Best Golf Drivers For High Handicappers in 2025
Yasir Memon
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If you’re a high handicapper and tend to slice the ball, you might want to check out our guide to the best drivers for slicers.
Here, we’ve selected generous drivers while also helping to reduce the amount of slicing you do on the ball. Our expert club testers have personally tested all the models listed below, so read our full reviews to learn more about the models we’ve chosen.
Best Golf Drivers For High Handicappers in 2025
1. PING G430 MAX 10K
The PING G430 MAX 10K is the best overall golf driver of 2025 and is also the best overall driver for high handicap golfers. It received the highest score in our test (9.8) and its most notable feature is its accuracy.
It had the highest straight shot percentage in our test (56.3%). The distance numbers for the PING G430 MAX 10K were the weakest performers. However, the data shows that it is on average 2 yards shorter than the longest drivers of the year.
If the ball is in the fairway, those 2 yards won’t hurt. The combination of distance, accuracy, and forgiveness makes the PING G430 MAX 10K a great choice for high handicap players.
Golfers who value overall performance: A solid combination of distance, accuracy, and forgiveness. Those who are prone to making big mistakes and want the “straightest” driver on the field.
2. Titleist TSR1 Driver
Titleist offers a perfect club for every type of player, whether you’re a 25 handicap or a pro like Justin Thomas or Jordan Speith. I really liked the TSR4 when I played, but I think it’s better suited for lower handicap golfers. However, Titleist has a gear for every golfer, whether you need a new driver, wood, iron, wedge, or putter.
When it comes to forgiving drivers, it’s hard to beat the TSR1. It’s the easiest to hit in the lineup and is ideal for higher handicap golfers due to its ultra-light construction. The lighter club makes it easier for mid-swing golfers to add speed (both club head speed and ball speed) to longer drives.
This driver is lighter from grip to head, and as light as possible. This makes the club more aerodynamic, which helps maximize distance. It also features a multi-plateau face to create a larger sweet spot throughout the entire hitting area.
The TSR1 doesn’t have a built-in draw bias like some of the drivers on this list, but it does have a SureFit hosel. This allows you to adjust the clubhead for better contact, launch, and spin.
Finally, this club comes with a surprisingly lightweight MMT Speedmesh shaft. This shaft weighs just 45 grams, which should help increase swing speed along with the lighter head. However, it still has a firm tip for better stability, which should hopefully help you hit more fairways.
3. Ping G430 SFT
If you are a slicer, as most high handicappers and beginners are, the Ping G430 SFT is the club for you. If your game is not being significantly disrupted by your slice, the Ping G430 MAX is the club we recommend.
The average golfer has been battling a slice for quite some time, in most cases, for years. When the Ping G400 SFT was released in 2017, it eliminated the slice for many handicappers, including us. And Ping continues to improve with new SFTs every year.
That doesn’t mean the new Ping G430 SFT is perfect. A high handicap beginner will still hit a fade here and there, but it’s playable compared to clubs designed for mid- to low-handicaps.
While you can buy used clubs like the G410 SFT for a fraction of the cost of new, we always try to budget for new clubs. And that’s not just because of condition. Every year, the top golf club brands (including Ping) dramatically improve their club technology.
If a slice is your current miss, the Ping G430 SFT will help you get it right. SFT literally stands for “Straight Flight Technology.” It helps reduce sidespin, which is what causes the ball to spin in the first place. Less sidespin? Less chance of slicing!
Of course, being a modern driver, it’s built for speed. So not only will you hit more fairways, but when you do, you’ll get closer to the green, making it one of the most forgiving drivers for beginners.
4. Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-K Driver
The MAX-K is suitable for a wide range of golfers, but especially for high handicap players due to the high MOI offered here. During our testing, we loved the level of forgiveness and stability that complemented the high shelf appeal of this aesthetically pleasing driver.
The MAX-K boasts a 10K MOI and aims to provide extreme forgiveness and consistency. The MAX-K features a slightly larger profile (460cc) and the highest MOI of any of the DS-ADAPT family models.
During our testing, we also enjoyed the new FutureFit33 adjustable shaft adapter. This allows players to adjust the driver to their playing characteristics by separating the lie, angle, and loft. It’s a high-tech piece of equipment that can help less experienced players make real improvements off the tee.
5. TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Driver
TaylorMade, like Titleist, is another brand that makes some of the most reliable and trustworthy gear in golf. If not, we probably wouldn’t have signed Tiger Woods, who mostly uses TaylorMade gear in his bag.
Their driver line is the Stealth 2, which has a few improvements over the successful 2022 TaylorMade Stealth driver that I really liked when I tried it. This club is longer with more carbon and a 60X Carbon Twist Face.
It also has Inverted Cone Technology, which helps maintain ball speed on off-center strikes, so you can avoid problems and find short grass more often.
The Stealth 2 HD model has a higher moment of inertia (MOI), or forgiveness, than the Stealth 2 or Stealth 2 Plus models. Not to mention, this club is built with a built-in draw bias and has an adjustable head.
The Fujikura Speeder NX TCS shaft weighs between 48 and 62 grams, depending on flex. It’s a bit heavier than most of the stock shafts on this list, but it’s ideal for moderate swing speeds.
6. Cobra Aerojet Max
Moving on to Cobra, we’ve chosen the Cobra Aerojet Max as our driver of choice for high handicap and beginner golfers. Before we updated our guide to the best golf drivers for high handicap golfers, this feature was dedicated to the Cobra F-Max offset driver.
It’s a very forgiving and amazing club. We’re changing our recommendation for the newly released Cobra Aerojet Max, but if you’re on a budget, you can get great value for your money by purchasing a used Cobra F-Max offset driver (check out our used golf club buying guide here).
If you look at similar models from a few years ago, you’ll see that Cobra has developed a much more refined design. It’s aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also aerodynamically important. It offers both consistency and speed to beginners and high handicappers.
Like many of the clubs on this list, the focus of the Cobra Aerojet Max is on straightening the slice. If you’re looking for the most forgiving driver in the Cobra club range, the Aerojet Max is exactly what you need.
Cobra is very familiar with the mid to high handicap segment and would highly recommend the driver if you need to hit the short ball more often.
7. Ping G440 SFT Driver
The SFT is the most user-friendly driver in the G440 lineup, offering a strong draw bias for those who struggle with accurate misses, and plenty of technology geared toward easy high launches.
As with the other models in the lineup, the playing position appearance has been greatly improved despite the lack of a light sole, but we don’t see that part anyway, right?
As you can tell by the length of this buyer’s guide, the high-handicap driver market is a very competitive one. We were blown away by the performance of the G430 SFT last year, and we wanted to see if the G440 could match or surpass it.
Ping started with a major cosmetic upgrade. The carbon-fly crown on the head looks premium, and the sole design is divisive, but it’s not something that will keep you up at night, considering you don’t see the sole of the club when you’re hitting a shot.
The draw bias is also elite. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t get a right-off shot during testing. We estimate that the draw bias is up about 15-20% from the G430, which is a significant and impressive achievement.
This is without a doubt one of the best slicers of 2025. Considering the improved feel, feedback and look, this could be a great option for mid-to-high handicappers in 2025.
8. Cobra DS-Adapt MAX-D Driver
This is a really good option for those who struggle with slices or fades. The draw bias is very effective, partly due to the weighting system that closes the club face more.
A nice driver that incorporates a slightly larger profile for more forgiveness. The red and black color scheme is a nice addition.
Overall, I would recommend this driver to players who struggle with fades or slices. One thing I noticed during my testing was how dramatic the ball flight was from right to left compared to the standard and low-spin Cobra DS-Adapt driver heads.
I was excited to do a Cobra DS-Adapt Max-D driver review and see it in action. Many amateurs and club golfers struggle with losing the ball to the right, so this Cobra DS-Adapt MAX-D driver will definitely help.
9. Callaway Paradym X Driver
The most user-friendly of the Elyte lineup, the ‘X’ is a serious consideration for high-handicap players looking for a new driver option for 2025. It’s the best driver we’ve tested for easy, high launch in the 2025 lineup so far, and players will also love its dominant draw bias.
Callaway has a great set of gear, which is why it’s on this list twice. The Paradym series is my favorite series by far, and I’ve been playing the Triple Diamond version of this club since it was released in the spring of 2023.
I can’t say enough good things about this one. It looks great, feels great, and performs like no other driver I’ve played. Somehow it’s even longer than the Callaway Rogue ST Max (which was also my favorite high MOI driver).
The Paradym driver is 43% lighter, thanks to a forged carbon sole instead of titanium. This was a popular choice for the 2023 drivers, as mentioned above with the TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver.
If you want the most forgiving model, go for the Paradym X. This club features Jailbreak AI technology, which is lighter, more stable, and faster ball speeds. It also features Face Cup technology, which speeds up the forged titanium face, for a larger sweet spot.
The Paradym X is best suited for high handicappers due to its higher launch angle and longer profile. It offers extreme forgiveness and has a slight draw bias to help curb that nasty slice.
The feel is pleasant, but reasonably solid and sturdy. This is another solid driver from Callaway that will be a popular sight in golf bags throughout 2025.
10. Mizuno ST-Max 230 Driver
Mizuno is better known for making the best golf irons and less so for their fairway woods and drivers, but the Japanese brand has worked hard to improve the quality of their long clubs and have succeeded in doing so.
Mizuno claims that the ST-Max 230 driver is the most stable driver they have ever made, and after testing it, it’s hard to argue with that statement. By changing the head profile, the Japanese brand has been able to move the weight to a more extreme position, increasing MOI and, as a result, improving performance and forgiveness.
Not only is it a performance improvement, but like most Mizuno golf clubs, it’s also a beautiful sight to behold. It offers a premium aesthetic that matches the blue and black color scheme.
The large head size will inspire confidence in high handicap golfers before they pull the trigger at address. The sound and feel are also excellent, with a more subtle feel than the most forgiving drivers on the market and the acoustics follow the same pattern.
11. Srixon ZXi MAX Driver
An easy to hit, easy to launch, and very forgiving driver. Perfect for someone looking to be accurate off the tee and consistently put the ball in play.
The lightweight feel gave me a lot of confidence that I could swing fast and hard. Accuracy is just as important on many courses, even if it sacrifices a bit of distance.
Overall, this driver could be a great help for someone with a slower swing speed. This is a driver where accuracy reigns supreme. I didn’t find the center on many of my strikes during testing, but I still found the fairway on all of them.
Ultimately, that’s what this club is for. Easy to hit, really forgiving, and doesn’t punish bad shots too much. Still, it’s a fast driver with a thin face that will perform well.
FAQs
Is a regular shaft better for beginners or a stiff shaft?
It helps for handicappers to use a flexible shaft on their golf driver. Typically, stiff shaft drivers are designed for handicappers with faster swing speeds.
How do I swing my golf driver?
Use a reverse K setup and don't focus on turning your shoulders. The backswing should feel like the club is moving parallel, and the downswing should feel like you are gliding through the ball, almost like you are skimming a rock. Here’s a guide to how to swing your driver.
How can I improve my driver swing speed?
If you’re a beginner or a high handicapper, you may want to look into some specific golf training aids. Here are the best golf swing speed trainers.
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