Choosing a driver can be overwhelming, there are so many options and acronyms to choose from, how do you know which is best suited for your game? I’ll help you narrow it down with this list of the best golf drivers for beginners and high handicappers.
Each manufacturer typically has 3 or 4 drivers in their lineup. One of those 3 or 4 is best suited for a beginner or higher handicapper. Choosing one of the others could lead to frustration on the golf course.
Every beginner golfer should STRONGLY CONSIDER – buying used! The last two drivers I purchased were used, and I was extremely impressed with just how little they were actually used! I have several friends who have had very similar experiences buying used as well.
The price difference is incredible, and the clubs are in great shape. For those reasons, I am including both current and previous years’ models on this list.
Best Golf Drivers for Beginners
#1 – Ping G425 Max
The Ping G425 Max is the most forgiving driver for a beginner. It is a previous year’s model, you may still be able to find a few that are new if you look early enough in the season, otherwise, a lightly used model is easy to come by.
This driver simply may be one of the most forgiving drivers ever! Forgiveness is among the most important attributes that high-handicap and beginner golfers should consider.
I recently bought a lightly-used G425 Max, replacing a 5-year-old Callaway. I could have easily continued using the Callaway, but I felt I needed a more forgiving driver than my current club offered. So – this is what I went with, and I’m glad I did!
I’ve already hit hundreds of balls with it in the simulator, maybe even creeping up on 1,000. I’ve only had it out on the course twice so far, winter conditions where I live, and I was way more accurate with this club!
My club head speed really didn’t change with this driver. And honestly, you won’t notice much of a difference at all with club speed across any of these.
Bottom Line – I think this is the most forgiving driver available!
Quick Facts
- 26-Gram tungsten movable weight for Draw, Fade, or Neutral flight-bias settings.
- Available in 9, 10.5, and 12 degree lofts, each adjustable by +/- 1.5 degrees.
- 460cc club head size, maximum allowable by USGA rules.
- Available in Left and Right Handed models
PROS
- High Accuracy and Forgiveness
- Adjustable Flight Bias Setting
- One of the Best Drivers available, for any golfer!
CONS
- Some golfers don’t care for the sound when you hit the golf ball
#2 – Callaway Paradym X
The Callaway Paradym was released in 2023 and immediately started turning heads. Multiple PGA and LPGA Tour wins started happening immediately with this new driver.
The Callaway Paradym X Driver is designed to offer golfers maximum forgiveness, distance, and speed.
Callaway redesigned this year’s model with a “triaxial carbon crown”, which is the largest carbon composite surface area ever utilized in a Callaway driver. What does that mean? This crown provides an ultra-lightweight construction, which allows for more weight to be repositioned in the head of the driver, resulting in an increased moment of inertia (MOI) – AKA – More Forgiveness.
MOI is a measure of a club’s forgiveness, which means that the Callaway Paradym X Driver is incredibly forgiving on off-center hits, helping golfers achieve longer and straighter shots.
The Callaway Paradym X Driver also features a new technology called the Jailbreak A.I. Velocity Blades, which work in conjunction with the crown to increase ball speed and distance.
These blades are designed to stiffen the body of the driver, which in turn allows the face to flex more efficiently, again resulting in faster ball speeds and more distance.
Another key feature of the Callaway Paradym X Driver is the adjustable weight system, which allows golfers to fine-tune the center of gravity (CG). This feature allows golfers to achieve their optimal launch conditions, resulting in maximum distance and accuracy.
Quick Facts
- 5-Gram back weight, adjustable weight sizes available
- Available in 9, 10.5, and 12 degree lofts, each adjustable by +/- 1.5 degrees.
- 460cc club head size, maximum allowable by USGA rules.
- Available in Left and Right Handed models
- Semi-Draw bias
PROS
- Best Driver for distance on this list
- Very forgiving
CONS
- Price
#3 – Callaway Rogue ST Max
The Rogue ST Max Driver is designed to offer golfers an excellent combination of speed, accuracy, and forgiveness. Making it perfect for beginners or high handicappers who typically struggle with accuracy off the tee.
The Rogue ST Max Driver comes with an adjustable hosel that allows golfers to adjust the loft and lie angle of the club. This feature can help fine-tune ball flight, maximizing distance and accuracy.
Callaway is continuously leading the pack, at least in their marketing efforts, with technology advances. But I think there is something to it, they definitely produce some of the best drivers year after year!
The Rogue ST Max has an A.I. Designed club face with varying levels of thickness, all designed to produce maximum forgiveness no matter where you strike the ball.
Quick Facts
- 26-Gram back weight
- Available in 9, 10.5, and 12 degree lofts, each adjustable by +/- 1.5 degrees.
- 460cc club head size, maximum allowable by USGA rules.
- Available in Left and Right Handed models
- Semi-Draw bias
PROS
- Previous years model, so prices are reduced and plenty of lightly used options available
- Very forgiving
CONS
- I’m still trying to find some
#4 – Callaway Rogue ST Max D
Not to be confused with the Rogue ST Max! The “D” stands for Draw.
It is basically the same club, with minor variations to promote a swing less likely to slice. If you have problems slicing, this club would be a better option for you.
What are those variations? First and foremost, there is a weight added to the heel of the club, this helps the face to close more quickly during the swing. The other variation is a 1-degree difference in the club’s lie angle, again to help promote more of a draw and prevent slices.
This driver is designed to offer golfers an excellent combination of speed, accuracy, and forgiveness. It is perfect for beginners or high handicappers who typically struggle with accuracy off the tee, specifically those with a tendency to slice the ball.
The Rogue ST Max D Driver comes with an adjustable hosel that allows golfers to adjust the loft and lie angle of the club. This feature can help fine-tune ball flight, maximizing distance and accuracy.
The Rogue ST Max D also has an A.I. Designed club face with varying levels of thickness, all designed to produce maximum forgiveness no matter where you strike the ball.
Quick Facts
- 20-Gram back weight
- Available in 9, 10.5, and 12 degree lofts, each adjustable by +/- 1.5 degrees.
- 460cc club head size, maximum allowable by USGA rules.
- Available in Left and Right Handed models
- Draw flight bias
PROS
- Previous years model, so prices are reduced and plenty of lightly used options available
- Very forgiving
- Will help reduce sliced shots
CONS
- I’m still trying to find some
How to Choose a Driver for Beginners
Related – Best Golf Balls for Beginners
Picking a driver can be overwhelming with all of the options and variations available in modern drivers.
A proper golf fitting is a great option for someone who has been golfing for a while and whose swing is already established. But the vast majority of golfers never do this, and for most, it’s really not necessary.
To make it easier for those who do not want to go through the hassle of a fitting, or are just starting out, give our selector tool a try. We take into consideration your skill level, swing speed, accuracy, etc, and provide a list of clubs that are suited for your game and sorted by performance.
FAQ
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best beginner driver might seem overwhelming at first, but simply looking at the most forgiving models from each manufacturer is a great starting point. A driver is not going to make or break your game – technique will.
You don’t need to pay full price for a new driver, there are plenty of very lightly used drivers out there for a huge discount. Technology does not change significantly from one year to the next. So going with a previous years model is a great option for beginners and high handicappers.
Related – Tips for beginners
Good luck on the golf course!