Slicing the ball off the tee is one of the most common and destructive shots for amateur golfers. Not only does the dreaded slice put you in a bad position on the hole, but it loses you significant distance, which makes good scoring harder to come by. It can also cause you to go through golf balls at an alarming rate, and in some cases, slicing can completely ruin a golfer's enjoyment of the game.
Thankfully, most of the major golf brands now produce drivers that offer help to the wayward slicer. The best golf drivers tend to come with three or four different models on offer and one of those is usually a draw-bias option designed to minimise the damage done by those big right misses. This is usually achieved by extra weighting in the heel side of the club head and by adding offset, which is designed to help square, or even slightly close the club face at impact.
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Tailor your expectations though. If you do slice the ball a draw biased driver is not going to turn that big banana shot into a Rory McIlory style high booming draw, but the set up of these clubs will help to keep the massive slices at bay and hopefully encourage a straighter, more powerful ball flight.
Below is a list of the best anti-slice drivers currently available but, if you're looking for something more specific, check out our guide on the best golf drivers for beginners, the most forgiving golf drivers or the best drivers for distance.
The Quick List
The Cobra Darkspeed Max is one of the best draw-bias drivers we have ever tested and does exactly what it says on the tin. Wrapped up in a very sophisticated aesthetic, if you struggle with a slice, the Darkspeed Max is a must try.
The Max model really is the headline product of the new Qi10 range, with the driver incredibly easy to launch with impressive stability. Overall, it will appeal to many, many golfers.
The Ping G430 SFT is very easy to launch, forgiving and surprisingly long. There's no doubt that it’s a model that will have broad appeal to a range of golfers.
An excellent driver for those seeking a draw bias flight and maximum launch. The Ai Smoke Max D Driver is seriously easy to get in the air and extremely forgiving on mishits.
A driver that stands out for its feel, the Launcher XL will suit a wide range of golfers looking for pa combination of forgiveness and carry distance off the tee.
One of the easiest-to-launch drivers we’ve ever hit, this delivers impressively on its promise of making the game easier for people off the tee.
Best Drivers For Slicers - Best Anti Slice Drivers
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Best overall
The aesthetics of the Cobra Darkspeed Max are stunning, yet the looks were eclipsed by the overall performance in testing, which quite frankly blew us away. The draw bias was the biggest story here, as our tester found it nigh on impossible to miss to the right! This was primarily down to the back and heel weighting, which allowed us to adjust the draw bias in the head and completely take the right miss out of play.
Not only is the draw bias superb in the Max, but another pleasing aspect we found during testing is that the spin numbers are a little higher than usual, which is not good for low handicap players but certainly helps golfers who struggle a little with launch and getting the ball airborne. All in all, this is certainly one of the best drivers for beginners because it is extremely user friendly and offers help in all the areas a new golfer or high handicap player needs it.
Visually it's special too and it will look great in any golf bag. It sits very square at address and the carbon effect crown and minimalist Cobra logo provides a very sophisticated look. We love the minimalist look of this driver and the matte black head with red accent dashes gives it a great shelf appeal that will appeal to a wide range of players.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Driver Review
Most accurate
One of the biggest reactions in the golf world each year is when TaylorMade release a new model of driver. It always causes a stir and this year was no different, as the brand released the Qi10 range. The standout model in the Qi10 family is the Max, which for those who don't know, is the club that inspired the Qi10 range as it is the first TaylorMade driver to reach the 10K mark when it comes to 'Moment of Inertia', a measurement of a club's stability and resistance to twisting.
That's all well and good, but you are probably saying right now "yeah yeah, but how does this help fix my slice?". Well, we can tell you that in our testing there was an evident draw bias on impact, although it is perhaps not as prevalent as other models in this guide, specifically the Cobra Darkspeed offering listed above. Interesting, TaylorMade seem to be shying away from the anti-slice angle and have deliberately omitted any nod to a draw bias out of the name or marketing for the product. They may feel that perception of any flight bias may deter some customers, but whether they want to broadcast it or not, the draw bias is noticeable.
It isn't the stand out feature of the model though. That would be the stability and forgiveness on offer. As mentioned, the Moment of Inertia is extremely high in this driver so the Qi10 Max provides great stability throughout impact. This helps to reduce a slice because one of the reasons may lose the ball to the right is due to the face twisting open, but in our testing we found it very easy to keep the ball online from a number of areas of the club face. This exceptional forgiveness makes this one of the best TaylorMade drivers on the market.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver Review
Most forgiving
The Ping G430 SFT features a moveable weight that can be set in either a Draw or Draw+ setting, and according to the brand's engineers the Draw + setting delivers seven yards more draw bias versus the G430 Max version in neutral, which is a considerable difference for golfers who are consistently finding trouble on the right side of the golf course. Seven yards could be the difference between trees and fairway, or land and water.
Unlike some draw bias drivers, the G430 SFT sits fairly square behind the ball. The neutral looking set up along with the generous profile promotes a confidence-boosting appearance over the ball, which is half the battle for the golfer who struggles off the tee. Another confidence-inspiring factor is that the head is slightly longer from front to back, meaning the ball is nicely framed at address. None of this guarantees a good shot of course, but it definitely helps.
Because the G430 SFT sits so squarely at address, we were able to swing freely at it with great confidence, and that was reflected in the numbers. This driver went considerably longer than its rivals on this list, which is a bonus but it isn't the main factor in play here. You want to know if it delivered on the draw bias promised by Ping. Yes it did, as our dispersion chart was heavily to the left, which shows that the technology on offer works perfectly in the SFT.
- Read our full Ping G430 SFT Driver Review
Best for launch
The new Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke range really hits the mark aesthetically, with a new grey colorway prominent in the three models available. As with many other drivers in the draw bias category, the look at address really promotes confidence as Callaway has gone with a large profile that pushed the manufacturing restrictions to the limits in pursuit of the highest MOI possible.
The tag line for this driver is ‘Sweeter From Every Spot’ so we were keen to find out if that was true. Our testing showed that not only was the club very easy to get airborne, (making it one of the best drivers for slower swing speeds) but the draw bias was indeed evident without being too excessive. We would say that there are more severe draw models on the market, but this does the job well with a subtle right-to-left flight with the added bonus of greater launch, which will be ideal for seniors as well as those who are new to the game.
The forgiveness on offer is probably the main stand-out here though, with the use of Ai and the addition of a rear weight being strategically placed in order to maximise the MOI and draw bias of the driver. The feel and sound haven’t changed much from its predecessor, the Paradym X, but then why fix something that isn't broken? The pleasingly muted, deep thud of impact remains in the Max D and we are very happy about that.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver Review
Best looking
The Cleveland Launcher XL Driver replaces the popular Launcher HB model that was released in 2020. This is a club undoubtedly aimed at the mid to high handicap range, with the Launcher XL suiting those who slice the golf ball off the tee and who might struggle to get the desired height on their tee shots.
The length of the head from front to back has increased by 6% which when combined with the contrasting crown and face, allows you to see all of the loft when you stand over the ball, making this one of the most inviting, confidence-inspiring drivers at address and unsurprisingly, one of the most forgiving drivers on the market.
When it comes to performance, our testing showed the Launcher XL produces a solid carry distance on an easy swing, making this perfect for the wider range of mid-high handicap players this driver is aimed at. We also liked the adjustability factor and the hint of draw bias you get with it, but it would be remiss of us not to point out that there are better drivers on the market when it comes to combating the slice, including all of those on this list.
- Read our full Cleveland Launcher XL Driver Review
Best for beginners
Sitting very much in the game-improvement category, the Wilson Launch Pad is designed to be one of the most forgiving drivers that money can buy. When we talk about forgiveness, we are usually referring to what happens when shots do not come off the sweet spot, but there are other elements to it as well and as an all around forgiving club the Launch Pad is a great option for any new golfer or indeed anybody struggling for height and accuracy off the tee.
Everything about the Launch Pad is designed to help the struggling golfer. The lie angle is two degrees upright to help square up the face at impact, while the face itself sitting noticeably closed when set down behind the ball, helping to reduce the dreaded right miss. Wilson have also added heel side weighting within the head to help promote more of a draw shape.
Overall, our tester was able to produce a high draw shot shape of up to 10 - 15 yards, which is a significant difference if you are a slicer of the golf ball.
The look of the Launch Pad at address will divide opinion as unlike some others on this guide, the Launch Pad sits closed with an off-set look. Some might find that off putting but you can't argue with the results, and a new golfer is not going to be bothered by that as they won't know any different. This is far from being the longest driver on the market, but if you want a club that is able to get the ball in the air with a high draw easily, then this is a viable option.
- Read our full Wilson Launch Pad Driver Review
How we test
When it comes to product testing, our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure combined with the knowledge and experience of our test team. Our driver testing is headed up by Staff Writer Joe Ferguson, a PGA Professional who has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years. Joe is ably assisted by technical editor Joel Tadman. Both Joe and Joel have been testing golf clubs for many years and are therefore able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
Our process for testing drivers usually starts with us attending product launches where we speak to manufacturers to get a proper understanding of the technology on show. We then hit the golf clubs indoors, usually at Foresight Sports where we test the products with premium golf balls on a launch monitor.
Outdoor testing is the next port of call and this usually takes place at West Hill Golf Club, a course in Surrey with top-notch practice facilities. Ultimately, we aim to be as insightful and honest as possible in our reviews so it is important to acknowledge that no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our team tells it how it is.
How to choose a new driver
You've probably already asked yourself whether you need to buy a new driver, but there's a few key things to consider when investing in a new driver, especially one that can help with your slice. Hopefully answering these questions will narrow your search down slightly and make comparing between various models much easier.
When purchasing a new big stick, it is crucial to ask yourself just what you need from it. Is distance your main priority or are you looking for something to help you find more fairways? We'd always recommend a custom fitting with a PGA Pro but if you know what you're looking for you can make an informed decision.
FAQs
Do offset drivers help slice?
Yes they do. How? Well the club face sits slightly behind the hosel, which delays the arrival of the club face to the ball, allowing it more time to arrive square at impact. Some drivers - like the Callaway Big Bertha 21 driver - have a very pronounced a visible offset at address whereas some manufacturers try to hide the offset look. It's an entirely personal preference as to whether you like the look of an offset driver, but they will help combat a slice.
What is the best driver to help with a slice?
All of the drivers in this guide will help golfers who tend to slice the ball. Important things to keep an eye out for are offset and a heel weighting that will combine to keep the club head square or even closed at address.
Does a higher loft reduce slice?
Yes. While those who tend to slice the ball off the tee often want to see a lower ball flight, adding extra loft to your driver will add back spin and create a more stable ball flight with less side spin. We'd recommend having a driver with 10.5° as a minimum, but you may want to crank it up even higher. Trial and error is the way to go. See what works for you.
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