As a beginner, finding the right driver is essential for your game. In this article, we’ll provide a guide to help you get the right driver for your game.
When buying a driver, beginners should focus on forgiveness, distance, and ease of use. Look for drivers with a larger sweet spot to minimize the impact of off-center hits. Choose a higher loft (10.5 to 12 degrees) for a higher ball flight and more distance. Choose a shaft that matches your swing speed, such as regular or senior flex. Consider drivers with adjustability features for customization.
Having tested out all of these drivers I feel they are all suitable for beginner golfers, the one that performed the best was the Callaway Paradym X.
In the following sections, we’ll explore some of the best drivers for beginners, highlighting their features and benefits. Let’s dive in.
TaylorMade Stealth 2
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 is the second version to the Carbonwood™ Age, taking forgiveness and distance to new heights. With an emphasis on speed and forgiveness, this driver is designed to be forgiving on miss hits while still giving you loads of distance.
Read our article comparing the latest Stealth 2 to the original Stealth Driver.
Key Features and Benefits:
More Carbon, More Forgiveness: There is almost two times more carbon on the face compared to the original version, this driver offers exceptional forgiveness and stability.
The Carbon Reinforced Composite Ring allow for optimal redistribution of mass, resulting in enhanced forgiveness and stability throughout your swing.
Enhanced 60X Carbon Twist Face: The Stealth 2 features an upgraded version of the 60X Carbon Twist Face. This innovative design combines the benefits of speed and forgiveness, ensuring that off-center strikes maintain ball speed and increase forgiveness.
The integration of Inverted Cone Technology further enhances forgiveness.
Premium Sound: By factoring in carbon sole thickness and utilizing curvature, shape, and internal stiffening ribs, TaylorMade has achieved a sound profile that is both bright and powerful. This gives you a great sound when striking the ball
Higher MOI, Optimal Launch: The Stealth 2 Driver features a higher Moment of Inertia (MOI) compared to its predecessor. With a strategically positioned 25g weight on the Inertia Generator, forgiveness is maximized, allowing for improved performance on off-center hits.
Additionally, the TPS Front Weight located on the sole encourages an optimal launch angle and spin.
Draw Bias Option: The Stealth 2 Driver also comes in a draw bias head, this could be handy for anyone that struggles with a slice, it has all the same features as the standard model.
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 is truly a driver that unlocks “forgiveness” for beginner golfers. With its increased amount of carbon, enhanced Twist Face technology, premium sound, and optimized forgiveness, this driver offers a combination of speed, stability, and forgiveness that can elevate your game to new heights.
Our Verdict
- Price: $599.99
- Distance: 95/100
- Feel & Control: 90/100
- Accuracy: 92/100
- Forgiveness: 94/100
Total: 93/100
Read our full review of the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver.
Callaway Paradym X Driver
The Callaway Paradym X Driver is incredible, it offers golfers exceptional performance and forgiveness. Designed to give you high launch, high MOI, and extreme forgiveness, this driver is a game-changer for golfers seeking maximum distance and accuracy off the tee. Ideal for beginner golfers.
Key Features and Benefits:
360° Carbon Chassis: The Paradym X Driver boasts an industry-first 360° Carbon Chassis, which enables unprecedented weight redistribution for maximum distance. The Triaxial Carbon crown and Forged Carbon sole significantly reduce weight, allowing for higher MOI and increased forgiveness. This innovative carbon construction results in a lighter and more stable driver.
New Jailbreak A.I.: Callaway’s new A.I. designed Jailbreak system provides enhanced stability in both the horizontal and torsional directions. With a 33% lighter weight design, this driver ensures greater stability, leading to faster ball speeds and more consistent performance.
A.I. Designed Face: The Paradym X features an all-new A.I. designed face optimization, incorporating artificial intelligence to enhance speed, launch, spin, and downrange dispersion.
This advanced driver face is engineered for optimal performance, ensuring fast ball speeds and improved accuracy across a wider range of shots.
Speed-Enhancing Face Cup and Forged Titanium Face: The Paradym X driver is the first in Callaway’s lineup to incorporate their speed-enhancing face cup technology.
Paired with a powerful forged titanium face, this combination maximizes ball speed and provides an incredible energy transfer at impact.
Forgiving Shape: The Paradym X Driver is specifically designed with a forgiving shape that promotes a high launch and high MOI. The generously stretched profile at address inspires confidence, while the 5g of rear weight strategically positioned increases launch and lowers spin, maximizing carry distance.
This driver also offers a slight draw bias, catering to golfers seeking forgiveness and accuracy in their drives.
- Price: $599.99
- Distance: 94/100
- Feel & Control: 91/100
- Accuracy: 94/100
- Forgiveness: 92/100
Total: 93/100
Read our full review of the Callaway Paradym X Driver
Cobra Aerojet Driver
AEROJET drivers are designed to deliver consistent and forgiving performance that will maximize distance for all skill levels. With it’s incredible distance and forgiveness as well as draw bias features, this could be one of the biggest underdog drivers of the year.
Key Features and Benefits:
Advanced Aerodynamic Shaping: The Cobra Aerojet Driver features a raised skirt, symmetrical shaping, and streamlined edges, all of which work together to reduce drag and increase clubhead speed.
Max Forgiveness & Draw-Biased Control: The adjustable back and heel weight positioning in the Aerojet Driver allows you to fine-tune the draw bias, providing maximum forgiveness and control over your shots.
Unleash Faster Ball Speed: The fully suspended PWR-BRIDGE weight is positioned in the forward position, allowing for maximum energy transfer that delivers faster ball speeds.
This weight distribution enhances the flexibility of the face and sole, optimizing the performance of the driver and increasing the overall speed and distance.
Advanced Technology: The Aerojet Driver incorporates several advanced technologies to enhance performance. The forged PWRSHELL face insert maximizes flexibility, resulting in faster ball speeds and higher launch.
The H.O.T Face design, created with artificial intelligence, provides a variable thickness pattern that optimizes speed and spin across the face.
The carbon fiber crown and sole reduce weight and allow for better weight distribution, contributing to increased stability.
- Price: $549.99
- Distance: 90/100
- Feel & Control: 90/100
- Accuracy: 91/100
- Forgiveness: 91/100
Total: 91/100
Read our full review of the Cobra Aerojet Driver
PING G430 Max Driver
The PING G430 Driver is a powerful and technologically advanced club designed to deliver huge distance gains and forgiveness. With its optimized face, sound engineering, spinsistency, and adjustable features, this driver offers beginners the opportunity to maximize their performance.
Key Features and Benefits:
Optimized T9S+ Forged Face: The G430 Driver features a shallower, variable-thickness face combined with a transition design, resulting in increased faster ball speeds. This optimized face construction delivers PING’s biggest distance gains to date.
Sound Engineering: PING’s research into audio frequencies and harmonics has led to the creation of a new internal rib structure and increased curvature of the crown, skirt, and sole. This design improves the sound and feel.
Spinsistency: The variable roll radius of the G430 Driver helps reduce spin by creating less loft low on the face. This design improvement enhances performance by generating faster ball speeds.
Most Forgiveness: The G430 Driver is engineered to optimize ball flight and maximize distance while retaining the highest Moment of Inertia (MOI) in PING’s history. It features a 25-gram, high-density tungsten backweight that can be adjusted to position the center of gravity (CG) for different shot shapes.
With the ability to shift the CG, golfers can experience ±8 yards of change between the Draw, Neutral, and Fade settings.
G430 High Launch (HL): For golfers with slower swing speeds, the G430 High Launch (HL) build offers additional distance gains. Which is great for beginner golfers.
With a lighter system weight, including an 11g backweight, PING Alta Quick shaft, and Lamkin UTx Lite grip, slower swing-speed golfers can experience an average of nine yards gained off the tee due to increased ball speed.
The G430 HL model is available in MAX and SFT versions.
The PING G430 Driver combines advanced technology, forgiveness, and customizable features to help golfers achieve their maximum potential on the golf course. With its optimized face, sound engineering, spinsistency, adjustable loft and lie, and tailored builds for different swing speeds, this driver offers a comprehensive solution for golfers seeking distance, forgiveness, and customization.
- Price: $549.99
- Distance: 88/100
- Feel & Control: 88/100
- Accuracy: 96/100
- Forgiveness: 96/100
Total: 91/100
Read our full review of the PING G430 Driver
Drivers Beginners Should Avoid
- TaylorMade Stealth 2 Max,
- Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond
- PING G430 LST
Or any other low spinning driver
A low spinning driver head may not be ideal for beginner golfers due to its potential challenges in achieving consistent and forgiving shots. While low spinning drivers can deliver longer drives for experienced golfers, beginners need more backspin to keep the ball airborne and mitigate slices or hooks.
Higher spinning drivers offer increased lift and forgiveness on mishits, crucial for those developing their swing and timing. A forgiving driver helps beginners build confidence and consistency in their game, making it a better choice for those starting their golfing journey.
Prioritizing forgiveness and ease of use is key for beginners, as it allows them to achieve more stable and predictable shots as they hone their skills on the course.
How we review each product
Distance: In the reviewing process, you thoroughly assess the distance performance of each driver. This includes analyzing factors such as ball speed, launch angles, and spin rates. A driver that maximizes distance potential, providing longer and more consistent drives, earns high marks in this category.
Feel & Control: The evaluation for Feel & Control involves gauging the driver’s impact feedback and responsiveness. A driver that offers a solid feel at impact, coupled with the ability to shape shots, provides the golfer with greater control over their ball flight, enhancing overall shot-making capabilities.
Accuracy: Accuracy is crucial for any golfer, and you meticulously analyze how each driver performs in terms of shot dispersion. A driver that consistently delivers shots on target, reducing deviation and dispersion, is deemed accurate and earns top scores in this category.
Forgiveness: The forgiveness aspect is evaluated by assessing how well the driver performs on off-center hits. A forgiving driver minimizes the impact of mishits, offering stability and distance even on less-than-perfect strikes. A higher forgiveness rating indicates a driver that can help beginners and higher handicap players improve their consistency and confidence on the course.
FAQ
- How to choose the best driver?
Choosing the best driver involves considering key factors such as forgiveness, distance, and ease of use. Beginners should prioritize forgiveness and higher loft (10.5 to 12 degrees) for better results on mishits. Advanced players may focus on adjustability and fine-tuning options for personalized performance. It’s also essential to test multiple drivers and seek professional fitting to find the ideal match for your swing and playing style.
- Should I get my driver professionally fitted?
Yes, getting your driver professionally fitted is highly recommended. A custom fitting session with a qualified club fitter will analyze your swing characteristics, launch conditions, and individual preferences. This process helps identify the perfect combination of club head, shaft, and loft that maximizes your distance, accuracy, and overall performance on the course.
- How do I pick the right shaft?
Choosing the right shaft involves considering your swing speed, tempo, and shot preferences. A shaft with the appropriate flex, weight, and torque can optimize your launch angle, spin, and ball flight. Based on your swing characteristics, a professional fitting will help determine whether you need a regular, stiff, or other flex, along with the best shaft material for your game.
- Is the degree of the driver important?
Absolutely, the degree of the driver, commonly referred to as loft, plays a vital role in your shot trajectory and distance. For beginners, a driver with a higher loft (10.5 to 12 degrees) provides a higher ball flight and more forgiveness on off-center hits. Advanced players might prefer lower loft options to control spin and trajectory. Selecting the right loft depends on your skill level, swing speed, and desired shot shape.
- Which brands should I choose?
Sticking with the popular brands is always a good idea (TaylorMade, Callaway, Titliest, PING, Cobra). There is a reason they are the most popular with the Tour players.
Conclusion
After extensive research and evaluation, the above products came out on top of our research. The Callaway Paradym X Driver impresses with its innovative 360° Carbon Chassis, A.I. designed Jailbreak system, and customizable shot shapes, providing golfers with unparalleled performance and forgiveness.
Additionally, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 stands out with its emphasis on forgiveness, distance, and ease of use. Its NEW 60X Carbon Twist Face and adjustability features make it a game-changer for beginners.
The Cobra Aerojet Driver shines through optimized T9S+ Forged Face, Sound Engineering, Spinsistency, and adjustable features, delivering impressive distance gains and playability.
I guess the main things you need to take away from this is that Callaway, TaylorMade, PING and Cobra are all great drivers, but having the right loft, flex and lengths clubs for your swing are arguably even more important.
Check this article out where we dive into more details around what you should be looking for in golf clubs.
