People either love or hate the game of golf. If you are reading this, I assume you are part of the former group and have a passion for golf. One of the benefits of getting old is that you have the opportunity to play more golf. I have seen many a golfer who has great difficulty walking but still manages to have a perfectly respectable and enjoyable round of golf. It definitely ranks as the most popular sport for seniors, and with good reason. Continue reading these best golf driver for seniors review to get a detailed list of some of the best clubs and tips on what to look for before you invest in one.
Getting Older has its Benefits
Getting out on the course, the fresh air, a bit of exercise, and the camaraderie of the game are good for the body, mind, and soul.
The main factor that affects golfers as they age is that you will have less agility, less range of motion in the swing and less strength. The end result of this is that your swing speed will be slower. It is an inevitable result of the aging process and nothing to be ashamed of.
Better Technology
Fortunately, materials, research and development, testing methods, and amazing advances in the technology driving the production of golf equipment have improved exponentially over the past decade or so. Given that seniors make up such a large percentage of active golfers, much of the development has been geared specifically towards that market.
There is obviously nothing wrong with using these advances and developments to your advantage. It just makes sense to get equipment that has been specifically designed for the older golfers and that suits your swing. The best drivers for senior golfers will allow you to achieve greater distances with less effort. It will help with your performance and make the experience that much more enjoyable for you.
One could consult a professional fitter but there are a number of great clubs you can purchase that will give you the maximum return on a slower swing. The trick is to know what to look for.
How We Can Assist You
What we have done is tested a range of drivers that are available on the market. We have looked at the features of the clubs, read countless reviews from professional, unbiased testers as well as the reviews and feedback of regular senior golfers who have used the drivers. Once you have spoken to enough people and read enough reviews, a number of common and regular points and comments come up that lend them credibility.
Before we take a look at our recommendations for the best golf drivers for seniors, let’s take a look at a few of the specific features you will want to look out for when selecting a driver.
Launch Angle
Simply stated, the slower your swing speed the greater the launch angle required. So, for example, at the lower end of the scale, a swing speed of 70 to 80 mph would benefit from a launch angle of 12 to 14 degrees. If you are still swinging at over 100 mph, you can go for an angle of 9 to 11 degrees.
Shaft
Most of the modification for seniors is related to the shaft. There are a few factors to consider.
Shaft Weight
Senior golfers will benefit from a lighter shaft. Thanks to new materials and technology, shaft weights are coming down to below 60 grams, even going as low as 50 grams. This will give you greater control over the club.
Shaft Flexibility
Lower swing speeds require greater flexibility. If your swing speed is over 110 mph then you will want to go for an extra stiff shaft. Once it drops below that speed, go for a regular shaft that has more flexibility.
Shaft Length
A longer shaft will allow you to achieve greater swing speed and therefore better distance. A longer shaft is more difficult to control so you want to be sure you have the necessary skills to take advantage of this. If not, rather stick to a regular length shaft.
Weight Distribution
Senior golfers using a lighter driver would benefit from having fractionally more weight on the grip end than on the driver end.
Best Golf Driver for Seniors Comparison Table
|
Image |
Name |
Pros |
Cons |
Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|
|
||
 |
|
|
||
 |
|
|
||
 |
|
|
||
 |
|
|
Best Golf Drivers for Seniors Review
There are numerous other factors that the manufacturers have taken into consideration in designing drivers for older players such as bigger sweets spots, better aerodynamics, and many others.
Let us take a look at the results of our research and what came up as the 5 best golf drivers for seniors.
1. Cleveland Golf Launcher HB Turbo Driver
Our Rating:
The consensus amongst golfers and fitters alike is that Cleveland is a major player when it comes to wedges, not so much drivers, but the Launcher HB Turbo might change that. The manufacturer claims this is a club geared towards players looking for higher, longer and straighter drives, and, according to the majority of testers and owners, it delivers on that promise.
What enables the Launcher HB Turbo give the extra lift is the HiBore crown (hence the HB part of the name) coupled with the Ulralight (sadly, non-adjustable) hosel. What this does is move the CG lower and to the back, incresing the MOI. In other words, the carefully designed head increases forgiveness and enables you to launch the ball higher with less strain on your physique. This makes it one of the best driver options for senior golfers, as well as amateurs – anyone struggling with swing speeds, really. Admittedly, this takes a bit of getting used to, as there is a chance you will drive higher than you want at first.
The Turbocharged Cup Face goes a long way to amplifying ball speed and giving more flex on impact thanks to its variable thickness technology. This, in turn, means you should be able to get higher ball speeds and more distance even on mishits. In other words, you get more rebound different sections of the clubface.
The Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Driver produces exceptional distance and more control even on mishits. It is a great club for seniors wanting greater speed with a low spin rate.
The last point worth noting is the stock shaft and grip – Cleveland have gone for the custom designed 55-gram Miyazaki shaft paired with the Lamkin Crossline 360. The key selling point here is the high CG, which allows you to add more mass to the head without compromising the CG on the whole.
Pros
- Large sweet spot for extra forgiveness
- Fast swing, great distance
- Easy to turn over
Cons
- Rather loud, pingy-sounding
- Has a bit of a learning curve
TaylorMade M4Driver
Our Rating:
Often we want it all- sometimes we find it. The TaylorMade SLDR Driver offers the perfect combination of forgiveness and distance, ideal for those with a slower swing. It achieves this by getting the right launch angle height, high ball speed, and low spin rate. That is everything you could ask for as a senior golfer.
Aesthetically, and there’s really no going around it, the M4 is a good-looking driver. If you’ve enjoyed their SLDR driver, then the M4 should be right up your alley, as its top is somewhat reminiscent of the SLDR.
To continue, TaylorMade markets this puppy as a driver designed for mid-handicappers and generally anyone who needs help in the forgiveness and carry department. As for as the tech that allows this, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand it, but it sure would help. On a more serious note, however, there’s a trio of new technologies that make it stand out – Twist Face, Hammerhead and Geocoustic.
The first is a new take on an old phenomenon, and it plays a role in mitigating mishits, proving particularly successfull on shots off to the toe. The second tech we mentioned refers to a slot found in the sole. What it does is add speed and power to your swing, in addittion to contributing to its overall forgiveness. The last piece of tech helps with the responsiveness and feel of the driver, and is a marked step forward compared to its M3 predecessor.
Pros
- Considerable sweet spot
- Plenty forgiving on mishits, especially if you hit it towards the toe
- Consistently straight shots, lots of carry distance
Cons
- Comes with a hefty price tag
- Lacking in the adjustability department (though it does include an adjustable loft sleeve)
See full review of the driver here.
3. Callaway Rogue 2018 Driver
Our Rating:
The Rogue Driver from Callaway is, next to TaylorMade’s M4, one of the prime contenders for the best golf drivers for senior golfers. This is due to, in no small part, thanks to the now celebrated Jailbreak technology, which is a pair of lightweight titanium bars that connect the sole and the crown, making a stiff whole. What this does is allow for greater ball speeds on impact. Moreover, coupled with the VFT tech (Variable Face Thickness), Jailbreak enables increased speed even on mishits.
In addition to this, the Triaxial Carbon Crown makes the head light and strong, shaving off a bit of weight. This weight is then redistributed towards the heel, building up on the MOI and making an even more forgiving driver. There’s just so much to talk about the technology here that’s it’s best left for a full review.
In short, despite what some may have said back in 2018, the Rogue has proven it’s not the New Epic – it’s a new member of the Callaway lineup and definitely here to stay, if customer satisfaction is anything to go by. Speaking of which, the driver is also available in a draw variant in case you’re looking for a driver to help you with slice.
Pros
- The looks and size really help boost confidence
- Exceptionally forgiving
- Does a great job of promoting swing speed and maximizing distance
- Adjustable neck
Cons
- The price is a bit on the high end
- The price is a bit on the high end
- Not everyone will like the low spin
TaylorMade M6 Driver
Our Rating:
This driver will allow seniors to strike the ball consistently well with the very forgiving, large sweet spot while still having an overall design that will allow slower swingers good distance.
What are the key seling points of the TaylorMade M6? In a nutshell, they’re the same we see in the M4 (Twist Face and Hammerhead), plus a new one – Speed Injection. The latter stiffens the face, allowing the Hammerhead slot to be a bit more flexible, in turn adding to the forgiveness and ball speed.
The shape enables it to drag a good deal of weight back and down, increasing the MOI and, by extension, the forgiveness. This last bit is an important consideration if your handicap starts digging into twenties.
Now, you’re probably thinking why are there two TaylorMade clubs on our list of top drivers for seniors, what’s the big difference? Many have posed the same question, and the honest answer is – not much. Dry testing and then crunching the numbers gives a slight advantage to the M6. Gaming the two on a real course, on the other hand, you probably wouldn’t notice any difference.
In conclusion, if you’re already gaming an M4 and thinking you should switch to the M6 purely for the advertised greater ball speed, save yourself the trouble and keep the M4. On the other hand, if you’re thinking of switching to TaylorMade, going straight for the M6 is definitely a good choice.
Pros
- Extremely fast ball speed
- Lovely, confidence instilling look at address and a nice, muted sound
- Considerably forgiving
- Adjustable hosel
Cons
- Rather exorbitant
- Lacking in adjustability overall
5. Cleveland 588 Altitude Driver
Our Rating:
If you’re looking for a great budget driver for senior golfer, then PGX Offset might just be the thing for you. Clocking in at around a hundred dollars US (around 80 if you order it straight from Pinemeadow) at the time of writing this, this puppy is one of the most affordable options you’ll find.
Moreover, if it is a light driver you are after, Pinemeadow delivers the ultimate in ultralight performance. The PGX has a total weight of 200 grams, which makes it one of the lighter drivers available. This is particularly handy for those who have a slower swing speed. This is particularly handy for those who have a slower swing speed, as a lighter driver will allow them to swing a bit faster and achieve better distance. It also has a high MOI which will further increase your distance gains.
The club comes in a number of different flavours, be it flex (five), length (six), shaft (four graphite and one steel option) or grips (as of typing this, fourteen). This driver will suit many seniors and is amongst the best golf drivers for a 60-65-year-old.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Ultra lightweight, huge sweet spot
- Great for combatting slices
Cons
- No adjustable features
- Few will like the sound and feel of it
The Takeaway
The makers of golf equipment are well aware that seniors make a larger percentage of their target market and have invested loads of time and money in designing equipment specifically for seniors. They have studied the more senior golfer at length, using amazing equipment and technology, and have fine tuned specific drivers to get the most out of a swing more typical of a senior golfer. It makes sound business sense for them to do this.
It also makes perfect sense for you to take advantage of these advances and use them to your benefit. It will ease your game, give a bit of extra distance and more leeway with your hits. The right driver will make a huge difference to your game and it is worth choosing wisely and making the investment.
