Buying the correct driver to suit your swing is getting harder by the day. While there are a number of options available that will assist you and improve your game, the sheer number of options and alternatives can be overwhelming. These best golf driver for low swing speed reviews will help clear things up for you if your looking to invest in a new club. Continue reading to find out more.
Be Picky
Many people get it wrong and select a driver that is not perfectly suitable for their needs and forfeit the immense benefits they could have gained from the right choice of driver. Given that it is normally a fairly sizable investment, one can’t simply go back and buy another driver if you get it wrong.
One of the biggest mistakes many golfers make is choosing a driver that is not suitable for their swing speed. There are a number of very important features on many drivers that will enhance the slower swingers drive, giving them greater distance and good accuracy.
Know Your Speed
While human nature and ego make most people assume their swing speed is higher than it is, the truth is most amateur golfers have a relatively slow swing speed. A specialist golf retail store or pro shop will normally be able to test your swing speed and advise you. If you can do this, you will know exactly where you stand with regards to swing speed. There are also mobile apps that will assist, just be wary as some are more accurate than others.
Swing speed is not directly related to strength, size, age, or experience. It is a combination of many factors. Once you know your swing speed, you can select your driver accordingly and correctly. Getting the correct driver to match your swing speed will have a dramatic difference off the tee.
The average professional golfer has a swing speed of over 110 mph. Obviously very few of us get to professional level. There are many amateurs and even absolute beginners who have a fast swing, but for the majority of golfers, their swing speed is significantly lower; some golfer’s swing speed is below 75 mph. They obviously have different requirements when selecting a driver. Let’s take a look at what they will need to get the maximum out of their slower swings.
Features That Will Benefit a Slow Swing
There are a number of specific features you will want to look out for if you have determined that you have a slow swing.
Shafts
Shaft Weight
There are two shaft aspects a slower swinger wants from a driver shaft. The first is to go for a very lightweight shaft. Shafts range from about 50 to 125 grams. A lighter shaft will allow you to generate a higher clubhead speed which means you will hit the ball further. Go for a shaft that is close to 50 or 55 grams if you have a slow swing. The lighter shaft will also improve control.
Shaft Flexibility
The next thing you want from your shaft is flexibility. The slower your swing, the more flex you will require.
Most golfers with a slow swing can get away with a regular shaft which has medium flexibility. If your swing is very slow there are extra flex or A-flex shafts. The more flexible shaft will allow you to achieve a decent loft with good control and a decent distance. Driving using a stiff shaft with a slow swing will not work well.
Players with higher swing speed, 110 mph plus, should go for an X (extra stiff) shaft.
Launch Angle
The launch angle is exactly what is says it is, the angle the ball travels when hit. The correct launch angle will make a massive difference if you match it correctly with your swing speed.
It will impact the power over your shot and how well it travels. Spin rate is also affected by the launch angle. Many modern drivers now come with adjustable launch angles so you can adjust them as your swing speed gets faster. As a general rule, the following table illustrates the ideal launch angle according to swing speed.
|
60 – 70 mph |
13 – 15 degrees |
|
70 – 80 mph |
12 – 14 degrees |
|
80 – 90 mph |
11 – 13 degrees |
|
90 – 100 mph |
10 – 12 degrees |
|
100 mph plus |
9 – 11 degrees |
Weight
We spoke of weight in relation to the shaft, but the total weight of the driver is also important. New materials and design technologies have allowed manufacturers to produce drivers with a strong yet ultra-light clubhead. This combined with a light shaft will enable you to improve your swing speed and produce a faster, higher shot that travels further.
Aerodynamics
The better the aerodynamics, the easier the club will glide through the air, assisting the slower swinger in achieving a better speed and a greater distance.
Best Golf Driver for Low Swing Speed Comparison Table
|
Image |
Name |
Pros |
Cons |
Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|
|
||
 |
|
|
||
 |
|
|
||
 |
|
|
||
 |
|
|
Driver for Golfers With a Slow Swing Speed Reviews
Based on the information above as to what is important for golfers with slow swing speed, we have studied the drivers available on the market. After looking at their features and specifications we narrowed the list down to those that fitted the requirements discussed above. We then read feedback and reviews from professionals, amateurs, and customers who have purchased these drivers.
We compiled all the information and feedback and came up with these top 5 drivers for golfers with a slow swing speed.
1. TaylorMade SLDR Golf Driver
Our Rating:
This driver ticks all the boxes we mentioned above. It has a great launch angle to get the most out of your slow swing. You will be able to strike the ball well with a good speed and minimal spin.
As an added bonus, it is extremely forgiving so even when you hit slightly off center you will still get a decent shot with reasonable distance. The SLDR makes use of Loft Sleeve Technology, a feature that allows you to adjust the loft according to your swing speed.
There are also adjustable weights on the clubhead. Having more weight on the grip side than the driver side is better suited to a slower swing. The weights are easily adjusted and you might want to experiment at the driving range to see what setting suits your swing speed best.
Pros
- thumbs-o-upIdeal loft and weight adjustability
- thumbs-o-upLow spin
- thumbs-o-upVery forgiving
Cons
- thumbs-o-downFor a slow swinger, it could be lighter
See full review of the driver here.
2. PING G25 Graphite Regular Driver
Our Rating:
Ping has been constantly improving on their G range of drivers. The G25 is ideal for golfers with a slow swing speed. The customizable loft will allow you to select the perfect launch angle for swing speed. It will allow you to achieve the best possible distance for your speed. This, coupled with their Trajectory Tuning Technology will aid in hitting far with good accuracy.
The shaft is designed with slower swingers in mind and the titanium alloy body is extremely light, allowing you to get better clubhead speed and improve your distance.
The head size is large and forgiving with a high Moment of Inertia (MOI). You can expect a good launch with little spin and a good carry.
Pros
- thumbs-o-upGood loft adjustability
- thumbs-o-upIdeal shaft for slow swingers
- thumbs-o-upVery forgiving
Cons
- thumbs-o-downThe large clubhead is not the most aerodynamic or attractive
3. Titleist 915 D2 Driver
Our Rating:
Another brilliant driver for the slower swinger is the well designed Titleist 915. They have optimized the launch angle as well as a few other features, making it perfect for a slow swing, particularly the really slow swingers. In their marketing drive, they advertise the 915 as offering ‘Distance Without Compromise’.
Other features that make this driver ideal for golfers with a low swing speed is the Active Recoil Channel (ARC) technology. This allows the face to flex on impact with the ball resulting in greater energy transfer which means more speed and distance.
They have also used what they call a Radial Speed Face. This is a face design that improves power and provides extra forgiveness at the same time.
Pros
- thumbs-o-upDesigned to maximize distance from a slow swing
- thumbs-o-upGreat control and very forgiving
Cons
- thumbs-o-downNot the cheapest driver on the market
- thumbs-o-downNo CG adjustability
4. Callaway Men’s XR Driver
Our Rating:
Apart from being a highly forgiving driver, the Callaway Men’s XR is also designed to let those with a swing on the slow side get the most out of it.
The shaft is designed for swing speeds that are under 100 mph. The flexibility will allow you to get some whip into the shot and get a great launch and a good carry.
Overall, they reduced the weight of the driver, also favoring the slower swinger. This driver is suitable for all golfers with a slow swing and will deliver a decent distance on their shots with superb forgiveness.
Pros
- thumbs-o-upLight and aerodynamic
- thumbs-o-upIdeal shaft for slow swings
- thumbs-o-upHighly forgiving
Cons
- thumbs-o-downAlthough the shaft has good flex, some found it to have a stiff feel to it
5. Cleveland 588 Altitude Driver
Our Rating:
The main advantage of the 588 for those with a slow swing is the extremely light construction. The total weight is an ultra-light 270 grams making it one of the lighter drivers on the market. The high MOI combined with the light weight titanium design will allow you to swing faster and get better distance from your shot.
Unlike most modern drivers, it does not have a multitude of weights which is partly what helped them keep the weight down. It is already designed and set up to suit a slow swing so this should not be a major issue. Many golfers make little use of their various options and it gives you one less thing to think about. The center of gravity (CG) is low and deep set also adding to its performance and suitability.
Forgiveness is slightly less than many of the other drivers. This should not be a deterrent unless you frequently mishit the ball. The other factors make up for a slight compromise in forgiveness.
This is a great driver for the more experienced golfer that has a slow swing and is not put off by the lack of adjustability. The light design will help you increase swing speed and hit the ball further.
Pros
- thumbs-o-upSuper lightweight
- thumbs-o-upHigh MOI
Cons
- thumbs-o-downLack of adjustability
Final Thoughts
A slow swing is very common amongst golfers of all ages and experience and is nothing to be ashamed of. By carefully selecting a driver that has been specifically designed for you needs, you will be able to get the most out of your slow swing.
You might not win the longest drive competitions but you will certainly get a respectable distance off the tee and often with a great degree of accuracy. This will save a few strokes off every round and make your game more enjoyable.
