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Tips For Choosing The Best Golf Drivers – GolfLover Reviews 2019

Best Golf Drivers Are:

Callaway Men’s XR 16The Most Forgiving Golf DriverOur Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5) TaylorMade M4Best Golf Driver 2019 Our Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)

The driver is probably the most important club in a golf set because it is what you use to make your first shot. It is the club that you use off the tee box, and its main aim is to give the ball maximum distance. One cannot overemphasize the important of this club and so when buying drivers you should make sure that you only buy the best.

There are endless options to choose from and several brands available but if you know nothing about this important club you cannot be confident of always getting the best. The standard driver is of titanium or steel, and it has a graphite shaft, but this is not enough information to help you choose the best. There are a few essential things that you should consider to ensure that you always buy the best golf drivers.

Top 5 Best Golf Drivers Reviews 2019

Cobra Golf Men's KING F7 Driver
  • Cobra Golf Men's KING F7 Driver
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
    Length: 45.25"
    Head Volume 460cc
  • Extreme Carbon Fiber Crown
    MYFLY8 with SMARTPAD
    Forged Ti-811 E9 Face
    Cobra Connect
  • Editor Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Cleveland Golf Men's Launcher HB Driver
  • Cleveland Golf Men's Launcher HB Driver
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
    Length: 45.50"
    Head Volume: 460cc
  • HiBore Crown
    Flex-Fin Technology
    Cup Face Technology
  • Editor Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
TaylorMade M4 Driver
  • TaylorMade M4 Driver
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
    Length: 45.50"
    Head Volume: 460cc
  • Twist Face Technology
    The Hammerhead Slot
    Geocoustic Technology
  • Editor Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Callaway Men's XR 16 Driver
  • Callaway Men's XR 16 Driver
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
    Length: 45.75"
    Head Volume: 460cc
  • Extreme Forgiveness
    RMOTO Face Technology
    Most Aerodynamic Head Shape & A Speed Step
  • Editor Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Driver
  • Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Driver
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
    Length: 45.50"
    Head Volume: 460cc
  • Fusion Technology
    Innovative Exo-Cage
    Industry-Leading Aerodynamics
  • Editor Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Cleveland Golf Men’s Launcher HB Driver

Cleveland Golf Men’s Launcher HB Driver

Cleveland Golf Men's Launcher HB Driver

Via https://www.amazon.com/

Cleaveland is famous for their high launching and straight hitting drivers, and their Launcher HB also seems to fit this reputation. It makes use of their famous HiBore crown for low and deep placement of the center of gravity and also to keep the weight down. Also, it uses a bonded hosel design instead of the commonly used adjustable hosels to improve launch conditions and cup face technology for improved ball speeds across the face. Flex-fin technology helps to deal with off-center hits so that they do not affect ball speeds, and the driver also uses a top-notch quality Miyazaki C Kua 50 graphite shaft.

Features and Design

  • HiBore Crown: The use of the highly successful HiBore crown is one of the things that make this a high-performing golf club as it helps to create a low and deep center of gravity placement while also saving some weight.
  • Bonded Hosel Design: Engineered to save more weight than the adjustable hosel to allow for deep and low weight repositioning for better launch conditions and more stability on impact.
  • Cup Face Technology: With this driver, you can be confident of improved speeds regardless of where you make contact on the face as it makes use of clubface technology to improve ball speeds across the face.
  • Flex-Fin Tech: Because off-center hits are common even for the pro golfers, Cleveland helps to protect ball speeds in case they happen and they do this by using flex-fin technology on the sole of the club.
  • Shaft: Cleveland uses the lightweight, high-performing and highly durable Miyazaki C Kua 50 graphite shaft on this driver, and it is available in senior, regular and stiff options.
Pros

  • Higher launch and straighter shots
  • More forgiving club head
  • Low and deep center of gravity
  • Improved ball speeds
  • Enhanced ball speed from all impact locations
  • Great solid sound on impact
Cons

  • It will take some golfers long to get used to the driver’s style
  • The finish and alignment aids are not the best
TaylorMade M4 Driver

TaylorMade M4 Driver

TaylorMade M4 Driver

Via https://www.amazon.com/

Everything from the large 460cc head to the shaft material is meant to help make the TaylorMade M4 a high performing and easy-to-use driver. The large head creates more contact surface to make the driver highly forgiving, but there are still many other good elements about this driver. They include the Twist Face Technology that helps to reduce spin, hammerhead slot that creates a larger sweet spot and Geocoustic Technology that creates a solid and explosive sound on impact. Also, the driver uses a  4A Adjustable Hosel and graphite shaft that is available in a total of five flex options.

Features and Design

  • 460cc Clubhead: TaylorMade uses a larger 460cc volume clubhead on this driver and this, in turn, creates a large and more forgiving face as there is more contact area on the head.
  • Twist Face Tech: The twist face technology on this club introduces a new curvature that helps to reduce spin by altering the loft on the areas that are common with mis-hits to help make it easier for golfers to find the fairway.
  • Hammerhead Slot: The hammerhead slot is just a redesigned sole slot and its main purpose is to allow for a more flexible clubface so that you get a larger and easier to locate sweet spot.
  • Geocoustic Tech: Because impact sound matters a lot for many golfers, this driver makes use of geocoustic technology that creates a unique sole shape for a solid and explosive sound
  • Adjustable Hosel: The 4A adjustable hosel makes it possible to fine-tune loft and lie to personalize the launch conditions and further customize your performance.
  • Shaft: Like most other high performing drivers the M4 uses a graphite shaft to help minimize its weight and maximize performance. And it is available in four flex options which are stiff, x-stiff, senior and regular but there is also a special shaft flex for ladies.
Pros

  • Designed to minimize spin
  • Lighter and more flexible face
  • Large and easy-to-locate sweet spot
  • Solid and explosive sound on impact
  • Highly forgiving club face
  • Delivers straighter shots for longer distances
  • Free headcover included
Cons

  • Does not work well for high handicappers and beginners
  • Stiff shaft flex does not feel stiff enough
  • Relatively pricier
Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Driver

Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Driver

Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Driver

Via https://www.amazon.com/

Forgiveness, accuracy, and distance are always the most important things to consider when choosing a driver, but the Big Bertha Fusion seems to cater for all. The most outstanding feature on this driver is the Fusion Technology as it is what gives it the maximum forgiveness and stability. This technology combines the driver’s other impressive features which are the Titanium Exo-Cage and Ultralight Triaxial Carbon Crown. Its industry-leading aerodynamics help to promote faster swing speeds and long distances, and you also get to choose from two high-performing shaft options which are the 60G Mitsubishi and recoil shafts.

Features and Design

  • Fusion Tech: The fusion technology is what gives this driver its high forgiveness. This technology fuses the titanium exo-cage with an ultralight triaxial carbon crown to create maximum forgiveness and stability so that you always get straighter and longer drives.
  • Titanium Exo-Cage: With the innovative titanium exo-cage, the manufacturer is able to reposition the weight for even more forgiveness and increase the swing speed so that you always get more accuracy and longer distances.
  • Aerodynamics: Callaway uses industry-leading aerodynamics in the design of this driver to ensure more speeds and longer distances. They use a proprietary speed step to reduce drag and hence promote faster swing speeds and long distances.
  • Shaft: This driver comes in various shaft options to ensure that each golfer gets something that will provide adequate power and control. The two main options are the 60G Mitsubishi and recoil shaft but both will offer great distances and accuracy.
Pros

  • Highly forgiving and stable
  • More head speeds and distances
  • Straighter and longer drives
  • Lightweight and easy to swing
  • Relatively more affordable driver
  • Comes with free headcover
  • Lovely finish with fantastic graphics and alignment aids
Cons

  • Adjustment requires a special tool
  • Still needs some getting used to especially for high handicappers/beginners
Callaway Men's XR 16 Driver

Callaway Men’s XR 16 Driver

Callaway Men's XR 16 Driver

Via https://www.amazon.com/

Features and Design

  • Aerodynamic Head Shape: The XR 16 is one of the most forgiving drivers that you can ever use and this due to its aerodynamic head shape and the amazing Speed Step Crown. Apart from this, the aerodynamic head shape also gives a golfer and impressive ball speed.
  • Net Gen Face Tech: This technology also guarantees you impressive ball speed. It works by making a light driver body and a face that is 9 grams lighter than the XR which precedes this driver.
  • Material: The face of this driver is stronger than most others due to the 8-1-1 titanium material. One the other hand the shaft is of a graphite material while the rest of the club is also titanium.
  • Shaft Flex: Golfers get to choose from three different shaft flex options that are Stiff, Senior, and Regular. The shafts are also of a graphite material, and so you can be confident that the club will serve you for a long time.
  • Hand Orientation: Just like most other advanced drivers it is available in both right and left-hand orientation. And so with this club, you will not have to swing something that does not conform to your preferred playing hand.
  • Weight and Dimensions: Dimensions of this driver are 48 x 6 x 6 inches, and it only weighs two and a half pounds.
Pros

  • The matte finish and unique tribal graphics give this driver a distinct and very stylish appearance.
  • It has a bigger head than the XR, and this also means that it is more forgiving than its predecessor.
  • The club head is more aerodynamic than most other competing drivers, and it is also very light.
  • This driver gives an impressive sound that lets you know when you make a good shot.
  • The Deep Head Design makes it very forgiving even for newbies and amateur golfers.
  • Club design, shape and size of the club head guarantee you of excellent ball speed.
  • The graphite shaft makes this driver very durable and also improves its performance.
Cons

  • The spin on this driver is a letdown for some player and needs a lot of improvement.
  • The sole of the driver has a dramatic appearance that might not impress some golfer.
  • The head cover will not offer any protection to the driver shaft, and it also appears to be too tight.
  • Although a big club head is an advantage, the XR 16 might be too broad for some players.
  • Some hitters will find it too short to give them the long distance they want.
Cobra Golf Men’s KING F7 Driver with Cobra Connect

Cobra Golf Men’s KING F7 Driver with Cobra Connect

Cobra Golf Men's KING F7 Driver With Cobra Connect

Via https://www.amazon.com/

The King F7 driver from Cobra makes use of some advanced technologies and impressive design to ensure golfers always get high balls speeds, maximum forgiveness, and long distances. King F7 uses an Extreme Carbon Fiber Crown for extreme distances and forgiveness, Forged E9 Face for a larger sweet spot and a 3 Drivers-In-1 design that allows you to optimize trajectory and distances to suit different conditions. Also, the driver has MYFLY8 with SMARTPAD to help you fine-tune the launch conditions and Cobra Connect that will help you track your driving distances and also analyze them and their consistency down the fairway.

Features and Design

  • Extreme Carbon Fiber Crown: This special crown yields a crown that is up to 20% lighter which allows for the distribution of more weight low and deeper into the clubhead so that golfers always get extreme forgiveness and distances.
  • MYFLY8 with SMARTPAD: With the 8-easily adjustable loft settings you can easily manage trajectory and fine-tune launch conditions for maximum distances. Also, it helps to keep the clubhead square at address regardless of your loft setting.
  • 3 DriversIn-1: Cobra allows for three different centers of gravity settings which are the front, back, and heel to help make it possible to tune your distances and trajectory in different conditions.
  • Forged E9 Face: The new re-engineered forged 8-11 titanium E9 face is lighter, thinner and hotter to create faster ball speeds and a large sweet spot.
  • Cobra Connect: Cobra Connect is an integrated electronic device on the grip that makes it possible to track your distance for every drive and also allows you to get statistical analysis on the distances and consistency.
Pros

  • Extreme distances and forgiveness
  • Easily adjustable loft settings
  • Faster ball speeds
  • Larger sweet spot
  • Allows for different centers of gravity settings
  • Comfortable grip with cobra connect
  • Lighter, thinner and hotter face
Cons

  • Its many features take long to master and can be confusing at first
  • Some high handicappers might have difficulties balancing it

Things To Consider When Buying The Best Golf Drivers

If you are a beginner, or you do not have prior experience with golf club buying it is important to ask the advice of an expert on the best drivers to buy. But, this might not always be possible and if this is the case you should keep the following important things in mind.

Club Head Design

The club head design is the most important factor that you should consider when buying drivers and you should never compromise on this. When it comes to the club head design, the common belief is that the bigger it is, the longer the distance that you will get because it will have a large sweet spot.

However, if the head is too large it may get in your way, but your skill level will also determine the ideal club head for you. 460cc is the best driver for beginners due to the massive sweet spot while 380-410cc might work well for pros because these small club heads give them better control.

Loft

The loft is another important factor that every golfer should keep in mind when shopping for drivers. It is the angle of the head on the club, but the right loft will depend on your level of experience. When it comes to the loft, you should know that the higher the angle, the higher the trajectory that you will get. And so newbies that want their ball to get more flight should go for a higher loft while pros or experienced golfers may prefer a lower loft.

Shaft Flex

To ensure that your driver gives you maximum accuracy and distance it is also important to consider the shaft flex when shopping for one. However, the right Shaft Flex for you will depend on your playing style and capabilities. If your swing speed is not very fast, you should go for a flexible shaft, and if you have a high swing speed, a stiff one is better for you because it will improve your accuracy.

Material

Titanium is the most common material not only for drivers but most other types of golf clubs. It is a durable and very sturdy material, and so you can be sure that a titanium driver will never disappoint you. It is also a light material and hence it allows for the driver head to be oversize without affecting the overall weight of the club. However, there is still an option of buying one that has a combination of titanium and composite materials which is also high quality.

Length

Most golf experts are of the opinion that there is no correlation between your tee shot distances and driver length. However, it is still important to consider the driver length before buying it and only choose something that makes it possible for you to hit the ball at the center of the club consistently.

Most pro golfers will prefer a driver that is 44.5 inches long, but you can find anything between 44 and 46 inches in the market. Also, keep in mind the fact that the longer the driver, the more difficult it will be to square the face of the club when it makes contact with the ball.

Weight

A light driver is the best for you, and this is more so if you have enough experience as a golfer and want to improve your performance. Manufacturers are always trying to make drivers as light as possible and most will weigh anything between 275 and 310 grams, but it is also not uncommon to find a driver that weighs 265 grams or slightly less. A light driver will give you more head speed and also help ensure that the ball goes far.

Price

Drivers can be expensive, and so it is important to set a budget before you go out to shop for one. Some can be as cheap as $50 while others come with price tags that are in hundreds of dollars. It is important to consider the price and compare it to how frequently you will be using the club and also if you intend to play the game for the long run. However, it is important to know that to get a top notch driver you will have to spend a lot of money.

New or Used

Most golfers will often find themselves in a dilemma on whether to but new or used drivers, and this is more so for those that are new in the game. Both can work well for you, but it is important to know their merits and demerits. New drivers are in good condition, and so they are likely to serve you for long, but they are also expensive making them uneconomical for golfers that do not intend to play the game for long. Used ones, on the other hand, are cheap, and you can find top notch driver brands at an affordable cost, but they are not as durable as new ones.

We also have buying guide about Best Game Improvement Irons if you want to take a look.

Mistakes To Avoid While Buying The Best Golf Driver For Beginners

best golf drivers

  • Do not buy a driver just because your golfing friends are using it as it might not work well for you.
  • It is important to consider the brand but avoid overlooking other important features so as to buy from a reputable company.
  • Never shop in a hurry because you are more likely to purchase a driver just because you need one and not because it is the best.
  • It is a grave mistake to buy any driver without testing or trying it out as this is the only way to be certain that it is ideal for your game.
  • Purchasing a driver just because it has an excellent grip. A grip is just a piece rubber, and it will not help you if the rest of the driver is not top notch.
  • Buying drivers because you like the color or due to their stylish appearance.

Conclusion

The driver is one of your most if not the most important club, and so you cannot afford to go wrong with your choice. You should be very careful with what you buy by considering all the elements of a club and also being smart enough to avoid the above mistakes so as to ensure that you buy the most forgiving driver.