Best Golf Drivers 2023: Our Head-to-Head launch monitor test

What are the best golf drivers in 2023? Whether you’re seeking maximum distance, ultimate forgiveness, or a slice-busting draw-biased model, our pick of the best drivers has you covered.

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Best Drivers 2023

Buying Advice

The Data

How We Tested

FAQs

With so many models available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when finding the best golf driver for your game.

The first thing you need to decide is what type of driver will be best for you. The best low-spin drivers are designed to help high-swing speed players reduce spin in order to maximize distance. The most forgiving drivers aim to help maintain good ball speed and distance even when you don’t quite strike them from the center of the face. And the best draw drivers seek to reduce or eliminate a slice.

Beyond that, it’s important to consider things like the right shaft length and stiffness, what loft works best for you, whether you’re willing to sacrifice a few yards on your best drives for more forgiveness on the less-than-perfect ones, and what you like in terms of looks and sound.

To help simplify the process for you, we tested all of the latest drivers head-to-head on a launch monitor in our controlled test center. We’ve highlighted the best-performing models below, but would always recommend you get custom fitted as that’s the only way to ensure you get the best driver for you, in a setup that’s optimized for your swing.

Best drivers: our top picks

Here are the drivers we highlighted as the best on test:

Best overall driver: Ping G430 MAX Driver | VIEW US OFFER | VIEW UK OFFER

Best for distance with forgiveness: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver | VIEW US OFFER | VIEW UK OFFER

Best driver for slicers: Ping G430 SFT Driver | VIEW US OFFER | VIEW UK OFFER

Best value for money driver: PXG 0211 Driver | VIEW US OFFER | VIEW UK OFFER

Best Golf Drivers 2023

Great all-round driver that will suit a wide selection of golfers.

Best overall driver
Ping G drivers have built an impressive reputation for being forgiving since the very first G2 was introduced back in 2004. With an MOI (moment of inertia) of more than 10,000, the new Ping G430 driver builds on the marque’s legacy by harnessing supreme forgiveness and teaming it with a much more pleasing impact sound than the previous G425, the result of the MAX having a new internal rib structure.

Our data has it down as being a single yard back from the very longest driver in our test. It’s an excellent result (which could be reversed on another day), especially when you factor in that Ping drivers are so forgiving that they are usually a fraction back from being the very fastest or longest available.

The G430 MAX didn’t quite give our very tightest dispersion numbers (experience says results are influenced more by tester than club), but it did give our pro his smallest drop-off in ball speed, so expect good on-course consistency. All other dispersion metrics were well below our test averages.

All in all, the G430 MAX is a brilliant driver option for a wide audience of golfers. A new, lower-launch Tour 2.0 Black shaft is good for higher-speed players, while a lighter High Launch set-up will optimize ball flight for sub 85mph swing speed players.

Read our full Ping G430 Max driver review.

Pros

  • Huge amounts of forgiveness. 
  • The 25g backweight gives a good degree of shot shape adjustability. 
  • A new lighter High Launch setup is brilliant for slower-speed players.  

Cons

  • Not huge amounts of premium after-market shaft options.  
Lofts 9° / 10.5° / 12°
Stock shafts Alta CB Black, Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome, Ping Tour 2.0 Black, Alta Quick

Great ball speed and now with more forgiveness than the previous model.

Best for distance with forgiveness
The Stealth 2 family are TaylorMade’s first drivers to be constructed from a higher percentage of carbon fibre than titanium. In a very un-TaylorMade way, the company have used the weight-saving advancements to boost forgiveness over more speed and distance claims, which should be music to the ears of golfers who felt the first-generation Stealth drivers weren't quite as forgiving as the competition.

At our 10.5° test loft, the cracking-looking Stealth 2 was our joint longest forgiving driver of 2023 (with the Mizuno ST-X 230 and Yonex Ezone GS i-Tech) at 276 yards, making the model a worthy recipient of TG’s ‘Best of 2023’ award.

Throw in a third-best left-to-right dispersion (33.8 yards), plus a slightly skewed heel sweetspot, and a picture emerges of this being a better performing driver for club golfers than its predecessor, which our data highlighted as a little timid compared to its more powerful Plus sibling.

Dialing the loft down to 9°, which is where TaylorMade fitted our tester for loft (even though he never uses a 9° driver on the course), upped ball speed by 1.1mph and added an additional seven yards of carry.

All in, this complex driver construction stacks up in terms of look, sound and feel. And because the data spells out excellent distance and forgiveness performance, it warrants a place on your shortlist.

Read our full TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver review.

Pros

  • A modular construction is right at the cutting edge of driver design. 
  • Expect higher MOI than the original Stealth driver. 
  • A great-looking and confidence-inspiring driver in the address position. 

Cons

  • The stock Ventus shaft doesn’t have Fujikura’s premium VeloCore stability structure inside.  
Lofts 9° / 10.5° / 12°
Stock shaft Fujikura Ventus Red TR

Fantastic looks and performance, but at a hefty price.

Best for looks and feel with excellent performance
By doing away with a titanium cage chassis structure, Callaway’s new Paradym driver eliminates a massive 20g of mass from its body. Callaway say that compared to the Rogue ST, which by all accounts was a forgiving driver, 11% more weight is freed up to better influence MOI and forgiveness. That gives a 30% tighter dispersion, which is huge for most club golfers.

The Paradym isn’t your usual Callaway driver. There’s a distinctly Japanese feel, with a funky carbon sole pattern, a shiny headcover, and a name many won’t quite understand, but it performs impressively.

We love the neutral address look, the impact sound is brilliant, and our data has it down as being one of the very longest drivers in 2023. Our drop-off and dispersion stats don’t quite support Callaway’s forgiveness claims, but those numbers are always heavily tester dependent. With an MOI of 9,000+g cm2, the model is getting mightily close to Ping levels of forgiveness.

Read our full Callaway Paradym driver review.

Pros

  • An MOI over 9,000 g cm2 means this is a very forgiving driver. 
  • Very good choice of stock shaft options. 
  • Very accurate.

Cons

  • At the very top of the driver price scale in 2023. 
Lofts 9° / 10.5° / 12°
Stock shafts Aldila Ascent, HZRDUS Silver, HZRDUS Black, Mitsubishi Kai’li White

Excellent all-round performance but make sure you test both models and get properly custom fitted.

Best performance with a shorter shaft
Mizuno describes the ST-X 230 as a mild draw-biased driver, so don’t expect an out-and-out slice-buster like some – and that’s why we took Mizuno’s advice and asked our pro to see how the model performed. As long as your eye is not distracted by shiny gloss finishes and prominent carbon weave, Mizuno drivers have been decent for a few years.

Judging by our results here, the ST-X 230 will build on that reputation. At 276 yards, the ST-X was our joint longest forgiving driver for carry (tied with the TaylorMade Stealth 2 and Yonex Ezone GS i-Tech), and that is seriously impressive when you realize Mizuno’s stock shaft length is 0.75 inches shorter than the competition. The model was also ranked third when it came to protecting ball speed and also ranked well within our test averages for dispersion and shot area, so you can mark the model down as being a playable driver for the masses.

Mizuno says the ST-X’s 9° loft is slightly higher spinning and more workable, and from their experience that can give elite golfers more ball speed than the ST-Z 230, which is why you should keep an open mind and try both models before deciding which best suits you.

A price increase puts Mizuno right in among the big boys in terms of cost, which is the only stumbling block we can see for this excellent driver in 2023.

Read our full Mizuno ST-X 230 driver review.

Pros

  • A shorter stock shaft length is great for accuracy. 
  • A great sounding driver. 
  • Just a touch of built-in draw bias will be of benefit to lots of club golfers.

Cons

  • The head is extremely shiny and likely to glare in bright sunlight.
Lofts 9° / 10.5° / 12°
Stock shafts Choose from 14 premium options

The longest low-spin driver on test may give high-speed players their ultimate distance potential.

Longest low-spin driver
Price: $579.00
Where Ping LST drivers traditionally have looked more intimidating at address, this new model looks more friendly and playable sat behind a ball. Ping says the 9,083gcm2 MOI is 5.5% higher than its G425 LST predecessor and is now at the level of most rivals’ more forgiving drivers.

A new wrap-over carbon fiber crown and 440cc head size, plus a 22g sliding back weight give good influence over shot shape.

Ping drivers usually favor forgiveness over all-out ball speed and distance, but our data shows the LST is a bit of a brute in 2023. The model was within 0.3mph of the fastest average ball speed of our entire test. And while posting data significantly better than our test averages for protecting ball speed and tightening dispersion, it was also our longest low-spin driver of 2023, with a carry distance of 282 yards – an impressive step forward from the previous model.

Thanks to the carbon crown upping the price, the G430 LST is a sizeable investment over previous titanium Ping drivers. But if your game will benefit from cutting spin and you don’t want to give up forgiveness unnecessarily, the LST will be good now and for years to come.

We liked the model when combined with Ping’s slightly higher launching Tour 2.0 Chrome shaft, but make sure you get a fitting to maximize performance at this price.

Read our full Ping G430 LST driver review.

Pros

  • Some very good golfers will appreciate the smaller 440cc size, which makes the head quicker through the air. 
  • The brand's first carbon fiber crown driver since 2006, which helps drive MOI up by 5.5% over the previous G425 LST. 
  •  Good players will appreciate the super square face angle at address. 

Cons

  • Not the most forgiving driver on the market.
Lofts 9° / 10.5°
Stock shafts Alta CB Black, Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome, Ping Tour 2.0 Black

Fastest ball speeds of any driver and huge amounts of forgiveness, too.

Longest driver on test
It’s no secret that the original carbon-faced Stealth Plus driver was fast and long, but if there was a criticism, it was how the model wasn’t the most forgiving. With an MOI that’s 10% higher (7,400g cm2) than its predecessor, the new Stealth 2 Plus brilliantly addresses that.

If it’s ball speed you’re after, you’ll be pleased to hear the Stealth 2 family produced the fastest average ball speeds within our entire test. At our 10.5° test loft, the data has the Stealth 2 Plus five yards back from the Ping G430 LST. In this set-up, the model gave our pro his smallest carry distance drop-off (nine yards), the least amount of left-to-right dispersion (18.2 yards), and it hit shots into the tightest shot area (163.8 yds2) within the low-spin category. So Stealth 2 will be very playable on the course.

Stepping the loft down to 9°, which TaylorMade like fitting our Test Pro into as less loft means more ball speed, he rinsed out another four yards of carry, making the Stealth 2 Plus our longest 2023 driver for total distance (307 yards). Interpreting stats is only opinion, but however you look at it, Stealth 2 Plus is fast, long, and forgiving for a low-spin driver. It’s a brilliant choice for golfers who don’t spray shots across the driver's face and those who need the 15g sliding sole weight to dial in a specific shot shape.

Read our full TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver review.

Pros

  • Expect a 10% higher MOI than the previous Stealth Plus model. 
  • A sliding 15g sole weight lets golfers dial in shot shape or max out ball speed by positioning behind their typical impact location. 
  • A second-generation carbon fiber face helps maximize impact energy transfer. 

Cons

  • Not the most forgiving TaylorMade driver.
Lofts 8° / 9° / 10.5°
Stock shaft Mitsubishi Kai’li Red (Mid Flight), Project X HZRDUS Black 4G (Low Flight)

Super-friendly driver with strong slice-busting capabilities.

Best driver for slicers
Due to it being so draw-biased, and because the sole weights have been non-movable, the most recent Ping SFT drivers have had a bit of a reputation for being one-dimensional, slice-busting machines. We like, then, how the new G430 SFT’s movable weight has a Draw setting, which offers 12-15 yards more draw bias than the G430 MAX, and a Draw+ set-up that adds an additional 7 yards of right-to-left shot shape (for right-handers) for the most suffering of slicers.

As has been the case with several generations of SFT, the model is a really good-looking driver. There’s no massively closed face angle here, and the head isn’t any less attractively shaped or flattened like a pancake to up confidence and forgiveness over the more neutral MAX model.

In the Draw setting, our data has the model down as producing a top-three performance for ball speed, left-right dispersion, shot area, and carry distance drop-off, which, of course, even though it’s a few yards back from our very longest, means it will be super playable and easy to live with on the golf course.

All in all, consider the G430 SFT a brilliant option for slicers.

Read our full Ping G430 SFT driver review.

Pros

  • The most draw-biased driver we’ve tested this year. 
  • Expect a very confidence-inspiring, flat head shape.   
  • The Draw+ weight setting offers 22 yards more draw bias than Ping’s G430 Max. 

Cons

  • Such a draw-biased set-up can make the SFT tough to fade if you ever need to.   
Loft 10.5°
Stock shafts Alta CB Black, Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome, Ping Tour 2.0 Black, Alta Quick

The longest driver on test for slower swing speeds, plus up to 15 yards of shot shape correction for those battling a slice.

Best distance at slower swing speeds
Callaway’s thinking with Paradym brilliantly exploits the trend towards using more carbon fiber in modern-day drivers. Inside, there’s no titanium cage supporting the carbon fiber. Instead, a titanium face and back weight are connected by nothing more than lightweight carbon fiber, which is seriously clever thinking in terms of optimization. The idea means 11% of the head’s mass has been repositioned so that golfers can expect a 30% improvement in dispersion.

The more stretched Paradym X (which offers 15 yards of shot shape correction over the standard Paradym), sounds powerful and muted at impact, and it also produced Simon’s fastest ball speed within the draw category, which should be music to the ears of average speed players.

Expect a different, more confidence-boosting head shape and look to the standard Paradym, so make sure you choose carefully which model to dial in for your own game.

Our stats showed it was a couple of yards down on our very longest model, but that could easily be reversed on another day’s testing.

Even though it’s among the most expensive drivers available in 2023, Paradym has to be on the radar of golfers who don’t mind paying for ultimate performance. It really is a cracking choice in 2023.

Read our full Callaway Paradym X driver review.

Pros

  • Our fastest ball speed draw driver this year.  
  • Expect a lovely muted and powerful impact sound. 
  • A wide head shape fosters confidence. 

Cons

  • Other great draw drivers are available for less. 
Lofts 9° / 10.5° / 12°
Stock shafts Aldila Ascent, HZRDUS Silver, HZRDUS Black, Mitsubishi Kai’li White

Perfect for golfers seeking draw bias and distance.

Longest draw-biased driver

Rrp: $499.99

Price: $399.99
Many golfers think draw drivers are the most forgiving models in any brand’s line-up. Yet in reality, moving weight forward and into the heel to get a draw-enhancing weight bias often lowers MOI and forgiveness.

We applaud, then, how TaylorMade’s Stealth 2 HD driver is, for the first time, both the brand’s most forgiving and most draw-biased set-up. We also love the attention to detail in upping the lie angle to encourage a right-to-left ball flight (for right-handers), and shortening shaft length by a quarter of an inch, which breeds confidence and encourages hitting center face more often.

As with our low-spin and forgiving driver samples, TaylorMade cheekily sent 9° test heads rather than our specified 10.5°s. To ensure fairness as much as possible, we dialed the loft up to 9.75°. In 2022 the original Stealth HD was spot on data-wise, this year’s results were similarly impressive. By a whisker, it was again our longest draw driver, but it also produced our third-smallest left-to-right dispersion, which wasn’t the case in 2022.

All in, Stealth 2 HD is hugely impressive, a driver tailored to slicers and those needing forgiveness more than ever before. Drivers don’t come any better looking, and with a full-on carbon fiber body, we really are struggling to see where future improvements might come from.

Read our full TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD driver review.

Pros

  • TaylorMade’s most forgiving Stealth 2 model. 
  • A shorter shaft and more upright lie angle help less confident golfers strike center face more often. 
  • A thru-speed pocket in the sole is great for maintaining ball speed on low-face impacts. 

Cons

  • There’s no moveable weight to allow golfers to personalize ball flight. 
Lofts 9° / 10.5° / 12°
Stock shaft Fujikura Speeder NX Red

Great value and super easy to hit.

Driver that feels easiest to hit
Price: $249.99
Cleveland Launcher’s XL family may now be into its second year, but we reckon the model’s bullet-shaped head is every bit as good as it was in 2022. It’s not often we come across a driver that feels friendly and forgiving and just begs to be played out on the golf course. The XL is all that in spades. It’s really likable and easy to live with, which for many will mean not needing to focus on data or performance and just enjoying the game, safe in the knowledge there’s a decent driver in your hands.

But like most modern draw drivers, the XL Lite isn’t for everyone. If you like a lightweight, lively feel to complement your average-to-moderate swing speed, this model has your name stamped all over it.

If your below-average swing needs additional help to curb a slice, there’s a further 10.5° Draw model to factor in. And if lightweight and lively isn’t really your thing, Cleveland’s adjustable-hosel Launcher XL is a viable option too. It was our second-longest draw driver in 2023.

Read our full Cleveland Launcher XL Lite driver review.

Pros

  • The lightweight, lively feel works great for very average-speed players. 
  • A 10.5° Draw and higher lofted 12° model mean the Lite can fit different players. 
  • The wide bullet-shaped head is a good fit for less confident players.  

Cons

  • A fixed hosel means no ball flight adjustability.  
Lofts 10.5° / 10.5° Draw / 12°
Stock shaft Project X Cypher 40

Best value for money driver – by some distance.

Best value for money driver
With the cost of living and the price of drivers having spiraled, 2023 feels, more than ever before, like a time when golfers would welcome a recommendation of the best value-for-money drivers available.

To highlight this year’s greatest deals on drivers, we took our test pro’s data and divided the cost of each driver by the number of yards it covered, giving a cost per yard.

The results are staggering and unexpected. PXG’s ‘affordable’ 0211 driver is the winner hands down.
The model’s super slender £199 price tag is 32% less expensive per yard than its nearest rival (the brand’s 0311 driver), and 59% cheaper than the nearest major brand’s model (TaylorMade Stealth 2). But with it also producing our smallest shot area and left-to-right dispersion (23.6yds), plus the tiniest carry distance drop-off, the 0211 also performs brilliantly on forgiveness.

The PXG 0211 driver had a cost-per-yard of just 69p, putting it miles ahead in terms of value. The next-best were the PXG 0311 drivers. The best value non-PXG drivers were the Benross BR-Pro (£1.18 per yard) and the Wilson DYNAPWR (£1.28 per yard). For reference, the big models from the likes of Ping, TaylorMade, and Callaway all sat between £1.67 and £2.10 per yard.

If we had £200 to spend on a new driver in 2023, this is where we’d spend our cash.

Read our full PXG 0211 driver review.

Pros

  • For £199 you won’t find a better value-for-money driver on the market in 2023.  
  • There’s a good selection of stock shaft options. 
  • Our data highlights the 0211 as a long and forgiving driver, which is just what a majority of club golfers want. 

Cons

  • Fewer stockists means it can be harder to find a good custom fitting.
Lofts 9° / 10.5° / 12°
Stock shafts PXG insist on fitting golfers to find their best-performing option.

How we tested the best golf drivers

We asked the leading brands to send us their 2023 drivers in our Test Pro Neil Wain’s specs; draw models and those aimed at more moderate speeds were sent in Equipment Editor Simon Daddow’s specs.

Across seven weeks of testing, we created a controlled environment indoors at Keele Golf Centre and used a premium tour-level golf ball (the Srixon Z-Star). We collected a ton of data from every shot hit, using a Foresight GC Quad launch monitor.    

We rejected major misses, but recorded how shots launched, span, peaked out, and how far they flew in which direction.

See more about how TG tests golf clubs and other equipment.  

The Srixon Z-Star is our test ball for 2023

Why did we use a Srixon Z-Star golf ball?

It would be easy to use just one test golf ball brand every year, but that inevitably leads to criticism for being too closely aligned to one manufacturer, especially if that brand’s equipment performs particularly well. To ensure fairness we like to switch manufacturers for the Top Gear test ball each year. For 2023 we’ve used the Srizon Z-Star.

The brand have just revealed their eighth-generation model, and Srixon General Manager Brian Schielke says “finding the right ball for your game is just as important as finding the right irons or driver, it’s the one piece of equipment you use on every single shot”.

Thanks to the previous Z-Star mopping up 31 wins across all tour global tours last year (that’s 15.5% of the wins available) we know the model is trusted by the world’s very best.

Neil Wain is the Today's Golfer golf test professional.

Why do we use a pro tester?

Speak to any golf club engineer about product testing and they all talk about needing a repeatable, reliable strike to offer any sort of valuable comparison. So, whilst we accept not all of the equipment included within our tests was designed for our test pro, what our data shows is a great comparison of how clubs in each particular category differ, which is hugely valuable in helping you narrow your choice as a consumer.

In short, Neil Wain is the perfect club tester due to his consistency in delivering accurate and reliable comparative data. He also loves hitting golf balls all day long.

We would of course always recommend attending a proper fitting session, to ensure any purchase is tailored to your game. 

How to choose the best golf driver for you

Type of driver

There are three main types of driver:

Low-spin drivers: These are typically aimed at high-swing-speed players who generate a lot of spin and therefore want a low-spinning head to help create optimal numbers.

Standard/forgiving drivers: These drivers aim to offer a great combination of distance and forgiveness, and therefore tend to have the widest appeal.

Draw drivers: As the name suggests, these draw-biased models are designed to help you hit a draw off the tee, or at least significantly reduce the slice that so many amateur golfers struggle with.

Shaft length

The standard length for a driver shaft is around 45.5-45.75″. Longer shafts generally mean more clubhead speed, while shorter shafts can be easier to hit and therefore lead to straighter shots. It’s worth noting that a longer shaft won’t always guarantee more distance; if your quality of strike suffers, a shorter shaft may actually give you just as much if not more distance, as well as greater control and accuracy. One of the world’s best drivers, Rory McIlroy, recently put a shorter driver shaft in his bag to good effect.

Shaft flex

Driver shafts come in all sorts of weights, sizes and stiffness levels. In simple terms, most will be classed as ‘regular’, ‘stiff’ or ‘extra stiff’ flex with stiffer shafts suiting faster swings. There is no industry standard, though, so a ‘stiff’ from one manufacturer may be similar to a ‘regular’ from another.

Budget

Drivers are often the most expensive golf clubs, with many leading models retailing for more than £500. Within our pick of the best drivers, though, you’ll find the PXG 0211 for just £199 and the Cleveland Launcher XL Lite for £309.

Another way to save money is to look for an older model, as they are usually discounted when replaced by a newer iteration, although this often means you won’t be able to get custom fitted.

Handicap

Drivers aren’t really categorized by handicap or skill level, but as a loose trend you will likely see low-spin models used by better players and draw-biased drivers used by higher handicappers. Forgiving drivers are very versatile and are therefore used by elite golfers as well as beginners and high handicappers. There are plenty of exceptions to the trend, so getting custom fitted is key.

What to consider when purchasing the best golf driver for your game

There are a few key things you should consider when picking the best driver for your game.

What is the benefit of a new golf driver?

Owning an older driver won’t stop your enjoyment of the game – Equipment Editor Simon Daddow was still using his five-year-old Ping G400 SFT driver, before it was stolen in October 2022 – but it could be limiting your performance.

If your driver is more than five years old then we’re almost certain that a new model will help you gain yards and be more forgiving than your current big stick, especially if you go for a professional fitting.

If you do want to change your golf driver but can’t afford £450-600 for the latest models, check out our pick of the best golf drivers from 2022. Many of these recently-replaced models are now available at reduced prices and will still be a significant upgrade from your older club.

Testing golf drivers

What type of golf driver do I need?

There are three main categories of golf driver: low-spin drivers, forgiving drivers, and draw-biased drivers.

Low-spin drivers are typically used by high-swing speed players who have no trouble launching their drives and want to help keep spin down to get the most distance from their ball speeds.

Draw-biased drivers feature technology that helps combat a slice, and tends to be easier to launch as they are often favored by slower swingers and higher handicappers (although that doesn’t always have to be the case). The best draw drivers have seen significant improvements in recent years. Traditionally, draw-biased drivers were aimed at slow swingers and had offset hosels, a shallow face height, close face angles and a super wide head, all to allow players to launch shots higher and straighter. But that sort of one-dimensional thinking is now old hat.

There are still draw drivers that target the slowest-speed players, but there are also draw models aimed at decent-speed players who just want to hit shots with a right-to-left shot shape (for right-handers). The modern draw driver market is vast and shouldn’t be written off by anyone, especially, as World No.2 Nelly Korda has just put TaylorMade’s Stealth 2 HD (High Draw) driver in her golf bag.

The most forgiving drivers seek help you when you don’t hit shots perfectly from the middle of the face, keeping ball speed up on mishits and reducing the severity of left and right misses.

Custom fitting

Don’t only look at ball speed

It’s become a trend in recent years to focus on ball speeds when testing drivers. There is some logic to it – after all, it’s ball speed that determines your distance potential – but it’s not the only thing you should consider.

Our Equipment Editor Simon Daddow actually lost 3.1 mph of ball speed overall compared to last year’s test, but still gained six yards of distance on average. That’s because he was hitting drives higher and with 700rpm less spin. This highlights the importance of a good fitting to help dial in the optimum launch and spin numbers for your unique golf swing.

If more distance is key for you, check out our pick of the longest drivers in golf.

What makes a driver forgiving?

You’ll see us mention MOI (moment of inertia) a few times when discussing the best drivers of 2023. MOI is measured in grams per centimeter squared and shows how resistant the clubhead is to twisting. The higher the MOI, the less the club will twist, making it more forgiving.

Ping are highly regarded for making some of the most forgiving golf drivers. The Ping G430 MAX has an MOI over 10,000g-cm2, which is hugely impressive considering some other still very forgiving drivers are just over 9,000 MOI.

For many golfers, reducing the severity of your offline shots will improve your scores more than adding a couple of yards to your drives.

If you really struggle to hit drivers well, our pick of the best drivers for beginners and high-handicappers should serve you well.

Golf drivers: Frequently asked questions

We’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to the best golf drivers.

What is the #1 driver in golf?

As we’ve discussed, there is no single driver that is the best for all golfers.

In terms of the most popular golf drivers, both among tour pros and at retail, Ping, Callaway and TaylorMade tend to be the main players.

Which golf driver hits the farthest?

The longest driver for one golfer may not be the longest for another, so doing your own testing is key, but we’ve found the Ping G430 LST, Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond, and TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus to be among the longest golf drivers available.

Rory McIlroy uses the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver.

What driver does Rory McIlroy/Tiger Woods use?

Everyday golfers like to use the same equipment as the tour pros, which is one of the main reasons manufacturers spend millions of pounds on equipment contracts to secure the game’s biggest names to playing their brand.

But it’s important to remember that what’s best for Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, or any other elite tour pro, may not necessarily be the best driver for you. Elite tour pros boast swing speeds of over 115mph, which not many club golfers can match, and are incredibly skilled at hitting driver well.

You’ll benefit far more from finding a driver that suits your swing rather than just copying what your favorite tour pro is using.

Best Drivers 2023: The Data

All the data from our best golf drivers test

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Simon Daddow

Simon Daddow

Today’s Golfer Equipment Editor

Simon Daddow is the Equipment Editor for Today’s Golfer. Having tested and played more than 10,000 clubs in his life, what he doesn’t know about golf clubs isn’t worth knowing.

He’s a specialist in all things metal having spent a large part of his career as a golf club maker and product development manager, and has worked in the golf industry for more than 30 years. Starting out as trainee professional at Downes Crediton GC where he learned the art of golf club making, he went onto work for Clubhaus Plc and Tony Charles Ltd as a golf club maker, and running Product Development at Benross Golf.

Simon also spent time working as a Sales Executive in Harrods’ golf department, even helping supply Sir Nick Faldo with personalized shirts in a last-minute emergency ahead of a flight to a tournament.

He joined EMAP Active (now Bauer Media) as Equipment Editor in 2006 and has worked for both Today’s Golfer and Golf World. Working alongside our test pro Neil Wain, Simon has made todays-golfer.com the most reliable source for golf club testing.

Despite his youthful looks, Simon has played golf for more than 40 years and plays to a handicap of 10. A lack of club speed means he’s short off the tee, but very handy from 125 yards and in.

He enjoys excellent relationships with the biggest names in the golf equipment industry, including PXG boss Bob Parsons and TaylorMade’s Tomo Bystedt and Adrian Rietveld.

Away from the course, Simon is a season-ticket holder at Peterborough United Football Club, attending games with his young son. He’s also a keen cyclist and enjoys working (and relaxing) at his allotment.

His favorite ever piece of golf equipment is the Callaway Warbird fairway wood and he considers the biggest technological advancement in the game to have been titanium driver heads.

Simon’s job means he plays regularly around the world, and rates Kingsbarns as his favorite course. He uses a PXG 0311 GEN6 XF driverTaylorMade Stealth 2 HL (15º), Ping G400 (20.5º), PXG 0317 X Gen2 hybridPXG 0311 GEN6 P irons (6–PW), Cleveland CBX2 wedges (52°, 58°), Ping 21 Fetch putter and a TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.

You can contact Simon via email and follow him on Twitter for loads more golf equipment insight.

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