9 degrees of loft
- Four flex options
- Perimeter weighting
- Three shaft options
- Sliding weight adjustment
- Designed for high MOI
- Jailbreak and Flash Face technology
- Can’t adjust loft
Final Verdict:
If you’re looking for the most distance possible, this Callaway driver may be for you. It’s filled to the brim with design features that are engineered to give you as much power as possible. Try it out on your next par 5 and see what these features can do for your game.
Ping G410 Plus Driver
- The Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero is the ultimate combination of low-spin and high MOI in a driver, led by new Flash Face Technology.
This sleek driver from Ping is a powerhouse on the green. It doesn’t have a ton of high-tech features. However, that doesn’t prevent it from being a good universal driver.
Technology:
When you’re lining up your shot, you can take advantage of the adjustable loft to get more height. A simple screw on the hosel allows you to make fine adjustments that make all the difference. The face of the club is relatively large as it is, which can help to provide you with more accuracy as well.
Performance:
Ping has been very resistant to implement adjustable weights on their drivers. For this particular model, accuracy is the name of the game. The weight is positioned towards the back of the driver. This puts the center of gravity up front. The unique design does a lot to positively shape your shot.
Specs:
- Regular and stiff flex options
- 9, 10.5, and 12 degrees of loft
- Graphite shaft
- Adjustable loft angle
- Large sweet spot
- Good weight distribution
- No weight adjustments
Final Verdict:
The Ping G410 won’t provide you with as much flexibility as some other models. However, the great design of the face makes it a worthy contender for long-distance shots.
Mizuno Golf ST190 Driver
- SP700 Titanium Face for greater responsive force for increased ball speed and distance
Mizuno is known for creating great wedges, putters, and irons. The ST190 aims to be the brand’s signature driver option. Thanks to its great design, it does not disappoint.
Technology:
The biggest benefit of this driver is the adjustable weight system. Mizuno has managed to keep the crown of the driver relatively light. As a result, the adjustable weight on the bottom does a lot to manipulate the center of gravity and speed.
Performance:
When it comes to performance, the ST190 is truly capable of achieving impressive speeds. The lower loft angle produces less spin, allowing the ball to cut through the air without any issues. The titanium face also contributes to power. It’s a solid face with a large MOI, allowing you to stay on target and achieve great distance.
Specs:
- 5 and 10.5 loft angles
- Atmost shaft
- Titanium face
- Three stiffness levels
- Curved bottom
- Lightweight crown
- Adjustable weight
- May be difficult to line up shot
Final Verdict:
Let the Mizuno St190 do all the hard work for you. This beautifully designed club is very easy to adjust and get the performance capabilities that you’re after.
A Complete Buyer’s Guide for Golf Drivers
Ask any experienced golfer and they’ll proudly tell you that the driver is one the most important clubs they own. While putters have a greater effect on your overall score, the driver is what’s going to start things off. As a result, you need to take some extra time choosing the perfect club. Here are some important considerations to make as you shop.
Important Features to Consider When Buying a Golf Driver
While the head of a driver may look like a solid chunk of metal, many models are hiding some innovative technology within them. Adjustable drivers can be fine-tuned to your particular playing style. Plus, you’re able to make adjustments to work around the unique difficulties of every hole you take on. Needless to say, adjustable drivers are some of the most flexible options that you can get.
Loft Angle
There are a few different elements that you can change. The biggest is the loft. In golf, loft refers to the angle of the club face. Even small differences in the loft angle can affect the trajectory of the ball. Typically, a higher loft will create more lift as the ball sails through the air.
For most golf drivers, the loft angle lies between 7 and 12 degrees. On standard drivers, that loft angle is fixed. However, adjustable models let you make changes by experimenting with the hosel. This is the portion of the head that’s connected to the shaft. Manufacturers often implement a discrete screw that you can remove to change the position of the hosel. The versatility of those adjustments will depend entirely on the design of the driver. But, you can expect to get between 4 and 5 degrees of flexibility.
Lie Adjustments
Some of the best golf drivers let you take those adjustments even further. Lie adjustments are great to have. The lie refers to the angle of the shaft in relation to the ground. It might not seem like a huge factor in the success of your shot, but that angle determines your approach and swing. The lie angle varies quite a bit, as there is no industry standard for manufacturers to follow. Having a driver with an adjustable lie is like having an entire set of drivers from different brands.
Angle of the Face
Another thing that you can adjust is the angle of the face. Don’t confuse this with the loft angle. The face angle is the direction that the club points. You can have a closed face, which means that the club is angled a bit to the left, or an open face, which means that the club is pointed to the right. Again, small discrepancies in your face angle have a noticeable effect on your technique. It influences the path of your swing before and after you make impact with the ball.
Weight Distribution
Finally, there’s the weight distribution of the club. Ultimately, weight can directly impact power and distance. Golf club manufacturers strive to perfect the weight distribution of the club. It’s not just about the overall weight of the head. You also need to worry about the center of gravity. The distribution of that weight determines how easy it is to hit the ball perfectly. Adjustable drivers allow you to fine-tune the weight and center of gravity with plugs that weigh between 1 and 20 grams.
Just insert the plugs into the bottom of the driver’s head to change the way the club feels in your hand. This feature is great for achieving more power and better accuracy. Small changes in the weight can also provide you with a higher moment of inertia, or MOI. This makes the driver more forgiving, even if you don’t hit the ball on the sweet spot.
Shaft
When it comes to the shaft of your driver, you have a lot of options. Steel is relatively common. It’s hefty and feels solid in the hand. You can also get graphite and titanium, which are on the lighter side.
In addition to the material of the shaft, it’s important to consider its flexibility. The shaft’s flex plays a role in the amount of power you can achieve. As the shaft bows, energy is stored. Once the head makes contact with the ball, that energy is released to provide a bit of extra kick.
You can find a range of flex ratings for drivers. Typically, those who have a slower swing can benefit from more flex. The flexing power makes up for lower swing energy. On the other hand, fast swingers usually do well with a stiffer shaft because it provides greater control.
Distance vs. Forgiveness vs. Shot Shape Correction
When you’re shopping for the best golf driver, you’ll see manufacturers touting that their clubs can improve your performance. Depending on the model, you might see that the club is very “forgiving” or capable of giving you more distance.
It is possible for manufacturers to provide these perks. However, there are tradeoffs involved. For example, to achieve more distance and power, the weight distribution has to be changed. This affects the MOI, which sacrifices accuracy. The opposite applies as well. To truly shape your shot, the golf club has to create a larger center of gravity by adjusting the weight distribution of the head. While this design feature is great for those who are trying to overcome a handicap and improve their game, you will notice a decrease in power.
Finding that balance between accuracy and speed is important. Golfers all have their own ideas about which is most important. Ultimately, the option that’s best for you will depend on how you play.
Budget
Before you even start looking at golf drivers, you need to establish a budget. Take one look through your local golf shop and you’ll see that clubs do not come cheap. Drivers can range from a few hundred dollars in price up to more than a thousand dollars. It’s very easy to overspend, especially when you’re serious about the game.
It’s important to note that a higher price tag doesn’t necessarily mean that the club is better. To truly gauge its effectiveness, you should consider all of its design features. Find a figure that you’re comfortable spending and stick to it.
Wrap Up
Don’t let a bad driver affect your golf game! These clubs are the first thing you’ll grab to tee off. The best driver that money can buy will help you cover great distances and close in on the green quickly, which can help you see success on the course.
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