Without an good driver in your bag, a round of golf will not have the same feel. As much as we know, the putter is the most important club in the golf bag; the driver is a golf club that gives both high handicappers and beginners the perfect start to each hole. For beginners and high handicappers, one of the most difficult parts of getting this perfect drive off the tee is finding the best drivers on the market.
There are so many options out there that it can become difficult to narrow things down. Luckily we have put together our top picks for the best driver for beginners and high handicappers. Each one of these clubs was thoroughly tested to ensure that it is a forgiving driver, with plenty of distance, perfect launch angle, and incredible ball speed.
- Best Overall Driver for High Handicap Golfers and Beginners: TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Draw
- Best Golf Drivers for Adjustability: Cobra Radspeed
- Best Driver for Forgiveness: Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver
6 Best Drivers for Beginners Reviews
TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Draw: Best Overall Driver for High Handicap Golfers and Beginners
The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Draw is a new release to the market, and it packs in more technology than we have seen from a golf driver in the past. This is a great driver for beginner golfers seeking very high ball speed and control of their golf ball.
The SIM 2 Max Draw is a forgiving driver with both a draw bias and adjustability. This essentially means that you will have a much easier time correcting that pesky splice. As always, TaylorMade included their Twist Face Technology to help ensure that you get forgiveness regardless of where you hit the ball on the face.
Pros
- Advanced technology that leads to low spin
- Some of the highest ball speed on the market
- High launch and lighter shaft
Cons
- Higher price because of new technology
Cobra Radspeed Driver: Best for Adjustability
The Cobra RadSpeed has a brand new feature in the driver head called radial weighting technology. Combining the CNC milled face and this lighter-weight driver makes this club capable of increasing driving distance and forgiveness.
The Cobra Radspeed is an easy to hit driver built for maximum forgiveness thanks to the Carbon Crown and Extreme Front weighting. We love this option for high handicappers and beginners because the adjustability allows you to promote optimal speed and consistent ball flight for years to come.
Pros
- Adjustable driver
- A great option for slower swing speeds
- Adjustable weights allow for dynamic launch control
- Exceptional ball speed on this new Cobra release
Cons
- Unique club head shape can take a bit to adjust to
Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver: Best Driver for Maximum Forgiveness
One of the key components of the best driver for beginners and high handicappers is forgiveness. Part of the reason golf is so difficult is that off center hits on a driver can lead to a ton of trouble. Beginner golfers, by nature, don’t have the consistency to hit the ball in the center each time, and the Big Bertha B21 can help. This driver was built specifically with the high handicapper’s golf game in mind.
Using artificial intelligence and a unique face design, these beginner golf drivers can produce maximum distance across the entire club head. If you loved the original Big Bertha series but want the technology of modern drivers, this is a smart choice.
Pros
- Manufactured with beginners and high handicappers in mind
- High launch angle
- Increased club head speed with a lightweight body
- Plenty of forgiveness against off center hits
Cons
- Not a Callaway driver for a high swing speed player
Cleveland Turbo Launcher: Best Cheap Driver For Beginners and High Handicappers
Although adjustability in a driver club head can be good for high handicap golfers, it is not for everyone. Adjustability also adds weight to a driver club head. The Cleveland Turbo Launcher is a straightforward design to give golfers a high but piercing shot shape and incredible consistency.
Most golfers wouldn’t reach for a Cleveland driver when looking for more distance. However, the Cleveland Turbo launcher has good distance capabilities, especially for the slower swing speed player. Don’t let the fair price of this HB Turbo Driver fool you; there is quite a bit of technology packed into this one club.
Pros
- Counter balanced shaft design
- More consistent performance than other drivers
- High launch and low spin
Cons
- No adjustability could mean searching for a new driver in just a few years
Callaway Epic Max: Best Beginner Driver for Distance
Callaway makes another appearance on our list of the best driver for beginners and high handicappers. The new Epic Max is one of the longest golf drivers for beginners that the game has ever seen.
Regardless of your swing speed, you will be able to get tremendous distance with the Epic Max. In addition to the great distance, the driver offers maximum forgiveness when it comes to beginner drivers. Callaway continued with their Flash Face and AI technology to give slow swing speeds more distance. In addition, the adjustable loft makes this a golf driver that you will have in your bag for years to come.
Pros
- Large and high performing sweet spot
- The aerodynamic shape will help increase clubhead speed
- The most forgiving driver in the Epic series
- One of the best golf drivers for producing low spin
Cons
- Not an inexpensive golf club when packed with this much technology
Callaway Mavrik: Best Value Drivers For Beginners
The Callaway Mavrik is not the latest release from Callaway, but it has more than earned a spot on this list of the best driver for beginners and high handicappers. We are very impressed with the club head speed, adjustability, and shot shape capabilities that the Callaway Mavrik offers.
The Mavrik was the first club to feature artificial intelligence, and it really brought a difference in ball speed and launch angle. One of the best things about this Mavrik is that it is a great driver for mid handicappers and even low handicappers. If you stick with the game for years, this driver will have relevant technology to help you succeed.
Pros
- Flash face technology for maximum distance
- FS2S Titanium face structure for more control and ball speed
- One of the best golf drivers for those with an increasing swing speed
- Piercing launch angle with maximum carry
Cons
- Spin on the golf ball is not quite as low as it is on the Epic Max
FAQ
What type of driver should a beginner use?
The best drivers for beginners have a large sweet spot, distance enhancing technology, and are some of the most forgiving drivers on the market. In addition, you will often see offset or draw bias club heads in the best driver options for a beginner golfer.
These technologies can ensure that even with the inconsistency of a new golf swing, the golf ball still travels down the center of the fairway. Even golf drivers that are sold as part of a complete golf set for beginners are going to have the necessary forgiveness and distance capabilities that new players need.
How many drivers do I need?
One great golf driver is all you need in your bag. However, even if you have the best golf driver on the market, you will still need other clubs to support your game. It’s a good idea for beginner golfers to keep a fairway wood in their bag as well. The fairway wood makes a great alternative to a driver on the shorter par 4’s or the days where you may struggle to get good distance with your driver.
Can any shaft fit any driver?
With the proper club fitting equipment, you can typically get any shaft to go in any driver. However, this will often require paying attention to the tip size of the driver and the adapter. One of the best drivers on the market has interchangeable golf shafts, and this can be a smart choice in golf drivers for beginners. As your game starts to improve and your swing speed increases, you may need a stiffer or heavier golf shaft.
How long should you wait to buy a new golf driver?
Most people try to replace their driver about every 5-10 years. This decision comes down to how much you have spent on your original driver and how relevant the technology was. In addition, some of the best beginner golf drivers are not going to work when you get your handicap to a lower level. If this is the case, you may need to update your clubs a bit more often. However, improving at a rapid pace is nothing to complain about.
Can you play without a driver?
Many golfers choose not to play without a driver. There is no questioning that a driver delivers the most club head speed and distance than any other club. However, some golfers find that it is still too difficult to hit. Like the options on our list, a beginner driver should allow for enough forgiveness and driver loft to make any player successful, but it will also take work. Even with extreme game improvement clubs, it is essential to work on swing mechanics as well.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this list of the best beginner drivers has helped you feel that you can purchase a new driver with confidence. Since drivers offer us so much more distance than other clubs, they become a very important addition to any golf bag. The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Draw is the best overall golf driver for high handicappers and beginners. The adjustable hosel, large sweet spot, draw bias driver head, and Twist Face technology all combine to make this the best TaylorMade driver that golf has seen. Purchasing a SIM2 Max golf driver will help you increase your swing speed and give you distance that you have never seen before. Truly this is one of the best drivers for beginners that you can get your hands on.
