TL;DR: Stop being scared of the longest club in your bag. These new golf drivers will give you insane confidence off the tee so you hit more fairways and score lower than ever.

Are you looking for the best golf drivers to improve your long game? If you’re like most golfers you know that you can’t hit a 3-wood and keep the driver in the bag if you want to play your best.

One of the things I’ve found in my 20+ years of playing golf is that most players don’t have the right driver for their swing. This can lead to doubt on the tee, frustration, and a lot of bad tee shots that make it nearly impossible to score well.

This is why it’s important to research your driver and make sure it’s right for your swing. Keep reading to learn the best golf drivers and how to find one that is right for you.

7 Best Golf Drivers

In this article I’ll review the seven best drivers from top names in the game, define what makes them different, and explain how to find the right model for your game. Whether you’re a scratch golfer, a 25 handicap, or somewhere in between, there’s a perfect driver for you.

Plus I’ll help you compare different drivers so you can buy with confidence.

1. Callaway Paradym

The Paradym has been a huge hit with pros and amateur golfers alike. I switched from the Callaway Golf Rogue ST Max (a club I also loved) earlier in the year, but the Paradym is even better. For my own game it’s helped add several MPH in ball speed and improved mishits thanks to their new technology.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how each model compares to one another:

• Paradym: The main model is a perfect fit for a mid-handicap golfer who needs forgiveness and distance.
• Paradym X: This is one of the most forgiving drivers on this list and ideal for players with a slightly slower clubhead speed. It also has a built-in draw bias to help straighten out drives that normally suffer from a slice.
• Paradym Triple Diamond: This model is the best for better players who have a faster swing speed. The smaller head on this titanium driver doesn’t provide as much forgiveness but offers plenty of playability.

2. TaylorMade Stealth 2

The TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver is their newest driver and replaces the original TaylorMade Stealth. It has more carbon than the previous version, which makes it longer and more forgiving.

TaylorMade offers three models:

• TaylorMade Stealth 2: This model is designed for average golfers who want forgiveness and mid-spin with a neutral face (non-draw bias).
• TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD: If you need help with straighter drives, the HD (high draw) model is likely the best choice. It’s a solid mid-launch club that can help mid-to-high handicappers.
• TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus: This driver is the one the pros and low handicappers will favor thanks to its design features. It’s meant to minimize spin for golfers with a faster swing speed and have less forgiveness for improved workability.

3. Titleist TSR

Titleist is another top name in the world of golf drivers and, really, all types of equipment. Unlike other brands, they offer four variations for the most customization. This driver was neck and neck with the Callaway when I tested them out, and I think you’ll love the design. These Titleist drivers look amazing, sound pure, and are sure to inspire confidence with their updated design from the TSi series.

• TSR1: The lightest driver in the Titleist lineup to improve launch and distance capabilities. This is ideal for senior golfers or players with slower swing speeds who need help with distance more than anything else. It’s also the only model with 12 degrees of launch (in both RH and LH).
• TSR2: This model is a top pick for mid- to high handicappers thanks to the CG placement, which helps improve speed and forgiveness. There are more stock shaft options than the TSR1 as well.
• TSR3: The third model in the Titleist lineup is a top pick for lower-handicap golfers who want even more adjustability and a slightly lower launch. The SureFit Adjustable CG Track System makes it easier to dial in the club exactly to your needs.
• TSR4: This is one of the most popular options among Tour pros thanks to its low-launch, low-spin characteristics. It’s also slightly smaller than the previous three models at 430cc, which makes it easier to shape shots off the tee.

All four Titleist drivers have SureFit adjustability to match the performance for each individual player.

4. Cobra Max Aerojet

Cobra makes some awesome clubs for the everyday golfer, and their Aerojet drivers are no exception. Each of these clubs made the Golf Digest Gold Hot List in 2023 thanks to some nice upgrades. They are “faster by design” and should help you add more ball speed (and distance) than previous models.

The secret sauce to these drivers is the PWRSHELL cup technology, which maximizes launch and distance. The AI-designed face helps add more speed across the face, while the PWR-Bridge weight improves energy transfer for longer drives.

• Aerojet: The standard model is a low-spin, medium-launch club with a neutral shot shape. There are three shafts and multiple loft options, so it’s easy to find the right club for you (not to mention all three models have adjustability features too).
• Aerojet MAX: This model is designed for distance and a higher launch, and it has a draw bias to help straighten out shots. It’s also available in 12 degrees of loft, which is perfect for slower-swinging players to help increase distance off the tee.
• Aerojet LS: This low-spin, low-launch model is the best choice for golfers with a faster swing speed. I’ve hit this one myself and been super impressed with the look at address and low-spin characteristics. This model also has a neutral-to-fade bias, which is preferred by a lot of lower-handicap golfers who want a more consistent shot shape off the tee.

All these Cobra drivers come with Lamkin Crossline grips, which are easy to grip in all weather conditions.

If you’re looking for a Cobra club with even more forgiveness, check out the Air-X model, which is available in offset or straight-neck design (unfortunately, these aren’t adjustable drivers).

5. Cleveland Launcher XL (Best Budget Pick)

Cleveland is a brand meant for average golfers more so than pros, but it has a few exceptional driver options. The Launcher XL is one of the easiest-to-hit clubs on this list thanks to the extreme MOI (which basically means forgiveness) features.

If you want an even lighter version of this driver, check out the Cleveland Launcher XL Lite. This club has all the same benefits except an adjustable hosel. The bonded hosel makes the club 12 grams lighter so it’s easy to swing faster — and hit it longer.

Additionally, they have the XL Lite in a draw version as well. If you’re a newer golfer or someone who needs distance plus slice forgiveness, it’s hard to top this club.

6. Mizuno ST-230 Series

Mizuno is famous for their amazing irons, but they also make a few notable drivers too. The STX-230 has a deeper profile with more weight in the heel, making it more of a draw bias club and higher spinning. They also have a PLTNM version, which is 30 grams lighter than the original and similar to the Cleveland Launcher XL Lite.

More advanced golfers will benefit more from the Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver. This is a straight bias club, and the new CORTECH Chamber produces faster ball speeds than the previous ST-Z. It sits lower to the ground to create a more low- to mid-spin profile that is ideal for lower handicaps with plenty of swing speed.

All three of these Mizuno drivers also have a “quick-switch hosel” for up to four degrees of adjustment.

7. Wilson Dynapower

Another good pick for a driver is the Wilson Dynapower. It has a larger sweet spot than most titanium drivers and is made for mid-to-high handicappers. It also has a 16-gram rear weight with the CG low for a higher launch and neutral-to-draw ball flight.

The six-way hosel also makes it easy to change the loft and lie settings with a golf club wrench. Another benefit of this driver is the 13-degree loft option, which is perfect for golfers who need help with a higher launch. There is no low-spin option like other driver models, as this one is made for higher-handicap golfers.

Finally, this Wilson driver is one of the lower-priced options on this list too.

Features to Look out for When Buying the Right Driver

As you can see, there are a ton of choices, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed in the buying process. To help make this buying decision easier, use this comparison guide:

Adjustable Drivers

Most new golf drivers are adjustable, which allows you to tweak the loft and lie to match your swing. If you’re a mid- to low-handicap golfer (and trending down) get one of these drivers, as it can make a huge difference in ball flight and distance. If you’re a higher-handicap golfer and/or have a slower swing speed, a fixed hosel can help you swing faster and hit it farther.

Type of Shaft

Each driver has different stock shafts, and it’s crucial to make sure the shaft matches your swing speed. Think about it: A club’s design is roughly 80% shaft, which is why the wrong one can hurt your ball flight and distance so much. But the right shaft can improve the forgiveness of a club, add distance, and improve launch.

Shaft Length

The length of the shaft also plays a big role in the overall spin rate and ability to hit fairways in regulation. Most shafts are about 45 inches, and that is what the majority of golfers play. Some manufacturers also make a shorter shaft (like Cleveland with their “Accuracy Build” features).

New vs. Older Model

If you want to save money, opting for an older model from 2022 might be the way to go. They won’t have any defects or anything but can help you save a few hundred bucks.

Some of my favorite picks from last year include:

• Callaway Rogue ST Max
• TaylorMade Stealth
• Cobra LTDX Max

How to Choose

Here are a few examples of different types of players and which driver might work best for their respective games.

Justin — 30 handicap, fights a slice

It’s never been easier to fight a slice even if he doesn’t have tons of time to work with an instructor or go to the driving range daily. Equipment plays a pivotal role, and I suggest one of the following drivers to help straighten out his ball flight:

• Cobra Aerojet Max
• Wilson Dynapower
• Cleveland Launcher XL Draw

James — 15 handicap, wants more distance and forgiveness

If he wants a little more help off the tee, as a mid-handicapper I’d suggest one of the “standard” models (not an HD or LS model). The HD is better for slower-swinging golfers who struggle with a slice, while the LS is better for faster-than-average clubhead speed.

Some of the top picks include:

• Titleist TSR2
• Cobra Aerojet
• Callaway Paradym

Michael — 4 handicap, wants less spin and lower trajectory

If he’s a low, single-digit handicap, chances are he has plenty of natural swing speed. More speed equals more spin, which is why it’s a good choice to buy an LS (low spin) driver. These clubs are usually 20-30cc smaller than the standard 460cc head but have less spin and more playability.

Some of the best picks include:

• Titleist TSR3
• TaylorMade Stealth 2
• Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond

Choosing the Right Golf Driver for You

Buying the right driver is key to playing your best golf.

Even if you fear hitting the driver now, there are so many forgiving options that will work out much better than a 3W. Find a club that will reward a mishit nearly as much as a well-struck shot, choose a lightweight graphite shaft, or one with anti-slice technology. If you’re a more consistent player, choose one of the adjustable drivers so you can tweak it to your ideal launch conditions.

I hope this guide has helped you in your journey to find the perfect driver. If you have more questions about choosing your next driver or anything else related to golf, get in touch with a Curated Golf Expert today.