Golf Driver's Buyers Guide
Table Of Contents: Golf Driver Buyer's Guide
What Golf Driver Should You Buy?
Your principal tools for success on the golf course are your clubs. And today's modern golf drivers are the product of endless engineering and innovation. This golf driver buyer’s guide outlines the basics you should know about golf drivers.
Drivers are one of the essential clubs in your golf bag. And they command a lot of attention for an excellent reason. You'll want the most distance off the tee box to give yourself the best chance to make par or better, and on most holes, this means you'll be hitting a driver. In order to get the most distance and accuracy out of each drive, you'll want to make sure you choose a driver that fits you the best.
So when considering what driver you should buy, you need to consider your specific goals or what you would like to improve about your tee shot. For instance, if you tend to slice or draw, consider buying a golf driver to help fix those issues. The correct driver and consistent practice can help shave points off your game.
Driver Shafts
The shaft encompasses several choices for every golfer. You want to ensure the shaft length is appropriate for your height, allowing for a comfortable, fluid swing. Material is also a factor. Almost all driver shafts are now made of composite materials such as graphite/carbon fiber to reduce weight, allowing for a faster swing. These materials provide strength without the weight of steel shafts. Less shaft weight means you can generate more swing speed allowing for a longer drive.
Arguably the most significant consideration for driver shafts is shaft flex. Examples of shaft flex designations are "Extra Stiff," "Stiff," "Regular," "Senior," and "Ladies" flex. And from the flex name, it is fairly easy to understand what type of flex (or stiffness) you can expect in a particular shaft. What's not so easy to know is what flex to use. The general rule is that the higher the club speed and distance of the average drive off the tee, the stiffer the shaft a golfer should use. And the opposite applies to lower club speeds and shorter average drives. Those golfers should use a more flexible, less stiff shaft. The most common shaft flex is "Regular Flex."
Common Driver Shaft Flex Guide
Driver Club Heads
Driver Loft
The loft is another vital choice you should carefully choose when selecting a driver. The loft is the angle of the clubface to the ground. Naturally, more loft will cause the ball to launch higher into the air. A less experienced player often has trouble getting enough air under the ball and should opt for greater loft, as this can translate into more distance. Many drivers now come with an adjustable hosel which allows you to adjust the club's loft and may even help with slicing, allowing for a draw bias.
Generally, as your club head speed increases, the loft you need decreases.
Common loft/flex combinations on drivers are listed below.
- Slower Swing Speeds – 11*, 11.5* or 12* loft with a senior, lite or ladies flex shaft.
- Medium Swing Speeds – 10* or 10.5* loft with a regular flex shaft.
- Faster Swing Speeds – 9* or 9.5* loft with stiff or extra stiff flex shaft.
Driver Club Head Size And Shape
Most drivers now have a 460cc club head size, the maximum allowed under the normal rules of golf. However, clubs may be shaped differently to favor forgiveness over swing speed. Generally, beginners will want a larger, more forgiving face on their driver, which will sacrifice a bit of distance for maximum forgiveness on mis-hits. More experienced players may favor a smaller club face with a more aerodynamic head design for faster swing speeds and maximum distance.
Something else to consider is that club head technology has improved drastically over the last few years. And these improvements have substantially decreased the dispersion of mis-hits, especially on woods and drivers. In other words, the driver head sweet spot has gotten larger, increasing forgiveness, potentially making shots straighter and longer. An excellent example of this technological improvement can be seen in the TaylorMade Stealth Twist Face (see image).
Certified Pre-Owned Drivers
Every Golf Driver is different, and you should be able to take advantage of the brand and model that best meets your requirements. The golf club that performs well for the pros on tour may not be the same club that works best for all golfers. You should be able to try different clubs to find the best one for your individual playing style. That is also why buying Pre-Owned Clubs is such an excellent and practical solution.
You do not have to purchase new to get a name-brand quality driver. Our certified pre-owned drivers offer top-name brands at a lower price point. They are also backed with our Certified Pre-Owned Guarantee. Each used club we receive is meticulously inspected and rated appropriately.
Click on the pre-owned categories below to find out more!
Left-Handed Drivers
All the top brands in golf generally offer their golf clubs in both left and right-handed. Aside from their orientation, clubs for left-handed golfers are no different than clubs for right-handed golfers. Even driver shafts are universal between right and left-handed clubs. However, even though the shafts are the same, the loft setting adapters are reversed between right- and left-handed clubs. So, using the correct adapter for your club dexterity can help avoid confusion when selecting a club loft.
Golf Drivers Buying Guide Main Takeaway?
The game of golf is extremely complex, and many variables go into customizing a club for each individual player. The golf driver is no exception, and while this guide can lead beginners in the right direction, more experienced players looking to take their game to the next level will want to talk to an expert to receive proper fitting. At Rock Bottom Golf, we offer the ability to customize a wide range of clubs to your exact needs, and our experts are ready to help!
Finding the Perfect Golf Driver
Finding the perfect golf driver can be a complex task due to the myriad of factors involved. Key elements to consider include head size, materials, loft, adjustability, and shaft options. Head size, measured in cubic centimeters (cc), and shape play a significant role in a player's performance, with larger sizes being more forgiving for beginners. The materials used in a driver's construction, including titanium and composites like carbon and tungsten, affect the club's weight and performance. Loft, referring to the angle of the clubface relative to the shaft, influences launch conditions and ball flight, and can often be adjusted in modern drivers. Adjustability also extends to face angle and weight distribution, allowing customization of the club to fit an individual's swing and playing style. The shaft of the driver, offered in various flexes and lengths, plays a crucial role in ball flight direction and control.
A driver's moment of inertia (MOI) and coefficient of restitution (COR) are also important to understand. The former relates to the club's resistance to twisting and determines its forgiveness on off-center hits, while the latter is a measure of energy transfer between the clubhead and ball, influencing distance. The "smash factor" is a related concept measuring the efficiency of this energy transfer. Given these numerous considerations, the process of custom fitting, where a professional club fitter uses launch monitor data to recommend the optimal golf driver based on an individual's unique swing and ball flight characteristics, is highly recommended. Ultimately, understanding these factors enables golfers to make a well-informed choice and find the perfect driver to elevate their game.
Click Here for the ultimate guide to buying the best golf driver!
How Often Should You Replace Your Golf Driver
If ou have ever researched how often you should replace your driver, you might see some variations in the answers. Regardless, many will agree that your driver will last between 3 to 5 years. However, this timespan assumes around 30 rounds of golf for each calendar year. This estimate is a good baseline to use, but it can be more complex. Several factors might give you a better indication that it is time to replace your driver.
Thirty rounds of golf can be played out quite differently among different players. Something as simple as swing speed could have more impact on the club. A player with a consistently faster swing will put more wear and tear on the clubface over 30 rounds than a player with a slower swing speed. Also, if you take your driver to the driving range regularly, you add a lot more wear and tear than just 18 holes over 30 rounds.
Beyond just looking at usage over time, look for visible signs on the club that it is wearing down. Periodically inspect the club head and shaft for signs of damage or degradation, like cracks. Inspect the grips to see if they are wearing out. In addition to visible damage, pay attention to the driver’s performance. If you find that you are not getting as much distance, it could mean the driver is wearing out.
What Drivers Do The Pros Use
While modern golf drivers are packed with technology, it does not hurt to know you are using a driver that a pro golfer would use. Knowing a tour professional plays a specific driver is a pretty solid endorsement. That being said, here is a list of drivers used by Tour players.
According To PGAClubTracker.com, here are the drivers used by various PGA Tour Champions:
- Rory McIlroy: TaylorMade Qi10 - Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
- Tiger Woods: TaylorMade Qi10 LS - Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 6 X
- Jon Rahm: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond - Shaft: Aldila Tour Green ATX 75 2.8 TX
- Dustin Johnson: TaylorMade Qi10 - Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution 2.0 Tour Spec X
- Justin Thomas: Titleist GT2 - Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana ZF 60 TX
- Collin Morikawa: TaylorMade Qi10 LS - Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX
- Brooks Koepka: TaylorMade Qi10 - Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D Limited 60 TX
- Jordan Spieth: Titleist TSR2 - Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
- Scottie Scheffler: TaylorMade Qi10 - Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
1. How Do I Choose the Right Golf Driver for My Swing Speed?
Choosing the right golf driver tailored to your swing speed is essential for maximizing distance and improving accuracy off the tee. Here's how you can select the ideal driver:
- Determine Your Swing Speed:
- Visit a local golf shop or use a launch monitor to measure your swing speed.
- Typical Swing Speed Ranges:
- Under 75 mph: Slower swing speeds.
- 75-94 mph: Moderate swing speeds.
- 95-110 mph: Fast swing speeds.
- Over 110 mph: Very fast swing speeds.
- Match Shaft Flex to Your Swing Speed:
- Ladies or Senior Flex: For swing speeds under 75 mph.
- Regular Flex: For swing speeds between 75-94 mph.
- Stiff Flex: For swing speeds between 95-110 mph.
- Extra Stiff Flex: For swing speeds over 110 mph.
- Tip: A shaft with the correct flex ensures the clubface squares up at impact, promoting straighter and more consistent shots.
- Select the Appropriate Loft:
- Higher Lofts (11°, 12°): Benefit slower swing speeds by helping get the ball airborne.
- Mid Lofts (10°, 10.5°): Suitable for moderate swing speeds.
- Lower Lofts (9°, 9.5°): Ideal for faster swing speeds to control ball trajectory.
- Consider Shaft Weight and Material:
- Lighter Shafts: Can increase swing speed, beneficial for those needing extra distance.
- Graphite Shafts: Common in drivers for their light weight and vibration-dampening properties.
- Look Into Club Head Design:
- Forgiveness: Larger club heads (up to 460cc) offer a bigger sweet spot, which is helpful for beginners or those with inconsistent contact.
- Aerodynamics: Sleeker designs can reduce drag, aiding in increasing swing speed.
- Utilize Adjustable Features:
- Many modern drivers offer adjustable hosels and weights.
- Adjust Loft and Lie Angles: Fine-tune launch conditions.
- Customize Weight Distribution: Influence shot shape to correct slices or hooks.
- Get Professionally Fitted:
- A professional fitting session can analyze your swing mechanics in detail.
- Benefits:
- Personalized equipment recommendations.
- Immediate feedback and adjustments.
- Test Different Drivers:
- Try out various models at a driving range or golf store simulator.
- Pay attention to how each driver feels and performs for you personally.
2. Are Expensive Golf Drivers Worth It for Beginners?
Investing in an expensive golf driver as a beginner can be a double-edged sword. Here's what to consider:
- Pros of Expensive Drivers:
- Advanced Technology: High-end drivers feature the latest innovations aimed at improving distance and forgiveness.
- Adjustability: Offers customization options to fine-tune the club as your skills develop.
- Quality Materials: Premium materials can enhance feel and durability.
- Cons for Beginners:
- Cost vs. Benefit: Beginners may not notice significant performance gains to justify the higher price.
- Complexity: Adjustable features might be overwhelming without a consistent swing to take advantage of them.
- Skill Development: Fundamental skills have a greater impact on performance than equipment at the early stages.
- Alternative Recommendations:
- Affordable or Pre-Owned Clubs:
- Certified Pre-Owned Drivers: Offer quality clubs at reduced prices.
- Last Year's Models: Still feature modern technology at a lower cost.
- Game Improvement Drivers:
- Designed specifically to help beginners with larger sweet spots and higher forgiveness.
- Investment in Lessons:
- Professional instruction can accelerate improvement more effectively than equipment upgrades.
- Affordable or Pre-Owned Clubs:
- When to Consider an Expensive Driver:
- Commitment to the Game: If you plan to play frequently and are serious about improving.
- Opportunity to Test Before Buying: Ensuring the driver suits you can justify the expense.
- Future-Proofing: A quality driver can serve you well as your skills advance.
- Final Thoughts:
- While expensive drivers have their advantages, beginners often benefit more from focusing on developing a consistent swing.
- Upgrading equipment can be more impactful once foundational skills are established.