Every single time you play you have to hear about the best golf driver of the year from all your buddies.
The driver of the year, according to them.
The question is, what makes something the ultimate golf driver? Best can mean different things to different people.
We will try and give you an inside scoop on what makes a driver superior, things you should consider when purchasing a new driver and which one we believe to be the winner this year.
Read our review with the best golf drivers of all time to find out.
At A Glance: Our Top 10 Picks for Golf Drivers On The Market In 2022
- Best Golf Driver: Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero
- Runner Up 1: TaylorMade M6 Driver
- Runner Up 2: Cobra Speedzone Driver
- Best for Fixing a Slice: TaylorMade SIM Max D Draw Driver
- Best Adjustable Golf Driver: TaylorMade M5 Driver
- Best For Forgiveness: Callaway Golf Epic Speed
- Best Affordable Driver: Mizuno ST190 Driver
- Best for Seniors: Cleveland Launcher Turbo Driver
- Best For Women: Cobra Radspeed Golf Driver
- Best For Speed: TaylorMade SIM 2 Max
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
---|---|---|
Best Golf Driver | Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero
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Runner Up 1 | TaylorMade M6 Driver
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Runner Up 2 | Cobra Speedzone Driver
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Best for Fixing a Slice | TaylorMade SIM Max D Draw Driver
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Best Adjustable Golf Driver | TaylorMade M5 Driver
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Best For Forgiveness | Callaway Golf Epic Speed
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Best Affordable Driver | Mizuno ST190 Driver
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Best for Seniors | Cleveland Launcher Turbo Driver
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Best For Women | Cobra Radspeed Golf Driver
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Best For Speed | TaylorMade SIM 2 Max
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Best Golf Driver 2023: Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero
PROS
- 12 gram sliding weight
- Impressive distance
- Flash Face Technology
CONS
- Not the latest release from Callaway
For the 2023 season, the winner is the Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero.
This driver comes equipped with a 12 Gram Sliding Weight to help with ball flight control.
The Callaway Epic Flash Driver is designed to get players with faster swing speeds, better results. It comes equipped with the latest Jailbreak Technology from Callaway to produce Low, Spin and Low Launch.
So why do we say that the Epic Flash Sub Zero is the winner in the overall driver-category?
It truly is longer than other options out there but it somehow managed to still have great feel.
Great players will tell you that it is difficult to find a driver that gives them distance and feel.
Many low handicap golfers will choose a club that is not very long to have something that feels decent. With the Epic Flash Sub Zero, they do not have to choose one or the other, they can have both.
It is rare to find a club that checks all of the boxes. This is a top driver that has adjustability, forgiveness, feel and distance. The Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero may very well be the longest driver in golf. Edging out the Callaway Rogue Driver.
Additionally we have put together a guide to the Best Callaway Drivers currently available.
Read our Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero Driver review.
Runner Up 1: TaylorMade M6
PROS
- Higher ball flight
- Impressive ball speed from the M Series
- Improved forgiveness in specific areas of the club
CONS
- Not the best for the fastest swing speed players looking for workability
The TaylorMade M6 may be one of the most talked-about drivers this year. Tour players are talking about this golf club creating more ball speed than potentially any other driver out there.
The M6 has no adjustable weights which can be looked at as both a positive and a negative for some people. People who love to mess around with ball flight from one course to the next will want something much more adjustable.
The M6 is sort of a set it and forget it option. This can be good for people who continually question instead of having the confidence to swing away.
This also might be good for that guy you play with who tries to blame every mishit on the club!
When he hits one 40 yards right and says it must be because he needs to set his driver one degree different? Not so sure about that!
The M6 sees plenty of distance and forgiveness improvements from the M4 model. It is a logical next step in the M Series Drivers that TaylorMade has done so well with over the last few years.
It is easy for a company to claim they increased forgiveness.
What I like about this is that TaylorMade specifically states that they improved forgiveness in the bottom left and top right areas of the clubface. These are the most common areas for an amateur to miss a shot.
This TaylorMade M6 is packed with the latest and greatest technology. With adjustable lofts, longer carry and premium shaft options it’s a great solution for the mid to higher handicap golfers.
If you are a lower handicap golfer with lots of clubhead speed take a look at the M5 option instead.
Read our TaylorMade M6 Driver review.
Runner Up 2: Cobra Speedzone
PROS
- Tremendous adjustability
- Higher ball speeds
- CNC Milled Infinity face
CONS
- Not as fast as something like a SIM2
One of the things to look for in the best overall golf driver is adjustability. As with our winner, the Epic Flash, the Cobra Speedzone has a tremendous amount of adjustability.
The settings on this club can be modified to work for a five handicap or a twenty-five handicap.
In the distance category, Cobra has always been a half step behind. Although their clubs were some of the best feeling and most forgiving, they didn’t always offer the same ball speeds.
This has started to change considerably. The Cobra Speedzone driver has ball speeds comparable with all of the fastest drivers on the market.
Some of this speed comes from the new Aero shaping that allows players to swing the club through the air at a faster rate. In addition, the new CNC Milled Infinity face allows golfers to get a tremendous amount of ball speed even if they don’t hit the exact center of the face.
The 360 carbon wrap makes the club quite a bit lighter and easier to manage. Overall the Speedzone driver has everything that a golfer needs in a driver design. In addition, the pricing of the Speedzone is quite fair, making it one of the best deals out there.
TaylorMade SIM Max D
TaylorMade SIM Max D
Best Driver For Fixing A Slice
PROS
- Impressive slice control
- High MOI
- Twist Face Technology
CONS
- Not a great choice unless you slice the golf ball
Sometimes regardless of the methods that you have tried, fixing a slice seems impossible. If this is the case, you are not alone. The slice is the most popular miss in golf, and it sometimes feels there is no hope for fixing it.
Luckily with the TaylorMade SIM Max D in your hands, there is a real chance you could see a reduction in your slice this year.
The new Speed Injected technology helps golfers get better ball speed on each driver. TaylorMade won’t let one of these clubheads leave the factor until it has been thoroughly tested and improved.
The twist face technology gives golfers a large and forgiving face area on the club. If you happen to miss the center a bit, you will barely see a reduction in distance.
The SIM Max D has an internal draw bias to help those who slice the ball. In addition, you can change the settings on the driver to give you even more control over your slice.
TaylorMade was able to incorporate carbon, titanium and steel into their SIM Max D club head. This allows for much higher performance and an increased MOI.
If you struggle with clubhead speed and want a driver that is easy to hit straight, this is the one for you.
TaylorMade M5 driver
PROS
- Very low launching
- Low spin
- Tour model smaller club head
CONS
- Not the more forgiving golf driver on the market
Remember how we said that the M6 was the Runner Up for the best gold driver of 2023. That probably left you wondering why not the M5?
The TaylorMade M5 is what we consider to be the best adjustable driver on the market.
Not only does the M5 come equipped with a Speed Injected Twist Face, but this driver also offers the T Track moveable weights.
The T Track moveable weight was a feature seen on previous M series Drivers and the TaylorMade fans loved it.
The M6, although long and forgiving does not offer this amazing benefit. The Track allows you to not only adjust launch (high vs low) but it also allows you to adjust draw and fade bias. There are two 10g moveable weights and the driver can be adjusted in seconds.
The M5 Driver also comes in a tour model that offers a slightly smaller head for the golf purist that does not feel the need for the 460cc.
Read our TaylorMade M5 Driver review.
Callaway Golf Epic Speed
Best Golf Driver For Forgiveness
PROS
- Artificial intelligence to increase speed
- Lots of adjustability
- Up to 20 yards of shot shape correction
CONS
- New expensive design
The Callaway Golf Epic Speed is the fastest and most forgiving new golf driver from Callaway. The interesting thing about this driver is that we could have put it in various categories. This club could easily win the best overall competition, the best distance, and even the best forgiveness. The most important thing to remember is that the Callaway Golf Epic Speed is a highly advanced piece of golf technology.
The club was created using artificial intelligence, and this allows it to perform at a level that is different from other clubs on the market. In addition, the new Triaxial Carbon material will ensure that you have no trouble with the overall weighting of the club.
With up to 20 yards of shot shape correction in the club head, the forgiveness you can get with a club like this is truly impressive. Don’t let this new Jailbreak Speed Frame, AI, and Optifit Hosel make you think this is a complicated golf club to hit. It is one of the easiest and fastest on the market.
Mizuno ST190
PROS
- Lowest spin rates
- High ball speed
- Impressive golf shaft options
CONS
- It won’t be as forgiving as something like a Cobra
Although a few of the drivers we have already talked about have dropped in price since their release, some still hold around that $500 mark. If that is more than you are looking to spend, take a look at the Mizuno ST 190.
Mizuno’s iron game has been on point for many years but they are just starting to make a name for themselves in the wedge and driver market.
The ST 190 is a newer release from Mizuno that has produced the lowest spin rates to date for this company. The clubhead is sleek, black, has a very pleasant sound and depending on which model you go for it can have some adjustability as well.
Mizuno does not offer a ton of diversity when it comes to the shafts in this driver, but the stock shaft is a good one. The Mizuno comes stock with the Fujikura Atmos Line of shafts and they do offer a few different weights and flexes.
The driver offers great ball speed and distance and for almost half the price of something like the Titleist TS3, it’s certainly worth a look.
Cleveland Launcher Turbo
PROS
- Very high launching
- No adjustability to save weight
- Forgiving
CONS
- Not the highest level of technology on the market
The Senior game usually comes down to two top contenders, Cleveland and Callaway. This year we felt as though Cleveland won out with the release of the Cleveland Launcher Turbo.
What makes the Cleveland Launcher Turbo so great for a Senior is these three very simple things…
- It’s easy to use, not much to mess with as far as adjustability, pick your loft and go play.
- It is light, as we age our swings slow down, Cleveland compensates for that with their amazing lightweight stock shaft.
- It’s forgiving. With one of the largest sweet spots on the market, even the misses will be solid with the Cleveland Launcher Turbo.
Callaway Big Bertha Reva Driver
PROS
- Increases overall distance
- Very low spin
- Large club head with a massive sweet spot
CONS
- Large club head takes a bit to get used to
The Callaway Big Bertha REVA driver is an ideal solution for the woman golfer looking for consistent distance and straight golf drivers. The great thing about the REVA is that it was designed specifically for the woman player. The center of gravity is low, and the face of the club is extremely reactive.
One of the things that we love about the Big Bertha REVA is that the advanced AI is just as (if not more impressive) than the technology in the men’s Callaway golf drivers. Many women’s clubs are made to be forgiving, but distance is left on the table; this is not the case with the Big Bertha Reva.
Artificial intelligence used to create this golf driver has helped players that are looking for extra forgiveness and some lower ball spin. This combination increases the overall distance golfers can hit their shots.
TaylorMade SIM 2 Max
Best Golf Driver For Speed
PROS
- Forged ring construction
- Speed injected Twist Face
- Speed Pocket Technology
- Adjustability
CONS
- Higher pricing of a new release
The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max is one of the fastest golf drivers that the game has ever seen. It should come as no surprise that TaylorMade has one of the fastest drivers on the market. A SIM 2 Max driver comes with a forged ring construction that helps it stand out from last year’s model.
With a new Forged Ring Construction and updated Speed Pocket technology, the SIM 2 Max is able to get much more distance and overall forgiveness than previous models from TaylorMade. In addition, the SIM Max models have plenty of adjustability in the hosel to get you the right setting.
If your goal is to start hitting the ball further, the advanced geometry and aerodynamics in the SIM Max 2 are going to get you there. In addition, the club is quite forgiving. It’s important to remember that forgiveness in a club head often leads to some extra distance.
What to look for when Picking The Best Golf Driver?
Now that we have given you our favorite pics in the top categories it’s time for you to decide which driver is best for you. This can be easier said than done with all the information that is out there on drivers.
There are a few key categories that you need to pay attention to when choosing an option that works for you.
Club Head Size and Weight
Although most drivers are the standard 460 cc there are several that are a bit smaller. Another thing to consider is that 460 doesn’t look the same on all drivers. Some look huge and others hide the size well.
As far as Weight is concerned most companies are trying to make the clubhead lightweight if you are looking for something heavier choose a heavy shaft.
Adjustability
Adjustability is the name of the game for golf drivers in today’s world. Years ago if you were swinging a 10 degree but wanted a 9 you had to go spend a few hundred dollars. This is no longer the case and it’s been a great thing to happen to the game.
Adjustability can include, lofts, lie, launch, fade or draw bias. Some even have interchangeable shafts. It is the name of the game especialy when it comes to golf drivers for beginners.
Shaft Options
The fitting advancements in golf have truly revolutionized the game, especially for Amateur golfers who really can’t hit anything you put in their hands. The shaft options are all about making sure you have the perfect combination to get the ball speeds you need.
Even though drivers have gotten more expensive through the years, the stock shaft options have gotten a lot better.
When you decide on the clubhead that you want, do some research on the shaft as well. There are high and low kick points (which will lead to high or low launch) and varying weights as well.
Generally, if you hit the ball too high you need a heavier shaft and vice versa. If you can jump on a Trackman or fitting machine to have ball speed tested it’s truly a great idea.
Forgiveness
This can be the hardest to determine at times because of the marketing lingo used by golf manufacturers. When you hear about Jailbreak Technology and Flash Face and Triaxial Carbon it can be hard to determine what is important.
This is where the fine print comes in. When you read the information about any of these golf drivers they all have a recommended player or recommended swing speed.
If you swing at about 100mph don’t choose something that says “to get the fastest swingers the lowest spin rates”. It’s not going to be what you need.
Look for increased sweet spots, look for increased forgiveness in lower heel and upper toe. Those are the most common spots for an amateur to miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you have a better understanding as to which golf drivers are the best of all time, it’s a good idea to fully understand if it is worth upgrading. Not all players need a new golf driver each year, even though new ones come to market. Here are a few of the questions that we are asked most commonly about the best golf drivers of all time.
How Often Should I Update My Driver?
A golf driver should be updated every five years or so. Even though new golf drivers come to the market each year, the differences in technology from one golf driver to the next are very minimal. However, over a five year time span, you will see some remarkable differences. The problem with waiting a long time to upgrade is that you will leave potential distance and forgiveness on the table.
Who Makes The Best Golf Drivers Of All Time?
The best golf drivers of all time are made by Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra, and Titleist. However, there are dozens of golf companies in the market. These four stand out as some of the best. They continue to put out products that reach a wide range of players looking to improve their games.
Do All Golfers Need A Driver?
All golfers should seriously consider playing with a driver. Although a 3 Wood is a more forgiving club from the tee, it does not travel as far. You cannot say that distance is the only important factor in the game, but a great driver from the tee will greatly impact the ability to score lower.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this information on the best golf drivers of all time gave you a good idea of the current technology on the market and some options that could work for you.
We consider the Epic Flash Sub Zero as the overall winner because of its incredible ball speeds, low dispersion rates, adjustability, and solid stock shaft options.
Although we consider the Epic Flash Sub Zero to be superior don’t count out the TaylorMade M6 or the Cobra Speedzone as both offer performance levels that we have not seen yet in the golf world.