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5 Best Golf Drivers For High Handicappers

Best Golf Drivers For High Handicappers

Most recommended
Cobra 2018Cobra 2018 Golf Mens
  • Left Hand
  • Shaft Material: Aldila NV
  • Flex: Regular

A good choice too
TaylorMade RBZTaylorMade Mens
  • Left Hand
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
  • Flex: Regular

A good choice too
  • Right Hand
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
  • Flex: Ladies

Pinemeadow Golf PGX
PGX Offset Golf Driver
  • Right Hand
  • Headcover included
  • Offset anti-slice Technology

Callaway 2018 RogueCallaway Golf Mens
  • Left Hand
  • Shaft Material: Synergy
  • Flex: Regular


Choose the Best Golf Driver For High Handicappers

Customer’s Choice: the Best Rated Golf Drivers For High Handicappers

40 users answered this survey. Please help us improve this review!

50% of users selected Cobra 2018, 5% selected TaylorMade RBZ, 5% selected TaylorMade M4, 2.5% selected Pinemeadow Golf PGX and 37.5% selected Callaway 2018 Rogue. Every month we analyze your answers and change our rating.

Every golfer needs a good driver if they want to make it across the fairway. These essential clubs are used to drive balls long distances. Players should always choose a driver that’s geared toward their skill levels. We’ve got five drivers that will help players with high handicaps land those long-distance fairway shots. Read along to explore our favorites alongside some helpful shopping tips!

The 2018 Cobra Golf Men’s King F8 Driver – Editor’s Choice

Cobra 2018 Golf Men's King F8 DriverStarting off our list is the Corba F8, a fierce-looking men’s driver with a precision-milled face. This driver has a solid black head with an ultralight carbon fiber crown. The body is crafted from premium titanium.

Meanwhile, the precision-milled forged E9 offers balls with a large sweet spot. The driver boasts movable weights that can be positioned on the heel and back of the head. Players can also adjust the loft to hone in a specific trajectory. Players can choose between an MRC Tensei Blue 50 shaft for a more rigid Aldila NV 2KXV Blue 60. The shafts are both available in regular and lite flexes. Players with high handicaps usually benefit from more flex.

Pros
  • Super light five-ply carbon fiber crown
  • Adjustable CG plates in back and heel
  • Adjustable loft settings range from 9.0 ti 12.0
  • Lightweight titanium body
  • F8 back and heel CG
Cons
  • Pricey

TaylorMade Men’s RBZ Black Driver – Best Runner-Up

TaylorMade Men's RBZ Black Driver, BlackThe TaylorMade RBZ Driver is as sleek as it is efficient. The club has a lovely matte black finish that complements its aerodynamic head shape. Its sweet spot couldn’t be larger. The titanium fixture boasts an adjustable loft sleeve.

The sleeve enables players with high handicaps to optimize the launch and trajectory of their balls. The White Matrix shaft also increases ball distance. Players can play off this club’s torque. The package even includes a head cover.

Pros
  • 460-CC titanium head with adjustable loft sleeves
  • Ultralight titanium core
  • Big launch and high trajectory
  • Reduces ball spin
  • Black satin finish for a sleek performance
Cons
  • Pricey

TaylorMade M4 Driver – Best Driver for the Ladies

TaylorMade M4 DriverTaylorMade’s signature women’s driver features a new and improved corrective faceplate and an offset head. We love the way this driver corrects off-center shots, giving them unmatched speed and precision. The face is twisted rather than flat.

Its hammerhead slot helps to correct its loft to improve ball spin no matter where a player makes contact. The manufacturer has even taken the time to improve the sound that this club makes. Talk about attention to detail! With its extensive sweet spot and innovative clubhead technologies, the TaylorMade is an outstanding women’s driver.

Pros
  • Faceplate with corrective face angle
  • Hammerhead slot for an increased sweet spot
  • Excellent hit acoustics
  • 10.5-degree loft
  • Offers speed, spin, and distance
Cons
  • None

PGX Offset Golf Driver – Best Bargain Driver

PGX Offset Golf DriverIf you’re looking to make the most of your high handicap, the PGX driver is an affordable solution to lost distance and speed. First of all, this club has a super sleek presentation. The head is matte black with bright green and white accents.

It also has a noticeably offset shape. This helps struggling players to line up their shots more accurately. The shaft is made from durable yet lightweight graphite, a material that provides plenty of flex for players with slow swing speeds. The club’s sleek silver faceplate provides an enlarged sweet spot for players who don’t always hit on the mark. This inexpensive driver even comes with a custom head cover. The club boasts a 58-degree lie and a 10.5-degree loft. What more could a high handicapper ask for?

Pros
  • Offset anti-slice technology keeps this club from chewing your balls
  • Comes with a head cover
  • Matte black base with neon green and white accents for increased visibility
  • Large offset
  • Lightweight graphite shaft with moderate flexibility
Cons
  • You don’t always get the most distance

Callaway Golf 2018 Rogue Driver – Bets Upgrade Option

Callaway Golf Men's Rogue DriverRounding off our list is Callaway Golf’s 2018 Rogue Driver. This impressive club has an aerodynamic head with a chiseled Jailbreak faceplate. You don’t have to be a fast hitter to send the ball into the grandstand with the Rogue.

By design, this club will increase a ball’s moment of inertia. It also has a high handicap-approved shaft with optional weights and regular flexibility. You can choose between a right- and left-hand orientations. The lie is adjustable and starts at 58 degrees. The club is 45.5 inches in length. The loft varies between models. However, it ranges between 8 and 11 degrees on the 9-degree model.

Pros
  • Proprietary Jailbrake effect face technology offers extra forgiveness and distance
  • Extra-large carbon composite triaxial crown
  • Aerodynamic head shape for increased ball speed and improved airflow
  • Regular flex shaft
  • Shafts can be altered with use of multiple weights
Cons
  • None

Buying Guide

Are you still confused about what to look for in a driver? If you have a high handicap, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to improve your distance game.

Head

For the most part, players with high handicaps can benefit from using lightweight clubs. Clubheads are measured by their volume. That number is registered in cubic centimeters. Most drivers have a volume of less than 460 cubic centimeters. When you are shopping for a high handicap player, always opt for lightweight options.

On top of that, the driver should have a large, corrective faceplate. Each manufacturer offers its take on what a corrective faceplate looks like. Some are angled, while others are flat. Oftentimes, modern club heads are made from several lightweight pieces that are welded together. The main body is typically made from a lightweight material, such as graphite or carbon fiber. It may be sandwiched between a lightweight crown and faceplate.

We have found that the best heads have a crisp sound to them. It’s just one more element that adds to the whole hitting experience. Many players also have a preference for their driver’s aesthetics. Drivers may have a simple one-color exterior or several vibrant accents. You get to decide which type of design works best for you.

Shaft

Newbie players and those with high handicaps can always benefit from using lightweight, regular/high flex clubs. We target aerodynamic materials, such as graphite. These materials improve players’ swings, making it easier for them to send their balls into the distance.

Make sure your shaft is topped with a super comfortable and slip-resistant grip. You do not want to be throwing your new club into the pond now, do you?

Adjustability

Clubs with adjustable lofts let you alter the angle that you launch your balls. Most drivers have a loft of 10.5 degrees. If your driver doesn’t have an adjustable loft, then you’re locked into one and only one angle.

What Else

Many golf newbies are surprised to see the price of drivers. These chunky clubs are some of the most expensive options in your bag. Still, you’ll need to make a solid investment if you ever want to land those long-distance shots without increasing your score too much. If your budget is a big determiner for you, then opt for a previous year model of a top-selling driver.

Golf Drivers for High Handicappers FAQ: 

What is the most forgiving driver?

To improve your gaming skill and lower the shots during the golf rounds you may use the so-called “forgiving” drivers. Even experienced and skilled golf players a.k.a. high handicappers need to use the forgiving drivers for practicing shots. And such drivers are a must-have investment for beginners and mid-handicappers. 

Besides improving gaming skills, you may consider choosing a forgiving driver for such benefits: 

  • Enlarged driver face is a good choice for the players who lack fast swings;
  • Improved distance usually gives a huge improvement to the gaming skills. It can be great for the players with a slower swing who need a boost in distance and power;
  • Better control over the club. Forgiving drivers have lightweight clubs making it easier to control the speed and distance;

The most important factors to look for in a forgiving driver: 

  • Cavity back – the hollow of the back in a club’s head. That is what to look for if you need to pick the driver a huge sweet spot;
  • Club’s head should be large to transfer the resistance of the weight from the head’s twist;
  • The offset design of the clubs is another feature that every forgiving driver has;
  • Almost every forgiving driver for beginners has a high moment of inertia;
  • The drivers with a decreased center of gravity provide longer and higher shots;

A few recommendations of the most forgiving drivers: 

  1. TaylorMade R15 460 offers cone tech and increased sweet spots on the club’s head;
  2. Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 is the most affordable driver with many versatile adjustments and great launch height;
  3. Cobra Fly Z is usually recommended for mid-handicapper who look for a stabilized swing through dynamic weighting;
  4. Cleveland Golf 588 – this custom driver with a huge sweet spot can be great for practicing lower swing speeds;

What is the best driver for an average golfer?

First, let’s clarify what an average golfer means. This is a player with the middle handicap level of 11 – 20 (80-90 mph). Typically, this category of golf players picks the forgiving drivers with a loft and shaft flex. 

Picking the right shaft flex is half the deal when you choose a forgiving driver. A few recommendations about picking the shaft for a mid-handicap driver. They are based on the driver’s swing speed:  

  • Golf players who hit with the speed of 70 – 80 mph should pick the drivers with a senior flex;
  • The speed of 80 – 90 mph requires the drivers with a regular shaft flex;
  • 90-100 mph – pick the drivers with a stiff shaft flex;
  • Over 100 mph – choose the drivers with an extra stiff shaft flex;

Tips for users: most golf shops give a chance to test a driver for the distance and range. Use this chance to pick the best driver. 

The loft is another aspect to look for. Remember the basic rule – the less loft angle is usually less forgiving. Average players usually select the drivers with the loft angle from 11 to 13 degrees. 

A few good golf drivers for mid-handicappers a.k.a. the golfers with an average gaming skill:

  • Cobra F9 Speedback – the best for the distance;
  • Wilson D300 – the best for pound-for-pound;
  • ​Taylormade RBZ – the best for point-and-shoot;
  • Srixon Z585 – the best for hitting toward the toes;
  • PING G400 – the best for the ball flying higher;

What loft should a high handicapper driver have?

Most high-handicap drivers have the loft range between 4-20 degrees. You should pick a loft according to your personal club head’s speed:

  • Below 85 mph – the 14-20 degree loft;
  • 95-104 mph – choose the 10-11 degree loft angle;
  • 105-115 mph – the 7-9 degree loft;
  • Over 130 mph – the 4-7 degree loft;

A higher loft angle makes forgiving drivers. Professional high-handicappers prefer picking the lower lofted drivers (from 7 to 10 degrees) because their swing speeds are really fast (over 110 mph). In such a way, they achieve the ball flying up to 280 yards. 

What is the easiest golf driver to hit?

What makes the driver hard to hit? Low loft, long shaft (over 45 inches), the clubface with small sweet spots. Look for the opposite features because 

The most forgiving drivers are typically easier to hit because they have: 

  • Larger clubface – look for 460cc club heads;
  • A huge sweet spot;
  • Low center of gravity (COG);
  • Affordable cost (less than $400);

Some experts recommend buying these drivers if you look for easy hits: 

  1. Budget-friendly PineMeadow PGX Offset;
  2. A bit oversized Cobra King LTD;
  3. Simple to hit TaylorMade M4;

At what degree a driver can hit the farthest distance?

The best loft angle degree has been already covered earlier. But there are a few extra important factors to consider if you need a forgiving driver capable of delivering the farthest distance up to 300 yards.

The material of the drivers is essential. Steel club heads are small and heavy. Titanium drivers have more leeway if the shot is not delivered in the center. The most forgiving drivers are made of composite alloys containing titanium, steel and carbon. 

Skilled golf players pick the loft angle at about 9.5 degrees. However, high-handicappers prefer the drivers with the loft angle from 12 degrees. Typically, golfers with a slower swing speed use higher-lofted drivers to achieve a better distance. 

Callaway XR 16, TaylorMade 2017 M1, Cobra KING F7 Driver With Cobra Connect are only a few golf drivers that can deliver the best distance. 

Interesting Video: The Top 3 Forgiving Drivers for Mid to High Handicapers

Final Thoughts

Are you still searching for a perfect golf driver for a high handicap? Perhaps my review compiled after a few months of tests will help to make a final decision. The following tips will give hints about the things to look for when buying a driver for high handicappers.

My advice on choosing the best golf drivers for high handicap players:

  • Pick the club with the marking of 460 Cc that defines the clubhead’s shape. Opt for picking the driver with a wide and shallow head;
  • I recommend investing in the driver with a shaft made of graphite because such clubs are usually more flexible and good for swinging. You may even achieve a whiplash effect;
  • You may skip the adjustable lofts unless you have personal requirements and need advanced features;
  • Choose a driver with the loft angle up to 9-11 degrees, especially if you need to practice a higher swing speed;
  • Always choose a driver with the regular flex;

I’ve decided to create the ultimate guide to golf clubs for high handicappers. My initial task was to research different types of clubs, so I’ve started to test drivers at first. My tests resulted in this short but interesting review for those high handicap golfers who are thinking about buying a new driver for their sets.

According to Golf-Hook, the best 3 best golf drivers for high handicappers are:

  1. Cobra 2018 is awesome for left-handed players, with the shaft material of Aldila NV, with the regular flex;
  2. TaylorMade is another hot pick for left-handed high handicappers, with the regular flex as well, and the shaft is made of graphite;
  3. TaylorMade M4 is a good driver for right-handed people, the shaft is also made of graphite;

I also recommend such U.S. manufacturers of golf drivers for high handicap golfers: PGX and Callaway.

What is your idea about choosing the best golf drivers for high handicappers? Was my review good enough or not? I really like to find out about your experience with these drivers and that’s why all comments on this matter are much appreciated. I hope that you like my approach.

If you’re in a rush, be sure to check out the 2018 Cobra Golf Men’s King F8 Driver. This sleek club will help you send your ball great distances. This club is highly forgiving, making it a real hero for players with high handicaps. If you’re looking for something a little less expensive, be sure to check out the stunning black, white, and green PGX Offset Golf Driver. If you want to get that pro feel, the Callaway Golf 2018 Rogue Driver is a phenomenal option. As always, thanks for joining us as we explore the top gold essentials! Let us know if you are in the market for a new driver by dropping a comment in the section below!