Golf is not the easiest sport to learn. There are endless variables and so much to remember, for beginners it can sometimes feel overwhelming. It can be very frustrating a times, fluffing a tee shot or hooking the ball into the bushes can drive you crazy. Just when all seems lost you suddenly hit that one incredible shot or sink a long put and suddenly you are in love with the game again. It is highly addictive. In this best golf drivers for beginners or high handicappers review, we’ll take a closer look at the clubs best suited for these golfers. Take a look!
Practice Makes Perfect
All aspects of the game are important and all need to be practiced, so you should never neglect your putting or your short game. Driving, however, will make or break your game. If you get a decent distance off the tee and go relatively straight, the rest of the hole will be so much easier.
As tricky as it might be to learn, we live in amazing times. Look at some of the older drivers and then look at the modern ones. Spare a thought for the early golfers as it is infinitely easier to strike the ball well with the latest equipment.
Everyone has to learn at some stage. Many people do not have time for regular golf so may remain “beginners” for quite some time. There are certain clubs that will make those starting out or playing off a high handicap much easier. Many of them are adjustable so they will grow with you as your game improves.
Features to Look for
Club Head Size and Design
If you are starting out or playing off a high handicap, 18 plus, the best favor you can do for yourself is to select a driver with a large club head and subsequently a larger sweet spot.
This will allow you to connect the ball better and hit good, solid shots more consistently. It will be more forgiving when you do contact the ball slightly off center and keep the damage to a minimum.
Loft Angle
A greater loft angle will allow you to launch the ball higher and give you greater distance off the tee. This is something a lot of new or less experienced golfers struggle with so let the club assist you with that.
Club Weighting
The weighting of the club can have a significant impact on the ball flight. Much of it will come down to your particular style and preference. You might have to spend some time at the driving range to experiment to see what works for you.
Shaft Flex
This is a tricky one as this is based on your swing speed. The basic rule is that the slower your swing speed, the more flexibility you want from your shaft. Conversely, if you have a faster swing, you want to opt for a more rigid shaft. A new or high handicapped golfer does not necessarily have a slow swing, although it is likely. You might need someone to assist you to give you an idea if you have a fast or slow swing.
Best Golf Drivers for Beginners or High Handicappers Comparison Table
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Best Golf Drivers for Beginners or High Handicappers Reviews
1. TaylorMade R15 430 Driver
Our Rating:
A driver that is a dream come true to those starting out is undoubtedly the R15 from TaylorMade. One of the more feature rich drivers, this club also feature a specially designed sweet spot to improve your accuracy and all round performance.
The easy to use, adjustable club head weights will only enhance your game. Take the time to learn the theory behind them and a bit of time at the driving range experimenting will not go to waste. It features two independent weights that will allow you to tweak your draw and fade. The end result of using these adjustments correctly will be vastly improved accuracy- something we could all do with.
The center of gravity will result in a low spin, improving your distance. The number of adjustments can be a lot to think about, but take a bit of time to understand them and test drive them. You won’t regret it.
Pros
- thumbs-o-upLow CG for reduced spin and greater distance
- thumbs-o-upGreat adjustability
- thumbs-o-upGood size sweet spot for ease and accuracy
Cons
- thumbs-o-downThe only negatives we came across would not really apply to beginners or high handicapped golfers
See full review of the driver here.
2. Callaway Big Bertha Driver
Our Rating:
The famous Big Bertha is an extremely popular driver and will suit a beginner or those playing off a high handicap, just as well as it does the more seasoned golfer. If you do invest in a Big Bertha, know that you have a driver that will give you many years of happy golfing.
The Big Bertha is a well-trusted driver and for a good reason. The bottom line is that it is not hard to hit a superb tee shot with this beast. As a beginner with a high handicap, you will notice a marked improvement in your accuracy and distance with this driver.
One of the main features that will benefit the less experienced golfers is the large head and increased sweet spot that will take a lot of pressure off you to hit the perfect shot. This will give you the confidence to give an assertive swing and the majority of your shots will end with impressive results.
The head is light but super strong and is made of forged composite. The adjustable rear sliding weight will allow you to fine tune the Moment of Inertia (MOI). Again, these features mean that as your game improves, the driver can be adapted to accommodate and take advantage of your developments. The hosel is also adjustable to suit your swing and adapt as your need change.
Pros
- thumbs-o-upA hard hitting, accurate driver
- thumbs-o-upExtremely forgiving with a massive sweet spot
- thumbs-o-upThe driver can adapt as your swing improves over time
- thumbs-o-upDespite the head size, a very lightweight driver
Cons
- thumbs-o-downSome users noticed a draw when the neutral setting was chosen so you might have to experiment with that to get you desired result
3. Cleveland Golf Classic XL Driver
Our Rating:
A good number of design features make this club one of the top golf drivers for beginners. First and foremost it has one of the biggest sweet spots you will come across. This combined with an optimal center of gravity (COG) and the large balance point gives you a highly suitable, ever so forgiving driver for the beginner golfer.
Improved Variable Face Thickness technology will maximize your ball speed even when not struck dead center. The adjustable hosel will enable you to modify it to suit your style for now and adjust once your swing and speed improve.
Pros
- thumbs-o-upOne word, forgiving
- thumbs-o-upLooks nice
Cons
- thumbs-o-downSome testers found it too light for their preference
4. Nexxt MDX High MOI Driver
Our Rating:
This club made the top 5 because it is not only a great driver, but it is also extremely well priced- as in, it’s very affordable. If you are still not 100% sure of your commitment to the sport, you might want to consider the Nexxt MDX as a starter driver until you are sure.
This driver measures up extremely well against the many of the more expensive drivers on the market. The driver is specifically built for speed with a high Moment of Inertia (MOI) and great aerodynamics which will both result in more distance while helping you to keep the ball straight.
At the price you pay for this driver, do not expect much in the way of adjustable features. As a beginner, you already have so many new things to remember and think about so this might not be such a bad thing. The Nexxt MDX High MOI Driver is a really good option for those getting started.
Pros
- thumbs-o-upHigh MOI for better accuracy
- thumbs-o-upGreat price
Cons
- thumbs-o-downSpringy shaft
- thumbs-o-downNo adjustability
5. Cobra Fly-Z Driver
Our Rating:
The Fly-Z offers user-friendly customizable features. While it does not offer as many options as some of the other drivers, it is handy and easy to understand. Too many options might be a bit much for the beginner who has so many new things to think about already.
The trench at the center of the face will give you a solid, distance shot when struck correctly. The fact that the Cobra Fly-Z allows you to adjust both the trajectory and the loft enables you to customize the driver for your swing as well as conditions.
The club is not as forgiving as some of the other drivers so you need to hit the ball more squarely. When you do, you will be rewarded with a straight shot that roars down the fairway.
Pros
- thumbs-o-upThe adjustable settings are easy to use
- thumbs-o-upBoth loft and spin can be controlled
Cons
- thumbs-o-downNot extremely forgiving
- thumbs-o-downMaximum loft is only 11.5
See full review of the driver here.
The Final Word
The number of exciting developments has made the daunting task of mastering the game of golf that much easier. If you are an absolute beginner, perhaps look at some of the less expensive drivers on the market. If the bug has bitten, which it invariably does, do not be afraid to spend a bit more and invest in a more expensive option.
The clubs we reviewed will help you on your way while you are learning, but will be just as competent once your game has improved and you will be able to stick with them for many years. The only other advice I can offer at this stage is practice, and enjoy.
