The 11 Best Drivers for Beginners

Being a beginner in golf can mean several different things. Maybe it’s your first time picking up a club or perhaps you only play a handful of times a year. But no matter what category you fall into, having beginner-friendly clubs is a must.

One club that beginners need to master early on is the driver and as a beginner, some drivers will be easier to master than others. This is precisely why we put together this guide on the top-rated golf drivers for beginners.

Beginner-friendly drivers will have several features that make it easy to get the ball flying high with little sidespin. Adjustability options are also a plus as they can be used to better tune the club after a beginner gains more experience.

🏆 Quick Look at the Top-Rated Drivers for Beginners 🏆

One thing to always remember is that each golfer is different, but the clubs included in this review should work well for the majority of beginners. And if you have played golf a couple of times, you may know what features and specifications fit your particular game. Also, if you are a beginner and a senior head over to our detailed reviews of the best drivers for seniors!

Get ready to find the driver that will take your game to the next level with our reviews!

Best Drivers For Beginners

1. TaylorMade M4

Featuring new technologies such as a Twist Face and Hammerhead Slot, the Taylormade M4 Driver is a beginner’s best friend.

Key Features

• Twist Face
• Hammerhead Slot
• Adjustable Hosel

While the M4 may not be the latest and greatest Taylormade Driver, it still gets the job done with excellence. The overall design of the driver is very traditional, but the bottom features many aerodynamic slots. One slot called the Hammerhead Slot, found just behind the face, creates increased ball speed.

Combined with a new face design called Twist Face, the M4 Driver hits the ball far and with incredible forgiveness. And as a beginner, extra forgiveness is a very important feature. Making the M4 Driver is even better is an adjustable hosel that can change the loft and lie of the club.

Many different options in regards to head and shaft type are available. Degrees ranging from 8.5 to 12 are available and it is recommended that beginners try a 10-degree loft. Every major shaft stiffness is offered as well.

✅ Pros

• Very Forgiving
• Nice High Launch
• Adjustability

🚫 Cons

• Price
• Very Loud

The Taylormade M4 Driver is not only one of the best drivers for high handicappers, but also one of the best drivers for beginners by far.

2. Callaway Rogue Driver

An always popular choice, the Rogue Driver brings high performance to golfers of every skill level.

Key Features

• Jail Break
• High MOI Crown
• Premium Shafts

If you are very new to golf one brand of clubs you will become familiar with quickly is the Callaway Rogue series. Both the irons and drivers are some of the best selling clubs in recent years. The driver itself has many premium features that appeal to many different styles of golfers.

This year’s Rogue Driver comes with what Callaway calls Jail Break Technology. This are two metal rods behind the face that give each shot extra power and distance. A High MOI Crown helps create a more optimal launch angle. These two features make the Rogue Driver the easiest driver to hit.

If you are a beginner and think that you will play a lot it may be worthwhile getting fitted for one of the premium shafts in the Rogue. With six different shaft options and four flex options, it will help you become more consistent faster with the right setup.

✅ Pros

• Very Forgiving
• Easy To Hit
• Great Adjustability

🚫 Cons

• Price

If you want to get into golf and want a driver that will work great for years to come, look no further than the Rogue Driver.

3. Wilson Staff D7 Driver

Wilson Staff’s D7 driver is the next step in Wilson’s ever-growing expansion into the mid and higher-end driver markets.

Key Features

• Superlight Design
• [K]omposite Crown
• Dynamic Launch Control

Looking very simple at first glance, the Wilson Staff D7 Driver has more a couple of super useful features that appear under close examination. The first feature is the superlight design. Weighing in at just 192 grams, the head is one of the lightest on the market. Combine this ridiculously light head with a lighter shaft, and almost anyone’s swing speed will be maxed out.

A very unique crown design called the [K]omposite Crown uses Kevlar and woven carbon fibers to create a crown that lowers vibration. Wilson also went with clear varnish so the top of the crown looks like a nice sleek sheet of carbon fiber.

Three different loft angles are offered and Wilson has tuned each clubhead to launch at the optimal angle. This is achieved through the placement of weight in very specific places on the sole of the driver. A regular, senior, and stiff flex shaft options are available.

✅ Pros

• Super Light Weight
• Outstanding Swing Speed
• Great Sightline At Address

🚫 Cons

• Price
• Lacks Adjustability

Based on its performance, the Wilson Staff D7 Driver would be considered one of the best game improvement drivers. A perfect option for any beginner.

4. TaylorMade Men’s RBZ Black Driver

Made to perform, the RBZ Driver makes it easy to hit it farther and with more consistency than ever before.

Key Features

• Ultralite Titanium Core
• Speed Pocket
• Adjustable Hosel

The RBZ Driver falls into the mid-range group of drivers but has high-end performance. Unassuming looks hide some very special features like the Ultralite Titanium Core. Engineered to move weight to the bottom rear of the club, the Ultralite Titainuium core massively increases the MOI of the driver.

Like other Taylormade clubs, the RBZ Driver has a speed pocket that improves aerodynamics and ball speed. Ball speed is something that beginners tend to struggle with due to poor compression or contact. Something like a Speed Pocket is very useful to beginners due to its help in increasing ball speed.

Players will also have the ability to change the club with the adjustable hosel that controls the launch angle. With all the features and overall performance, the RBZ Driver is highly recommended for mid handicappers.

✅ Pros

• Excellent Feel
• Clean All Black Color Scheme
• Great Value

🚫 Cons

• None

Achieve higher swing speeds while still keeping the golf ball in the fairway with the RBZ Driver.

5. Cleveland Men’s HB Driver

The Launcher series from Cleveland has been helping players get higher launch angles and longer ball flights for many years.

Key Features

• HiBore Crown
• Launcher Cup-Face
• Flex-Fins

One of the quickest ways to increase overall drive distance is by increasing the launch angle to the optimal amount. While this might sound like a tough thing to do, with the Cleveland HB Launcher, it becomes easier than ever. One of the main launch angle increasing features is a HiBore Crown that buries the Center of Gravity deep in the Launcher’s club head.

Couple this super low CG with an all-new launcher Cup-Face and you have a driver that can hit the ball farther with more forgiveness. The Cup-Face works similarly to Callaway’s FaceCup and Taylormade’s TwistFaceTechnology, where the face has a slight curve to it.

Some Flex-Fins are present on the sole of the club and help stabilize ball speed on shots from the heel or toe. Three flexes; Senior, Regular, and stiff are available as well as three different loft options. Be aware that some people feel that the flexes are maybe a little lighter than normal.

✅ Pros

• Incredible Distance
• Nice High Launch
• Excellent Forgiveness

🚫 Cons

• Flexes Are A Little Lighter Than Normal

Add extra distance to your game with a launch angle optimizing driver like the Cleveland HB Launcher Driver.

6. Top Flite Gamer Tour Driver

Golf is an expensive sport and those beginners who want to give it a try before investing a large amount of money in a driver should give the Top Flite Gamer Tour Driver a try!

 Key Features

• Performance Head Design
• Heel Weight Placement
• A Regular/Stiff Shaft

Top Flite one of the first names that many new golfers get acquainted with due to their lower-priced beginner-friendly golf sets. The Top Flite Gamer Tour Driver is also a low priced alternative to many other higher priced drivers. And it needs to be said, that the Gamer Tour Driver isn’t an outstanding driver, but it works well for those on a budget.

What the Gamer Tour Driver does have is a Performance Head Design that Lowers the center of gravity and increases launch angles. While it may not be the most forgiving driver, the Top Flite Gamer Tour Driver still offers serviceable forgiveness. Much of the forgiveness comes from Heel Weighting.

Not too many options are available when it comes to different club configurations. Only two head lofts are available and a single shaft with a flex between a regular and stiff is offered. This lack of configuration and adjustment is expected for a driver at this price point.

✅ Pros

• Incredible Distance
• Nice High Launch
• Excellent Forgiveness

🚫 Cons

• Flexes Are A Little Lighter Than Normal 

The Top Flite Gamer Tour Driver allows beginners to get their feet wet, without having to break the bank.

7. Cobra Men’s Fly-Z Driver

A popular driver from Cobra. This driver is a great match for mid to high handicap golfers. The Cobra Fly-Z Driver provides forgiveness and distance needed.

Key Features

• Speed Channel Face to increase the speed
• Crown Zone Weighting Technology- repositioning the center of gravity low and further back in the club head
• Available lofts thru MyFly8 adjustability: 9.0/9.5/9.5D/10.5/10.5D/11.5/11.5D/12.0

With an engineered trench around the perimeter of the face of this driver, the works along with the wall structure to increase the speed of your drive.

The forged zone also removes the weight from the key areas and thus improves the sweet spot.

✅ Pros

• Impressive and attractive design
• Highly accurate and forgiving
• Good distances can be achieved

🚫 Cons

• Can cause a lot of spin

Overall the Cobra Fly-Z Driver is a great game improvement club for beginners to mid-high handicap players alike.

8. Cleveland Men’s 588 Custom Driver

The Cleveland 588 Custom Driver is very aesthetically pleasing and performs exceptionally well. With a large sweet spot you’ll be achieving great speeds.

Key Features

• Graphite Shaft
• Stiff flex
• 9 degree loft
• 12 different settings to fine tune the loft, lie and face angle – Loft and lie have a total range of 3°, while face angle has a total range of 4.5°.
• The back of the sole has an adjustable weight screw to optimize swing weight

This club has a titanium head and volume of 460cc. In addition, there are 12 different settings to be achieved through an adjustable hosel.

✅ Pros

• It is lightweight, long and adjustable.
• Fairly forgiving
• Good distance

🚫 Cons

• With a faster club speed the distance can be lost
• Will take some time to adjust and tweak the settings

Overall the Cleveland 588 Custom Driver is an ideal driver for players looking at improving their game with consistent playability.

9. Callaway Men’s Big Bertha V Series Driver

Using speed optimized technology and a lightweight shaft the Callaway Men’s Big Bertha is a great driver with many key features.

Key Features

• Available in both left and right-hand orientations
• Speed Optimized Technology
• Hyper Speed Face
• OptiFit Technology
• Lightweight Premium Shafts
• Mutliple lofts available
• Shaft flex options

Callaway claim this is their fastest driver and will out drive any other Big Bertha Driver by 7yards.

This Callaway Men’s Big Bertha has been designed to bring maximum speed in order to gain maximum distance.

✅ Pros

• Increased driving distance
• Comfortable, soft driver
• Forgiving

🚫 Cons

• Could have better accuracy
• Muted sounds- some players prefer to hear the sound upon connection.

This club has been designed to improve your drive and distance. Very lightweight this aerodynamic club will feel good in your hands.

10. TaylorMade Men’s AeroBurner Driver

For game improvement, the TaylorMade AeroBurner is an excellent driver. With a 460cc club head and aerodynamic shape this driver will provide the accuracy and forgiveness beginners need.

Key Features

• Available in right-hand orientation
• Shaft flex: stiff, senior or flex
• Loft available in 9.5° , 10.5° and 12°
• Graphite lightweight shaft Matrix Speed RUL Z 50
• Total weight under 300grams
• TM Speed Grip
• Aerodynamic shape
• Speed pocket to increase sweet spot and reduce spin

These key features all contribute to the quality of the TaylorMade AeroBurner.

If you have a slow or medium swing speed then this driver will do wonders for increasing the distance.

✅ Pros

• Good for players who need to get their golf ball more airborne
• Speed pocket increases the sweet spot and forgiveness of the club
• No hosel adjustability meaning shots are quite straight
• Very lightweight

🚫 Cons

• Lack of adjustability and lightweight may be factors that don’t go down too well with some players.
• A steep launch angle is not suitable for all

11. TaylorMade Men’s R15 460 Black Driver

The TaylorMade Black Driver offers value for money when we examine the quality and features of the club.

Key Features

• 460cc head Low-forward center of gravity
• New Front Track system reduces spin and increases sweet spot
• Adjustable sliding split weight- heel for draw and toe for fade.
• 4° loft sleeve for loft adjustability.
• Fujikura Speeder 57 Evolution shaft
• Lamkin UTX Grip
• Pear-shaped club head

This driver has moved the center of gravity lower and forward in the club head which results in a lower spin and more controlled shot from the golfer.

When we consider that a lower spin is achieved, the ball will therefore travel at a higher angle which will overall increase the distance significantly.

The TaylorMade Black Driver is also adjustable and is incredibly forgiving, something all beginners will find very beneficial.

✅ Pros

• Covers great distance
• Ability to adjust the loft, lie & spin which alters the flight.
• Good for beginners, professionals and high- level amateurs with single handicaps
• Very accurate

🚫 Cons

• The settings may take some getting used to

Key Considerations for Choosing a Driver

Let’s begin by taking a look at the key factors that make up the recommended driver for beginners whether it’s for yourself, a family member or friend.

If you prefer a video over text then this is a great summary.

The three key characteristics are the shaft material, size, and shape of the clubhead as well as the degree of loft.

Shaft Material

Shafts will either be made from metal, either steel, titanium or graphite. At a basic level, the steel shafts will offer more resistance and are much sturdier than other materials.

For the complete beginner a steel shaft would be more challenging than a graphite shaft.

Graphite is very lightweight and will allow for more power which translates to more distance.

Many professional players will use a graphite shaft as it is an easy way to get more distance from your shots.

Club Head Shape and Size

The size is going to be a big factor to consider when choosing your driver. Volume is measured in cubic centimeters and the larger the club the greater the volume.

The clubhead will be between 440cc and 460cc.

For beginners the bigger the club head size the better. With more surface area there is a higher chance of striking the ball.

They are generally quite forgiving which means that even if you don’t hit the ball dead centre in the sweet spot your ball will still make good distance.

A driver clubhead can be round, pear, extended in the back or a square head. The shape will have an effect on the control of the club.

Loft

The loft is the degree of angle in the club head face. This will have a greater impact on the trajectory and launch height of the ball.

Depending on your swing speed will change what size loft you should aim for.

As a general rule of thumb for the following swing speeds consider this loft:

• 60 – 70MPH = 13-15 degree driver
• 70 – 80 MPH = 12-14 degree driver
• 80 – 90 MPH = 11-13 degree driver
• 90 – 100 MPH = 10-12 degree driver
• 100 MPH + = 9 – 11 degree driver

For a complete beginner the higher the loft the greater the distance. As you progress and your play improves you could look at a club with less loft.

Some clubs will offer an adjustable loft.

Bottom Line

Golf presents many challenges for the beginner, but with the right equipment and practice, one can make the quick transition from beginners to novice. But the first and largest obstacle to tackle is getting control over the driver. Without drives that put you in or near the fairway, it will be hard to get to the hole in a reasonable amount of strokes.

While there are many golf drivers out there, some species have the specifications and features to help newer players. All the clubs in this review guide contain many coveted features like distance, forgiveness, and a high launch angle. Other important things to think about before purchasing a driver is what type of loft or flex you want.

Golf is a simple game, but the modern clubs used today are anything but simple. So if you are a little confused as to what club to get or just want some more information, talk to your local PGA Pro. They should be able to answer any questions you may have regarding what the best golf driver is for you.

So if this review guide helped you find the driver that is perfect for you, go on and add it to your bag. If you are still one the fence about what driver to get, bookmark this page so you can come back to it later. Overall, purchasing a quality driver as a beginner will help you become less frustrated with the game and improve your overall performance.