With drivers being the most highly regulated club in golf. Some golfers may be mistaken in thinking we have hit the peak of driver performance, considering the strict rules that reign in the level of equipment performance.
You may have heard it before. I’m sure many people at your local golf club parrot the same statements, it’s not possible for club-faces to become any hotter, that squeezing more distance from your shots with newer gear isn’t possible.
But manufacturers are continually pushing boundaries in research and development of golf technology, with some brands going as far as working with world-class aerospace engineers to improve swing speed. Newer composite materials, and combinations of materials are being used, pushing the boundaries of what we think modern clubs are capable of.
You may check here the best golf drivers of all time and the best golf drivers for high handicappers.
Short on time? Heres a quick roundup of our top 3 picks and why you need them!
Product | Photo | Cost | Pros | |
*Best Overall |
| $$$ | Offers versatility and with many adjustable features. | |
*Runner Up |
| $$$ | PGX Offset Golf Driver is the perfect driver for beginners. | |
*Also Great |
| $$ | Provide more energy from your swing is transferred into the ball. Increasing ball speed and distance traveled per swing. |
Top 5 Golf Drivers
1. TaylorMade M3 Driver
Extremely versatile and with many adjustable features!
TaylorMade’s unique ‘Twist Face’ tech, it is worth noting that the larger drivers can look overly curved, but any curving on the face is negligible.
Quick Summary
The TaylorMade M3 is a direct replacement for the earlier TaylorMade M1 models, perfectly adjustable for any style of play. Featuring TaylorMade’s unique ‘Twist Face’ tech, it is worth noting that the larger drivers can look overly curved, but any curving on the face is negligible.
Duck hooks are almost eliminated, as the technology is designed to ensure a straight shot when hit slightly off-center. The loft can be adjusted by 2 degrees either way, with adjustable weights for high and low shots.
Weights can also be adjusted along a Y shaped channel, allowing golfers to set their desired level of forgiveness.
Extremely versatile and with many adjustable features, at Golferpros we would recommend seeking a professional custom fitting with the purchase of a TaylorMade M3.
WHAT WE LIKED
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2. PGX Offset Golf Driver
PGX Offset Golf Driver is the perfect driver for beginners.
PGX Offset Golf Driver is an excellent addition to the collection of those on a budget. Even seasoned golfers should take a moment to consider giving the PGX a spot in their club bag as a backup.
Quick Summary
Boasting a massive sweet spot featured on this 460cc clubhead, the PGX Offset Golf Driver is an excellent addition to the collection of those on a budget. While missing some of the customization available on pricier models, you would be mistaken if you thought this driver from Pinemeadow couldn’t deliver the goods.
The PGX offset features anti-slice tech, allowing even new golfers to hit the ball squarely with great consistency, ensuring shots travel straighter for longer. Hitting their intended target time and again.
Unfortunately, as the loft cannot be adjusted, forgiveness cannot be set to preference, and some users have noted that the paint will chip with extended use.
However, in the price range, this is the perfect driver for beginners, or those looking to fix any slice issues they may be having. Even seasoned golfers should take a moment to consider giving the PGX a spot in their club bag as a backup.
WHAT WE LIKED
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3. Callaway Golf Men’s Rogue Driver
More energy from your swing is transferred into the ball!
Available in 9, 10 or 13 degrees more loft is available should you need it, carrying the ball much farther, and with an adjustable draw setting the Rogue is sure to improve the game of many golfers.
Quick Summary
Callaway’s Rogue Driver is an upgrade to their Epic range, and although not a direct replacement the Rogue is here to provide a higher degree of forgiveness to golfers. As with the Epic, Jailbreak tech is still present.
Although now 25% lighter than previous iterations, Jailbreak technology allows for a higher CoR, meaning more energy from your swing is transferred into the ball. Increasing ball speed and distance traveled per swing.
While still being 460cc, the Rogue features a much larger clubhead than comparable models; the clubhead has been designed with Boeing engineers to create an aerodynamic response that feels great in hand. This results in the Rogue being much more forgiving, with Callaway boasting a 16% tighter shot dispersion for the Rogue.
Available in 9, 10 or 13 degrees more loft is available should you need it, carrying the ball much farther, and with an adjustable draw setting the Rogue is sure to improve the game of many golfers.
WHAT WE LIKED
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4. TaylorMade Men’s RBZ Black Driver
Popular option for golfers over the years, and the latest addition to TaylorMade's RBZ series.
A great property of the RBZ range is how they consistently come in at an excellent price-point, without sacrificing on any of the performance.
Quick Summary
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TaylorMade’s RBZ series has been a popular option for golfers over the years, and the RBZ Black Driver is the latest addition to the range. A great property of the RBZ range is how they consistently come in at an excellent price-point, without sacrificing on any of the performance.
A minimal design is found here, with the top of the crown looking extremely sleek, allowing for improved focus on your shot. Lining up your target with ease.
You will find the RBZ serves you well if you hit a lot of duck hooks, as shots off-center will stay relatively center with the RBZ, especially if you hit low in the heel and high in the toe.
Not as adjustable as comparable models, most will find the RBZ is already exceptionally balanced and a great fit in the hand of many golfers. Loft, however, may still be adjusted, with a standard of 10.5 adjustable to either 9 or 12 degrees.
A strategically placed Ultralite titanium core offers great forgiveness, accomplishing fantastic trajectory control and launch. While Speed Pocket tech works to provide less spin and increased shot distance.
WHAT WE LIKED
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5. Callaway Golf 2018 Men’s Rogue Sub-Zero Driver
Unique look! Sure to stand out amongst your collection.
The Sub-Zero plays very similarly to the Rogue, although you will find it sacrifices some of the Rogues forgiveness in favor of dropping spin and adding speed.
Quick Summary
Similar to the standard Rogue driver, the Sub-Zero model boasts two weight positions that can be swapped between 2g and 12g, allowing you to adjust the spin the club will provide.
If you place the 12g towards the front of the club head, you can drop the level of spin, if you are pushing a swing speed of 100mph+ the Sub-Zero will be an attractive option for you to consider.
The Sub-Zero plays very similarly to the Rogue, although you will find it sacrifices some of the Rogues forgiveness in favor of dropping spin and adding speed. Players may notice a slight bias to shots veering to the right, perfect if you require an anti-left driver.
Aesthetics are in keeping with the Rogue, providing a unique look. Sure to stand out amongst your collection.
WHAT WE LIKED
what we didn't like
Buyer Guide
With so many drivers available in today’s marketplace, you can certainly be faced with a level of choice-blindness when it comes to selecting your newest club.
While manufacturers are consistently pushing for research and development of golf technology, new models being released at a swift pace can overwhelm even seasoned golfers.
But if you have recently entered the mid-handicap club, you will no doubt be looking to up your game with the addition of a new driver. At Golferpros we have compiled a list of the key points to consider in our best driver for mid handicappers’ buyer’s guide:
Head Size
The restriction placed on head size for drivers has an upper ceiling of 460cc, as such it won’t shock you to notice most drivers sold will make the most of this. A larger head size means an improved level of forgiveness, absolutely crucial for golfers regardless of handicap.
If you are looking to shape your shots a little more, it may be worth considering a slightly smaller 440cc clubhead.
Clubhead
Whereas Persimmon was the material of choice for driver heads right up until the 1980s, it will be a tall order to find one in your local golf store. Modern clubs favor a composite construction, made from lightweight, sturdy materials such as carbon fiber or titanium.
Carbon fiber will make up the bulk of the crown on modern clubheads to keep weight low, with titanium construction on the clubface for enhanced ball speed. Alongside this, heavier metals like tungsten may be incorporated to augment perimeter weighting.
More experienced golfers will recognize the importance of perimeter weighting, and how it will improve forgiveness of your chosen club.
Weight Adjustment
Many modern clubheads will feature adjustable tungsten parts, as opposed to remaining static. This feature will sometimes only be reserved for the manufacturers top line of products.
With both vertical and horizontal movement generally available, these weights can be adjusted to balance the club and set its center of gravity (CoG). The moment of inertia (MoI) will also be affected by any changes made.
The basic premise is that when the CoG and MoI are centered towards the rear of the clubhead, you can benefit from increased forgiveness and higher levels of ball spin.
CoR
CoR is an acronym for coefficient of restitution, and some manufacturers claim they have developed surfaces that will increase the CoR. If your chosen driver has a CoR rating of one, that means 100% of energy from your swing will be transferred into the golfball.
A higher CoR rating directly links to an increase in distance and ball-speed, although it is worth noting a drivers CoR must not be greater than 83% (0.83).
Loft
A driver’s loft will affect the initial arc of flight for your ball, as well as affecting the spin of the ball. Shots will have a greater initial launch the higher a club is lofted.
The angle of the loft can be adjusted and is featured as standard on most clubs; the range of adjustment is roughly between 4 and 5 degrees. Altering the loft angle on your club will have an impact on the lie of the clubface.
The lie of the club will govern the balls initial flight direction, either right or left. There are, however, drivers available that are designed to allow for loft adjustment without effecting the lie of the club.
Shaft Flex
The most common choice from manufacturers when it comes to shaft material is Graphite, which remains the best options for most drivers.
The level of flex will differ between golfers, and is dependent on the swing speed of the player;
Please see this guideline for the level of flex that is appropriate for your swing speed, of course though, some golfers will prefer a different feel.
- 70-80 mph: Senior Flex (A)
- 80-90 mph: Regular Flex (R)
- 90-100 mph: Stiff Flex (S)
- 100+ mph: Extra Stiff Flex (X)
Shaft Length
For drivers the longest legal limit is no more than 48″, with the most popular lengths hovering around 45″-46″. It is generally considered that you will find an improved balance of control and distance with a driver at these lengths.
Custom Fitting
Everyone’s personal preferences for feel and golf-style is as unique to them as their physical attributes. With golf clubs being a mass-produced commodity, they will no doubt require some adjustment to get the best possible performance from the golfer.
For this reason, custom fitting is absolutely crucial. It can cost in the region of $100 for a competent club-fitting. But if you have found a driver that meets all your requirements, and you intend to keep it for a long time; custom fitting will be an invaluable investment.
Recap
If you are looking for the most bang for your buck when browsing the best golf driver for mid handicappers, my choice of club would have to be the TaylorMade Men’s RBZ Black Driver.
The price point is fantastic for the amount of performance you will receive from this club, being very forgiving with enough adjustability to suit players of all styles; you won’t regret adding the RBZ to your collection.
Those looking for a little more control and adjustability may want to consider the TaylorMade M3, but I would only recommend this for more experienced golfers.
At Golferpros, we hope this article has helped narrow down your decision when looking for the best driver for mid handicappers.
Please comment down below if you found our advice helpful, or if you would like to make any suggestions on topics we should cover.
Our Top Pick Again
#1. TaylorMade M3 Driver
Versatile with many features!
If you are looking for a Golf Driver that has so many features, this is the perfect choice! Consistently one of the best performers and best known brands in golf driver manufacturers.
