The Best New Drivers - 2016

With the 2016 season just around the corner, manufacturers begin to release their new drivers for the coming season. Extra distance is what most amateurs crave while maintaining their accuracy and with the ever advancing technology in golf, manufacturers may entice you with promises of 20 extra yards.

So, if you in the market for few extra yards and increased accuracy check out all of the best new drivers to hit the market in 2016 including the TaylorMade M1, Srixon Z545, Mizuno JPX EZ, COBRA F6+, PING G, Callaway XR16, Wilson FG Tour F5, Nike Vapor Fly and Titleist 915.

PING G 

The clever folk at PING analysed the dragonfly’s intricate wing pattern to come up with the all-new Dragonfly Technology. This technology allows for an ultra-thin crown that in turn means weight can be reallocated within the head to move the CG even lower and deeper, as well as maximised MOI. The new G Series driver also boasts repositioned turbulators to further delay airflow separation prior to impact.

That’s not all; there are even further advances in technology included in the head of the club in the shape of Vortex Technology. This technology improves clubhead aerodynamics by minimising wake turbulence for faster clubhead speed and stability. This technology is on offer in all three G, LS Tec and SF Tec heads.

PING G Driver technical specifications, pricing and availability

• Loft: 9° and 10.5° in standard and LS Tec heads. 10° and 12° in SF Tec heads (adjustable +/- 0.6° or 1°).
• Shaft: Stock shaft: PING Alta 55 (A, R, S and XS flex); Optional shafts: Tour 65 & Tour 80 (R, S and XS flex)
• Grip: PING 5L Round Grip or PING 5L Round Cord
• RRP: £349
• The PING G Series drivers are available to pre-order from PING-authorised golf shops around the world now.

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Cobra F6+

The Cobra F6+ is the most adjustable driver Cobra have ever created so if you like tinkering with your equipment in order to achieve the perfect ball flight then you should definitely consider the Cobra F6+. Through 5 different CG settings, you can optimize launch, spin and ball flights meaning you get everything from a penetrating ball flight that will offer more roll to a towering ball flight with extra forgiveness. The new lightweight track frees up weight in the head of the club and allows an 18g weight to be repositioned along the track for that perfect ball flight and delivers ultra low CG’s.

Cobra have gone all out to deliver maximum ball speed with an exclusive Cobra innovation called Speed Channel. The engineered channel around the perimeter of the face minimizes thickness and increases ball speeds across the face for greater distance. In addition, the E9 face zoning technology removes weight from key areas behind the face to offer a larger sweet spot resulting in more distance from them off centre-hits.

COBRA F6+ Driver technical specifications, pricing and availability

• Loft:  9°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5° and 12° and three draw settings – 9.5°D, 10.5°D and 11.5°D.
• Shaft: Matrix OZIK Black Tie 65g, (R, S and XS flex)
• Grip: Lamkin 3GEN Crossline 360
• RRP: £299
• Available in-store January 29, 2016.

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Mizuno JPX EZ

After being debuted by Luke Donald at the 2015 BMW PGA Championship, the Mizuno JPX EZ driver has received a lot of recognition and rightly so. Due to its clever design and simple adjustability, the JPX EZ driver is a club golfers heaven as they can enjoy the combined performance attributes of adjustability and off-centre forgiveness.

Previous adjustable weight drivers had been generally hard to hit due to having to attach extra weight to the weight ports but the JPX EZ has addressed that introduced the brand new three weight system. A 10g weight can be placed in one of three weight ports to find the perfect ball flight without the ‘in-between’ setting. The larger clubface makes the club seem even more hittable which should offer a bit more confidence with the big stick.

The JPX EZ driver also has a rounded crown, which eliminates the stiffer area higher in the clubface allowing it to flex more freely offering maximum distance on those off-centre hits. The reduced framework for weights and tracks keeps weight low and deep in the head for huge MOI and a high easy ball flight.

MIzuno JPX EZ Driver technical specifications, pricing and availability

• Loft: 10.5° (Adjustable between 8° and 12.5°)
• Shaft: Fujikura Orochi (R, S, L and A flex)
• Fujikura Six (R, S and A flex)
• Grip: M-31 58 Round
• RRP: £349
• Available Feb 16.

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Callaway XR 16

Having teamed up with Boeing, Callaway are able to offer their most forgiving and aerodynamic driver yet in the Callaway XR 16. The XR 16 is all about speed and redesigned Speed Step helps do just that.

By working with aerodynamic experts from Boeing, the XR 16 reaches a completely new threshold in terms of club speed. The high head speed design with low drag was achieved by pinpointing the size and placement of the re-engineered Speed Step, which saves weight for greater speeds. Callaway have also designed the XR 16 to incorporate a larger footprint that increases MOI and moves the CG lower and deeper. This offers more forgiveness on all impacts. Finally, the new-generation R•MOTO face is 19% thinner and lighter, which helps promote higher ball speeds off the face.

Callaway XR 16 technical specifications, pricing and availaibility

• Loft: 9°, 10.5° and GT13.5°
• Shaft: Stock shaft – Fujikura Speeder Evolution 565 (L, R, S and XS flex)
• Grip: Callaway Diamond Universal Blue
• RRP: £289

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Nike Vapor Fly

The Nike Vapor Fly driver has three key technologies that equate to fast ball speed, high trajectory and less spin: the Flightweight crown, the HyperFlight face and the Compression Channel. Its blue crown and iconic Volt colour in the Compression Channel distinguish the driver. But what are these three key technologies?

The Flightweight crown results in a lower centre of gravity and a higher MOI for a higher launch with less spin and more forgiveness. The head in fact features a 30% reduction in crown weight from last years’ model. The HyperFlight face is thinned out around the perimeter to provide greater ball speeds across the entire face for extra distance on those off-centre hits. Finally, the re-engineered Compression Channel offers a springboard effect to amplify the performance of off-centred hits. In addition, the FlexLoft 2.0 technology gives the golfer the freedom of five lofts and three different face angles to help engineer your perfect ball flight.

NIke Vapor Fly Driver technical specifications, pricing and availability

• Loft: 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5° and 12.5° (RH Only)
• Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana S+ Blue Board 60 or Mitsubishi Diamama D+ White Board 60 (R, S and XS flex)
• Grip: Golf Pride Z Grip
• RRP: £249
• Available now.

Srixon Z545

The Srixon Z Series offers golfers tour influenced performance, real innovation and stunning design. This mid-high launch, low spin driver has an aggressive design and is perfect for those golfers who demand maximum distance in a larger more forgiving shape.

The Dual Speed Technology maximises the golfers rotational efficiency while also providing more head and ball speed for increased distance. The Z 545 also features an advanced Booster cup-face construction that enlarges the sweet spot, which makes it easier to get maximum distance every time off the high speed 6-4 Ti face. The club face also has variable thickness so if you do manage to miss the sweet spot, you won’t lose too much distance.

Finally, the Quick Tune System that the club possesses gives every golfer the opportunity to quickly and simply adjust the loft, lie, face angle and centre of gravity setting using a 12-way hosel. The weight port comes standard with 7 and 3-gram weights as well as an addition 11-gram weight for ultimate adjustability.

Srixon Z545 Driver technical specifications, pricing and availability

• Loft: 8.5°, 9.5° and 10.5°
• Shaft: MRC Kuro Kage Black HBP 60. (R, S and XS flex)
• Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Black
• RRP: £325
• Available now

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Taylormade M1

Available in two models, the M1 460 and M1 430, the new Taylormade driver is one of their longest ever. The M1 has a 7 layer multi-material construction that features an ultra-thin, ultra-light and high-strength composite crown that unlocks more distance, better feel and better playability for all golfers. This addition has allowed Taylormade to build a weight-loaded sole and move overall clubhead weight lower for a more efficient power transfer.

The M1 also features a revolutionary T-Tack System that consists of both a front and back track with 25 grams of adjustable weight. The front track consists of one 15-gram weight to provide multiple draw, neutral and fade settings. The back track consists of one 10-gram weight that adjusts for multiple high, medium and low launch and spin settings. The T-Track System gives golfers opportunity to optimize performance and distance to fit their swing.

TaylorMade M1 Driver technical specifications, pricing and availability

• Loft: M1 460- 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 12°. (Left handed available in 9.5° and 10.5° only).
• M1 430- 8.5°, 9.5° and 10.5°
• Shaft: Fujikura Pro 60, Kuro Kage Silver TiNI 60 and the Aldila Rogue Silver 70 110 MSI (R, S and XS flex)
• Grip: TM Lamkin Performance 360.
• RRP: £429
• Available now.

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Titleist 915

The Titleist 915 comes in two models, the 915D2 and 915D3 with the latter being preferred to the lower handicapped, more elite amateur golfer. The Titleist 915 range gives golfers the chance to improve their distance through an Active Recoil Channel,  the Radial Speed Face and High MOI Design. The ARC technology offers a wider sole channel that provides more distance by actively flexing at impact to launch the ball off the face with higher speed and lower spin. The Radial Speed Face provides more distance on those off-center hits as the perimeter of the clubface is thinner and the center of the clubface thicker. Finally, the High MOI Design reduces thickness up front so more weight can be strategically placed at the back for greater distance.

The SureFit Tour Hosel offers up to sixteen unique loft and lie combinations to deliver the most precise fit available. The pear profile on the 915D2 provides confidence and stability while increasing both distance and accuracy. The 915D3 is more suitable to the lower handicapper as it offers a lower, more penetrative ball flight through lower spin rates.

Used by the likes Jordan Spieth who was arguably the star of 2015, you can always trust Titleist to bring out an exceptional driver, year after year.

Titleist 915 Driver technical specifications, pricing and availability

• Loft: 915 D2- 7.5°, 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 12°
• Loft: 915 D3- 7.5°, 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°
• Shafts: Aldila Rogue Black 70, Aldila Rogue Silver 60, Mitsubishi Diamana D+ White 70, Mitsubishi Diamana S+ Blue 60, Mitsubishi Diamana M+ Red 50 (D2 only), Mitsubishi Diamana M+ Red 40 (D2 only). (R, S and XS flex)
• Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360°, Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360° Flat Cap
• RRP: £379

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Wilson Staff FG Tour F5

The clever folk at Wilson Staff HQ have been working hard on developing the widely acclaimed FG Tour range. The new FG Tour F5 driver has been designed with an all-new Feel, Crossover and Distance (F-C-D) system to meet the technology needs of all golfer. This ultimately makes the driver work for ever type of golfer as the club features and benefits can be match to individual playing styles.

The FG Tour F5 driver has already been put into play by the likes of Kevin Streelman and Brendan Steele and they are reaping the rewards of the interchangeable weight system, the six-way adjustable hosel, Reactive Face technology and the new Green Means GO! Fast Fit technology.

The six-way adjustable hosel allows the golfer to alternate the degree of the club in 0.5° increments between the lofts of 8° and 12°. To add, three adjustable sole weights allow players to attain their ideal launch angle, ball speed and spin rate. The Green Means GO! Fast Fit technology means golfers came make quick adjustments without having to remove the club head from the shaft. There is an interchangeable weight placed low and close to the face, which decreases spine while still maintaining optimum launch angle for maximum distance. Finally the Reactive Face technology offers variable thickness across the face of the club so you get maximum distance and higher ball speeds off them mishits.

Wilson Staff FG Tour F5 technical specifications, pricing and availability

• Loft: 9° and 10.5°
• Shafts: Available in R, S and XS flex
• Grips: Lamkin Crossline Black
• RRP: £279

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