There is no particular driver constructed to work with a specific swing speed. In reality, it is a combination of the driver’s loft, shaft flex, and weight that determines whether a club suits your swing speed.
In this article, we reveal our pick for the best driver for 85 mph swing speed in 2021. We will guide you through identifying your ideal driver and list a few recommendations that excel in their classes.
The Overall Best Driver For 85 mph Swing Speed In 2021 – Cobra Radspeed XB
Most Forgiving Driver – TaylorMade SIM 2 Max
The Best Value For Money – Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo
The Longest Driver – Cobra Speedzone
The Most Accurate Driver – Callaway Mavrik Max
The Overall Best Driver For 85 mph Swing Speed In 2021 – Cobra Radspeed XB
| Value for Money | 6 |
| Shaft Flex | 8 |
| Head Options | 8 |
| Workmanship | 9 |
| Overall Score /100 | 90 |
Rating: 4 ½ stars
Cobra’s Radspeed XB is the answer to the question, what is the best driver for a 85 mph swing speed.
The versatile driver offers you a combination of stability at impact, forgiveness, explosive ball speed, and longer carry. The Radial Weighting feature allowed the manufacturer to optimally position weight relative to the CG, resulting in accelerated ball speed, reduced spin, and enhanced forgiveness.
A CNC Milled face increases the milled zone by 95%, increasing the area on the face that promotes speed. Unlike other Radspeed drivers, the XB contains an additional twenty grams of weight in the extreme rear to deliver maximum forgiveness on off-center strikes.
Cobra added a T-Bar chassis with seven grams less mass, which helped reposition additional weight forward in the head. That setup lowers backspin and increases ball speed for a mid to high launch and added yards.
The downside to the exceptionally performing Radspeed XB is the premium price tag attached to it. However, despite its cost. The driver is worth testing if you have an average swing speed and are looking for distance and forgiveness off the tee.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Generates less spin
- Enhanced forgiveness
- Larger sweet spot
- Delivers increased distance
- Optimal stability at impact
Cons
- Premium price tag
- Cobra Connect service requires a subscription fee
Most Forgiving Driver – TaylorMade SIM 2 Max
| Value for Money | 6 |
| Shaft Flex | 8 |
| Head Options | 7 |
| Workmanship | 8 |
| Overall Score /100 | 88 |
Rating: 4 stars
As someone who has played a TaylorMade driver for most of my life, I can attest to the forgiving nature of their big sticks. The SIM 2 Max continues the trend as the design of the driver aims to deliver maximum distance without impacting forgiveness.
The shape in motion design of the driver’s head optimizes the aerodynamics of the club, which reduces drag and encourages increased clubhead speed.
The lightweight forged ring construction promotes optimal energy transfer at impact from the clubface to the ball, leading to a powerful launch.
Speaking of launch, the SIM Max 2 contains a higher MOI. That helps to increase ball speed and reduce side spin for straighter, more accurate shots.
Furthermore, the SIM 2 Max features a Speed Injected Twist Face that delivers the maximum legal ball speed and combats rotation to provide a square face at impact. Overall the SIM 2 Max is consistent, and it provides a powerful launch and distance without compromising on forgiveness.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Promotes increased clubhead speed
- Generates accelerated ball speed
- Provides the highest level of forgiveness
- Stable frame at impact
- Adjustable loft sleeve
Cons
- Expensive
- Reduced shot-shaping ability
The Best Value For Money – Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo
| Value for Money | 9 |
| Shaft Flex | 7 |
| Head Options | 7 |
| Workmanship | 7 |
| Overall Score /100 | 86 |
Rating: 4 stars
Do you desire a high launch and increased distance? But struggle to find a driver at an affordable price point? The Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo may interest you.
Cleveland employed a Turbocharged Cup Face to expand the area that promotes optimal coefficient of restitution (C.O.R), delivering explosive ball speed.
Furthermore, the HB Turbo features a HiBore crown and lightweight hosel. That enabled the engineers to lower the center of gravity by 2.2 millimeters, and weight, for a high, straight flight.
The lighter materials used to construct the club enabled Cleveland to reposition the weight in areas that helped increase the moment of inertia (M.O.I), amplifying forgiveness on off-center strikes.
If your objective is distance and forgiveness, the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo is worth testing out.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Induces a high launch
- Promotes longer carry
- Delivers increased distance
- Encourages straighter ball flight
- Generates optimal ball speed across the face
- Affordable
Cons
- Difficult to achieve any shape with this driver
- The naturally high launch may cause faster-swinging players to balloon their tee shots
The Longest Driver – Cobra Speedzone
| Value for Money | 8 |
| Shaft Flex | 8 |
| Head Options | 6 |
| Workmanship | 8 |
| Overall Score /100 | 85 |
Rating: 3.5 stars
When a brand is associated with a player like Bryson DeChambeau, you wouldn’t expect anything other than expert engineering, and Cobra did not disappoint. The Speedzone Black-White driver comes equipped with optimal power output to generate rapid ball speed.
The Power Zone Milled face expands the zone that promotes the maximum legal limit of ball speed to ensure a high launching strike. Furthermore, the driver sports an aerodynamic Aero Zone shape to encourage accelerated clubhead speed on your downswing.
Cobra’s engineers placed 69 grams of weight low in the face to simplify launching the ball high and long. Finally, a T-Bar Speed Chassis offers stability to the clubhead at impact to promote a straighter shot.
Optimal clubhead speed, maximum ball speed, and forgiveness, that is the SpeedZone Black-White driver. Created by Cobra created for the player that demands distance.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Generates the maximum legal limit of ball speed
- Increases clubhead speed
- Low CG promotes a high launch
- High launching
- Delivers a straight ball flight
Cons
- Although Cobra claims the driver offers workability, it is a challenge to shape your shots.
The Most Accurate Driver – Callaway Mavrik Max
| Value for Money | 7 |
| Shaft Flex | 7 |
| Head Options | 7 |
| Workmanship | 8 |
| Overall Score /100 | 85 |
Rating: 3 stars
The Mavrik Max tops our list as the most accurate driver for an 85 mph swing speed. Described by Callaway as the easiest Mavrik drive to hit, it includes two interchangeable weights that enable you to set up for a draw or neutral bias.
The company designed their trademark flash face using A.I., which helped them optimally position the CG and expand the sweet spot from heel to toe.
Callaway constructed the Mavrik Max with FS25 titanium, which is 6 grams lighter than the standard material, thus enabling faster swing speeds and optimal spin robustness.
Two internal Jailbreak Bars are fitted in the clubhead to stabilize it at impact and increase ball speed. That delivers a straighter drive with maximum distance.
Those looking for a versatile driver option that is accurate, long, and forgiving should test the Callaway Mavrik Max.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Wider sweet spot
- Forgiving
- Induces rapid ball speed
- Interchangeable weight for your preferred launch
- Delivers optimal distance
Cons
- Expensive
- The spin robustness can cause faster-swinging players to generate too much, therefore skying their shot.
What To Look For When Buying A New Driver
Loft
If you average 85 mph with a driver, Golfweek’s Jackson Lewis suggests that you should play with a minimum of 14 degrees of loft. The challenge with this advice is that finding a driver with loft this weak is no easy task.
Those unable to source a 14-degree design can overcome the challenge by acquiring an adjustable driver that you can manipulate to your desired set-up.
Shaft
The next factor to consider is the type of shaft. In this article, Zephyr Melton from Golf.com recommends a regular flex shaft for players swinging a driver between 84 mph and 96 mph.
As a result, a standard design will offer sufficient flex to optimize ball speed at impact, but not too much that it causes you to balloon your shot. If you are gaining excessive height with a regular flex, a stiffer shaft may be more beneficial.
Conversely, those of you that struggle to launch your drives high and long might find a senior’s or ladies flex easier to swing.
Aerodynamic
Drivers such as the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max contain an aerodynamic design. It increases your clubhead speed and reduces drag. Increased clubhead speed increases your ability to transfer the energy to the ball at impact, thereby prompting high and long ball flight.
Ball Speed
Without ball speed, it is impossible to launch our shots. That is why mid to high handicappers struggle to send their ball airborne on mishits with unforgiving clubs.
The Cobra Radspeed XB driver is an example of a modern driver that expands the area of the face, that delivers explosive ball speed. That means that even if you strike the ball off-center, your speed will persist, and you will still enjoy a fair distance.
Low Spin
Once you have managed to optimize your ball speed, the next step is to reduce spin. PGA Tour Golf Academy instructor Jason Fenstermaker confirms that the combination of explosive speed, high launch, and low spin are the formula for increased distance.
When you generate excessive spin, you risk ballooning your shot or inducing side spin that leads to a hook or slice. If this explains your current problem, it is worth looking for drivers that actively lower spin, like the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo.
Offset
Serial slicer’s who and are prone to opening your clubface up at impact. I recommend taking a closer look at draw-bias drivers. An alternative option is to test an adjustable driver that enables you to set up the face for your preferred launch and shot shape, such as the Callaway Mavrik Max.
Adjustable Weight
Those golfers that appreciate options and flexibility may consider acquiring an adjustable driver. These clubs feature moveable weights or an adjustable hosel. It allows you to alter the loft and angle of the face.
FAQ
What Is The Best Driver For a 90 Mph Swing Speed
Players with an average swing speed of 90 mph are suited to the same drivers as players who swing at 85 mph.
As per the advice of Zephyr Melton, players in this category tend to find that a regular flex fits their swing speed. Furthermore, Jackson Lewis suggests that you should play with 10.5 to 12.5 degrees of loft.
Is 80 mph a Slow Swing Speed
Yes, according to data compiled by True Spec Golf and Golf.com, you are considered to have a slow swing speed if you average 72 to 83 mph. As a result, you are better suit a senior shaft flex.
Furthermore, keeping in line with Lewis’ advice, golfers in this category tend to thrive with weaker lofted drivers that are easier to launch.
How far should I hit my driver based on swing speed?
Considering the number of factors that go into a golf shot, it is impossible to estimate how far you should hit your driver based on swing speed. The reason behind this lies in the loft of your driver, ball speed, spin, and trajectory.
Two golfers may swing a driver at 85 mph. However, player one may play with 10.5 degrees of loft, and player two with 14 degrees. Player one may generate less backspin than player two and achieve a piercing ball flight, resulting in more carry.
What is the best golf ball for a swing speed of 85
As a player with an average swing speed, you want to find a ball that offers a combination of distance and forgiveness. The Callaway Superhot delivers high forgiveness, straight ball flight, and exceptional distance ideal for the everyday golfer.
Conclusion On The Best Driver For 85 mph Swing Speed
Based on the data from True Spec Golf and Golf.com. We know that those who swing a driver at 85 mph have an average speed. These players could use help to generate extra distance but cannot forfeit forgiveness.
The Cobra Radspeed XB came out on top in our review of the best driver for 85 mph swing speed. It is easy to launch, forgiving, and prompts explosive ball speed producing optimum distance off the tee.
The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max topped our list for the most forgiving driver for average swing speeds. And Cleveland’s Launcher HB Turbo is our best value for money choice.
Cobra made a second appearance on the list with the number one pick for the longest driver. And Callaway rounded out the review with the Mavrik Max that we found is the most accurate driver.
In conclusion, if you consider yourself to have an average swing speed, it is worth taking the Cobra Radspeed XB for a test on the range.
