The Most Forgiving Drivers in Golf - 2023

By: Liam Moore | Wed 12 Apr 2023

The hunt for a new driver is among the most exciting in all of golf.

As golfers, we love to hit the ball as far as possible, but it’s the forgiveness of a club that will typically produce lower scores.

Fortunately, Golfshake Equipment Expert Ryan Rastall has tested the latest batch of drivers from all the popular manufacturers, and he shares his thoughts below. You can also watch Ryan's latest driver video here or on YouTube.

Callaway Paradym X

Callaway’s Paradym X (See Full Review) has made its way into a lot of bags with the new season on the horizon. Whilst it certainly delivers in power and subsequent distance, amateurs will be pleased to know it’s also packed with forgiving technology. The new Artificial Intelligence face improves speed, launch and spin - and it now improves downrange dispersion too.

The shape of the driver is also relevant, as the refined shaping comes equipped with plenty of benefits. The club was built for a high launch with high MOI, along with a generously stretched profile for utmost confidence at address. If you’re looking for a driver that will keep the ball in play, then look no further than the impressive Paradym X.

Key Tech:

Industry-first 360° Carbon Chassis
Face Cup Technology
New Artificial Face
Buy ONLINE at Scottsdale Golf (£529.00)
Buy ONLINE at American Golf (£529.00)

What Ryan Says:

“The carbon element does make it feel different and there is a real crunch when you strike it. I’ve hit a few dodgy shots and the spin has remained the same. It’s a lot tighter than I expect it to be and feel-wise, it is very good.”

TaylorMade Stealth 2

After a highly successful reception, TaylorMade are back with the newest edition of the Stealth series - Stealth 2 (See Full Review). We know that the original release was fast, but speeds have been further improved for the successor. Having refined the original 60X Carbon Twist Face, the new design features an enhanced version of Inverted Cone Technology, which will help maintain high ball speeds from off-centre strikes.

Stealth 2 also features double the amount of carbon than the previous model, which has enabled TaylorMade to redistribute the weight to enhance forgiveness and stability through the shot. Furthermore, the club delivers increased MOI as a heavy 25g tungsten weight has been positioned on the Inertia Generator for additional forgiveness. Finally, the TPS Front Weight has been strategically placed to encourage optimal launch and spin - which again bolsters the forgiveness to the maximum.

Key Tech:

New 60x Carbon Twist Face
Thru-Slot Speed Pocket
Carbon-Reinforced Composite Ring
Buy ONLINE at Scottsdale Golf (£499.00)
Buy ONLINE at American Golf (£499.00)

What Ryan Says:

“The sound off the face is very different from the Paradym X. You still have that carbon-y crunch when it comes off, but it really feels to be coming off the face nice and quick.”

Wilson DynaPower

Wilson have continuously proven that they can compete with the larger brands, and the DynaPower (See Full Review) is a testament to their commitment of bringing cheaper drivers to masses of golfers. For its price, the Wilson DynaPower is a fantastic option for amateur golfers. The head features a 16-gram rear weight to produce a higher moment of inertia, which delivers forgiveness and higher launch angles.

Artificial Intelligence was used to determine the perfect section of each part of the club face, which results in even faster ball speeds across the entire face, whilst also providing more performance from mis-struck efforts. Another standout is the 6-way Adjustable Hosel, which will enable golfers to tweak launch, angle, spin, or shot shape preference.

Key Tech:

High MOI Construction
DynaPower AI Face
New 6-Way Adjustable Hosel
Buy ONLINE at American Golf (£349.00)

What Ryan Says:

“It feels nice and solid off the face. The sound and the feel are very good, and we all want to hear that sound of a well-struck driver when we hit it. Again, nice and fast off the face and the numbers look quite good.”

Cobra AEROJET

Cobra are the king of speed and love introducing ground-breaking distance to the masses. However, the AEROJET driver (See Full Review) also features plenty of technology to keep your ball in play. Proven PWRSHELL L-cup technology helps to maximise both launch and distance, while an Artificial Intelligence designed H.O.T Face delivers efficient spin across the entire face.

A carbon fibre crown and sole helps to create a lighter yet sturdier chassis, which has enabled Cobra to position more weight low in the clubhead for optimal stability. The AEROJET driver also comes equipped with an adjustable loft sleeve, allowing golfers to fine-tune trajectory and spin.

Key Tech:

PWR-BRIDGE Weighting
Carbon Fibre Crown & Sole
Advanced AERO
Buy ONLINE at Scottsdale Golf (£429.00)
Buy ONLINE at American Golf (£429.00)

What Ryan Says:

“Slightly higher pitched compared to the others and there is no removeable weight in this head. It feels quite hot off the face and of all four drivers tested, it actually went the furthest distance. From a carry point, there was nothing to split the AEROJET and Paradym X.”

PING G430 MAX

The PING G430 Max is the most forgiving driver from the manufacturer this year, but it still features an abundance of powerful technology that should result in long drives. Generally, this is the most forgiving and therefore, should suit the majority of golfers. Spinsistency is responsible for the additional length, as it creates less loft low on the face to improve performance by reducing spin.

In a bid to optimise ball flight and maximum distance while retaining the higher MOI in PING’s history, a 25-gram, high-density tungsten backweight can be adjusted to position the CG for delivering up to eight yards of change between the draw, neutral and fade settings. Finally, an adjustable hosel provides eight different positions to customise trajectory for ultimate control.

Key Tech:

Optimised T9S+ Forged Face
Adjustable Hosel
Spinsistency
Buy ONLINE at Scottsdale Golf (£499.00)
Buy ONLINE at American Golf (£499.00)

Titleist TSR1

Of all the drivers released by Titleist this season, the TSR1 is both the longest and the most forgiving. It is approximately 40 grams lighter than TSR2, which will allow for faster speeds and longer distance. New VFT technology was originally introduced in the TSR2, TSR3 and TSR4 driver, and it now features in the TSR1, optimising performance on off-centre strikes.

The CG has been positioned deeply, which will raise MOI whilst maximising high launch and ball speed. TSR1 drivers feature the deepest CG in a Titleist driver, which is now almost perfectly centred to the face. The updated shaping is confidence-inspiring at address whilst the aerodynamic improvements will encourage faster swings through the air.

Key Tech:

Deep and High MOI
Ultra-Lightweight Configuration
Premium Shaft & Grip
Buy ONLINE at Scottsdale Golf (£529.00)
Buy ONLINE at American Golf (£529.00)

Srixon ZX5 MK II

The ZK5 MK II is the most forgiving of the Srixon 2023 driver releases, but it also contains lots of power that will see your ball flying down the fairway. Rebound Frame’s Dual Flex Zones focus more energy into the ball at impact, which will create pure energy transfer that will see ball speeds rocket. The driver also comes equipped with one 8g sole weight positioned low and deep in the head. Additionally, an adjustable hosel provides customisation for loft, lie and face angle.

The majority of drivers contain a high COR when struck sweetly. Srixon have incorporated an intricate variable thickness pattern that helps to expand the high COR across the entire face - offering the golfer a wealth of forgiveness from mis-time strikes. Overall, the driver features a larger footprint, flattened shape and higher skirt to instil confidence when standing on the tee.

Key Tech:

Star Frame Crown
Adjustability
Variable Thickness Face
Buy ONLINE at Scottsdale Golf (£429.00)

What Ryan Says:

"Srixon ZK5 MK II looks great behind the ball with the matte finish and large footprint providing confidence at address."

Mizuno ST-X 230

Mizuno’s ST-X 230 is strikingly beautiful and it features a more rounded, deeper profile with weight positioned closer to the hosel - which will be higher spinning and draw biased for the majority of golfers. For golfers who naturally play with a draw, you may find more distance with the ST-X 230. The CORTECH chamber repositions weight closer to the clubface to reduce spin rates - whilst also delivering a more powerful sensation at impact.

The carbon sole plate is now a single piece to allow weight to be redistributed for maximum stability and the deeper profile sits a little taller at address whilst remaining confidence-inspiring. Whilst in the higher loft option, this driver should produce higher draws, but the 9.5° is workable for better players - producing faster speeds across the face.

Key Tech:

CORTECH Chamber
Workable / Draw Bias
Deeper Profile
Buy ONLINE at Scottsdale Golf (£449.00)

What Ryan Says:

"The Mizuno ST-Z is the more biased model and the carbon crown has a pleasing look, and the sound is familiar to many I have tested this year. The driver looks very easy to hit at address and the forged face technology provides great feel at impact."