Beginner golfers face a whole host of obstacles when picking up the sport, and one of the most common difficulties they face is ensuring they have the right equipment.
While every club in the bag is important, perhaps the most valuable one for a beginner is the correct driver.
With most beginners lacking the precision and speed required to hit driving irons or woods, being able to find the fairway with the big stick is of paramount importance.
With that in mind, here at GolfMagic we’ve gone through all of the drivers we have tested this year and picked the best drivers for beginners in 2024.
Combining price, forgiveness, looks and overall performance, we’ve selected five of the best that would set any beginner golfer off on the right foot.
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Our expert testers, Alex Lodge and Johnny Percival have tested all of the drivers on this list, putting them through their paces on the golf course, as well as in a studio at Custom Golf Works using a GC Quad launch monitor.
Our mission, as always, is to help you get the most out of your golf driving and shoot lower scores at a price that is right for you.
Let’s take a look at what we consider to be the very best drivers for beginners in 2024, starting with our favourite of the lot:
PING G430 Max 10k
Key Features:
Price: £549
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Cons:
The new Max 10k is designed to provide even more forgiveness than any driver in the PING range by achieving the mythical 10,000 MOI figure.
Featuring a larger head profile, a forged titanium face and a Carbonfly wrap crown, this driver provides outstanding levels of forgiveness from across the face.
It’s that extra forgiveness that makes this driver an excellent choice for beginner golfers who want to get serious about the game.
One of the most forgiving clubs we’ve ever tested, the MAX 10K is a fairway-finding machine.
The drawbacks? Well, with great forgiveness comes great profile size, and this driver looks vast sat behind the ball. With that being said, for beginner golfers, that extra large profile could be just the confidence boost you need when stood on the tee.
While the G430 Max 10k is an outstanding choice for a number of reasons, it is worth mentioning that you will need to pay top dollar to get your hands on one, which understandably may deter those who are just picking up clubs for the furst time.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF THE PING G430 MAX 10K DRIVER
Cleveland XL2 Driver
Key Features:
Price: £299.00
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In a market where almost every driver seems to cost close to £500, it’s refreshing to see Cleveland produce a model almost £200 cheaper that can still deliver results.
The Launcher XL2 Draw, is as you might have guessed from the name, designed to prevent players hitting a slice and instead promote a gentle draw off the tee.
As a result, the driver head looks relatively imbalanced at address, but the results it produces are impressive.
This driver is certainly geared more towards forgiveness than it is speed, however for beginner golfers, making sure the ball is straight is far more important than how far it goes.
Offering a very confidence inspiring look at address, this driver is a near perfect choice for those getting started in golf.
The reasonable price point, exceptional levels of forgiveness and ease of launch make it a perfect fit for beginner golfers.
TaylorMade Qi10 Max
Key Features:
Price: £499
Pros:
Cons:
The TaylorMade Qi10 Max was one of the most anticipated driver releases of 2024, promising unprecedented levels of forgiveness with its innovative design. “Qi10” represents the quest for inertia reaching 10,000 MOI, a benchmark for minimal twisting upon impact. Previous TaylorMade drivers hovered around an 8,500 MOI score, but the Qi10 Max has shattered this ceiling, achieving the mythical 10,000.
This leap in performance is largely due to a redesigned head shape, which strategically moves mass away from the centre, resulting in one of the largest heads in the market while still conforming to the 460cc size limit. This size, coupled with the shallow head shape, provides a confidence-inspiring look at address.
Aesthetically, the Qi10 Max is a significant upgrade over previous models. It features a sleek, gloss-finished crown with a simple alignment aid, and a much-improved dark navy face, replacing the polarising red of earlier versions. The sophisticated sole design and dynamic back weight further enhance its premium look.
Performance-wise, the Qi10 Max excels in forgiveness, making it one of the most forgiving drivers we’ve ever tested and an ideal fit for beginner golfers. Off-centre hits, whether high on the toe or low on the heel, still produce impressive ball flight and direction. However, it may sacrifice some distance compared to other flagship models, making it ideal for golfers prioritising accuracy over yardage.
Overall, the Qi10 Max is a significant advancement in driver technology, offering unmatched forgiveness and a refined aesthetic. For golfers looking to hit more fairways, this driver is a must-try.
READ OUR FULL TAYLORMADE QI10 MAX DRIVER REVIEW
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D
Key Features:
Price: £499
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The level of forgiveness on offer from the entirety of Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke range is impressive, however the Max D takes the top spot for its draw bias, which equates to slice prevention, a shot that plagues most beginner golfers.
The Max D has been specifically designed with a rear weight which not only increases MOI but thanks to its positioning also makes the Max D a draw bias club.
Callaway’s tag line for the range was sweeter from every spot, and the slogan rings true, with this driver producing excellent performance from across the face with regards to both ball speed and spin retention.
It’s that speed and spin retention which makes this such a smart choice for beginner golfers. Much like many of the drivers on this list, the Max D’s draw bias is also a key consideration, as most golfer will naturally lean towards a slice when they get started, and this driver will help prevent that.
Throw in a couple of lessons too, and you could be rid of the dreaded slice forever.
Mizuno ST Max 230
Key Features:
Price: £449
Pros:
Cons:
One of the best performers from 2024, the Mizuno ST Max 230 is an outstanding driver that can compete with the best of the best in terms of both distance and forgiveness.
The driver features a large 54 gram weight located at the back of the head to improve MOI and twist resistance, which has in turn made it one of the mast stable models on the market this year.
Thanks to the extended cortech chamber, which allows stress to be taken away from the clubface, this model also provides remarkably consistent ball speed numbers from across the hitting surface.
In terms of looks, this might not be the most attractive design on this list, but the carbon crown and electric blue panelling on the sole, certainly add to its shelf appeal.
During testing, this driver was one of the easiest to hit, and along with the PING G430 Max 10K and TaylorMade Qi10 Max, we think it’s one of the best options on the market for mid to high handicappers who struggle to find the fairway.
Thanks to a new Beta rich LFS Ti clubface, this driver also produces lovely feel across the face and crisp and satisfying acoustics.
If you’re a golfer who wants to improve their distance and accuracy off the tee, then the Mizuno ST Max 230 should certainly be considered.
1. CLUBHEAD SIZE
The size of a golf driver’s head is measured by volume in cubic centimetres and the maximum size allowed by golf’s governing bodies is 460cc.
All of the latest golf drivers sit between 440cc (drivers suited for players who like to shape the ball more in the air) and 460cc (drivers suited for players who crave more forgiveness).
Size matters. Find the one that appeals most to you at address.
PING G430 Max 10k
2. MATERIALS
Gone are the days when we used persimmon woods or metal woods made of steel. The latest golf drivers on the market are either made of titanium or carbon heads.
Titanium has become a particularly popular choice for golf driver heads because it is a strong, light and durable material.
As a result of using either titanium or composite materials, golf companies can design 460cc drivers without increasing weight. This means players can swing the club faster and hit the ball further and more accurately because of the larger sweet spot on the face of the driver.
When used on the crown or the rear section of a clubhead, carbon can reduce the overall weight of a driver.
When it comes to the crown, you also want to not only find the right shape as you stand over the ball at address, but also the right design and colour that fits your eye.
Some crowns are shiny, others have a matte finish that reduces glare. In our personal opinion, the latter appeals more (well, certainly when the sun comes out!)
TaylorMade Qi10 Max
3. MOMENT OF INERTIA (MOI)
MOI is a common phrase in golf, particularly when it comes to the driver.
It refers to a club’s forgiveness, specifically its resistance to twisting at impact.
A driver with a high MOI means it is less likely to twist or rotate when you strike the ball outside the centre of the face.
PING G430 Max 10k
4. CENTRE OF GRAVITY (CG)
CG is another common phrase and it refers to the single balance point of the driver. Different brands have opposing views on where best to place the CG in their drivers.
The CG of a driver can be moved vertically, horizontally, or back and forward in a clubhead by moving fixed or adjustable weights inside the head.
It can be a bit of a minefield, so the only real way to find out which CG location works best for you is to get custom fitted.
In general, the lower and further back the CG is, the higher the ball will launch as the spin is increased. The driver will also be more forgiving as the MOI will be higher. Moving the CG forward will increase ball speeds but reduce the ball spin and the MOI.
A balance of high launch and low spin is the holy grail.
WATCH OUR LATEST VIDEO ON GOLF DRIVER CUSTOM FITTING
5. LOFT AND LIE
Driver loft refers to the angle of the face in relation to the vertical, and each model is typically available between 8 and 13 degrees.
Lower lofted clubs (e.g. 8 degrees) have a slightly lower trajectory, but go a little further in the hands of players who can generate plenty of clubhead speed.
Higher lofted clubs (e.g. 13 degrees) are better for players with slower swing speeds or players that need extra help to get the ball airborne.
Lofts in between (e.g 10.5 degrees) are for the vast majority of players who have neither particularly fast nor slow swing speeds.
With a plethora of adjustable golf drivers now available, however, it means you can tinker all day and play about with your loft. To do this, you simply remove a screw in the heel of the club, connect the shaft to the clubhead and replace it with a predetermined setting.
However, be careful when adjusting the loft of your golf driver because that will sometimes also change the lie angle – the angle of the shaft to the ground at address. A change to the lie angle will affect your ball flight horizontally left or right.
But remember, you cannot change the setup of your driver during your round.
Dialling in the correct loft and lie is a vital aspect of the custom fitting process, so we strongly recommend you opt for one, especially if you are looking to maximise your performance with the driver.
6. WEIGHTS
Using weights in the clubhead of a driver can have a significant impact on improving a player’s ball flight as it changes the club’s CG and MOI properties.
Of the drivers that feature weights, you can expect to see sliding weights or plugs from anything between one and 20 grams on the sole of the club.
The benefit of using more weight in the heel is that it will create a draw bias, while placing more weight in the toe will produce a fade bias.
And if a player craves a higher ball flight, they can simply place the weight in the back portion of the head.
7. SWINGWEIGHT
This one often goes overlooked, but it’s an incredibly important feature of a golf club to note.
Knowing how much your driver weighs (total weight), and of that weight, how much of it is in the head (swing weight), is becoming a critical part of improving a player’s driving.
The total weight and the head weight of your driver have to be matched to your physical strength, your swing tempo and your golfing athletic ability.
Play with too light of a total weight or swing weight for your strength, tempo and ability and your percentage of off-centre hits increases.
8. SHAFT FLEX
Shafts are important in all golf clubs, but especially drivers.
Using lighter, less stiff shafts will produce a higher, right-to-left biased ball flight, while heavier, stiff shafts will launch the ball lower with a higher tendency to shape the ball to the right.
The right shaft can help players hit the ball further, straighter and more consistently. Most manufacturers will offer drivers in regular (R), stiff (S) and extra stiff (XS) shaft flexes.
Other flexes include light or ladies flex (L), senior (A) and more extra stiff options (XXS, XXXS).
Again, a custom fitting session will help find the perfect shaft flex for your game.
9. SHAFT LENGTH
Although the legal limit for the length of a driver is 48 inches, most drivers have a shaft of around 45 or 46 inches to strike the best balance of distance and control.
While longer drivers will typically increase speed and help players hit the ball further, the additional length of the driver will sacrifice an element of control and accuracy.
So unless you are a basketball player, anything around 45 inches in driver length will typically suit the vast majority of players.
10. SOUND / FEEL AT IMPACT
Yes, finding the right shaft, clubhead and swing weight combinations are all important traits to consider when it comes to the feel of a driver, but the sound at impact is also what is going to make you want to keep coming back for more.
If your driver doesn’t sound and feel right to you at impact, then it’s going to become pretty unattractive to you. Yes, there are no pictures or sounds on the scorecard, but this in all likelihood is an expensive purchase for you and you want to feel satisfied every time you pull the trigger.
Find yourself a driver that not only works for you off the tee peg, but also gives you a satisfying feeling at impact and makes you want to keep coming back for more.
Many of the major golf manufacturers have dramatically improved their acoustics through the years, however, so we would be surprised if you find one in the class of 2023 that fails to satisfy your needs.
Johnny Percival
A question that often warrants many different answers.
Golf driver technology is now so advanced that all changes year to year are very small, so constantly changing your golf driver is not usually necessary.
However, there are reasons why you should consider changing, as listed below:
Golf swing change – A dramatic change in your golf swing (such as a change in AOA, face angle, or swing speed) will mean your driver that was working for your old swing may not be optimal for your new swing. If this is the case then it’s best to see a local PGA Pro or a qualified golf custom fitter to determine what needs to be done. It could be an adjustment to your current driver or even a new shaft.
Shot Data – We would always recommend using a launch monitor every year to ensure that your driver is still optimal for your swing. You may find some major or minor changes have occurred. The best golf pros on the PGA Tour do this every week in order to keep on top of things. If you are serious about your golf game then we strongly recommend you check out your shot data at least once a year.
Time – Every three to five years is when we recommend you take a look at new golf driver models from the game’s biggest brands as that is how long it takes to notice significant changes in driver technology for consumers.
