If you don’t play in many golf tournaments, the non-conforming golf driver could be a great choice to consider.
Non-conforming drivers are able to go past the limits of the USGA and offer players benefits that the major golf manufacturers can’t with their conforming clubs.
At A Glance: Our Top 7 Picks For Illegal Golf Drivers In 2024
- Best Illegal Golf Driver: Money Club High Launch 520cc 10.5° Driver
- Runner Up 1: 515cc Non Conforming Custom Golf Driver
- Best Illegal Golf Driver for Distance: Intech Golf Oversized Behemoth 520cc
- Best Illegal Golf Driver for Low Swing Speed: Heater Ghost 175 Gram Ultra Lite
- Best Cheap Illegal Driver: Geek Golf Fail Safe 3 (FS3) Driver
- Best Illegal Golf Driver for a Slice: Magic Distance Anti-Slice Long Custom Draw Driver
- Best Illegal Golf Driver for Seniors: Power Play Juggernaut Titanium Draw
There are many non conforming drivers on the market, but some are quite a bit better than others. We put together a list of the best illegal golf drivers in 2024.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
---|---|---|
Best Illegal Golf Driver | Money Club High Launch 520cc 10.5° Driver
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
Runner Up 1 | 515cc Non Conforming Custom Golf Driver
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
Best Illegal Golf Driver for Distance | Intech Golf Oversized Behemoth 520cc
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
Best Illegal Golf Driver for Low Swing Speed | Heater Ghost 175 Gram Ultra Lite
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
Best Cheap Illegal Driver | Geek Golf Fail Safe 3 (FS3) Driver
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
Best Illegal Golf Driver for a Slice | Magic Distance Anti-Slice Long Custom Draw Driver
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
Best Illegal Golf Driver for Seniors | Power Play Juggernaut Titanium Draw
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
Best Illegal golf Driver: Money Club High Launch 520cc 10.5° Driver
PROS
- 10.5 degrees of loft is good for high launch
- Lightweight graphite shaft
- 520cc for extra long distance
CONS
- The sound is a bit harsh
The Men’s Money Club is the best non conforming driver on the market. This club got its name for a reason, and that reason is that you can count on it.
One of the things you will notice is that the Money Club High Launch is very consistent. If you are going to get an illegal golf driver, you may as well get something that you can count on.
The Money club comes with a loft of 10.5 degrees and a 520cc club head size. The current USGA limit on club head size is 460cc, so this is the main reason the club is illegal. Larger club head sizes typically lead to an extra distance for the players.
Another great feature of this driver is the fact that it is made with a premium lightweight graphite shaft. The regular flex graphite shaft helps golfers to get some extra club head speed as well.
When you combine that extra speed with the large club head, the results are quite impressive.
What Customers Say About Money Club High Launch 520cc 10.5° Driver:
According to the players using this illegal golf driver, control is the name of the game. Gone are their days of slicing and hooking the ball into trouble. Instead, they’re able to use mid and short irons more frequently. With fewer woods and hybrids needed for their second shots, this illegal driver is the key to more greens in regulation and birdie putts.
Runner Up 1: 515cc Non-conforming Custom Golf Driver
PROS
- Spring effect on the club face
- Large golf driver but not too large
- One of the more affordable golf drivers
CONS
- Face feels a little hot and can feel hard
If the Sooolong is not the best choice for your game, the 515cc Non-conforming is a great choice.
We like the 515cc size as it is just a little closer to the 460cc legal limit.
If, at some point, you decide that you want to switch back to a conforming driver, you will find that transition is a little less complicated.
This is a perfect driver; if you have been struggling with distance, this 515cc driver will help you gain it back.
Golfers are finding that this club is giving them 20 to 30 more yards. The face on the driver is the Forged SP 700 Beta Titanium Face.
This face has a spring effect that allows the ball to jump off like a trampoline.
If you are not worried about the rules of golf and playing with an illegal golf club, this is a fairly priced, easily customizable golf club to consider.
What Customers Say About 515cc Non-conforming Custom Golf Driver:
Big drives and slice elimination are what separates this club from the rest. Users sharing their experiences note that it combines anti-slice and distance adding elements. While not many report a hook being resolved, an illegal driver that prevents slices is likely to have the same effect on swings that send the ball flying the other way.
Intech Golf Oversized Behemoth 520cc Driver
Best Illegal Golf Driver for Distance
PROS
- Large club head
- The traditional looking club head
- Lots of distance
- Lightweight shaft
CONS
- Sound is not great
Most of the time, people are looking for distance when they decide to look into illegal golf drivers.
The Intech Golf is a very long driver when you are looking for pure distance. Again the Intech will surpass the USGA legal limit by about 60cc. This allows for a much larger club head and sweet spot.
One of the things we love the best about the Intech golf driver is the Behemoth shaft that it comes with. This is a very lightweight shaft, matched with the large clubhead size to make sure that you can swing this golf club fast.
One of the main factors that golfers need to consider when it comes to illegal golf drivers you have to consider that the shaft is just as important as the club head.
If you have a golf shaft that does not match the swing, you will still struggle to get the distance you need.
What Customers Say About Intech Golf Oversized Behemoth 520cc Driver:
One of the most popular illegal drives out there, this club has a solid reputation. However, a concern with this illegal driver is malleability. To boost the COR to a level resulting in such great distances improvements, the face is a bit softer than most. Because of this, golfers with swing speeds over 90 mph may damage the face over time. If you aren’t a hard swinger, go ahead and give it your all. You’ll see immediate improvements to your tee ball. After all, everyone else did.
Heater Ghost 175 Gram Ultra Lite
Best Illegal Golf Driver for Slow Swing Speeds
PROS
- Great for slower swing speeds
- Very lightweight
- Lightweight shaft
CONS
- Not great for a faster swinging golfer
Sometimes a lack of distance is caused by slow swing speed. If you are lacking in club head or ball speed, the Heater Ghost 175 Gram Ultra Lite is a best driver slow swing speed.
Sometimes golfers that are new to the game or need some help when it comes to speed will look for a non conforming driver.
One of the things that makes this driver stand apart from the crowd is that it also has a very lightweight shaft. The Heater Ghost is a highly engineered driver that offers quite a bit of performance for a very low price.
The Heater Ghost reminds many people of the TaylorMade Superfast driver that came out many years ago.
What Customers Say About Heater Ghost 175 Gram Ultra Lite:
Club speed will always reign supreme when it comes to gaining distance off the tee. And that’s exactly what those using the Heater Ghost will tell you. Because of its light weight, golfers easily produce more swing speed and distance follows. The golfers who look most favorably on this club are seniors.
Geek Golf Fail Safe 3 (FS3) Driver
Best Cheap Illegal Golf Driver
PROS
- Very fast ball speed
- Higher trajectory
- Crown waves on the club head for better kinetic energy
- Fair pricing
CONS
- Not the best feeling driver on the market
Some of the non conforming golf drivers on the market can get quite expensive. This is a bit disappointing since you are not able to use these golf drivers in tournaments.
However, the Geek Golf Fail Safe 3 is a very fair price and a really smart club to consider for golfers.
The Geek Golf Fail Safe is built for distance, trajector and tons of kinetic energy. If you want to hit the ball a long way, this is the club to do it with.
One of our favorite things about the Geek Golf Fail Safe is that it comes in three different lofts. Many illegal golf drivers only come in one loft, and sometimes the shaft options can be limited as well.
Having the chance to choose the best loft for your game makes this a really great choice for those seeking value and performance.
The low loft of 7.5 allows the fastest swinging players to be able to get the trajectory that they need.
What Customers Say About Geek Golf Fail Safe 3 (FS3) Driver:
Golfers don’t fly this club much further than legal golf clubs, but low loft options make up the difference with increased overall ball speed and more roll. Play at a flat or firm course? You’ll benefit more than someone who is constantly trying to climb hills or place shots.
Magic Distance Anti-Slice Long Custom Draw Driver
Best Illegal Golf Driver for a Slice
PROS
- It can be made custom to your needs
- Large offset
- Will fight against side spin
- Trampoline like effect off the club face
CONS
- Not an excellent choice for the golfer that hits hooks and slices, for slicers only
A slice is probably the most frustrating shot in golf. If you told some golfers that they might have to give up golf tournaments if they wanted to fix their slice, they would likely gladly give it up. This is because the slice can feel nearly impossible for some players to hit with.
When you purchase the Magic Distance Offset Slice Killer Draw Anti Slice Custom Driver, you can get long and straight shots, even if you put that side spin or slice spin on them.
Most of the time, I am a golfer that hits a draw; however, when the slice comes out from time to time, I get extremely frustrated. Part of what makes a slice so challenging to watch is that it also loses distance in addition to losing direction.
The Magic DIstance Offset Slice Killer Driver keeps your golf ball closer to being on the line with the help of the offset, high loft, and the 700 Beta Titanium Face.
You will quickly notice the large club head size and how much room there is for the ball to strike near the sweet spot.
For more information, visit our definitive guide to the best drivers for a slice on the market.
What Customers Say About Magic Distance Anti-Slice Long Custom Draw Driver:
When it comes to the best illegal anti slice driver, there is no touching this club. Golfers who struggle with slices and have tried every anti slice driver out there stop searching after settling on this one. Between the offset face and shaft selection, the multiple features involved in controlling ball flight is enough to win over even the biggest slicers.
Power Play Juggernaut Titanium Draw
Best Illegal Golf Driver for Seniors
PROS
- Draw bias
- Lightweight shaft
- Beta titanium face
CONS
- Not good for faster swinging players
For senior golfers that don’t play in tournaments, there is almost no reason not to try out golf drivers that are illegal.
The Power Play Juggernaut does not conform to the rules of golf, but it offers seniors the performance that they need in a driver.
The Juggernaut is a 515cc club head that allows a lot of forgiveness even if you miss the center of the club face. The clubface is made with beta titanium that increases the Moment of Inertia.
The Juggernaut is an offset club that helps to increase the ability to hit the driver straight.
Conforming drivers offer much more for the senior golfer than they did in the past, but these illegal golf drivers increase the sweet spot and the speed that golfers can get.
As a senior golfer, you want the game to be as fun and as easy as possible, and the Juggernaut Beta Titanium Face is one of the best illegal golf drivers for that.
What Customers Say About Power Play Juggernaut Titanium Draw:
Some will complain that the price of this club is greater than other illegal golf driver choices, but it’s still a fraction of standard clubs. What you won’t hear people complain about though is control. Even those who fear the woods are comfortable staring the ball in a spot where it can curve into the fairway.
Non Conforming Driver Buyers Guide
Now that you have an idea as to what you can expect from a performance and cost standpoint, it’s hard to narrow down which one is the best for your golf swing.
Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you purchase a non conforming driver.
What Is an Illegal Golf Driver?
Non conforming drivers do not meet the USGA requirements for being fair to use in a tournament setting.
The main reason that a golf driver is illegal is that it does not meet the 460cc requirements set forth by the USGA.
Conforming golf drivers can be no larger than 460cc. This helps keep the sweet spot a standard size and the distance fair for everyone.
The rules of golf are critical to keep intact so that the game’s integrity stays in place.
Why Would You Want to Use an Oversized Driver?
You use oversize drivers for more consistency off the tee. These clubs are designed to have enlarged sweet spots. Using one means you’re less likely to make contact off the heel or toe, or pretty much anywhere on the edge of the face.
Your contact might still be the same distance from the center of the face as with a regulation sized driver. But the enhanced sweet spot reduces typical effects of bad contact like errant spin and lost distance.
What Brands Make the Best Illegal Drivers?
Most golfers will have never heard of the brands that produce illegal drivers. Even the people who stop into golf stores every week won’t know them as they’re under the radar and out of the public eye. The big brands like Titleist, Callaway, and TaylorMade cannot be bothered making oversized drivers. They are not sold for as high of prices and might take away some brand trust and integrity. It provides no benefit to them.
Instead, the best illegal drivers come from brands like Juggernaut, Intech, and Money Club. Whether they aim to assist senior golfers, wild hitters, or just the general population varies based on model. However, these brands produce quality equipment at reasonable prices across the board—a great combination despite their illegal status.
What Golf Shafts Are Available In The Non-Conforming Golf Drivers?
Even when swinging the longest hitting illegal driver, you will miss out on performance if the shaft is not high performing. This is where you need to be careful when you purchase an illegal driver.
The best non conforming driver will give you a few shaft options to choose from, including stiff, regular, and even senior shafts.
If you seek lots of distance and have a fast swing speed, you must make sure that the driver you choose can accommodate that speed. The last thing you want is a shaft that breaks after a few uses.
Do Major Manufacturers Make Illegal Golf Drivers?
Most major golf manufacturers make conforming drivers. The majority of golfers want a club that they can use in tournaments and one that the USGA says is legal.
Since most golfers don’t want to get themselves accustomed to a non-conforming driver only to have to switch to conforming drivers for tournaments, these clubs can be a little tricky to find at times.
Even though the major manufacturers like to stick to conforming drivers, there are plenty of look-a-like models on the market. The Heater driver we reviewed is a TaylorMade look-alike with a very hot face and lots of distance.
Conclusion
Some golfers believe that drivers should all conform to the rules of golf. Other golfers will take whatever advantage they can get to increase performance off the tee box.
The Money Club High Launch 520cc 10.5° Driver is the best illegal driver that we came across.
If you are going to play with an illegal club, you may as well play with one that is extremely long and ready to give you that extra performance that you are looking for.
Always make sure that all of your clubs are legal before participating in a USGA sanctioned golf event or even a tournament at your own home course. The game is only fair when everyone has the same advantages when it comes to equipment.
Read also – Best Illegal Golf Balls In 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Is using illegal or non conforming drivers considered cheating?
In tournament play, using an illegal golf driver is cheating. Just like devices that measure wind, protractors (looking at you, Bryson,) and juiced golf balls, using an illegal club is cheating.
However, if you’re playing on your own with nothing at stake, the definition of cheating changes. Yes, it’s still against the rules. But then again, so is pulling your ball out of a divot and a breakfast ball on the first tee. If those are accepted for casual rounds, why not illegal golf drivers?
If you and your buddies carry 1000cc drivers for your normal, friendly, weekend game, who does it hurt? If everyone is aware and on the same page, what harm does it cause? It’s not like you’re pulling a fast one given the obvious size difference of 1000cc drivers to the standard 460cc. 1000cc drivers are an extreme case, but you get the picture.
It’s your decision to make and if the people you’re non-competitively playing with or against don’t mind, why not take the free help?
How much further can you hit the ball with an illegal driver?
Assuming we’re talking about a club that helps increase swing speed, you can gain quite a bit of distance using an illegal driver.
The rule of thumb is you add 3.16 yards for each mph you increase swing speed. If a shaft or clubhead gives you a 5 mph swing speed boost, that’s almost 16 yards you’ll gain solely because of the equipment you’re using.
Is there a penalty for using an illegal driver?
The penalty for using an illegal driver in a competitive round of golf is disqualification, per USGA Rule 4.1a. Illegal golf drivers are, by definition, a club that does not conform to the requirements of the governing bodies of golf. If you’re using one, there’s not much room for interpretation or a minimized penalty—it will always be a DQ.