There were times in the golf history when the driver was mostly used for the show. But then, technological advancements in this sport have given it more characteristics, turning it into one of the leading components of the game. Today, it is still good for a show, but it can also represent the foundation of your game.The best golf drivers for 2020 include ground-breaking innovation that enhance driver distance and forgiveness.
Golf drivers have come a long way. Top manufacturers today rely on exquisite materials for durability and feel. Moreover, everything is scientifically planned to ensure a perfect hit. It seems to be more of a game of researching and developing.
Now, browsing through the best golf drivers on the market can be a bit challenging. You will find lots of reviews from players of all skill levels. You will also find plenty of brands and even no name manufacturers. Making a final decision seems hard, indeed.
Luckily, there are only two steps to follow. First, you need to know what to look for in a good driver. Second, you have to browse the top rated products out there. Everything else is a matter of personal taste and preferences.
So, what are the main considerations when about to spend your money?
A little attention to small details will work a long way and can prevent a series of unwanted mistakes.
A dedicated player will notice the necessity of upgrading to better drivers as they gain experience and skill. No matter what your skill level is, it is imperative to find a driver to match it. There are drivers for beginners, as well as drivers for professionals. It must match your swing and help you gain experience.
The best trick is to reach to a local club and get a training lesson or perhaps try out a few drivers – even if you plan to shop online. Generally speaking, if you are dedicated about this sport, it might be wise to get the best driver you can afford.
You will find plenty of golf driver reviews from all kinds of players. Just remembers – what works for some people may not necessarily work for you. The head size is sometimes overlooked – bad idea. The largest size approved in official competitions is set to 460cc in volume. Smaller options count 420cc and 440cc.
The larger the head size, the larger the face. As for the weight, it is meant to go in the bottom part of the head for a better swing. Other than that, a low center of gravity will add to the momentum and provide more speed as you launch the ball. Since they are more forgiving, large club heads are also recommended to beginners.
A smaller head will have less weight, so it adds to consistency. It is also easier to maneuver, but it requires more experience.
You will find both round and square heads out there. The rule here is pretty simple – choose whatever feels better for you.
Some of the best golf drivers of all time have square heads – bigger faces and fewer issues. But then, they are losing their popularity in front of round drivers, which also make a good option for newbies. They are less likely to get caught in the ground, so they are quite forgiving.
The head color is a matter of personal preferences. Colors have nothing to do with your skill. Black seems to be standard, but more and more manufacturers opt for all kinds of colors then – mostly because of a greater contrast against the grass.
If a strong contrast helps you play better, go for it.
Most newbies forget about the loft because they have no clue how it can help. It is given by an angle made by the club face on a vertical axis. If the loft is set to zero, it means the face is perpendicular to the grass.
However, most drivers range between eight and 12 degrees. A higher angle means you will launch the ball further.
How flexible is the shaft? The flex is given by how much it will bend after the impact. Newbies do better with flexible shafts. Most of them are made of graphite, which is also lightweight. Experienced players with fast swings will opt for stiff shafts – most of them are made of steel.
The shaft has also been through some changes overtime. These days, they are longer, but they are also made of lightweight materials. It could be confusing for a beginner – even if you try the top rated golf drivers, but go ahead and try out a few different models to experiment.
In terms of adjustability, you can save money and customize your game in the smallest details. Some of the best golf drivers on the market are adjustable and allow small changes. You can change the loft, the lie and so on. It is all about trial and error. Make small changes and see how they feel.
However, an adjustable shaft will not give you too much room for changes. All these adjustments are small, so it is important to feel comfortable and confident with the shaft before even thinking about adjusting it.
Now that you know how to buy a driver, what are the best golf drivers on the market and what makes them so reputable?
TaylorMade has created one of the best golf drivers for high handicappers. It comes in a few different versions – ladies, regular, stiff, extra stiff and senior. It is also available for both hand orientations, not to mention the varying loft – 8.5 to 10.5. The shaft is made of graphite.
It features a new face curvature when compared to previous models. Its main role is to clear the side spin, but also to improve accuracy and direction. Some parts of the slot are reinforced for a larger sweet spot.
The driver is not just designed for performance, but also for sound. The sound is explosive, while the volume – 460cc – provides more forgiveness due to the large face.
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Known as one of the best golf drivers for mid handicappers, Cobra's King F8 model from 2018 is likely to dominate the market for a while. It is available in more stiffness levels or hand orientations, as well as different shaft materials – Aldila NV 2KXV Blue 60 seems to lead the segment though due to being extremely lightweight.
This is Cobra's first CNC Milled driver face – hot, precise and thin. You have 360 aero innovative polymer trips around the side of the head for drag reduction and speed too. The carbon fiber is not just lightweight, but it also adds to forgiveness.
It is worth noting the fact that the center of gravity is adjustable, so you can easily tune the trajectory and distance, regardless of the playing conditions.
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TaylorMade is a front runner when it comes to golf drivers and the RBZ unit is definitely worth some attention. The head is large – 460cc – and made of titanium. It has a bit of adjustability too – you can play around with the loft sleeve for a different trajectory and speed.
If the distance is your biggest concern, you will love the premium matrix white tie 55 shaft. Apart from boosting distance, it will also provide a smooth feel. Other than that, you have the classic speed pocket performance for a low spin.
In terms of design and style, the satin black finish will draw some positive attention. Fancy detailing is also beautiful, yet its main role is to help with the alignment.
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Callaway's Rogue model is one of the best golf drivers out there. It may not be as popular as other drivers in this segment, but it will certainly change your perception once you get your hands on it. It comes in multiple varieties – more flexes and lofts. Other than that, it is part of an aero package for speed.
This driver features the jailbreak effect, which is yet another feature that adds to the way the ball flies. Your hits will go faster and obviously further. Besides, external and internal weighting cannot be overlooked either.
On another hand, the triaxial carbon crown works perfectly with an improved head shape. The mix adds to the MOI, causing some destructive hits.
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Although Cobra's King F8 model is one of the best golf drivers out there, the manufacturer has released the King F8+ drivers as well, which takes everything even further at a more professional level. It comes in more colors, shaft materials or flexes – regular, stiff and extra stiff.
You have another CNC Milled face for precision, as well as 360 aero innovative polymer trips – drag reduction and better speeds. The carbon in the crown keeps the CG low for more forgiveness.
Feel free to adjust the CG Positions – back or front – for completely different hits. The loft can also be adjusted in small details.
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Bottom line, these are the best golf drivers based on buyers' reviews and ratings. Sure, the market is more diversified and you might find something that suits you even better. But at the end of the day, if you want quality and a good chance to boost your skills, match one of these drivers to your personal needs and there is no way you can fail.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
