7 Best Used Drivers in 2023

Spending big money on a brand spanking new driver isn’t always the way to go. You’re talking north of $500 for the latest premium drivers on the market. Some golfers can’t justify spending that on the big stick.

However, there are alternative options if that’s the case for you. Buying used drivers is a great way to lower the price but still come away with an awesome golf club. Depending on your budget, you can choose between newer models or cheaper older ones.

Today, we’ll outline the best used drivers for budget-savvy men and women, giving a mix of newer and older models. So, you can pick up the best option at the best price.

1. TaylorMade SIM 2 Max (Best Overall)

The TaylorMade Sim 2 Max is the best overall used driver on our list. This driver offers incredible forgiveness, which is great for players of all skill levels. You’ll get great distance even on off-center hits.

That’s down to the forgiveness, but the fantastic ball speed also plays a factor in the distance you’ll get. The Sim Max is longer than the standard SIM, which is good news if you’re struggling with distance.

That distance doesn’t come at the price of accuracy, however. This driver is super accurate, and you’ll get a tight dispersion. So, you can be confident in the consistency on offer.

Also, the SIM 2 Max gives players a high launch. If you find you’re not hitting the ball high enough, this driver is an excellent remedy for that. And a higher launch helps with your distance, too.

At address, this driver has a nice look. The crown is light gray, and the pattern looks a lot like snake scales, which is pretty cool. On the head, the TaylorMade logo positioned as an alignment aid is a nice touch.

Premium performance and looks at a fantastic price make the TaylorMade SIM Max the best overall used driver on our list.

2. Callaway Mavrik Max (Runner-Up)

The Callaway Mavrik Max is the runner-up for the best used driver. This premium driver delivers fast ball speeds for excellent distance. With the Mavrik Max, Callaway made it easy to find the fairway without sacrificing distance.

And it feels solid when you strike the ball. So, you get the impression that all the energy in your swing is transferred to the ball. Efficient energy transfer leads to bombs with the driver.

This Max model is the most forgiving in the Mavrik range. You don’t have to worry when you miss the sweet spot. It performs exceptionally on mishits.

3. Cobra RADSpeed XD (Best Ladies)

The Cobra RADSpeed XD is our pick for the best ladies used driver. This model is designed to reduce a slice. The 10g weight in the heel fights that distance-killing slice you might have.

With a large head, you can be confident looking down at this driver. However, the large head is 30% lighter than its predecessor. So, this driver feels very light in your hands and is easy to swing at speed.

This gives you an edge when creating power in the swing. Sometimes women struggle with speed. However, the Cobra RADSpeed XD is the first step to effortless speed and power.

4. TaylorMade M4 (Runner-Up Ladies)

The TaylorMade M4 is an awesome alternative for the ladies. Your ball will travel long and straight with this driver. That’s down to the combination of Twist Face technology with a Hammerhead Slot and Geocoustic sole design.

With this driver, you’ll get less side spin off the clubface. You can be confident in straight ball flights. Also, the large sweet spot increases forgiveness and increases ball speed low on the face for maximum distance.

The TaylorMade M4 is a premium driver first introduced in 2018. It has to make the list of best used drivers at a great price now.

5. Tour Edge Hot Launch E521 (Best for Beginners)

The Tour Edge Hot Launch E521 used driver is the best for beginners. With a super-high MOI, this driver offers excellent forgiveness. That makes this club perfect for beginners who are seeking a game-improvement driver.

Also, Tour Edge focused on having an easy launch with this driver. The Houdini Sole shifts the weight back and lowers the center of gravity. That means you get heaps of help to launch the ball into the air.

For beginners, every bit of help they can get is always welcome.

6. Callaway XR 16 (Cheap Premium)

The Callaway XR 16 is a cheap premium option. It was released for the 2016 season, but it can still deliver impressive performance.

Callaway worked with experts at Boeing to perfect the aerodynamic design of this driver. Combined with a Speed Step Crown, this results in impressive speed. The ball comes off the clubface hot, giving you extra distance on your drives.

Also, the XR 16 offers extreme forgiveness. Therefore, you can get that distance even when you don’t connect the best. You can get a premium driver that has everything you need for a low price.

7. Ping G30 SF Tec (Slice Fighter)

The Ping G30 SF Tec is a fantastic driver for fighting a slice. That’s down to more weight being concentrated at the club’s heel. If your drives tend to curve right, this weight will straighten your ball flight.

Of course, that helps with your accuracy, and this driver gets top marks for that. You can be assured this driver is long, though. So, yes, you get the best of both worlds, which is always welcome in the golf world.

Also, you can fine-tune this driver to suit your needs. Five settings allow you to adjust the launch, and you can adjust the loft by two degrees.

---

Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Driver

As with buying any used products, there are pros and cons when purchasing a used driver. The biggest pro is price, while the biggest cons are the condition and the fitting. Let’s look at each area more closely.

Price

When buying a used driver, getting a premium product for a reduced price is a huge pro. Although drivers improve every year, the difference between the 2016 and 2023 models isn’t astronomical.

So, if you buy a used driver within that window, you’re getting awesome technology at a lower price. For instance, the Callaway XR 16 is still an amazing driver even though it was released for the 2016 season. If you’re gaming an old-school driver and upgrade to that one, you’ll notice a difference in speed, distance, and forgiveness.

And you’ll get that for about a third of the cost of the latest model premium drivers. So, price is a huge pro when buying a used driver.

Condition

When buying a used driver, the condition will differ depending on the price. You can go for the “value condition” if you want the lowest price. This means the driver will usually have some cosmetic marks on the head and shaft.

But you can also choose drivers in better condition. Of course, the price increases as the condition gets better. Even if there are some cosmetic issues, retailers like Global Golf only sell used drivers that are playable, so performance isn’t affected.

Also, Global Golf offers a certified preowned option on a lot of their used drivers. This unique condition offering ensures the highest quality when buying a used driver. You can have total peace of mind when you choose a used driver that’s certified preowned.

A professional goes through the certification process for each certified preowned golf club. The certification process includes these five elements:

• A complete six-point inspection process
• A free generic headcover
• A 12-month limited warranty
• A thorough club cleaning
• A visual inspection

Buying a used driver can be stressful. You might worry about getting the best possible condition. However, a certified preowned driver from Global Golf eliminates any anxiety because you can be assured of the quality.

Fitting

When buying a used driver, fitting is a con. This driver was likely fitted for someone else, so it might not be perfect for your swing. It’s always best to buy golf equipment that suits your swing.

However, you can get around that by knowing exactly what you need. For example, if you swing 100 mph with the driver, don’t buy a used club with a regular shaft. Instead, get a stiff shaft to suit your swing speed, which will ultimately help your accuracy.

You can also be smart about other parts of your game. Don’t buy a used driver with low-launch and low-spin characteristics if you’re struggling with launching the ball. It’s not going to help you.

You can find the perfect used driver. However, you just have to know your game and make the right choice.

Who Should Buy a Used Driver Over a New Driver?

Golfers on a budget, those who don’t play often, and players who don’t think they need the latest technology should buy a used driver over a new one. Golf has the reputation of being a game for rich people, but many golfers are regular, hard-working people on a tight budget. They might need an upgrade but don’t have the extra funds for a new driver, so a used driver is an excellent alternative.

Also, golfers who don’t play very often might not view buying a new driver as necessary. If they only play once per month or less, what’s the point of spending all that money? That’s when buying a used driver is the perfect option.

Finally, some golfers don’t care about the latest technology. Maybe they’re skeptical about the improvement the latest technology provides, or perhaps they’re just beginning and feel like they don’t need the newest model. If they can get awesome performance out of an older model, they might as well buy a used driver and save some cash.

Conclusion

Those are our top picks for the best used drivers. There are fantastic options on the list at different price points. You should be able to find the best option for you.

You’ll get a great price by choosing a used driver. And you can always select the condition you’re comfortable with. It’s a good idea to figure out what you need and take it from there.

Also, don’t forget about the certified preowned used drivers from Global Golf. The inspection and additional features give you peace of mind with your purchase. You can be assured of the best quality and still get it at a reduced price.

Whether you’re on a budget, don’t play golf very often, or don’t think you need the latest technology, you can get fantastic used drivers. So, don’t automatically reach for the newest model driver out there. Instead, have a look at some awesome used drivers first.