The 10 Best & Easiest Drivers for Beginners [2022 Edition]

When you start, you need golf clubs that are forgiving and consistent.

What do I mean by this?

Your golf clubs should increase ball speed and lower spin for added distance. While combating hooks and slices for greater accuracy. Let’s start at the top of the bag. In this post, I unveil the 10 best drivers for beginners in 2022.

I have compiled a list of the best golf drivers for beginners this year. You will notice that several options feature draw bias profiles to combat slices and improve your accuracy.

In addition, these golf clubs contain enlarged sweet spots and stable club heads to accelerate ball velocity and lower spin on all strikes.

For golfers that just need a quick recommendation, here are our top choices:

 

Quick note: Some big sticks on this list are priced at a premium for a good reason. However, if you are on a budget, you can find value for money with our 10 best drivers for under $200.

 

What to Look for in a Good Driver as a Beginner

Budget

Beginners must prepare to splurge on equipment, apparel, lessons, and green fees. That means the expenses can skyrocket rapidly, forcing you to employ an astute approach to acquiring your gear.

If you have a healthy budget, you may consider spending on a premium quality golf driver that will take you down to the ranks of a mid-handicapper. I only suggest this to golfers serious about getting into the game and lowering their scores.

The extreme alternative is to source a simple, budget driver that lacks game improvement technology. These drivers suit casual beginners who play infrequently and are uncertain whether to take up the game full time.

A safer bet is to consider a mid-range driver with some game improvement features which will last you several years.

Loft

Your driver loft impacts your launch and apex off the tee. Faster swinging amateurs may opt for a 9-degree driver because it produces a piercing flight for greater control off the tee. However, I suggest beginners look for weaker lofted options built to deliver higher launch.

The higher the loft of your driver, the easier it is to get your golf ball in the air and maximize your carry distance. You should look for drivers that offer a minimum of 12 degrees and sport an adjustable hosel. This allows you to weaken the loft by a degree or two if you require the added launch.

Shaft Flex

A modern driver is fitted with a graphite shaft and carries varying degrees of flex. The fastest swingers usually play a stiff or extra stiff flex, as these shafts reduce the level of spring at impact for lower ball speed and launch assistance.

However, beginners tend to feature on the slower end of the swing speed spectrum, which requires increased flex.

The stiffest shaft you should look at is a regular. However, you may find that a senior or ladies flex is easier to swing and generate rapid clubhead speed. Thanks to the added flex, your clubhead propels towards the golf ball at impact, creating fierce spring, ball speed, and distance.

Head Profile

A conservative choice for beginners is a draw bias driver head which encourages right to left flight and restricts slices. This setup is an ideal way to reign in your wayward shots and promotes a straighter trajectory.

The downside of this construction is that it reduces your ability to fade any shots as your game improves and you build the confidence to experiment with these shapes.

Alternatively, you can choose between a neutral head profile, which delivers straight flight but does not restrict sidespin like a draw-bias setup. In addition, you may consider a driver with adjustable weights to alter the bias of the club head.

High MOI

Beginners need all the assistance they can get to produce straighter shots for a greater fairway in regulation record. One way to manage this is through enhanced moment of inertia (MOI), which combats face twisting during your swing to remain square at impact.

Look for drivers with a high MOI profile if you are concerned about your ability to produce accurate results.

These products generally contain additional mass in the heel and toe. The setup helps stabilize the clubhead at contact for consistent ball speed and a square face at impact.

Ball Speed

Another area where beginners require all the assistance possible is with ball speed. That is because high handicappers struggle to strike their golf ball cleanly, causing a lower smash factor, coefficient of restitution (COR), and ball speed. In addition, reducing these factors leads to weak launches and fewer yards.

I suggest testing big sticks with enlarged sweet spots and thin, fast clubfaces. These golf clubs accelerate your ball velocity on all strikes to produce consistent length off the tee. You will also want to pair the rapid face with a flexible shaft and weaker loft for a high, long golf shot.

 

10 Best Drivers for Beginners

1. TaylorMade Stealth Draw

The Stealth range is TaylorMade’s latest creation which hit our shelves in February 2022. The Stealth Draw succeeds the SIM Max D as the newest tool to help beginners avoid the right side of the golf course.

You will notice that this draw bias driver features 60 layers of carbon, which they call the 60X Carbon Twist Face. The material is 44% lighter than titanium, and the face is 11% larger than the SIM 2 Max model. I noticed that the carbon layers enhanced energy transfer at impact to accelerate ball speed and prompt a lengthy tee shot.

A Nanotexture cover is applied to protect the carbon and tweak your spin and launch for optimal results. The engineers constructed the club’s head to produce a draw bias shot and combat left to right side sidespin. As a result, it reduces the risk of a slice, leading to improved accuracy.

Furthermore, I appreciated the robust MOI, which prevented the clubface from twisting during your swing for straighter shots. In addition, the presence of an Asymmetric Inertia Generator enhanced the aerodynamics to elevate club head speed for a powerful strike.

Finally, TaylorMade’s classic Thru-Slot Speed Pocket is once again reused to boost clubface flexibility. This helps you maintain golf ball speed on low face strikes for consistent distance on all shots.

Pros

• Promotes straight shots
• Maximum forgiveness
• Maintains ball speed on off-center strikes
• Optimizes swing speed
• Enhanced MOI

Cons

• Expensive
• The draw bias setup can aggravate hooks if the clubface is closed excessively at impact.

2. Powerbilt TPS Supertech

If a new TaylorMade Stealth Draw is out of your budget, fear not; there are plenty of other drivers on the shelves. One option at the lower end of the market is the Powerbilt TPS Supertech – a no-frills, forgiving driving.

For less than $50, Powerbilt offers an enlarged sweet spot, lightweight construction, reduced spin, and straighter shots.

The 460cc clubhead creates an expanded active zone to elevate ball speed and minimize spin across the clubface. I found it produced consistent distance and accuracy, even on off-center hits. Beginner golfers will cherish this forgiveness and spend more time in play and fewer minutes searching for wayward golf balls.

Besides its forgiveness, this driver is light, making it a pleasure for slower swing speeds. The reduced mass enables you to increase speed on your down swings to encourage a powerful strike and a high launch.

Pros

• Super affordable
• Expanded sweet spot
• Accelerates ball speed
• Reduces spin
• Promotes rapid swing speed

Cons

• Its durability is questionable
• The lighter construction does not suit faster swingers

3. Callaway Big Bertha B21

I have always appreciated the maximum forgiveness of the Callaway Big Bertha range, and the B21 retains my faith. This draw bias driver combats slice sidespin to produce accurate results for high handicappers desperate to find more fairways.

The stand-out feature for me was the A.I. designed Flash Face SS21, which generated explosive pace across an expanded zone. This was even the case when I caught the ball off-center.

Further aiding your distance ambitions is an ultra-low and forward centre of gravity (CG) that sets you up for low spin and a high launch. This contrasts with their competitors, who typically opt for a low and back CG position.

Finally, the Callaway Big Bertha B21 is equipped with an adjustable hosel to alter the loft and lie of the driver’s face. You’ll find that this enables you to produce your desired launch angle for optimal flight and carry distance.

Pros

• Combats slice sidespin
• Adjustable hosel
• Produces a high launch
• Optimal ball speed
• Low spin

Cons

• Moderately expensive
• It does not feature interchangeable weights

4. Cobra Golf Radspeed XD

The Radspeed XD is the draw bias construction in the range because it is built for the high handicap golfer needing straighter shots and elevated forgiveness.

Cobra’s engineers applied Heel Based Radial Weighting to the XD model to create a draw bias profile. 10 grams are placed in the driver’s heel to close the clubface and set up for a right-to-left shot for right-handed golfers. The draw bias structure also restricts left to right sidespin to reduce the impact of slices.

The next feature that stood out was the CNC Milled Infinity Face, which enhanced my forgiveness off the tee. It expanded the milled area of the clubface by 95%, creating a wider sweet spot. You’ll find that it retains pace on off-centre strikes and restricts sidespin for improved accuracy.

Moreover, Cobra employed their T-Bar Chassis for greater stability at impact. This structure sheds 7 grams, enabling the manufacturer to reposition it forward for a high launch and low spin. Besides the impact on launch, the T-Bar Chassis amplifies MOI and prevents twisting during your swing.

Lastly, I appreciated the inclusion of the MyFly8 adjustable hosel, which gave me the freedom to tweak face lie and loft. This is useful for a beginner trying to figure out what setup delivers the best results.

Pros

• Restricts slice sidespin
• Expanded sweet spot
• Increased stability
• Rapid ball pace
• Adjustable hosel

Cons

• The extreme draw bias can worsen hooks
• The flashy finish is not for everyone

 

5. Callaway Mavrik

Accelerated ball speed, restricted spin, and an aerodynamic clubhead. These are the features to look forward to on the Callaway Mavrik Max. Now, two years after its release, you can acquire this technologically robust driver for a fraction of its original asking price.

Flash Face and Jailbreak technology combined seamlessly to deliver explosive pace at impact. The Flash Face expands the active zone of the driver’s face to boost velocity, lower spin and lift the ball into the heavens.

Jailbreak technology bolsters the driver’s stability, which enhances MOI to remain square through impact. You’ll notice that this propels your ball along a direct trajectory for improved accuracy. Plus, the stable frame helps you maintain ball speed on off-centre hits for consistent launch and distance.

Although it is standard on modern golf drivers, the Mavrik is fitted with an adjustable hosel, allowing you to adjust the loft and lie of the driver to produce the optimal launch. I suggest that beginners stick with the 12-degree profile for maximum launch assistance.

Pros

• Discounted price from the original listing price
• High launch
• Explosive ball pace
• Prompts increased clubhead speed
• Optimal MOI

Cons

• The high launch profile causes some golfers to balloon their tee shots
• The adjustment wrench is not included in the sale

 

6. PXG 0211

PXG is a relative newcomer to golf equipment production as they roll into their eighth year of operations. Their clubs are now permanent fixtures on the PGA and LPGA Tour, and they construct forgiving and long drivers for the average golfer. The PXG 0211 is their 2021 release designed to perform for the average golfer.

I enjoyed the design and performance of the High-Speed titanium alloy clubface, which I found boosted ball zip. Plus, the solid material amplifies durability for a longer-lasting big stick. While we are on the topic, the 0211 contains an adjustable hosel to alter the loft and lie of your clubface.

The next feature to stand out was the Railed Sole Geometry, which did wonders for the stability of the clubhead at contact. PXG engineers lengthened the rail system from the heel to the toe to amplify the acoustics for a deafening strike.

In addition, the rail system lowered the CG to reduce spin and elevate launch, increasing MOI to keep the clubface square at impact. Finally, the impressive Honeycomb TPE Insert is present to dampen vibrations for a smooth feel on every tee shot.

Pros

• Dampens vibrations
• Deafening acoustics
• Durable
• Prompts faster ball speed
• Produces a high launch

Cons

• The precision weights technology is sold separately to alter CG
• Not the longest driver on the market

 

7. Callaway Epic Max

Callaway consistently strives to create equipment that makes life easier for the average golfer. The Callaway Epic Max is an exceptional example of such dedication. This is one of the most forgiving drivers out there, and it features an adjustable sliding weight system for versatility.

The 17-gram sliding weight system enables you to reposition the CG to prompt your preferred ball flight. When I tested this driver, the sliding weight altered my curve by 12-yards, but Callaway suggests it can reach as much as 20-yards.

Aside from the CG adjustment, the Epic Max possesses a Jailbreak A.I. Speed Frame built to improve the torsional stability of the clubface for elevated ball velocity. In addition, the Speed Frame bolsters MOI to remain square through impact for greater accuracy.

Furthermore, you’ll notice that the Epic Max is equipped with an A.I. designed Flash Face SS21, which expands the active zone of the clubface. This helps the average golfer accelerate pace on all strikes for consistent length from the tee box.

Pros

• Increased forgiveness
• Consistent ball pace
• Adjustable sliding weights to alter your ball flight
• Enhanced MOI
• High launch

Cons

• The higher spin rate can cause some players to sky their drives
• Expensive

 

8. TaylorMade M4

The TaylorMade M4 is a veteran compared to most golf clubs listed here, but its reduced price tag and robust features were enough to make this list. Despite being released in 2018, the M4 driver contains numerous technologies we are familiar with today.

Let’s start with the Twist Face Technology. It alters the face curvature of the driver to restrict sidespin and prompt straight flight. The result is superior accuracy, meaning more time spent in play.

Another TaylorMade favorite is the Speed Pocket, which increases the flexibility of the lower clubface to retain speed on mishits. This helps the average golfer achieve consistent yards, even on imperfect strikes.

Moreover, you’ll see that the M4 features a larger clubface compared to previous models. This provides a wider sweet spot to inject speed onto your golf ball across the clubface. In addition, the enhanced active area restricts spin off the face for increased distance.

Lastly, I enjoyed the effects of Geocoustic technology. By employing an advanced sole shape, the engineers ensured a solid, explosive sound of the face for a rewarding experience.

Pros

• Reduced price tag
• Delivers optimal ball pace
• Explosive sound
• Adjustable hosel
• Expanded sweet spot

Cons

• Older model
• It does not include the wrench to adjust loft and lie.

 

9. Callaway Rogue ST Max D

The latest driver to come out of the Carlsbad factory is the Rogue ST Max D.

This premium construction contains a draw bias setup that combats slice sidespin and produces straighter shots. In addition, it is created to ramp up ball velocity, push your ball high and long, and remain stable during your swing.

The newest feature in the Rogue ST Max D is a 20-gram tungsten speed cartridge. Callaway positioned low and deep to deflate the CG for a towering launch.

Although tungsten is nothing new, the cartridge design enhances the stability of the clubhead from heel to toe. As a result, you enjoy escalated MOI to resist twisting during your swing. Plus, the reinforced rigidity of the clubface helps you retain ball pace on all strikes for consistent yards.

The engineers redeployed the successful Jailbreak Speed Frame, except in this club, it boosts horizontal and torsional stability. This means you generate an accelerated pace across a wider zone of the clubface.

Furthermore, I found that the famed A.I. designed Flash Face produced exceptional velocity and low spin to prompt solid length. Lastly, the Rogue ST Max D features an adjustable hosel to switch your clubface lie angle and loft.

Pros

• Fights slice sidespin to deliver straight shots
• Maximum MOI
• Exceptional ball pace
• Low spin
• Optimal forgiveness

Cons

• Super expensive for a beginner driver
• The wrench to adjust loft and lie is not included in the premium price tag

 

10. Tour Edge Exotics C721

This is it, number ten on our list of best golf drivers for beginners. I end with a brand dedicated to creating golf clubs for higher handicappers and seniors. The Tour Edge Exotics C721 provides elevated launch assistance, killer sound, and ample forgiveness.

Firstly, the Ridgeback Technology does well to keep the clubhead stable at impact. A square clubface at contact prevents it from opening or closing and boosts your chances of keeping it straight and hitting the fairway.

Tour Edge engineers opted for Dual Carbon wings, which wrap around the sole and shed mass. The weight is then redeployed in the low rear of the club to encourage a higher launch for optimal carry distance.

I also noticed that the Diamond Face 2.0 construction enlarged the sweet spot to generate impressive ball speed across a wider area. This helps you produce consistent distance on every drive.

Moreover, I found that the Sound Diffusion Panels were worth the money, as these internally positioned panels amplified the acoustics. Finally, the standard adjustable hosel gives you the freedom to alter your loft and lie.

Pros

• Maximum stability
• Low and back CG
• Accelerated ball speed
• Enlarged sweet spot
• Impressive acoustics

Cons

• Moderately expensive for a beginners driver
• The added launch assistance may cause some golfers to sky their drives

 

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.