The Best Drivers of 2021

This year, drivers have been flying off the shelves as golfers look to snap up the latest products, and there is quite a range that has been released onto the market in time for the season, offering a depth of quality that will have customers pondering which brand is the one for them.

Golfshake's Equipment Expert, Ryan Rastall, who is the Head Professional at Howley Hall Golf Club in Leeds, has picked out a selection of the best, the drivers that have most impressed him of late, which can help you to make an informed decision should an upgrade be a possibility that you're considering.

Including detail and expert comment, discover the Best New Drivers of 2021!

Callaway EPIC Speed

When Callaway released the Epic Speed, they pledged to change the industry forever. This driver promises a simple equation that creates profound impact on both driver technology and performance. A new Artificial Intelligence designed Jailbreak Speed Frame ensures that this structure improves stability in horizontal and torsional direction whilst further enhancing ball speeds across the face.

Moreover, a new A.I.-designed Flash Face has been introduced to take full advantage of the Jailbreak Speed Frame. Each face is enhanced and the strong titanium promotes more speed, increased forgiveness and spin robustness. Both the taller ribbon and the flatter crown has been redesigned from previous models, allowing the user to create more aerodynamic shot shapes that can help them generate plentiful speed through impact.

Specs

• Jailbreak Speed Frame and Flash Face SS21
• Launch – Mid  
• Spin- Low/Mid
• Head Size – 460cc
• Loft Options – 9, 10.5, 12

What Golfshake Say

“The weight towards the back really helps this driver to be faster than those within the same series. If you’re a player who just wants to hit bombs, then this could be the driver for you."

For more, see Ryan's Full Review.

TaylorMade SIM2 Max

TaylorMade’s SIM driver -  Shape In Motion - ignited the market last season and this year they’ve further enhanced their reputation as serious constructors of the big stick. The SIM2 Max driver has been completely redesigned to improve on distance and forgiveness. The Forged Ring Construction is the secret to unlocking not just longer drives, but accuracy too.

The word forgiveness is used a lot in the description of this model, which is a clear indication that TaylorMade believe that this driver can be used by an array of golfers. They have wandered away from tradition to bring instant results for increased power, whilst the reconstructed driver delivers high MOI with a heavy 24g tungsten weight positioned on the Inertia Generator. The TPS Front Weight is cleverly located on the sole of the club to promote optimal launch and spring properties, resulting in a more complete performance.

Specs

• Loft – 9, 10.5, 12
• Head Size – 460 CC

What Golfshake Say

“The heavier weight of 24g at the rear of the driver will help resist the twisting and also, if we don’t hit the middle of the face, we’re still going to get more forgiveness and stability from the head."

For more, see Ryan's Full Review.

Titleist TSi3

The Titleist TSi3 driver is for players who create more consistent contact but require more precise control over CG placement. This model introduces a new Adjustable CG Track Design which will greatly assist speed heading into impact. Titleist remain unique in their usage of ATI 425 Aerospace Titanium and it features in the TSi3 – helping to create a driver face that delivers enhanced ball speed at all points of contact.

Further improved aerodynamics results in added speed that will inject the user with limitless confidence when standing over the ball. Moreover, TSi3 is tuned to feel fast in the hands and look square at address – with the face supplementing the satisfying sound upon impact. Contemporary drivers may focus on a high MOI with heel to toe forgiveness, but Titleist opted for a more holistic approach to MOI design that delivers more speed yet a tighter spin range across the face – allowing you to show unrivalled aggression off the tee.

Specs

• Material – Ultra-Thin Titanium Crown
• Head Size – 460cc
• Loft Options – 8, 9, 10

What Golfshake Say

“The technology that they have in there, the moveable weight at the back, allows you to shift it around and get it in the correct position to help not only ball flight and trajectory, but shot patterns as well."

For more, see Ryan's Full Review.

Cobra Radspeed

Cobra’s SpeedZone driver found itself in many bags following its release last year. Their updated model, the Radspeed driver, will surely follow a similar fate. A fixed 8g weight at the back of the club provides additional stability which will maximise distance from off-centre strikes while the adjustable front and back weight allows you to fine-tune the trajectory and spin. Having increased the distance between the front and back weight, Cobra have managed to successfully create faster ball speed whilst maintaining forgiveness.

The perfect balance of front and back radial weighting delivers low spin for enhanced speed yet still maintaining maximum stability. An infinity edge face design will expand the middle area by 9%, meaning more strikes will come from the heart. This ultra-low spin, high performance driver should see your drives going further than ever before.

Specs

• Loft – 9, 10.5
• Head Size- 460cc
• Adjustability – Front/Back

What Golfshake Say

“The standard Radspeed is really aimed at your higher club head speed player or a player who needs to control spin and ball flight a little more too."

For more, see Ryan's Full Review.

PING G425 Max

The PING G425 Max driver utilises Dragonfly technology, with weight savings from the Ti 8-1-1 ultra-thin crown redistributed within the head and back weight to increase MOI and further optimise the CG for forgiveness and added distance. Refined crown turbulators help to reduce aerodynamic drag, resulting in increased swing ball speed and ball velocity.

The PING team have also developed an internal rib structure in the body of the club, reinforcing the most important sections of the head to help improve acoustics for a pleasant sound and better feel upon impact. Trajectory Tuning 2.0 provides eight positions to customise the flight trajectory of your shots for distance and accuracy by using a lightweight, aerodynamic hosel sleeve.

Specs

• Loft – 9, 10.5, 12
• Head weight – 206g
• Head size – 460cc

What Golfshake Say

“This is the highest MOI driver in PING’s history. We should see this being the most stable driver that they have ever produced – I’m expecting it to go very straight and to be the most popular in the line."

For more, see Ryan's Full Review.

Mizuno ST-Z

Mizuno’s ST-Z provides a balanced toe/heel carbon composite construction with deep central back weight – improving straight-line ball flights through spin efficiency. Using the second generation of Mizuno’s Forged SAT2041 Beta Ti face, better ball speeds and more consistent performances are guaranteed by the manufacturer.

Taking direct feedback from Tour players, who expressed a preference towards more dense feedback through impact, the engineers who are responsible for the ST-Z spent a year finessing the sound which results in a more muted, yet powerful tone. The balanced use of carbon composite on the sole and deep central sole weight are biased towards a straight flight but keeping spin as low as efficiently possible.

Specs

• Loft – 7.5, 8.5, 10, 11.5, 12.5
• Head Size – 460cc

This is just the first in a new series of gear guides for 2021, which will include further driver articles on the most forgiving drivers and the best budget drivers.

Keep an eye on the Golfshake Gear Section for more OR visit our YouTube Channel for the latest videos and reviews!