Which Driver Should You Play For Your Golf Handicap

Finding the right driver for your game is arguably the most important purchase that any golfer can make. Hitting fairways and sending the ball out there to a reasonable distance is a strong foundation to play a hole well and to build a score during a round, but if your performance off the tee is erratic at best, then you are going to continually struggle for consistency, no matter how good your skills on and around the greens are.

But how does a golfer uncover that ideal club, the driver that is best suited for them? We're all built differently and swing uniquely, so undergoing a proper fitting under detailed analysis is clearly the route to recommend for everyone, but if that isn't an option you wish to explore, then there are ways to educate your search.

• What Level of Golfer Are You?
• What Does MOI Mean?
• What is Draw Bias in a Driver?
• What Are The Best Drivers For High Handicap Golfers?
• What Are The Best Drivers For Mid Handicap Golfers?
• What Are The Best Drivers For Low Handicap Golfers?
• Why Custom Fitting is Essential For All Golfers

What Level of Golfer Are You?

The easiest way to identify that is by examining your handicap - which you can keep track of on Golfshake. If you're someone with a handicap in the 20s or above, then you would be considered a high handicap golfer, where you play each hole on average at least one shot over par and you should be looking towards the most forgiving drivers.

If you're someone with a handicap from high single figures to high teens, let's say between 8 and 18, then you should probably be looking for clubs that are tailored for average, mid-handicap players. Our analysis has roughly identified the average golfer as having a handicap of 15, so if you're around that area, there is a wide spectrum of drivers that could be right for you.

Finally, if you are a single-digit golfer or better, then you are likely of a standard when you can seek out the drivers that are more weighted towards the players you see on tour.

What Does MOI Mean?

MOI stands for Moment of Inertia - which is effectively a measurement of how much a clubhead twists at impact. The higher the MOI on a driver, the more it resists, making the club more forgiving to hit. These drivers will have a larger sweet spot, giving you a greater margin for error, with the higher MOI ensuring that the club will be more stable when you hit a poor shot.

What is Draw Bias in a Driver?

Are you a golfer who struggles with a slice and continually loses distance? Then you should probably consider a driver with draw bias. These clubs have been carefully engineered to help straighten out loose shots and gain some additional yardage on your tee shots. Typically, weight in these drivers is placed towards the heel, with the centre of gravity being closer to the shaft, which acts as a remedy and encourages the face to be more square at impact.

In modern drivers, you will often benefit from adjustable weights that can either be moved or changed to heighten the level of draw bias to reflect your needs.

What Are The Best Drivers For High Handicap Golfers?

If you're looking for a forgiving driver, in 2024, Golfshake's Equipment Expert, Ryan Rastall has recommended the likes of TaylorMade's Qi10 Max, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke, Wilson Dynapower Titanium, Cobra Darkspeed Max, and PING's G430 Max 10K, all of which have high MOI and have been crafted to deliver optimum forgiveness.

What Are The Best Drivers For Mid Handicap Golfers?

Should you be seeking performance aligned with a smaller degree of forgiveness, then TaylorMade's Qi10, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D, Cobra's Darkspeed X, Srixon's ZX5 Mk2, and Titleist's TSR2 are ideal for those with a moderate swing speed who desire a touch of added stability.

What Are The Best Drivers For Low Handicap Golfers?

Perhaps you're a better golfer who wants to get the absolute most from their driver, in that case, Ryan suggests that you look at drivers like the Cobra Darkspeed LS, TaylorMade's Qi10 LS, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond, the Srixon ZX7 Mk2, Wilson's Dynapower Carbon or Titleist's TSR3, which are lower spin and will favour golfers who love to work and shape the ball off the tee.

Why Custom Fitting is Essential For All Golfers

Ultimately, the only way to know for sure what driver is most suited to your game is by experiencing a custom fitting, where you undergo a process that will include a lot of questions, gaining an understanding of your tendencies and golf swing, before you hit a vast array of clubs with different shafts and lofts to carefully find the absolute perfect fit.

If you want to know more about a driver fitting and what you can expect, then here is a great example to watch and read about.

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