When you’re starting out as a golfer, you need the best driver for beginners. This does not mean popping into your local golf shop, grabbing the most expensive driver, and automatically becoming more accurate and 20 yards longer.
No, no, no. It’s a bit more involved than that. You’ll need to play a little golf, examine your game, and make an informed decision. And that’s exactly what we’re here to help with.
“Drive for show, putt for dough” used to be preached by amateur and professional golfers everywhere. But there’s a reason we’re hearing less and less of this. It’s wrong.
How often do you make par from the woods or hitting three off the tee? Hardly ever. You need a club that’s going to put you in the fairway with a chance to hit the green in regulation.
Let’s start off with a recap. Here are our top 4 picks for best beginner golf drivers.
Option 1: Best Overall Beginner Drive
Club: Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver
Option 2: Runner Up Beginner Driver
Club: Cobra AIR-X OS Driver
Option 3: Best Budget Driver For Beginners
Club: Wilson Staff D9 Driver
Option 4: Best Driver for Female Beginner Golfers
Club: TaylorMade M4 Women’s Driver
Basics To Choosing Your First Driver
Key factors to look for….
- Forgiveness
- Flex
- How soon will you replace it
- Draw bias
- Caution against super budget clubs
Forgiveness
This is more of a plea for you to buy one of the best beginner golf drivers than clubs you see professionals using on TV. The $600 drivers leave no room for error and do more harm than good when hit off center.
When you choose a driver designed for a beginner or high handicapper, you’re choosing one that does not punish mishits on the heel or toe.
These clubs help shape the ball back towards the fairway. Premium clubs exaggerate these effects. You aren’t playing to shape the ball; you’re playing for good contact. That’s exactly what a forgiving driver does and a main reason the clubs above were selected.
Flex
Ladies, Senior, Regular, Stiff, Extra Stiff. These are the different shaft flexes in order with the Ladies being for golfers who swing the slowest and Extra Stiff for the fastest.
You do not have to be a senior to use a Senior flex or a woman to use Ladies flex. These are classifications strictly based on how hard you swing. Buy based off swing speed if you want to improve, not anything else.
Choosing the wrong flex leads to drives too low (too stiff), too high (not stiff enough), and unpredictable ball flight.
To determine swing speed, take your average drive distance and divide by 2.3. So, if your average drive is 230 yards, your swing speed is 100 mph.
How soon will you replace it
You don’t need to go all in on your first purchase, but you can. If you’re a steady golfer, go ahead, a driver will last you for 5+ years.
If you’re a beginner switching from a different sport or are athletic, it’s different. Buy a club with an adjustable hosel so that you can swap shafts as your swing speed increases, rather than buying a new club. You don’t need to “grow (get a better swing) into a club”. Roll with the wide variety of options out there.
Draw bias
A common problem for beginner golfers is not getting the clubface square at impact and slicing the ball. Because we (golf companies) can, Draw Bias drivers have become more prevalent in the last 10 years or so.
A draw bias driver has an uneven weight distribution, one designed to bring the toe forward and keep the heel back. With this design, it is easier to hit it straight or add a few yards with a draw if you already hit it straight.
Caution against super budget clubs
A golf driver that costs $100 is not the best driver for beginners, it’s the best driver for someone who wants to buy another after it breaks in 2.5 rounds.
If you’re buying a club for a child looking to decide if they want to take the game up, that’s fine. For anyone else, it’s a waste. Super budget clubs are cheaply made and besides being susceptible to damage, perform poorly in every regard. Spend a little more, it’s worth it.
When shopping for a beginner golf driver, it is important to consider the price point. You don’t want to break the bank on your first driver, but you also don’t want to purchase one that will be too difficult or uncomfortable to use. Most beginner drivers are priced between $50 and $200, which is a reasonable range for most golfers.
If you are on a tight budget, we recommend looking at used drivers from major retailers like Walmart or Amazon. These stores often sell high-quality golf equipment for low prices, which makes them an excellent choice if you need to save some money. Golf Galaxy also offers discount prices on all of their products, so it’s worth checking out their website if you are in the market for a new driver.
Complete Guide to the Best Beginner Golf Drivers
Option 1: Best Overall
Club: Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver
At one time, Big Bertha was Callaway’s biggest line. Today, it’s where we find their best driver for beginners. Even weight distribution across the clubface ensures that even if you play the entire round without hitting the center of the club, your drives will all go the same distance. With the Big Bertha B21, there is no punishment for mishits off the heel and toe.
Pros:
- Draw bias helps prevent major slices.
- Low center of gravity helps launch high drives.
- Flash Face increases ball speed compared to other clubs without having to swing harder.
Con:
- Reduced spin makes it difficult to shape the ball. This is good for beginners, but makes it tough for tee shots that need to be shaped.
Option 2: Runner Up
Club: Cobra AIR-X OS Driver
A driver built for speed being a Cobra surprises no one. If you struggle to generate swing speed without losing control, the Cobra AIR-X OS is the driver for you. Built with extremely lightweight materials, this club is perfect for beginner golfers learning to play for the first time.
Pros
- Back heel weighting helps to launch the ball high and provides a minor draw bias.
- Offset design adds to the draw bias effect, helping golfers square the club at address.
Cons
- No adjustable hosel means you must adapt your swing to the club.
Option 3: Best Budget Driver
Club: Wilson Staff D9 Driver
If we’re going to advocate for a budget club, it’s going to be one of high quality. And that’s exactly what you’ll find with the Wilson Staff D9. There may be cheaper clubs and there may be better clubs, but you won’t find one with the combination this offers.
Pros
- Comes in a wide variety and flexes and lofts—including 13 degrees, an ideal loft for beginners struggling to hit the ball high.
- A three-layer club crown means minimal vibrations running up the club and into your hands. Good for cold weather golf…or when taking an unintentional divot off the tee.
Cons
- Compared to any other best driver for beginners, it rewards hits at the center of the clubface, but punishes a bit more on the outside of the club.
Option 4: Best for Female Golfers
Club: TaylorMade M4 Women’s Driver
This club is the best driver for beginner golfers who have low swing speeds, not just women. It’s also the most forgiving club you’ll find on this list or anyone else’s.
The TaylorMade M4 makes getting the ball off the ground and maximizing distance with low swing speeds easy. If you fall into this category, your search stops here.
Pros
- The TaylorMade Speed Pocket on the M4 means you only need to get it close to the center of the face to watch your ball fly down the fairway.
- Twist Face helps line the club up and square it at impact, a major benefit for those who slice.
- An easy-to-understand hosel—one that won’t have you looking up what combinations mean with every adjustment.
Cons
- Oversized face may be disorienting the first few times you use the M4.
Another option is to get a full set of women’s golf clubs for beginners instead of a separate driver!
You should always demo a driver or any golf club before making a purchase
When shopping for a beginner golf driver, it is always a good idea to demo the club before making a purchase. This will allow you to see how the club feels when you swing it and make sure that it is right for your individual needs. Most major retailers offer free demos of all of their golf clubs, so be sure to take advantage of this service before making a purchase.
Choosing the right beginner golf driver can be difficult, but with these tips in this post, it should be a little bit easier.
