In this article, we take a close look at the drivers that have been the top performers over the years. We’ve tested some of the Best Golf Drivers Of All Time and we must admit, this was a fun challenge.
We looked at models with different skill levels in mind. Oh, and we also included the ladies’ all-time favorite driver so keep reading. Find out which golf drivers made our hot list!
Every golfer knows that the better your driver is, the better your game will be! Since the goal of the driver is to get the ball as far as possible in your launch towards the green – we’d be inclined to say it might just be the most important club found in your golf bag, and certainly the longest!
This is why we decided to test some of the Best Golf Drivers Of All Time and see where they landed on our List – we must admit, this was a fun challenge and even though we used some of the best brands known to golfers today, we also considered cost versus quality when narrowing our choices down.
Without further ado, let’s get down to it!
Highly Recommended
TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Driver
- Easy to hit
- Amazing sound and feel
- Increased distance
- Very Forgiving
Top Picks: Best Golf Drivers of All-Time
- Best overall: TaylorMade SIM 2 Driver
- Best for game improvement: Callaway Big Bertha Driver
- Best distance: Callaway Epic Flash Driver
- Best for ball speeds: TaylorMade RBZ Driver
- Best for forgiveness: Ping G400 Driver
- Top choice for women: Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Driver
- Best value: PGX Offset Golf Driver
- Best for seniors: Cobra King F8 Driver
Quick Answers: Best Golf Drivers Of All Time
1. TaylorMade SIM 2 Driver
Our Top Pick
The TaylorMade SIM 2 is an incredibly made driver features amazing specs, you’ll agree! The reshaped sole design delivers more clubhead speed with enhanced aerodynamics at the most critical time in your swing.
Add the sliding weight technology and you can customize this driver for optimization and improving your game.
TaylorMade is one of the top manufacturers for the golf industry and the top choice of many golf professionals. In fact, Tiger Woods recently showed off this incredible driver when his caddy pulled the SIM out of his golf bag at Torrey Pines earlier this year during a tournament.
“What TaylorMade has done with Speed Injected Twist Face is allow us to have a hotter face that feels more stable. The fact that it’s at the legal limit and it’s as fast as you’re gonna get… you know TaylorMade drivers are going to be far superior in speed and consistency than all other products.” – Tiger Woods
Now to be completely honest, this driver may not suit everyone. It was more advanced than some of our testers were prepared for and although they tried different lofts and shafts, the combo they settled for still was a bit much for their level of experience.
Recommended Users – TaylorMade SIM 2 is for more Advanced to Expert Level. If you are a beginner, high handicapper or someone trying to get more spin and a bit more accuracy on your shots, we highly recommend the TaylorMade SIM 2 Max.
What we liked most:
- Speed Injected and Sliding Weight Technology
- Titanium and Steel with Carbon Construction
- Corrective Face Angles – Produces Straighter Shots
- Consistently Achieves More Yards on The Range
Cons:
- More advanced than the average to good Golfer – Expert Level
Specs
- Head Size – 460cc
- Flex – Regular, Stiff, X-Stiff
- Loft Configurations – 9.0 Degrees and 10.5 Degrees
- Hand Orientation – Right or Left
- Year Available – 2020
2. Callaway Big Bertha Driver
The Callaway Big Bertha delivers epic control and distance with straighter shots, even on mishits. It has maintained a high level of performance throughout the years and that’s why we think it’s one of the best golf drivers of all time.
This driver is definitely worth one of the top spots on our list for the best golf drivers of all time. The name speaks for itself and the performance will add incredible yards to your drives.
We love the feel, sound and the increased distance of this driver. The Callaway Big Bertha driver is easily one of the best drivers we’ve ever tested. It hits the hell out of the ball, it’s exceptionally forgiving and controls spin really well.
Since the launch of the original Big Bertha in 1991, Callaway has maintained the highest level of performance with this club throughout the years.
The Big Bertha is seriously the kind of driver that has the potential to give you plenty of “Wow!” shots. We believe the Callaway Big Bertha is possibly the hottest game-improvement driver that Callaway’s ever made.
If you’re looking for epic control and distance with longer, straighter shots, even if you miss the center of the face, then you will want to check out the Callaway Big Bertha B21 drive. This is a great choice for golfers of all levels.
What we liked most:
- Easy Launching with added power
- Increased distance on miss-hits
- Built to improve launch angles, and eliminate your slice.
- Incredibly fast ball speed
Specs
- Head Size – 460cc
- Flex – Regular, Stiff, Extra Stiff
- Total Weight – Variable Based On Shaft (45g, 55g, 65g)
- Shaft Material – Graphite
- Loft Configurations – 9,10.5, 12.5 Degrees
- Hand Orientation – Right or Left
3. Callaway Epic Flash Driver
The Callaway Epic Flash Driver is one of the highest performing clubs with low spin. This is an absolute beast of a driver that delivers amazing ball speeds.
The Callaway Epic Flash Golf Club has the best flexibility we’ve seen with its two internal jailbreak bars that connect the sole and crown to promote optimal spin robustness, forgiveness, and high speed. The interchangeable weights to fine-tune the ball flight was just the icing on the cake!
If you want to minimize a slice, for example, you simply slide the weight toward the heel of the club (i.e., toward the word “draw” at the bottom of the slider), and the club immediately becomes more draw-biased.
We also want to mention that the sound this driver makes is very precise and well-tuned, we were impressed with the overall delivery that was provided and feel that it gave us a ‘fair’ advantage over our opponents.
What we liked most:
- Consistent Performance Through and Through
- Maximum Launch, Forgiveness, And Ball Speed
- Interchangeable Weights
- Significantly Lighter T2C Carbon Crown Achieves Higher MOI
Cons:
- More Expensive, But Worth It!
The Callaway Epic Flash has a consistent and constant solid feel, which was very nice when finishing up the set. We didn’t feel like this driver was lacking in any aspect other than the cost.
Note: We did see really long launches even on our mishits, which was impressive.
Recommended Users – ALL Levels
Specs
-
- Head Size – 450cc
- Flex – Regular, stiff, ladies
- Loft Configurations – 9 Degrees And 10.5 Degrees
- Hand Orientation – Left Or Right
- Year Available – 2019
4. TaylorMade Rocketballz RBZ Driver
Ever since the RBZ driver was released in 2017, it has held the #1 spot for multiple comparisons – often called the BEST TaylorMade driver ever made! This is a great choice if you are after an increase in ball speed.
When it came to picking the best golf drivers of all time, we knew there weren’t many drivers more impressive than the TaylorMade RBZ Driver! The quality of this driver along with the features and price made this a top choice.
What we liked most:
- Large Head Made From Titanium
- Adjustable Loft Sleeve
- Remarkable Speed Pocket Performance
- Premium Matrix White Tie 55 Shaft
Cons:
- Takes Time To Build Consistency (As With Any New Driver)
- No Adjustable Weights
TaylorMade leads the competition in innovation and breaking the thresholds of performance other brands tend to maintain. It gives extraordinary balance while being easy enough to spin when needed, plus it has a super comfortable grip. You won’t be disappointed with the best overall golf driver!
With this lightweight driver in your golf bag, you are almost guaranteed to play the best golf of your life while using this driver. With its aerodynamic design and sleek appearance, you’ll be proud this was your first choice – just like we were!
Recommended Users – Any Age / Any Level
Note: TaylorMade does have a Women’s RBZ Driver as well.
Specs
- Head Size – 460cc
- Flex – Regular
- Loft Configurations – 9.5 Degrees, 10.5 Degrees, And 12 Degrees
- Hand Orientation – Right Or Left
- Year Available – 2017
5. PING G400 Driver
We found the Ping G400 to be the Best Driver for Forgiveness.
When it comes to famous brands in the golf industry, you’ll be sure to see PING as one of the top brands for drivers – for any club really. They’ve been around for a long time and are notoriously known for their quality and delivery, they never disappoint. In fact, we don’t know any golfers who don’t appreciate PING drivers in one way or another.
With all that being said, if you want to start out your golfing hobby on the right foot and get a quality driver that will give you all the best options with an impeccable reputation – then the PING G400 Driver is worth checking out.
What we liked most:
- Adjustable Loft For Ease And Forgiveness With Launch Angle
- The Notorious Ping Rich Sound Effect
- Streamlined Shaping With Vortec Technology Reducing Drag
- Alignment Aids With Incredible Crown Design
- Bolder Crown Turbulators Increasing Clubhead Speed
Cons
- Not Adjustable
Some beginner golfers already know they are in this game for the long run and prefer to head straight out the gate with a driver that will not only impress themselves but all the other players as well. There is just something to be said about a golfer pulling out a PING driver – especially if you’re a beginner!
Recommended Users – Any Age / Any Level
Note: If you are wanting a larger head with more assistance in ball flight, then check out the PING G400 SFT. This is also a great choice for senior golfers!
Specs
- Head Size – 445cc
- Flex – Regular
- Loft Configurations – 9 Degrees
- Hand Orientation – Right
- Color(s) Available – Black
6. Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Driver
We found the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo to be the Best Driver for women.
This Women’s Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Draw Driver from Cleveland Golf gives faster drives for more distance off every tee compared to its competitors! This design puts this driver one step ahead of its predecessors, giving you complete control over the launch and delivery with more speed.
We loved the smooth and solid feel of this driver and could easily notice the speed of the launch – it was remarkable seeing how efficient this driver was from start to finish! With the lighter hostel, deeper weighting, and improved crown, launching the ball high and straight is easily achieved every time.
What we liked most:
- Turbocharged Cup Face
- HiBore Crown And Ultralight Hosel
- Delivers More Speed With The Significant Increases To MOI
- Counterbalanced Shaft Design
- Extremely Forgiving
Cons:
- Loud Noise and Drop-Off Distance
- Not Appropriate for Higher Swing Speeds
Most golfers agree that the secret behind distance is the speed of the ball and the new variable pattern from Cleveland Golf, it adds more speed to every drive – hence, where the word turbo comes in!
Our team was made up of men and women, and we were surprised to see the ladies’ keeping the distance from their colleagues – it truly made a difference in how smooth the game was played. With Flex-Fin Technology, it was quite simple to stay out of the hazards!
Note: The ladies liked the help the Cleveland Launcher offered with their launch and forgiveness and really shined for the one who struggles with a slice.
Recommended Users – Beginners / Appeals to Any Level
Specs
- Head Size – 460cc
- Flex – Ladies
- Loft Configurations – 10.5 Degrees
- Hand Orientation – Right
- Year Available – 2019
7. PGX Offset Golf Driver
Best value
This is a great value for the money and the reason we found this to be the Best Value driver.
Don’t let the low price trick you into thinking the quality was sacrificed – because it certainly wasn’t! The PGX Offset Golf Driver has quality components and a gorgeous well-made finish making it a smart choice for folks who want quality for a great price.
PDX Offset technology is known for helping golfers reduce their slice and allowing for more accurate shots. Plus, you can achieve easy alignment with the slightly offset face and the regular flex of the granite shaft.
What we liked most:
- Lightweight Driver With Anti-Slice Offset Technology
- Stylish Matte Black Finish
- Maximum Forgiveness With Large Sweet Spot
- Head Cover Included
- Graphite Shaft
Cons:
- The Shaft Is Shorter Than Average
- May Be Excluded From Some Tournaments Due To Size Of Sweet Spot
Some believe that the offset of this driver helps you square the ball at impact, resulting in a much straighter drive – which we agree with after trying this cool concept out on the course. This driver was also great at helping to reduce our slice and allowing us more accuracy.
Recommended Users – Any Age / Any Level
Note: The extra-large size of the sweet spot gives all golfers a lot of forgiveness in their swings, like a HUGE amount of forgiveness – which is quite nice for the newbie golfers!
Specs
- Head Size – 460cc
- Flex – Regular
- Loft Configurations – 10.5 Degrees
- Hand Orientation – Right
- Year Available – 2017
8. Cobra King F8 Driver
We found the Cobra King F8 driver to be the best golf driver for seniors all around.
What impressed us the most was how the Cobra F8 Driver was able to offer several combinations making this an upfront contender for the best senior driver. But okay, we all enjoyed testing this driver and found the flexibility of these combinations to be spot on for every level of player.
With options like choosing the material of the shaft and being able to switch from the regular to the lite flex shaft made this perfect driver for golfers with a slower swing speed and for seasoned golfers who’ve been at it for a very long time.
What we liked most:
- Precision Milled Face
- E9 Technology Used With Optimized Sweet Spot Zone
- Precision Thickness And Dual Roll Technology
- 2 CG Positions In The Back & Heel
- Lightweight Titanium Body
Cons:
- Club Head Might Be Too Light For Some Users
- Can Cut Balls
The 360 innovative polymer aero trips around the clubhead perimeter to help reduce the drag and gain optimum speed when swinging all thanks to the precision milled face on the Cobra Golf King F8.
While we were testing this driver for its preciseness, our senior team member took the lead and claimed this driver was everything and more than he ever anticipated it could be! He told us that it actually delivers in every aspect of the game and he was very happy with the options on this high-quality driver.
Recommended Users – Seniors / Any Level
Specs
- Head Size – 460cc
- Flex – Lite or Stiff
- Loft Configurations – 9.0, 9.5,9.5-D, 10.5, 10.5-D, 11.5, 11.5-D, 12.0
- Hand Orientation – Left or Right
- Year Available – 2017
Buying Guide: Best Golf Drivers of All Time
Golfing Times Have Changed
Out with The Old and In with The Latest and Greatest!
How To Choose The Best Golf Drivers?
Outside of the budget, it all comes down to the shaft. You will want to know how the length and flex of the shaft fit your swing and stance. Take into consideration your experience, if you can handle the speed of the ball or if you need a little more flexibility in controlling the launch.
Also take into consideration who the golf driver was designed to work best for, for example, men, women, seniors, beginners up to expert levels.
And most importantly, you need to be comfortable with your choice. You can have the most expensive, state-of-the-art, impressive golf driver on the market today – but if you’re not comfortable using it, it’s actually quite useless!
Remember, confidence is key to mastering the game of golf – and if you’re not comfortable, then chances are you won’t be confident in your skills either.
Note: Modern golf drivers can be very appealing to the eye, however; this does not mean that they are good or meet your needs. Try to look past the appeal and choose a driver that has the right amount of loft.
Shaft Length and Flex
You either already know or you’re about to find out why choosing the right shaft is so important to a golfer of any level. You will have two options to choose from:
- Flexible – Based on your swing and distance, flexibility will play a key part in your delivery.
- Stiff – If your swing speed is pretty high, then you will want to focus on getting a stiff shaft.
You want the shaft to flex to its full capacity, one way of doing this is by knowing your swing and not using a shaft that is too stiff. But also keep in mind that if you choose a shaft with too much flexibility, the release point could be inconsistent and cause you some frustration.
For the advanced golfers, you probably already have a good idea of where you swing falls. But if you are a beginner or just trying to master your game, then we suggest getting a driver with built-in flexibility, such as the Cobra 2018 Golf Men’s King F8 Driver listed above.
For the ladies who want more counterbalance shaft design, then the Cleveland Golf Women’s Launcher HB Turbo Draw Type Driver is a great choice with its lighter hostel, deeper weighting, and improved crown – in fact, launching the ball high and straight is easily achieved every time!
Driver Head Size
I’m sure you’ve noticed us talking about the ‘sweet spot’ previously and now is when you find out how you too can hit it on a regular basis, consistently! Some say the bigger the driver head, the better – however; some tournaments and or golf courses have rules on just how big you can go before they say it’s illegal and not allowed on their greens. Yeah, that’s a real thing.
In the past, driver heads used to be smaller and mainly made of wood – fast forward to the modern-day and you will easily see the pros playing with steel heads or titanium. Keep in mind that titanium weighs less than steel, allowing them to be even larger.
So when wanting to hit your sweet spot with your golf driver, larger is better in making good contact with your ball and achieving greater latitude. However, don’t go crazy with the size of your driver’s head – you still have to obey your abilities and only use what you technically can handle. (Some beginner golfers find the extra-large heads uncomfortable to maneuver when swinging)
But don’t worry, the greater your skills become – the less interesting the size will become.
Forgiveness
How Much Forgiveness Do You Really Need? If you’re a beginner, then you will want a lot of forgiveness – it makes the game more enjoyable when first starting out. Those off-center strikes can really be a bummer in your game!
If you want to build confidence and feel the difference between a perfectly struck ball versus a mishit, then we strongly suggest getting a driver with ample forgiveness to start.
There are some pretty important factors when using a forgiving driver, such as improved control and distance. You will want sufficient control to help you make the most out of your drives on the short holes.
The best golf drivers of all time have one thing in common – improved technology that assists in your swing and the ability to optimize your distance even when you have an unfortunate mishit. (Trust us, we’ve all been there!)
After all, we all want the same thing in the end – a ball that goes into the air and preferably down the fairway towards the hole!
We’ve found that one of the best golf drivers of all time that have remarkable forgiveness is the Ping G400 Driver 12° Golf Club. Ping is one of the top brands in the golfing industry and is used by pros worldwide.
When Do I Need To Replace My Driver?
This is a very interesting question because there are a few things you have to take into consideration before thinking about buying a new driver.
For instance, has your game improved and you feel like your current driver is no longer fitting the bill? The general rule of thumb is that a driver being used under normal conditions should last 4 to 5 years, even more so in some cases and depending on what you consider normal usage.
If you’re a beginner and you have high hopes of improving your game over the years, then it would be particularly interesting to introduce a new golf driver during your game to see where you can benefit from the new innovations offered in a lot of golf drivers available today.
Just like we talked about flexibility throughout this review, we suggest you pay close attention to how the flexibility of your golf driver complements your swing – if you start to notice changes, it’s probably time to upgrade.
There’s no rule on how many golf drivers you own but be practical and make sure regardless of how many you have, they each are still delivering desired results. Different terrains on golf courses can also impact the type of driver you choose to use.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Golf Drivers of All time
What is the best driver for an average golfer?
Our #1 pick above for the Best Overall Golf Driver is the perfect club for any level golfer, especially the beginners to average golfers looking to improve their game.
The TaylorMade SIM 2, the Callaway Big Bertha or the Epic Flash Driver have so much to offer to the average golfer. From its high forgiveness to its good distance – it just feels right in every way. The speed pocket will help with launch trajectories and of course, it provides less spin for even more accurate shots – making it our top choice.
Which Is The Best Golf Driver For High Handicappers?
We found that the Cobra King F8 Driver was the best driver not only for seniors but also for high handicappers and beginners. This driver is awesome for increasing swing speed and achieving more distance.
With its large sweet spot, maximum forgiveness, and adjustable loft sleeve – you just can’t go wrong.
What Driver Does Tiger Woods Use?
All eyes were on Tiger Woods in January 2020 when his caddy, Joe LaCava reached in and grabbed the TaylorMade SIM Driver, Mitsubishi Diamana S Limited 60 Shaft, and handed it to Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines.
But through the years Tiger has chosen a few different brands to assist him in winning big. Here’s a look at the five golf drivers Tiger Woods used to win his five Masters titles:
2019 – TaylorMade M5 (Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 60TX, 9 degrees) –> GET IT ON AMAZON
2005 – Nike Ignite 460cc (Mitsubishi Diamana Blue Board 83), 8.5 degrees –> GET IT ON EBAY
2002 – Nike Forged Ti (True Temper Dynamic Gold X 100), 9.5 degrees –> GET IT ON EBAY
2001 – Titleist 975D (True Temper Dynamic Gold X 100), 7.5 degrees –> GET IT ON EBAY
1997 – King Cobra (True Temper Dynamic Gold X 100), 9 degrees –> GET IT ON EBAY
What Is The Number 1 Driver On Tour?
That depends on who you ask. The pros on the PGA Tour vary from the TaylorMade, Ping, and Callaway just to name a few – however; Ping seems to be used the most.
We should mention that because these brands have multiple options in choosing a driver, we could not choose just one that was used the most. Now, we did find a trend that the Ping’s choice was in the 400 Series.
That might be why we were so impressed and picked Ping G400 Driver Golf Club for the Best Speed And Forgiveness as our #5 choice above.
What Is The Most Forgiving Driver?
A lot of golf drivers will be forgiving in one way or another, what’s most important is to know where you need it most – from your swing to your contact with the ball, it’s all about forgiveness.
Note: The higher your handicap, the more forgiveness you will want in your chosen driver.
For the gents, check out the PGX Offset Golf Driver – it’s not only one of the most forgiving golf drivers out there, but it’s also our Top Choice for Best Value. Now that’s a win, win.
For the ladies, we’ve found that the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Draw Type Driver is one of the most forgiving high-quality drivers on the market today.
Also read: The Most Forgiving Driver
Wrapping Up: The Best Golf Drivers of All Time
There is nothing like hitting the golf course to take a break from the everyday stresses of life, especially during the current times! Whether you are playing for fun with some buddies or competing at some level in tournaments, you will want the golf driver in your bag.
With our list above of the best golf drivers of all time, you should have plenty of options to meet your needs. We suggest first considering your budget, then your experience – from there, it will all fall into place!
Just use our review for the Best Golf Drivers Of All Time to guide you through the process of deciding and or picking the best golf driver for you!
