The Seven Best Game Improvement Drivers

Have you lost faith in your driver and decided to sacrifice distance for accuracy by playing a fairway wood instead? Maybe your big stick doesn’t offer sufficient forgiveness, and you need to consider other options. That is why in this post, I will unveil my picks for the best game improvement drivers on the market.

I will talk you through the features and benefits of each option and help you find the ideal driver for your swing. And with formalities out of the way, let us get straight into it.

What Are The Seven Best Game Improvement Drivers :

Callaway Mavrik Max – The Best Overall Game Improvement Driver

TaylorMade SIM2 Max Draw – The Straightest Game Improvement Driver

Cobra Radspeed XD – The Longest Game Improvement Driver

Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo – The Easiest Launching Game Improvement Driver

Callaway Big Bertha B21 – The Most Forgiving Game Improvement Driver

Mizuno ST-Z – The Lowest Spinning Game Improvement Driver

TaylorMade M5 – The Best Adjustable Game Improvement Driver

Callaway Mavrik Max – The Best Overall Game Improvement Driver

Rating: 4.5 stars

The Callaway Mavrik Max earns the crown as the best overall game improvement driver on my list. Deemed the easiest launching driver in the Mavrik range, the Max delivers a combination of optimal forgiveness and straighter tee shots.

To help you launch the ball along your preferred trajectory, the engineers installed a 14-gram and 2-gram interchangeable weight.

If you desire maximum forgiveness, you can position the 14-gram weight in the rear of the head. Conversely, for a draw-bias setup, place the same weight in the heel of your driver.

Added to the flexibility of the adjustable weights is an A.I. designed Flash Face SS20. The design produces explosive ball speeds off an expanded zone on the face to set you up for increased yardage off the tee.

Furthermore, FS2S titanium is the material used for the head of the Max driver, which is lighter than standard titanium. The reduced mass enables the club to produce optimal ball speed and spin robustness to deliver increased carry and total distance.

Finally, two Jailbreak bars link the crown and sole to provide optimal stability at impact to promote accelerated ball speed and a powerful launch.

Overall, the Callaway Mavrik Max driver provides the average golfer with a combination of forgiveness, distance, and accuracy. Plus, the presence of adjustable weights allows you to combat constant slices.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy launching Mavrik driver
• Produces optimal ball speed to promote increased yardage
• Forgiving
• Adjustable weights help you set up for your preferred ball flight and shot shape
• A lighter driver head helps you achieve superior ball speed and spin for a high launching shot.

Cons

• The head design is not as aerodynamic as the standard Mavrik or Sub-zero
• The natural mid-to-high trajectory may not suit faster swingers looking for a lower ball flight.

TaylorMade SIM2 Max Draw – The Straightest Game Improvement Driver

Rating: 4 stars

If you tend to strike the ball in the heel, you will appreciate the twist face technology of the TaylorMade SIM2 Max Draw.

According to TaylorMade’s Brian Bazzel, the corrective face ability of the driver helps you to hit straighter shots, even on off-centre strikes. That is why it earns my nomination for the straightest game improvement driver in golf.

The head is engineered for superior aerodynamics. It aids those with slower swing speeds to create extra clubhead speed on their downswing.

An inertia generator enables this aerodynamic design to produce accelerated clubhead speed, onsetting explosive ball speed at impact. When these two factors combine, it leads to a powerful launch and increased distance.

On the topic of speed, the SIM2 Max D driver features the company’s trademark Thru-slot Speed Pocket. It is purposed to induce accelerated ball speed on low-face strikes, to maintain consistent distance off the tee.

The final elements of the Max D driver that are worthy of discussion are its draw bias profile and adjustable loft sleeve.

Its draw bias setup promotes a controlled shot shape and helps beginners combat a slice, as the profile reduces the fade side spin. Finally, the adjustable loft sleeve allows you to increase or decrease the apex.

Although this driver fetches a premium price, it works hard to keep beginners and high handicappers straight and long off the tee.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Promotes increased clubhead speed
• Generates explosive ball speed
• Forgiving on low-face strikes
• Reduces slice sidespin
• Adjustable loft-sleeve allows you to alter the trajectory of your ball

Cons

• Premium-priced driver
• The draw-bias profile can cause you to hook your drives if you generate excess draw-spin.

Cobra Radspeed XD – The Longest Game Improvement Driver

Rating: 4 stars

In recent years, Cobra’s association with the long-hitting Bryson DeChambeau has earned their drivers the attention of the amateur golfing fraternity, myself included. That is why I feel it is fitting to crown the Cobra Radspeed XD as the longest game improvement driver on this list.

Radial Weighting is the star feature of the Radspeed XD. It extends the distance between the back and front weights, lowering your spin rpm and inducing rapid ball speed.

Added to the Radial Weighting of this driver is its CNC Milled Infinity face. Cobra’s engineers fitted an Infinity-Edge Face to enhance the surface area that delivers accelerated ball speed.

That means that you enjoy maximum forgiveness on off-centre strikes to gain consistent yardage.

Furthermore, a T-Bar chassis reduces the total mass of the head by 7-grams. As a result, Cobra’s engineers could place the extra weight in the head to reduce backspin and optimize ball speed. This combination delivers superior carry and total distance.

Like the TaylorMade SIM2 Max, the Cobra Radspeed XD contains superb slice combat qualities to produce straighter drives for improved accuracy.

In conclusion, the Radspeed XD best suits high handicappers in need of improved accuracy and longer distance.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Encourages straighter drives for superior accuracy
• Reduces backspin rpm
• Generates accelerated ball speed across the face
• Restricts sidespin that leads to sliced drives
• Produces a high level of forgiveness

Cons

• The draw bias profile leaves some players susceptible to hooking their drives
• The driver head loft options are not suited to those with faster swing speeds

Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo – The Easiest Launching Game Improvement Driver

Rating: 3.5 stars

Those with slower swing speeds may find it challenging to launch their ball high and long. This category focuses on your needs. My selection for the easiest launching game improvement driver goes to the Cleveland Launcher Turbo HB.

The reason this driver is easy to launch is a result of low and deep weighting. This setup lowers the CG by 2.2 mm to optimally position the face to send your ball towards the heavens.

On top of the Launcher Turbo HB’s low and deep CG is its Turbocharged Cup Face. The technology expands the area of the clubface that produces explosive ball speed and power at impact.

As a result, these factors make it easier for you to smash higher drives that gain optimal yardage.

While this driver does not possess some of the innovative technology seen in Callaway or TaylorMade products, it stays true to its name, focusing on launch above all else.

Do you struggle to get your ball in the air off the tee? The Cleveland Launcher HB may deliver that consistency you have always desired.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy driver to launch high and long
• Produces rapid ball speed across an expanded area of the face
• Provides a high level of forgiveness
• Delivers optimal distance to slower swinging golfers
• Reduced clubhead weight increases clubhead speed

Cons

• The high launching nature of the driver may cause faster swingers to sky their tee shots and lose distance
• It does not include adjustable weights or a hosel sleeve.

Callaway Big Bertha B21 – The Most Forgiving Game Improvement Driver

Rating: 3.5 stars

Although every amateur golfer longs for maximum distance off the tee, accuracy and forgiveness are what keep you in play. The Callaway Big Bertha B21 delivers high handicappers extreme forgiveness to produce low spin and a high launch for optimal carry distance.

Coupled with its forgiving nature is a draw bias profile that restricts side spin that onsets a slice. As a result, you enjoy straighter drives and more time on the fairway.

The B21 is Callaway’s first high-launching big stick that contains an ultra-low and forward CG to reduce backspin rpm. That means that it is easy to launch. And when you throw low spin into the equation, it delivers a combination of exceptional carry distance and roll.

Furthermore, the engineers installed an A.I. designed Flash Face to provide an expanded area that initiates accelerated ball speed. That means that, even if you strike the ball with the heel or toe of your driver, your ball speed is maintained to deliver a consistently long shot.

The Callaway B21 fetches a premium, but its ability to help you launch high and long off the tee without sacrificing forgiveness. Overall, it stands to benefit players who struggle to bomb their drives high and long and who have the budget.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The draw bias produces straighter shots
• Reduces spin rpm to maximize your distance
• The high launch aids slow swinging golfers who struggle to launch their drives
• Promotes longer ball flight
• Generates accelerated ball speed across an expanded area of the face for optimal distance

Cons

• Expensive driver
• It does not include interchangeable weights

Mizuno ST-Z – The Lowest Spinning Game Improvement Driver

Rating: 3.5 stars

In this article, PGA Tour Academy Staff Instructor Jason Fenstermaker explains that a high launch and low spin is the recipe for increased distance off the tee. The Mizuno ST-Z offers superior stability at impact to restrict spin and generate explosive ball speed for longer yardage of the tee.

The engineers at Mizuno found that by using SAT2041 titanium, the ST-Z face lasted longer than clubs that feature 6-4 titanium. Plus, they included a Cortech Face, which works to maintain ball speed on low strikes off the clubface.

They spent twelve months perfecting the acoustics of the driver to produce a muted tone at impact. As a result, the driver appeals to tour players and the average golfer.

Furthermore, the Z-Axis construction creates a straight-line bias to improve your accuracy and fairways in regulation records. This setup enables you to smash bombs long and straight down the fairway.

The ultimate feature worthy of mention is the adjustable hosel to alter your loft, face angle, and lie.

Admittedly, the only downside of this driver is that it is best suited to faster swinging golfers who can handle stronger lofts. Otherwise, it offers the luxury of low spin, optimal ball speed, and straight and long drives.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Limits spin to generate forward momentum for increased total distance
• Encourages straighter ball flight for improved accuracy
• Adjustable hosel setup for your preferred trajectory
• Accelerates ball speed on low face strikes

Cons

• The stronger lofts do not suit slower swingers, who struggle to get their ball airborne off the tee.
• It is difficult to induce a controlled draw or fade.

TaylorMade M5 – The Best Adjustable Game Improvement Driver

Rating: 3 stars

The TaylorMade M5 might appeal to those who appreciate versatility through the option of adjusting your driver for varying setups. For that reason, it earns a spot on top of my list for the best adjustable game improvement drivers on the market.

An Inverse T-Track contains two 10-gram weights, which you can position to induce a high or low launch. You can also set up the head for a draw, neutral, or fade bias. This feature enables you to combat slices and hooks by reducing sidespin in a specific direction.

Added to the impeccable adjustable features of the driver is its ability to push the legal limits of ball speed to produce a powerful launch and optimal distance.

The Speed Injection partners with a flexible Hammerhead slot to maintain ball speed on mishits. The combination creates an expansive sweet spot to deliver exceptional forgiveness.

TaylorMade’s Twist Face technology produces straighter drives when you catch the ball in the heel or toe of the club. They engineered the Twist Face to restrict sidespin, which causes you to hook or slice your shot.

Considering that game improvement drivers fetch top dollar, the TaylorMade M5 is a moderately affordable option for players looking for versatility from their driver.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• It contains a wider sweet spot to provide maximum forgiveness
• Reduces the risk of slices and hooks
• Produces straighter shots to spend more time on the fairway
• Adjustable weights enable you to set up for your ideal ball flight.
• Generates low backspin to promote forward momentum for increased distance.

Cons

• It does not feature an adjustable loft hosel to alter the lie of the face.
• The straight ball flight bias makes it difficult to shape your shots.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing A Game Improvement Driver

Forgiveness

The purpose of game improvement drivers is to help make it easier for you to get the ball in the air and gain as much distance as possible. However, when you don’t catch your ball in the sweet spot, you can slice or hook your ball, resulting in a loss of accuracy and distance.

A forgiving driver helps hit more fairways and reduces the loss of distance by generating explosive ball speed off a wide area of the face.

Low Spin

Although you require spin to get your ball in the air, excessive backspin reduces the roll of your ball and impacts your total distance. That is why I suggest considering a driver that helps you minimize backspin rpm, as you will enjoy increased yardage off the tee.

Launch

To achieve optimal distance with the big stick, you need to get your ball in the air with minimal spin. While players with faster swing speeds have no trouble launching their ball high and long, those slower swingers don’t enjoy the same benefits.

To make life easier, I suggest looking at drivers with a low and back centre of gravity (CG), designed for a hassle-free launch.

Adjustable Hosel and Weights

If you are still trying to figure out what shot shape and apex works best for your game. I recommend testing drivers with interchangeable weights and an adjustable hosel.

Interchangeable weights allow you to alter the clubhead’s position to promote a draw, fade, or neutral bias. Those who struggle with slicing their drives can correct the action by setting up for a draw bias.

Conversely, if you are a serial hooker of the ball, a fade bias will help you restrict the right-to-left sidespin.

An adjustable hosel enables you to reposition the face angle and loft of your driver. That means that you can set up to achieve your optimal launch.

FAQ

What Is The Easiest Golf Driver To Hit Straight?

The easiest golf driver to hit straight depends on your swing and the position of your clubface at impact.

In this article, Golf Monthly’s Sam Tremlett explains that a draw-bias driver helps combat slices and promote straighter drives.

If you continuously fall victim to a sliced drive, the Cobra Radspeed XD is worth testing, as its draw bias setup will help you spend more time in play.

However, those who hook the tee shots will need to consider a driver with adjustable weights to help you position the CG in the toe to promote a fade bias. My suggestion for players with this challenge is to look at the TaylorMade M5 driver.

Is A Heavier Golf Driver Better?

Club fitting experts TPT Golf explain that a heavier driver does have its benefits. For example, it awakens dormant muscle groups, which equip you with optimal power to increase your swing speed.

An accelerated swing speed enhances your ability to generate faster clubhead speed and ball speed. When you combine these factors, you enjoy optimal distance.

However, players who struggle to launch shots with a standard weighted driver should stick to lighter constructions. A heavier driver will further reduce your swing speed and clubhead speed leading to a loss of power and distance.

Final Thoughts On The Best Game Improvement Drivers

There it is. My quest to identify the best game improvement drivers is complete. From pure distance drivers to forgiving and adjustable design’s, this list features a range of options suited to mid and high handicappers.

Before I sign off and conclude the review, let us recap the crème de la crème of drivers in the game improvement category.

TaylorMade’s SIM2 Max earned its place at the top of the straightest drivers category, helping to increase your time on the fairway.

Next up, Cobra earned the top spot for the longest game improvement drivers, and Cleveland’s HB Launcher Turbo was my easiest launching pick.

Furthermore, those who seek forgiveness may find peace with the Callaway Big Bertha B21. But, if you need to reduce your spin rpm, the Mizuno ST-Z is the one to test on the range.

The final individual category winner was TaylorMade with the M5 driver, which earned its stripe for its adjustable qualities.

And, finally, the winner of the best game improvement drivers review is the Callaway Mavrik Max. Its forgiveness, explosive ball speed, adjustable loft, and consistent distance makes it worthy of consideration for those in the market for a game-improvement driver.

SERP:

The 7 Best Game Improvement Drivers For High Handicappers: Do you need more forgiveness off the tee? Take a look at the best game improvement drivers here.