Before you pick up a Driver and take it onto the golf course, the first thing you should ask yourself is what it is you are hoping to achieve from it. Are you a golfer seeking unparalleled distance off the tee? Does your trajectory need fine-tuning? How about shot accuracy? Or shot shaping? It’s not just about which brands look nicer poking out the top of your golf bag, and nor should it be. Drivers are the powerhouse club in the pack and will set the tone for your game going forward. If get that wrong, chances are you’ll be behind before you’ve even started.
Budget is another important issue. You don’t want to pay over the odds for the best Driver on the market only to later find out it doesn’t match your level of expertise whatsoever. And Drivers are not cheap, either. They range anywhere from upward of £80 to £700 in price. Pick up a Driver on a whim and you could really regret it later on.
The type of golf courses you like to play will also have some dictation as to which Driver suits you best. Larger golf courses with rolling hills and a seemingly endless landscape will have you relying on your Driver more than say a small golf course compacted into one area.
Knowing your vital statistics is also beneficial for success when choosing the right Driver for your bag. Swing speed, golf ball speed and average carry distance all come into play here and being unrealistic will only result in failure. Most Tour Players hit driver circa 260 through the air, so you are unlikely to average this, so work out your own level and build on that over time.
If you are just getting into golf or are still relatively new to the sport, then beginners clubs are ideal. Choose a Driver that offers maximum forgiveness and large club head size (460cc) with a lightweight /Regular or Lightweight Shaft. Loft on a Driver is good for you as it helps keep the golf ball flying straight, so consider the HT/HL/12’ options and models with the above characteristics. The TaylorMade R1 TP Driver is suitable for all handicaps and offers plenty of forgiveness for golfers still finding their feet, while another good option is the Cleveland Golf Classic XL Driver, which works for all levels of golfer and has a larger head for maximum connection.
Much of the same rules apply here as they do for beginners, although you may have reached that point where you go for less loft and a stiffer shaft if your swing speed has increased. It’s also good to consider whether an adjustable model would benefit you more should you be able to choose a specific trajectory or shot shape that you desire. The TaylorMade Golf Super Fast Fairway offers all of the above while also challenging the player to improve. Cobra's stunning S3 Driver is similar to the TaylorMade with the added benefit of more forgiveness.
If you are low handicapped then you may need to consider opting for a wider variety of shaft/head options, including matching your current swing speed, golf ball speed and launch condition. Consider checking out the range of more compact and workable heads as these will undoubtedly enhance your game. They are manufactured by most big brand names in golf.
When it comes to deciding on which type of driver you want there can be a bone of contention when faced with adjustable and non-adjustable. With the growing trend of adjustable drivers now readily available they seem to have the monopoly of golfers siding with them, while some of the more ‘seasoned’ players still believe in the benefits gained from using non-adjustable drivers. But which is better?
Although we cannot tell you which is best as everyone has a different way of playing, we can at least give you some pros and cons to help you ultimately decide. Adjustable drivers are newer and can be, you guessed it, adjusted to help you make difficult lengths and tight angled shots, whereas non-adjustable drivers can only hit straight. Of course you will need to be constantly re-adjusting to keep the driver exactly how you want it and this can be time-consuming, which lends a lot of golfers to simply stick with the driver they have already.
Here is a compiled list of some of the golf drivers which are available now or coming to american golf this year.
The TaylorMade R1 TP Driver TaylorMade R1 TP is the most tuneable driver to date. Featuring a 12-position adjustable loft sleeve, a 7-position face angle sole plate which adjusts up to 4 degrees and two movable weights this is one of the most precision-orientated golf clubs on the market, with 168 different options of face angle, loft and weights at your disposal.
Ping’s first adjustable driver already looks a sure-fire hit and, being made from Titanium and Aluminium, the screw is no heavier than the traditional hosel it replaces. The Ping Anser Driver is the lowest-spinning driver in the range and is designed for trajectory tuning.
Sure to delight all handicaps, the Nike Covert Tour Driver is driven by Tour-inspired technology and plays to optimal performance in any weather condition. The Covert Driver balances stiffness along the entirety of the shaft and promotes excellent forgiveness off the tee.
Golf is every bit about getting the right equipment as it is about actually stepping onto the golf course and playing. The right Driver in your bag brings the best possibility of success, so taking the time to check every option available to your particular skills is imperative if you want to progress. Here’s some “Golden Rules” to remember when deciding which category suits best:
If you’re starting out then having more loft than perhaps you need will do no harm whatsoever. Over time your handicap will lower and so will the loft that you use, so it’s definitely better to work from the top and ease yourself down as your experience grows.
A common misconception among golfers, plenty of us are not as quick when swinging the golf club as we might think. This is nothing to worry about, however, as over time your swing speed will increase as your experience level ascends. The same applies for hitting the golf ball.
A lightweight shaft is fine is you’re starting out as it offers forgiveness ideal for beginners. Just because others are using stiffer shafts does not mean you should follow suit, at least not until you move into the mid handicapper bracket.
Making a decision based on your stats is both a great way to learn and grow as a player. We only get better at something the more we practice so taking these points on board now will definitely help in the long term. Trust your stats and rise up the ranks.
Don't forget that we also have a golf club fitting service available in-store. To find out where your nearest american golf pro shop is, use our store finder.
Check out our full range of golf drivers here.
Package sets are perfect for introducing new players into golf or helping improving golfers hone their skills without having to buy individual golf clubs. Package sets have proven popular among all types of players, and are available for men, women and juniors.
