The term longest driver is ambiguous and could lead you to interpret it as the length of the club in inches or the distance it delivers. However, in this post, I unveil my picks for the best driver options to help you optimize your yardage off the tee.
The purpose of this article is to equip you with the knowledge to make better-informed decisions the next time you acquire a driver.
What Are The Five Longest Drivers :
Cobra Radspeed Driver – The Best Longest Driver Overall
Callaway Mavrik Driver – The Most Aerodynamic Longest Driver
TaylorMade SIM 2 Max -The Most Forgiving Longest Driver
Juggernaut Big Tall Driver – The Best Illegal Longest Driver
Callaway Big Bertha B21 – The Straightest Long Driver
Cobra Radspeed Driver – The Best Longest Driver Overall
| Value for Money | 6 |
|---|---|
| Shaft Flex | 7 |
| Head Options | 8 |
| Workmanship | 9 |
| Overall Score /100 | 90 |
Rating: 4.5 stars
Explosive ball speed, ultra-low spin and enhanced forgiveness are the qualities that catapulted the Cobra Radspeed driver to the top of the pile.
As the official sponsor of the longest hitter on the PGA Tour, Bryson DeChambeau, it may come as no surprise to see them in this position.
Unlike their competitors, Cobra employed forward-bias Radial Weighting to lower spin and increase ball speed to maximize your distance off the tee.
Plus, thanks to CNC Milling, the zone that produces explosive ball speed increased by 95%. That means that you enjoy forgiveness on off-centre strikes.
Adding to the cause of reduced spin and accelerated ball speed is a T-Bar chassis which is 7-grams lighter than other designs. Cobra’s engineers then reposition that 7-grams forward for a lower spin at impact.
Although the combination of low spin and rapid ball speed leads to yardage gains, this driver is not for everyone.
The stronger lofts combined with regular and stiff flex shafts best suit faster-swinging golfers, who have no trouble launching their drives high and long.
Finally, the presence of adjustable front to back weights allows you to position the CG to achieve your desired ball speed, spin, and trajectory.
Overall, I would suggest that those faster swingers with low to mid handicaps consider the Cobra Radspeed. High handicappers and beginners should consider the Cobra Radspeed XD.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Reduces your backspin RPM
- Delivers explosive ball speed
- Forgiving
- Adjustable weights
- Ideal for golfers with a faster swing speed
Cons
- Expensive
- It is challenging for slow swinging golfers to launch
- The reduced spin may cause slower swingers to lose carry distance
Callaway Mavrik Driver – The Most Aerodynamic Longest Driver
| Value for Money | 8 |
|---|---|
| Shaft Flex | 8 |
| Head Options | 7 |
| Workmanship | 87 |
| Overall Score /100 | 89 |
Rating: 4 stars
The Callaway built the Mavrik driver to help the average player reduce drag and maximize your clubhead speed on your downswing.
Callaway’s engineers constructed a Cyclone Aerodynamic driver head to glide through the air and increase the speed and power of your clubhead at impact.
The aerodynamics are complimented by an A.I. designed Flash Face, which expands the zone that produces accelerated ball speed. As a result, you enjoy the luxury of rapid ball speeds, even when you don’t catch the ball out of the middle.
Furthermore, the use of Jailbreak bars increases the stability of the crown to ensure optimal forgiveness and ball speed at impact. Plus, it features an adjustable hosel to customize the loft and face angle of the driver, optimizing launch.
Finally, the mid-level of launch provided by the Callaway Mavrik driver suits the average golfer looking for a balance between spin, aerodynamics and ball speed.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Aerodynamic design
- Promotes increased clubhead speed
- Produces rapid ball speed across the face for increased distance
- Forgiving
- Moderately affordable
Cons
- Not an attractive driver
- Limited distance gains over the Callaway Epic Flash
TaylorMade SIM 2 Max -The Most Forgiving Longest Driver
| Value for Money | 5 |
|---|---|
| Shaft Flex | 8 |
| Head Options | 8 |
| Workmanship | 8 |
| Overall Score /100 | 88 |
Rating: 3.5 stars
The low launching TaylorMade SIM 2 Max earns the honour as the most forgiving long driver on this list. By adding 16-grams of steel weight to the inertia generator, you enjoy increased MOI. That leads to optimal forgiveness on mishits.
Thanks to a lightweight aluminium chassis, the engineers reduced the mass, enabling them to design an aerodynamic frame that optimizes your clubhead speed and reduces drag on your downswing.
Added to the generation of accelerated clubhead speeds are explosive ball speeds. Thanks to the Milled Back Face Cup and Speed Injection Port. The employment of Speed Pockets maintains ball speed on low-face strikes, resulting in consistent yardage.
The last feature worthy of mentioning is TaylorMade’s Twist Face technology. It resists twisting during your backswing to promote a squarer face at impact. That helps you to hit straighter drives and improve your FIR percentage.
TaylorMade’s SIM2 Max is packed with technology to produce a low spinning, highly forgiving driver for explosive distance from the tee.
However, before you rush off and acquire one, be mindful that the natural low launch is better suited to players with a swing speed above 105 mph.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Produces straighter shots
- Low spin
- Optimal roll
- Increased yardage
- Maximum forgiveness
Cons
- Expensive
- The low ball flight makes it difficult for slower swingers to maximize carry distance.
Juggernaut Big Tall Driver – The Best Illegal Longest Driver
| Value for Money | 8 |
|---|---|
| Shaft Flex | 7 |
| Head Options | 6 |
| Workmanship | 7 |
| Overall Score /100 | 86 |
Rating: 3.5 stars
I felt it necessary to add an unconventional option to the list, as I designed the article to help you maximize your distance off the tee. The Juggernaut Big Tall Driver is my number one choice for the best illegal longest driver.
You won’t find yourself in trouble with the law if you carry one of these. However, you cannot use it in a tournament. That is because its 515cc driver head and extra-long, flexible shaft exceed the legal limit of 460cc assigned by the USGA.
The extra head size expands the sweet spot to produce supreme COR for a powerful launch which helps you achieve longer carry and total distance. And, the longer, flexible shaft promotes accelerated clubhead speed on the downswing.
Furthermore, the face of the Big Tall driver is closed by 1-degree to combat sidespin that causes you to slice your shots. As a result, you enjoy straighter shots and more time on the fairway.
Although you can’t deny the exceptional distance and clubhead speed it produces, it is still illegal. That means that you can only use it in casual rounds.
If you are a weekend golfer who has no regard for the rules of golf, the Big Tall Juggernaut is perfect. However, if you intend on playing in tournaments, you will need to consider alternative options.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Accelerated clubhead speed
- Superior COR
- Wide sweet spot
- Promotes straighter shots
- Delivers increased distance
- Affordable
Cons
- The oversized driver head can reduce the swing speed of some players
- Not tournament legal
Callaway Big Bertha B21 – The Straightest Long Driver
| Value for Money | 6 |
|---|---|
| Shaft Flex | 7 |
| Head Options | 8 |
| Workmanship | 7 |
| Overall Score /100 | 84 |
Rating: 3 stars
Topping off my top five list of the best longest drivers in golf is my pick for the straightest club in the category.
The internal draw bias construction of Callaway’s Big Bertha B21 helps you combat slices to enjoy straighter shots and more accuracy off the tee.
Plus, the engineers decided that an ultra-low and forward CG would reduce spin but allow you to achieve a high launch for optimal carry distance.
Furthermore, the inclusion of the A.I. Designed Flash Face Cup widens the area of the face that promotes rapid ball speed. Even if you miss the centre of the face, you will still enjoy considerable yardage.
Overall, the Callaway Big Bertha B21 is a suitable driver for players looking to combat slices and hit the ball longer off the tee.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Combats slices
- Reduces backspin and sidespin
- High launching for increased carry distance
- Generates rapid ball speed across the face
- Forgiving
Cons
- Expensive
- The draw bias setup can lead some players to hook their shots
- It does not feature interchangeable weights
Factors to Consider When Purchasing The Best Small Head Drivers
Loft
The loft of your driver can impact your ability to launch the ball high and long. Slower swingers will likely extract more value from a weaker loft, such as a 12 to 14-degrees. Conversely, faster swingers may prefer the lower launching qualities of an 8 to a 9.5-degree loft.
Shaft Flex
As is the case with loft, swing speed impacts the shaft that works best for your swing. Golf Magazine recommends that you play with an extra stiff flex shaft if your swing speed exceeds 105 mph.
On the contrary, those of you with speeds that dip below 83-mph work best with a senior flex shaft.
Bias Setup
If you suffer from slicing or hooking your tee shots, you may benefit from a draw or fade bias setup. That helps you compensate and combat the unwanted side spin, to hit straighter drives.
FAQ
Does Tee Height Affect Driving Distance?
Yes, your tee height impacts your distance. As Golfweek’s William McCoy explains, teeing your ball too low can result in a low spinning drive that goes nowhere.
On the other hand, teeing it too high can result in a ballooned shot that loses carry distance and roll.
Will A Heavier Driver Hit The Ball Further?
No, a heavier driver does not mean that you will hit the ball further. The heavier the club, the slower the swing and clubhead speeds of some players become.
As a result, you achieve a reduced COR, leading to less ball speed, a lower launch, and lost distance.
Final Thoughts On The Best Longest Driver
That wraps up my review on the best longest driver options on the market. The Cobra Radspeed Driver took the overall top spot for its superior distance, ball speed and forgiveness.
Next on the list was the Callaway Mavrik driver for its aerodynamics, followed by the optimal forgiveness of the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max.
The Juggernaut Big Tall won the category for the best illegal long drivers, while the Callaway Big Bertha B21 completed the top five for its accuracy.
Therefore, if you are a low to mid handicap golfer looking for explosive ball speed and distance off the tee, you can read more about the Cobra Radspeed driver here.
