When golfers have confidence in their driver, they can score lower. I can’t tell you that the driver is the most important club in the bag, but a day when your driver is working compared to one where it is not will feel completely different on the course.
Average golfers and mid handicappers are fortunate that most of the drivers on the market are built specifically for their needs. If you are an average golfer or mid handicapper, there are dozens of choices for you on the market.
I have compiled a list of the best golf drivers for average golfers and mid handicappers across several different price ranges and playing styles; let’s see which one will work best for your golf game.
Best Drivers for Average Golfers & Mid Handicappers
- Callaway Epic Max LS (Best Overall)
- Wilson D9 (Best Value)
- TaylorMade SIM 2 Max (Best For Distance)
- Cobra King Radspeed XB (Best For Adjustability)
- Ping G425 Max (Best For Feel)
- Srixon ZX5 (Best For Accuracy)
- Titleist TSi2 (Best For Aspiring Low Handicapper)
1. Callaway Epic Max LS
- Designed for more speed and lower spin
- New Jailbreak AI Speed Frame
- Flash Face SS21
The new line of Callaway Epic Max drivers has an option for all handicap ranges, from the low to the high. The Callaway Epic Max LS is designed for the mid to low player looking for the right combination of distance, spin, and forgiveness in a golf driver.
One of the things that have helped Epic Max stand out from the previous Mavrik model is the new Jailbreak AI Speed Frame. The clubhead remains stable and strong at impact, yet the trampoline-like effect that we have come to expect from the Jailbreak technology will still be in place. Artificial intelligence has been a game-changer for Callaway.
The new Triaxial carbon crown and toe has helped save a tremendous amount of weight compared to previous titanium versions. This extra weight savings has led to a higher MOI, deeper center of gravity, and overall forgiveness.
Pros
- Adjustable perimeter weighting
- Allows for shot shaping
- Has a great mix of distance and forgiveness
- Great sound, feel and overall performance
Cons
- New release at the time of the market for the price
2. Wilson D9
- Fair pricing
- Very forgiving golf driver
- Kevlar Composite Crown for reduced vibration
The Wilson D9 is one of the best golf drivers for average golfers and mid handicappers on a budget. As you have seen from the other options on our list, golf drivers’ new starting price range is closer to $500 than ever before. Wilson knows how to manufacture impressive equipment for quite a bit less.
The D9 has a huge sweet spot and will help players with both the heel and toe miss. The new Peak Kinetic Response Face helps to improve ball speed from the previous Wilson golf driver models. With a three-layer Composite Crown, incorporating Keval and carbon fiber to the lower cent of gravity, this is a driver that has been a welcome release to the market.
Pros
- Built specifically for average golfers
- Faster ball and club head speeds
- Higher ball flight and increased distnace
Cons
- Ball speeds won’t be as high as something like the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max
3. TaylorMade SIM 2 Max
- Forged ring construction, new shape and design
- Faster club speed
- Speed injected twist face
Average golfers and mid handicappers have come to know the TaylorMade SIM series as being a fast and long-distance golf club. With the latest version, the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max, you can expect the same very high ball speeds with a mix of forgiveness in the club head as well.
The new SIM Inertia Generator allows the aerodynamic design of the SIM 2 Max to help move through the air quite a bit easier. Although the SIM 2 Max works for various club head speeds, those who struggle to get the club moving fast enough will love the performance of this driver’s head.
To be honest, it was hard for TaylorMade to improve much on the SIM Max driver of last year. However, the new Forged Ring COnstruction and full carbon sole give the SIM 2 Max a new feel and impressive workability. You will find that even when your swing is just slightly off for the day, the SIM 2 Max can bring everything back together and deliver the performance that you need.
Pros
- Speed injected twist face for higher ball speed
- Aerodynamic design
- Speed pocket technology
- Impressive feel and sound
Cons
- Unique shaping can take a bit to get used to
4. Cobra King Radspeed XB
- New Radial Weighting technology
- CNC Milled Infinity Face
- Extreme Back Weighting
The Cobra golf drivers have always been some of the best golf drivers for average golfers and mid handicappers looking for adjustability. With the Radspeed XB, you won’t have to worry if your game changes a bit and you need a different loft or weighting setup, a few twists of the wrench, and you can have a new club in your hand.
The latest model features a new Carbon Wrap Crown that has saved 6 grams. In addition, the CNC Milled Infinity Face is almost 100% larger than it was in previous models. So if you want a large sweet spot, this is the club to consider.
Pros
- 6g adjustable weighting
- Lighter yet more stable than previous models
- Lower cener of gravity
- Large CNC Milled Infinity Face for increased forgiveness
Cons
- Cant take a little whiel to find the right settings for your game
5. Ping G425 Max
Ping always seems to make golf clubs with a great mix of distance and forgiveness, but they never leave out the feel component. The Ping golf clubs feel better than most other drivers on the market, increasing workability. If you are an average golfer that likes to try and place your drive on a par five or work it around a dogleg, you will enjoy what the G425 brings to the table.
The new T9S+ face has helped to add distance and increase the overall speed that players can get. Adding a movable tungsten weight allows players to fine-tune the Ping G425 performance to their specific needs. Whether your average golf handicap is on its way down or up, the Ping G425 will be a good fit.
Pros
- Reduced drag
- Higher MOI
- Workability in the driver club head
- Large sweet spot yet allows for workability
Cons
- Pricing on Ping drivers hardly ever decreases
6. Srixon ZX5
The Srixon ZX5 is a driver that flies under the radar. In fact, without reading our review, you may not even consider this golf club when choosing the best golf driver for average golfers and mid handicappers. However, the Srixon ZX5 offers a tremendous amount of technology, and it is a club that players should be considering.
One of the things that I like the best about the ZX5 is the overall shaping of the club. This is one of the more classic-looking golf drivers out there that seems to make hitting a long and straight driver look easy. When you add in the adjustability to set the club specifically to your needs, the Srixon ZX5 becomes an average golfer’s dream.
Pros
- Ver low dispersion rates
- More of a classic golf driver shape
- Plenty of adjustability for custom fitting
Cons
- Ball speed may not be as high as the Epic
7. Titleist TSi2
- Impressive sound and feel at impact
- Use of Aerospace Titanium in the face
- Reduced drag
If you are an average golfer trying to become a single-digit handicap, the Titleist TSi2 is the perfect driver solution for your game. These golf drivers have been engineered to increase overall feel, stability, and performance on the golf course. In addition to excellent ball speed and reduced dispersion, players find that they also get some of the best sounds and feel they have ever had in a club.
Even though the TSi2 is more of a performance-type driver, there is still plenty of forgiveness in the head. In addition, the premium shaft offerings from the Tour AD have improved the ball flight and overall spin rates that players will get with this driver in their hands. If you want premium technology and aren’t afraid to pay for it, check out the TSi2.
Pros
- Lots of adjustability
- Works for both low and mid handicappers
- Precision manufacturing and premium shaft offerings
Cons
- One of the most expensive drivers Titleist has ever put out
What To Look For When Buying Golf Drivers for Mid Handicappers?
At this point, you should have much more confidence in your ability to choose a great golf driver. As you can see from my list, the best golf drivers for average golfers and mid handicappers will have a mix of distance, forgiveness, and feel.
The idea of these drivers is to help bring your game down to the next level. When you have to choose just one of these clubs for your game, here are a few things that you should consider before making your final purchase.
Choosing The Right Loft
Most average golfers do well with a driver that has around 10.5 degrees of loft. Many tests and studies have been done to determine the ideal loft for an average golfer. The 10.5-degree loft helps give players a perfect mix of forgiveness and distance.
When loft gets too high, you can lose distance; when loft gets too low, the club becomes much less forgiving. Most average golfers should not go below 9 degrees of loft on their driver.
Pick The Right Shaft
Custom fitting is now available on every single golf driver on the market. When you purchase a new club, you can get the stock shaft, but there are hundreds of other shaft options.
Try to know what your club head speed is and what your weaknesses are as a player. If you are struggling with the golf shaft decision, go for a fitting on a launch monitor and get the specific details that you need.
Adjustability
A golf driver with adjustability is like getting two drivers for the price of one. If you are a mid handicapper who is constantly working to improve your game, you are making swing changes that will impact the clubs you need.
A golf driver for mid handicappers with adjustability can be quickly tuned to fit your needs that day. People that purchase golf drivers with adjustability often keep them for considerably longer than those that don’t.
Forgiveness
A golf driver for average golfers and a mid handicapper must have forgiveness. Look for technology that increases the size of the face and allows for misses on both the heel and the toe. Average golfers don’t typically need a lot of offset in the clubhead so that you can look for more of a straight neck design.
Performance and Distance
Every driver on our list has been manufactured to increase the distance that players can get. Ball speed is an essential factor to consider and allows golfers to get the distance that they need.
Some companies will use different materials, and others will use technology inside the club head, but the overall result is increased ball speed. Players with slower swing speeds can finally get the distance that they need from the tee.
Cost
The cost of a new golf driver is likely going to be around $500. The pricing on drivers has increased considerably in the last few years, and it has everything to do with the materials used and the overall manufacturing process.
With things like Artificial Intelligence coming to the market, you will be getting a considerably better driver than years ago. Unfortunately, this comes at a high price.
Don’t choose a golf driver for your game based on the pricing alone; look instead at performance benefits and the needs of your game.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now feel as though you can choose the best golf driver for average golfers and mid handicappers with confidence. As great as all of these options are, the new Callaway Epic Max LS stands out as the best overall choice.
With the improved distance and forgiveness and the lower spin, players will immediately notice this driver’s impact on their golf game.
Don’t let the price of the Callaway Epic scare you aware; this is one of the most technologically advanced golf clubs that Callaway has ever brought to market.
