Are you constantly shooting in the high 90s every time you partake in a round of golf? Do still feel at a beginner golfer level, even though you’ve played the sport for years?
Don’t worry: there are a lot of surprisingly avid golfers that share this feeling with you. Luckily, there is a wide range of premium drivers designed especially with high handicappers in mind.
If slicing is constantly stealing your distance or you can’t shake your hook habit, it’s high time you invested in a high-handicapper golf driver. But which one should you choose? Most premium golf brands – from Callaway to Titleist – have several high-handicapper drivers available, which makes it difficult to decide which one to go for.
In this guide, we’ll look at the 6 best high-handicapper golf drivers.
What To Look For In A Driver for High Handicappers
It’s not just beginners who need high handicapper clubs. Experienced golfers can still suffer from a slow swing speed, or have a habit of slicing the odd shot.
High handicap drivers are designed to mitigate the effects of hitting a bad shot. For example, if you don’t hit the ball with enough force, a high handicap golf club could help send your ball further than it would go otherwise. Or, if you hit the ball off-center, a high-handicap golf driver could grant you forgiveness, and send your ball straight down the fairway.
But what makes high-handicap golf clubs do this, and what should you look for in a high-handicap driver? Consider the following when shopping for the best golf drivers as a high handicapper:
Forgiveness
As a high handicapper, you need a forgiving driver – this is the most crucial buying factor to consider here. With a highly forgiving club, your mishits can become successful strokes.
The main purpose of forgiving drivers is to provide golfers with leeway if they don’t hit the ball square on. If you were to hit the ball near the toe or the heel with an unforgiving driver, it wouldn’t get very far.
On the over hand, a forgiving driver provides you with a much bigger ‘sweet spot’ surface area. This wider sweet spot is created using added weight or by setting the weight further back than normal.
However, high-handicapper drivers are not all designed to provide you with forgiveness in the same way. Some are designed to help you increase your ball speed, while others are made to help you reduce the number of hook hits you make. You should bear this in mind when you see a driver offering “forgiveness”.
Shaft
The shaft plays a big role in determining the quality, weight, feel, and so many other aspects of the golf club. Most modern drivers will come equipped with a graphite shaft, which has become the industry standard (having replaced steel shafts a while ago). However, there are lots of different types of graphite shafts available, each with its own flex.
If you’re looking to improve your swing speed, you need to look out for a shaft that offers a flex to fit your current swing speed.
For example, if your swing speed is less than 84 mph, you need a shaft with a senior flex. If it’s between 84 and 95 mph, you need a regular shaft flex. For 96-105 mph, a stiff shaft flex is recommended. Lastly, an extra stiff shaft flex is for anyone with a swinging speed above 105 mph.
As you’ll see below, some golf clubs are available in all four shaft flex options, while others are only available in two.
Price
The price range of high handicap drivers varies significantly. The most important thing to remember is: you don’t have to opt for the latest, or the one that offers the most forgiveness. A driver that’s a couple of seasons old, sold at half the price of the latest models, may be better suited to your golf swing.
It’s all about what you need, rather than what the latest drivers feature – especially when it comes to reducing your high handicap.
The best thing to do would be to try out a few different drivers if you can. You could even attend a driver fitting. Through this, a professional would be able to analyze your swing and match you with the driver that will rectify your problems.
Overall, determine what exactly you need in a driver and set a budget for yourself.
The 6 Best Drivers for High Handicap Golfers
Now you know what to look for in a high-handicap driver, let’s get right to our top picks. Below, you’ll find what we believe to be the 6 best drivers for high handicappers:
1. Cobra AEROJET Max Driver
- Price: $549
- Lofts: 9.0°, 10.5°, 12°
- Stock shaft options: MCA Kai’li Blue 60, UST Helium Nanocore 4
- Shaft flex: Regular, stiff, extra stiff
We’ve chosen this club as our first choice not only due to how much draw and fade bias it offers but for how much it can improve swing speeds. Compared to the PING G430 MAX, the Cobra AEROJET Max Driver is focused more on improving a player’s swing speed.
This Cobra driver lives up to the “Aerojet” part of its name. The edges are streamlined, the skirt is raised, and the clubhead itself looks almost perfectly symmetrical – all of which help this clubhead glide swiftly through the air.
This swifter speed is complemented by the large club face, which features an above-average-sized sweet spot. With increased swing and square-contact potential, you are sure to hit the golf ball further than you would on any other driver in your golf bag.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Cobra AEROJET Max driver also provides golfers with a good degree of forgiveness. The adjustable heel weight allows you to correct your draw bias by 30 yards on either side.
Pros
- Perfect for those with slower swing speeds
- Large club face
- Adjustable heel
- Excellent draw bias
Cons
- Only comes with two stock shaft options
- Launch level and spin are limited
2. PING G430 MAX driver
- Price: $549.00
- Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°
- Stock shaft options: PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65, PING Alta CB Black 55, Mitsubishi Kai’Li White 60, and Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 50.
- Shaft flex: Soft regular, regular, stiff, extra stiff
The Ping G430 MAX driver offers maximum forgiveness and is very easy to use. It’s a go-to beginner and high handicapper driver, which is why we’ve included it so far up in our list.
To start with, the driver offers plenty of options when it comes to adjustability, with eight unique loft and lie settings available. This allows you to change the launch angle to whichever you require.
If you suffer from severe draw or fade bias, the PING G430 MAX driver can help rectify your problems for you. The driver boasts a Tungsten Movable Weight, which shifts the center of gravity deep and low into the club. This weight can be adjusted to Fade (toe), Draw (heel), and Neutral (middle) positions.
By moving this weight, you can provide yourself with up to eight yards of either fade or draw bias. This is obviously lower than the Cobra AEROJET, but ideal if you’re only looking for a slight draw bias.
Pros:
- Really easy to use for beginners and high handicappers
- Adjustable weights provide plenty of forgiveness
- Ability to adjust your shot shape
- Large sweet spot
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not the most impressive distance gains
3. TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Driver
- Price: $599.99
- Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°
- Stock shaft options: Fujikura Speeder NX Red.
- Shaft flex: Stiff, regular, senior
If you think the Cobra AEROJET Max Driver isn’t as good for launching, consider the TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD driver. This high-handicapper driver is also amongst the most stylish, with a cool black and red design. It also features a striking red carbon face.
Despite these features, the driver is not too distracting when teeing off, thanks to its neutral black carbon crown.
This driver features quite a high ball spin, allowing high handicappers to easily get the ball in the air. However, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 does not produce as significant a ball speed as the likes of the Cobra AEROJET Max Driver does.
Although this club will increase clubhead speed for high handicappers, this force isn’t really reflected in ball speed or distance.
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD driver not only assists handicappers with ball flight but also provides a decent level of draw bias and forgiveness. This is thanks to the 60X Carbon Twist Face, which helps players out during mishits. A high MOI is also achieved thanks to the 30g back weight.
Pros
- High launch
- Some degree of forgiveness
- Premium design
Cons
- Doesn’t feature an adjustment tool
- Limited ball speed
4. XXIO 12 Driver
- Price: $699.99
- Lofts: 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5°
- Stock shaft options: XXIO 12 MP-1200 graphite shaft
- Shaft flex: Regular, stiff
If you currently have a moderate swing speed but need to project your ball flight further forward, consider the XXIO 12 driver. Although this may be one of the most expensive drivers on this list, it’s worth the money for the 100+ extra yards it could add to your strokes.
At the heel of the crown, you’ll probably notice a protruding triangle. This is known as the ActivWing feature, which helps the club glide almost effortlessly through the air on the downward swing. This aerodynamic feature combined with the lightweight build materials allows you to create enough force upon impact to send your golf balls flying.
Like a plane, this feature also combats resistance you may feel coming towards the club. This allows you to follow your swing path unimpeded and smash the golf ball square on.
No power is lost when you make contact with the ball – in fact, the design of XXIO 12’s face serves only to enhance it. The Rebound Frame adds a spring-like quality to the face, which increases ball speed significantly. The face center is also large and thin, giving you a much higher chance of hitting the sweet spot.
Pros
- Exceptional aerodynamics
- Hits the ball with maximum impact
- Rebound Frame projects the ball further forward
- Increased yardage
Cons
- Only one shaft option
- One of the most expensive drivers for high handicappers
5. Callaway Rogue ST Max Driver
- Price: $399
- Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°
- Stock shaft options: Mitsubishi TENSEI AV Blue, Mitsubishi TENSEI AV White, and Project X Cypher Black
- Shaft flex: Regular, stiff
Is the XXIO 12 driver well out of your budget? Well, the Callaway Rogue ST Max can provide the distance you’re looking for at nearly half the price. While it may not send your golf ball as far as other drivers on this list, it provides you with enough forgiveness and power to send your ball further down the fairway than you’re probably used to.
This driver delivers greater stability to handicapped golfers, allowing them to hit the ball with greater precision. However, even if they don’t strike square, this Callaway driver provides golfers with sufficient forgiveness to make up for it. This forgiveness is provided by the 26-gram tungsten bar found within the sole of the club.
Not only does this weight shift the center of gravity and save off-center strikes, but it also provides some base stability. With this, high handicappers can perfect their swing speed and aim.
The Flash Face (which features variable thickness levels) also creates added forgiveness for players who often hit off-center.
However, there are no adjustable weights with this driver, meaning you can’t select a forgiveness level.
Pros
- More affordable than other premium drivers
- Provides users with stability and forgiveness
- High launch and ball flight
- Affordable price
Cons
- Doesn’t add as much speed and distance as other drivers
- No adjustable weights
6. PING G425 MAX Driver
- Price: $397
- Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°
- Stock shaft options: PING Alta Distanza, Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 65, Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 55, Aldila Rogue White 130 MSI 70, PING Tour 65, and PING Alta CB 55 Slate.
- Shaft flex: Soft regular, regular, stiff, extra stiff
The PING G425 can now be yours for cheaper than all of the other clubs on this list. It’s one of the best drivers for beginners and high handicappers due to its extra lightweight top of the club head and heavy/adjustable bottom. Just like the PING G430 MAX driver, you can adjust the bottom weights easily between draw, fade, and neutral.
Although it’s not as aerodynamic as the likes of the Cobra AEROJET Max or the XXIO 12 golf drivers, the PING G425 MAX does allow your stroke to easily cut through the air. This is due to the subtle addition of the Crown Turbulators, which are small ridges located on the top of the crown.
Upon impact with the ball, the T9S+ Forged Face creates flexion,which converts the force of the swing directly onto the ball. Depending on the force exerted, you could see a significant distance increase in your gameplay. The major flaw of the G425 – and a lot of PING drivers – is the loud noise that they create. The ‘ping’ could be distracting.
Pros
- Lots of stock shaft options
- Lots of shaft flex options
- Good price
- Adjustable weight
Cons
- Very loud
FAQs
Should a high handicapper use a graphite or a steel shaft?
A high handicapper should use a graphite shaft as it is lighter and provides much more flexibility. This helps a high handicapper to better hold and swing their club. They also create less vibration upon impact and can help provide players with forgiveness. Most drivers now come with graphite shafts.
The benefits of a steel shaft are that it provides more durability, and less torque and twist. For the latter reason, they’re better suited to low-handicapper golfers.
How much loft does a high handicapper need on drivers?
Lower-skilled players often stick to higher lofts, while low-handicapper players normally go with low lofts. For high handicappers, you should go with at least a 10.5° loft or increase it to 11.5°. The higher your loft, the higher the launch angle you’ll create. If you’re struggling to get the ball in the air at all, you need plenty of loft in your golf driver.