The driver is a crucial club for beginner golfers. It can make a huge difference in your game, both in terms of performance and enjoyment. However, with so many options available, it can be daunting to choose the right one that fits your needs.
I have done the research and will provide my personal recommendations to help you narrow down your options. Keep in mind that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best beginner driver varies based on each golfer’s unique preferences and skill level.
My goal is to help you understand the key factors to consider when selecting a driver as a beginner. Whether it’s maximizing distance, achieving a higher launch, or correcting a slice, there’s a driver out there that can fit your specific needs.
You have options. Let’s get into it.
Best Drivers for Beginners: Our Top Picks
Ping G430 Max (Top Pick)
Cobra Aerojet Max (Best Anti-Slice)
Callaway Paradym X (Excellent Forgiveness)
Titleist TSR1 (Great for Moderate Swing Speeds)
Cleveland Launcher XL (Value Pick – Forgiveness)
Cleveland Launcher XL Lite (Value Pick – Slow Swing Speeds)
Cleveland Launcher XL Lite Draw (Value Pick – Anti-Slice)
Ping G430 Max
- Forgiving, consistent, yet workable
- Sounds great
- Sliding backweight to adjust for draw/fade
- Might not deliver your longest drives, which could be a deal-breaker for some.
Specs:
- Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 12°
- Adjustable hosel: Yes
- Weights: Moveable backweight for fade / draw bias
The Ping G430 Max driver is extremely forgiving and consistent. It’s just plain great, and for that reason – it’s my favorite pick for any beginner driver.
This latest model from Ping’s line has slightly better performance than its predecessor, the G425. Ping really improved the sound from the previous G425, which really stood out during my testing. It’s incredibly easy to hit and boasts fantastic forgiveness, making it easy to keep your ball in play.
The G430 Max has a 25 gram tungsten weight at the back so you can adjust to a fade or draw-bias. This driver is especially ideal for golfers who want to boost their distance while still maintaining control over their shots.
Cobra Aerojet Max
Cobra's most forgiving, anti-slice driver is an excellent choice for golfers who need to straighten their shot out.
- Draw-bias weights to fight slice
- Maximum forgiveness
- High MOI for increased sweet spot
- Adjustable hosel for loft
- Only fights slice. Not a hook.
Specs:
- Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 12°
- Adjustable hosel: Yes
- Weights: Back and heel for draw bias
The Cobra AEROJET MAX driver is best suited for beginner golfers who struggle with slicing the ball off the tee. With two adjustable weights in the back and heel, its draw bias technology helps mitigate slice, making it easier for golfers to find the fairway consistently.
The AEROJET MAX is comparable to the LTDx MAX from 2022. It’s designed for maximum forgiveness and has high MOI which helps with off-center hits.
Overall, the AEROJET MAX is a solid beginner driver that can benefit many golfers.
Callaway Paradym X
Designed for forgiveness, slight draw-bias, and higher launch flight.
- Maximum distance, higher MOI, and increased forgiveness
- Suitable for players of all skill levels
- Fast ball speeds and long-distance shots with unbeatable forgiveness
- Forgiving on off-center strikes
- Ball flight may be too high for some
- Pricey
- No sliding back weight
Specs:
- Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, and 12°
- Adjustable hosel: Yes
- Weights: 5g weight in rear for increased height
The Paradym X is a high-MOI driver designed for extreme forgiveness, high launch, and a slight draw bias. It’s praised for its outstanding ball speed and draw bias, and is suitable for beginners and higher handicaps seeking modern game-improvement performance.
It’s more forgiving than the ‘22 version, the Rogue ST MAX and has a really sharp premium look and feel.
It has a fixed perimeter sole weight in the back which helps get the ball up in the air and promote higher ball flight.
Titleist TSR1
- Ultra-lightweight design and enhanced aerodynamics for increased speed
- Good sound and aesthetics
- Lowest and furthest back center of gravity for high launch and maximum forgiveness
- Not good for faster swingers (over 90 mph)
Specs:
- Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 12°
- Adjustable hosel: Yes
- Weights: None
The TSR1 is Titleist’s 2023 release targeted designed for golfers with moderate swing speeds, including beginners. The club is approximately 40 grams lighter than the stock TSR2, making it easier for beginners to handle. The lightweight design helps increase swing speed to promote more distance.
The design is stunningly simple, with branding limited to a small script Titleist on the toe and modest TSR1 at the heel. It has a wonderful round shape and the gloss black crown is accentuated with a simple “TSR” as a sweet spot alignment aid.
The TSR1 driver also has the highly regarded SureFit Hosel, with 16 loft and lie settings and a weight port at the rear of the head to promote high launch.
Overall, the TSR1 driver has a clean, contemporary look, and substantial forgiveness, making it a great option for beginner golfers.
Cleveland Launcher XL
A forgiving and easy-to-hit driver with a large sweet spot and high MOI.
- The driver is slightly longer to increase the total distance
- High launching from a deep low, weight
- Adjustable hosel
- Accuracy build option available
- Takes a little while to get used to the longer driver
- Generates less speed than other options
Specs:
- Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 12°
- Adjustable hosel: Yes
- Weights: Yes, in rear
The Cleveland Launcher XL driver is an excellent choice for beginner golfers looking to improve their game. The clubhead is forgiving, which means it helps minimize the effects of mishits and provides more consistent ball flights.
The large sweet spot of the clubface further adds to the forgiving nature of the driver, making it easier to hit straighter, longer drives.
The adjustable hosel on the driver allows you to adjust the loft in 1.5 degree increments from 9 to 12 degrees, helping beginners find the optimal launch angle for their swing.
Overall, the Cleveland Launcher XL driver is a great choice for beginner golfers who want to improve their game and hit longer, straighter drives.
Cleveland Launcher XL Lite
The Cleveland Launcher XL Lite driver is engineered with an XL sweet spot with more MOI for towering straight drives.
- Lightweight design with a high MOI for maximum forgiveness and distance
- Cup face technology provides increased ball speed and forgiveness on off-center hits
- Adjustable hosel allows for customization of loft and lie angle
- Sleek and attractive design
- Good sound at impact
- Some golfers may not like the feel of the shaft
- Not as adjustable as other drivers on the market
Specs:
- Lofts: 10.5° and 12°
- Adjustable hosel: No
- Weights: Yes, in rear
The Cleveland Launcher XL Lite driver is an excellent choice for beginner golfers looking for a lightweight, forgiving driver. 12 grams lighter than the Launcher XL, it’s designed to increase swing speed for those that need it to promote increased distance.
The club’s weight is distributed towards the back of the head, promoting a high launch and increased carry distance.
The XL Lite also has a large sweet spot, minimizing the impact of mishits and making it easier to hit straighter shots.
It doesn’t have the adjustable loft hosel like the standard Launcher XL.
Cleveland Launcher XL Lite Draw
This is such an easy club to swing as it is lighter than its adjustable version. Designed with draw-bias to help fight a slice.
- Lightweight and easy to swing
- Draw-biased design helps reduce slice
- High ball speed and impressive distance
- Adjustable hosel for customization
- Sleek and stylish design
- Some players may prefer a more neutral ball flight
- Limited adjustability compared to other drivers
- Not suitable for golfers with a faster swing speed
Specs:
- Lofts: 10.5°
- Adjustable hosel: No
- Weights: yes, in rear
The Cleveland Launcher XL Lite Draw Driver is designed to help golfers who struggle with a slice. The driver features a draw-biased design, which helps to promote a right-to-left ball flight.
It has the same lightweight design as the XL Lite, which allows for faster swing speeds, while the large face and deep center of gravity provide ample forgiveness, launch height and distance.
Overall, the Cleveland Launcher XL Lite Draw Driver is a great option for golfers who need extra swing speed and need to fight a slice.
Best Previous Year Model Beginner Drivers (Great Value)
TaylorMade Stealth
A Carbon Fiber Twist Face offers a more efficient energy transfer at impact. That gives you increased ball speeds. The carbon face feels differently but super solid.
- Great feel
- Twist Face technology
- Higher MOI
- Carbon wood face
- Available in various models
- High price
TaylorMade really changed things up when they decided to introduce a golf driver with a carbon face. Titanium has been the material of choice for many years, but it was time to try something out and see how it worked. Not to spoil the surprise, but it worked.
The new TaylorMade Stealth driver is our favorite previous year model choice for beginners. The Stealth will be in your golf bag for the next 5-10 years because of how advanced the technology in the club head is. Even if you become a mid-handicap golfer, Stealth technology is still relevant.
Carbon adds a unique feel, but there is also plenty of forgiveness and distance. The inertia Generator helps golfers get more speed. The Speed Pocket design we have seen in several previous models is still included in this technology.
Essentially if you want a solid foundation to hit long and straight golf shots, the TaylorMade Stealth can do the trick.
TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Draw Driver
With the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Draw Driver, you'll get a draw-biased setup that helps you fight a slice and excellent forgiveness without sacrificing distance.
- Fights a slice
- Awesome forgiveness
- Beautiful feel
- Fast ball speeds
- Easy to swing
- Available for ladies
- Draw bias could be increased
- Lofts: 10.5° & 12°
- Flex: Regular, Stiff, Senior
- Left Handed Option: Yes, in 10.5°
The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Draw Driver gives players new to the game everything they need to succeed. This is not the latest release on the market, but it has fair pricing and tons of relevant technology.
If you want power and distance, TaylorMade is the company to consider. Golfers with slower swing speeds can easily use this TaylorMade technology to hit the ball quite a bit further than they are used to. If you are a golfer who has worked through several ways of fixing a slice but still struggles, a draw bias driver is the way to go.
When you look at the differences between the TaylorMade SIM Max 2 Draw and the new TaylorMade Stealth, you will see that quite a bit of the same technology was incorporated into this club head.
The TaylorMade Speed Pocket, Inertia Generator, and Twist Face Technology all come into play with the new SIM 2 Max model. Essentially you see everything that we have looked at in previous driver releases from TaylorMade yet with a new head design and a bit more power.
Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver
The Callaway Big Bertha B21 has an AI Designed Flash Face, high ball speeds, and impressive low spin characteristics.
- Internal draw bias weighting can help players hit the ball straight
- Large and forgiving sweet spot
- Lightweight feel for increased swing speed
- Lower dispersion rates than previous models
- Low spin characteristics
- Ball speeds are not as high as the Callaway Rogue ST Max
- Not an excellent choice for players who hook the ball
The great thing about the B21 is that it was built specifically with this player in mind. At no point does Callaway try to claim this to be a players club or have workability; everything about the B21 is done for forgiveness.
Callaway used artificial intelligence again to ensure that the golf driver has plenty of speed from the Flash Face technology and some of the lowest spin on the market.
Low spin in a beginner’s driver will help to ensure that the ball does not head too far right or left of the target line. Overall the look and feel of the club will be very appealing to a beginner golfer. The draw bias is mostly internal so when you look down at the club head, expect that it will still have a square look to it.
What to Consider When Buying a Driver as a Beginner
It’s important to consider a variety of factors when choosing a beginner driver. Not every driver is made the same, so it’s essential to tailer to your particular needs.
Forgiveness
As a beginner, you will most likely have inconsistent swings, resulting in off-center hits. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a driver with high forgiveness that can reduce the effects of off-center hits and keep your ball in play.
All the models in this beginner driver list promote forgiveness. Some more than others.
Distance
The driver is the club that can help you hit the ball the farthest, and as a beginner, you want to select a driver that can help you maximize your distance off the tee. A good driver for beginners should have a larger sweet spot, which can help increase ball speed and, ultimately, distance.
Loft Selection
The loft for a beginner golfer should be at least 10.5 degrees. Drivers below 10.5 degrees of loft will be difficult to get the ball elevated into the air. \ These drivers make it more challenging to hit the ball straight and keep it in a straight line.
Some beginner golf drivers have 12 to 15 degrees of loft, which is acceptable. However, at some point, you will lose a bit of distance if your golf driver has too much loft. So the 10.5 to 12-degree range is where most beginners will want to keep their equipment.
Related: What Loft Should My Driver Be?
Draw Bias/Offset
The most common mistake for a beginner golfer is a slice. The slice is difficult to recover from because it tends to trail off quite considerably to the right. Drivers that are considered a draw bias model or have offset to them will be much more forgiving and better for the newer player.
The draw bias driver helps to close the clubface just enough to hit the ball solid and straight. Offset technology will work very similarly to draw bias, and it helps players shut the club face down at impact and hit the golf ball straight.
Related: 7 Best Drivers for a Slice
Shaft Selection
The shaft you choose to put in your new golf driver is a significant consideration. The golf shaft has to be flexible enough that you can release it and hit a long drive, yet still sufficient to help you control the shots.
Most players will need something like a regular graphite shaft when they first start playing with a golf driver. The stiff shaft tends to be a better fit as the club head speed increases to more than 100 mph.
It makes sense to have a fitting done for a golf shaft before purchasing your new golf driver. However, if you have average swing speeds and average launch angles, then a fitting may not be necessary.
Related: What Shaft Flex Should You Be Playing? It may surprise you
Pricing
As you likely noticed, the pricing for a new golf driver for beginners ranges from around $250 to more than $500. If you are going to invest in a high-priced driver, ensure you are getting something that will last for years.
A $500 driver that lasts you for 5 to 7 years is better than a $300 driver that you get rid of after a year. If you are on a budget, take a look at the equipment that was released last year. Golf manufacturers lower pricing, but the technology is still relevant.
Related: 7 Best Drivers for the Money in 2023
Brand/Manufacturer
Almost every major golf brand offers a golf driver designed for beginners. Cobra, Cleveland, and Callaway often lead the way with forgiveness. However, TaylorMade has made a jump in the overall performance of their driver. In years past, TaylorMade focused almost entirely on speed, but things are changing.
Adjustability
I recommend adjustability in a golf driver for beginners. Adjustability is critical because it allows you to change the club as your game changes. As a beginner, chances are your game changes fairly often.
If you tweak your golf swing and notice that your ball flight has changed, you can simply adjust the golf driver to work for your needs.
Adjustability in a golf driver typically makes it just a little heavier, but this is not something to shy away from for fast swing speed players. You can also get a lighter shaft to counteract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a driver as a beginner can be a little stressful. There are many different components to consider, and it’s wise to ask questions before you finalize your purchase.
How do I choose the right driver for me as a beginner?
As a beginner, you should look at drivers with a large sweet spot, a low center of gravity, and sometimes even draw bias technology. The draw bias golf club allows for an easy correction of a slice, something that most beginner and high handicappers struggle with.
I always recommend getting fitted at your local golf shop. Many places waive the fitting fee if you commit to purchasing the club. Or, follow this guide online. All of my picks are great options for beginner golfers.
What is the difference between a high and low loft driver, and which one should I choose?
A high loft driver has more loft, which can help you achieve a higher launch angle and more distance. A low loft driver has less loft, which can help you achieve a lower launch angle and more control.
What degree driver should a beginner use?
I recommend that beginners start with a driver with 10.5 degrees of loft. If this is not forgiving enough, switching to something with 12 degrees or more may be necessary. Keep in mind that distance may be impacted as the loft goes up.
What is draw bias/offset, and should I choose a driver with it?
Draw bias/offset is a design feature that can help correct a slice by promoting a right-to-left ball flight. As a beginner, you should consider choosing a driver with draw bias/offset if you struggle with a slice.
What shaft flex do I need in my driver as a beginner?
As a beginner, you should look for a shaft flex that matches your swing speed. Generally, slower swing speeds require a more flexible shaft, while faster swing speeds require a stiffer shaft. A regular flex shaft is typically suitable for most beginner golfers, but it’s recommended to get fitted for a driver to determine the best shaft flex for your swing.
How much should I expect to spend on a good driver as a beginner?
As a beginner, you can expect to spend anywhere from $200 to $600 on a good driver. New models with range from $300-600. You can opt for a previous year’s model and often times save 30-50%. You can also buy used However, it’s important to find a driver that balances cost and performance.
How does forgiveness affect my driver’s performance, and why is it important for a beginner golfer?
Forgiveness affects your driver’s performance by reducing the impact of off-center hits and keeping your ball in play. It’s important for a beginner golfer as they tend to have inconsistent swings and may struggle to hit the ball consistently in the center of the clubface.
What is the best driver for a beginner golfer?
There isn’t a single “best” driver for beginner golfers, as different drivers suit different needs. The right driver for you depends on factors like your swing speed, the loft angle, the level of forgiveness you need, and your budget. It’s essential to consider these factors and try out different options before making a decision.
