Drivers

How to choose a golf driver

Loft. The slower your swing, the more loft you need to get the ball airborne. Under 90 mph, start at 10.5 degrees or higher. Between 90 and 100, 9.5 to 10.5. Over 100 mph, look at 9 degrees or lower. We stock 8 through 13.5, and the extremes at both ends exist for a reason.

Shaft flex. Get this wrong and nothing else matters. Under 85 mph is regular, 85 to 100 is stiff, over 100 is extra stiff, and under 75 mph is seniors or ladies flex. Shaft flex changes your carry distance more than the head does.

Adjustability. Most modern drivers let you change loft and lie by a degree or two, and some let you move weight. Useful if your swing is still changing or you want to dial in a shot shape. Unnecessary if you are going to set it once and forget it.

Which driver is for you

• Standard heads. TaylorMade Qi4D, Callaway Quantum Max, Titleist GTS2, Cobra OPTM Max-K, Cleveland Launcher XL. The middle of the range and where most golfers should start. Highest forgiveness across the face without giving up much distance.
• Draw bias. TaylorMade Qi4D Max, Callaway Quantum Max D, Cobra Air-X Offset. Weight positioned to help square the face through impact. If your miss is consistently to the right, start here rather than with a lesson.
• Low spin and tour heads. TaylorMade Qi4D LS, Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond, Titleist GTS3. Smaller heads, less spin, less forgiveness. For faster swings that already find the centre of the face.
• Mini drivers. Titleist GT280, PXG Secret Weapon, Callaway Quantum Mini, Tour Edge Exotics Mini. Smaller heads played off a low tee or the deck. A genuine alternative to a 3 wood on tight courses, and the fastest growing part of this category.
• Lighter and higher launching. XXIO, Cleveland and the ladies and seniors builds across most brands. Lighter overall weight and softer shafts to help slower swings generate speed.

Our take on drivers

If one club in your bag is more than five years old and it is the driver, replace that one first. The gap between a five-year-old head and a current one is bigger than the gap between any two current drivers, and it is the easiest distance you will ever find.

Common questions

What loft driver should I buy?

Under 90 mph swing speed, 10.5 degrees or higher. Between 90 and 100, around 9.5 to 10.5. Over 100 mph, 9 degrees or lower. If you are unsure of your swing speed, MiMatch will measure it in a few swings.

Are adjustable drivers worth it?

If your swing is still developing, yes, because you can change loft and lie as you improve. If your swing is settled, an adjustable head that never gets adjusted is just a heavier hosel.

What is a mini driver?

A smaller driver head, roughly between a driver and a 3 wood, played off a low tee or the deck. It suits tight courses and golfers who struggle with a 3 wood off the fairway.

How often should I replace my driver?

Every five to seven years is a reasonable guide for a golfer playing weekly. Driver technology moves faster than any other club, and the face is the part most likely to lose performance over time.

You may also like

• All golf clubs
• Fairway woods
• Hybrids and utilities
• TaylorMade clubs
• Callaway clubs
• Tour Edge clubs
• Golf balls

Not sure which is right for your game? Every Drummond Golf store offers free MiMatch custom fitting. Our team analyses your swing and matches you to the right specs, at no cost and with no obligation to buy. Find your local store and book a fitting.