Ideally every golfer would like to add more distance off the tee. For some it's more important than others, but even the longest hitters are never completely satisfied and would happily add another couple of yards if possible.
Of course accuracy is important too and golf manufacturers are aware of the different requirements different golfers have. Some want the most forgiving drivers whereas other just want to squeeze out every last yard possible. Technology has advanced so much now that it's becoming increasingly difficult to add distance while still conforming to the guidelines set out by the game's governing bodies. So in recent years the bigger tech stories have usually been about forgiveness rather than distance, but if you are looking to gain a few extra yards there are models out there that will do the job.
What makes a driver ideal for distance? It depends on the golfer and their level, but generally you want to find the best optimization of launch possible while making sure the spin characteristics are where they should be because, if your driver spin rate is too high, it will balloon in the air and lose distance.
In this guide we've tested the best golf drivers for distance to give you an idea of how they could perform for you. If distance is not your sole concern then the video below provides an overview of the best all-round drivers on the market this year.
WATCH: We run through the performance of the best drivers in 2024
As mentioned above, lower spin is a key ingredient for longer drivers, so we've highlighted some of the low spin models that achieve this through head shape and weighting. However, this sort of set-up won't suit every golfer and it's important to point out that the lower spinning, more compact heads in the drivers listed below are mostly aimed at better ball-strikers. This means they are much less forgiving than the most forgiving drivers or best drivers for beginners for example.
With this in mind, we have also added models that will suit the golfer with a slower swing who is also looking for extra distance. In contrast to the above, this category of golfer requires more spin, not less, as the correct amount of spin will keep the ball in the air longer and boost carry distance.
Be assured that our expert club testers have personally tested every model listed below, and feel free to read the full reviews if you want to take a deeper dive into any of the models we've chosen. Our reviews usually include comparisons to older models as well as other models in the current ranges to help you decide which driver is best for you. Also, be sure to check out our other guides - such as the best golf drivers for mid handicappers, or the best high handicap drivers.
The Quick List
The Cobra Darkspeed Max is not only one of our top picks in terms of draw-bias, but also in terms of forgiveness and overall distance. It looks great and is an excellent all-round model.
The forgiveness is market-leading whilst it also offered high ball speeds and reasonably low spin. The stability is solid, it looks great and put simply it's just an outstanding driver.
The Black Ops is a very enjoyable driver to use and has an excellent sound and feel. It is slightly light on ball speed compared to others on the list but but we love the new aesthetic.
Wilson's Dynapower Carbon is an excellent value option because of its premium looks and simplicity of design. We really enjoyed the dense sound at impact, as well as the feel and the overall performance was impressive.
This is an ideal model for slower swing speeds. It looks great, has improved acoustics, and offers a lot of forgiveness in a no-nonsense head design.
The GT4 from Titleist has a 430cc head and is designed for players looking to eliminate excessive spin rates. The speed and feel at impact is simply exceptional!
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The ST-G offers premium aesthetics and exceptional feel at impact. This offering from Mizuno is a high-performing driver aimed at better players.
The Callaway Triple Diamond model in the Ai Smoke range is aimed at the better player and tested very well for us. It provided exceptional performance and feel in a stunning package and is a model used by Jon Rahm.
The standard head mixes the best of the Max and LS models to produce a brilliant all-round model that you will find in the bag of Rory McIlroy. It isn't just for the better players though and will work for a broad spectrum of golfers.
The 0311 Tour-1 is our top pick for low spin players and in testing it produced exceptional distance. We loved the acoustics and feel too, while the improved aesthetics are outstanding too.
Best Golf Drivers For Distance
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Top pick
Cobra drivers always look great and this year is no exception, as they opted for a stylish 'dark' theme. Other than the word ‘MAX’ and a couple of tiny accent dashes in red, the Darkspeed Max has an all black matte crown that we think looks fantastic. The look at address will also appeal to many and we felt that the squareness of the driver behind the ball did a nice job of disguising that this is a draw bias club.
In terms of performance in testing, the Darkspeed Max delivered strong results right across the board. Ball speed numbers were strong and the launch and spin was a little higher than the other two drivers in the Darkspeed family, although not excessively and the carry distances were plentiful.
The thing that sets this driver apart from others is the draw bias, which was very obvious in testing when we couldn't get this club to go left to right at all. The draw adds an extra few yards to what is an already powerful driver.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Driver Review
Most forgiving
Ping added the G430 Max 10K to their expansive G430 range this year and it's truly impressive. How does the 10K differ to the other excellent G430 models? Well, according to Ping, this is the straightest and highest MOI (moment of inertia) driver it has made to-date, which is a bold claim given how good the G425 and G430. drivers have been.
Having tested it ourselves, we can say that this is not an outlandish statement as we were amazed by the performance. The stability and forgiveness are outstanding but, where this stands out against the best golf drivers, is that Ping have managed to combine this exceptional forgiveness with a low level of spin.
Indeed, our tester said that the G430 Max 10K was 'the most stable and forgiving driver head he has ever used,' such is the performance available. Given how many drivers he has tested this is some compliment. Additionally, our tester noted that ball speed on mis-hits barely dropped 2mph and, in terms of dispersion, the tee shots were all extremely tight. Visually it impresses too, and thanks to the larger footprint and stretched-out look at address, the 10K excels in pretty much every department!
- Read our full Ping G430 Max 10K Driver Review
Best sounding
In a bid to improve their driver game, PXG have done a lot of work to the Black Ops 0311 range and the results are impressive. The biggest upgrade is a titanium alloy face called AMF Technology, which PXG say has improved the strength and flexibility of the face to increase face deflection and produce a higher launch and lower spin, thus equating to more distance.
When it comes to performance, we experienced a lively feel that wasn't too harsh, while the acoustics of the Black Ops were some of the best we have heard in testing this year. We found the flight to be extremely strong and penetrating, whilst the adjustability is a nice option to have.
As for the aesthetics, we'd describe them as fairly basic, with a clean and simple look that includes a gloss finish, carbon crown and subtle, light grey accent graphics. The shape is pleasingly rounded and the head also sits extremely square in the neutral setting, which will be confidence boosting over the ball for a lot of golfers.
- Read our full PXG Black Ops 0311 Driver Review
Best value
The Dynapower driver is the most adjustable driver ever created by Wilson and is available in both Carbon and Titanium head options. While not necessarily one of the longest drivers out there, we have included it in this guide because of how easy it is to hit with full commitment. This means that for many golfers it will have the edge over some of the harder to hit, distance specific drivers out there.
We enjoyed testing this product and there really is a lot to like about the Dynapower. It's comfortably among the best Wilson golf clubs you can buy and what really stood out for us was how it delivered on its promise of a neutral to slight fade shot shape bias. If you tend to hook, or even severely draw the ball, the technology within the Dynapower head helps to square up the ball flight nicely and allows you to really fully commit to your shot off the tee.
It's suitable for both fast and slower swing speeds too, as long as you have the correct shaft. We certainly feel that if you were to get properly fitted for this driver it would be competitive and even come close to the more premium models listed above.
- Read our full Wilson Dynapower Carbon Driver Review
Best for slow swing speeds
In our testing, we felt that the ZX5 Mk II was one of the best high handicap drivers because of how easy it was to launch in the air. This is also makes it one of the best distance drivers for golfers with slow swings. The high launch comes from weight that has been saved from the crown and repositioned elsewhere to improve the launch.
Along with this repositioned weight, a variable face thickness pattern is another area of improvement over its predecessor and Srixon claim that the ZX5 MK II provides an extra 2mph ball speed at impact due to the face flexing bringing more power. Another thing we noticed is that the trailing edge is a little higher which helps to get the CG in the right position. We also liked that the head shape is a little less toe heavy and gives a very pleasing look at address.
- Read our full Srixon ZX5 Mk II Driver Review
Most compact
The new Titleist GT range is rammed with technology, most notably the Seamless Thermoform Crown and the Split Mass Construction. This tech allowed Titleist's engineers to distribute two internal masses further apart, which then maintains back-weighted stability while driving the CG forward for to aid spin reduction.
The GT4 earns the most compact tag in this list due to its 430cc head which looks great. The head has a very round, squat profile at address and, although the higher handicapper might find it a little intimidating at first, most will quickly get used to it and see the benefits. We're big fans of the color contrast of the GT range, which is really helpful for both lining the ball up while making it easier to see the loft, which is something that always boosts confidence over the ball.
In terms of performance in testing, we found that the adjustable weight system worked excellently and produced some incredible numbers. The ball speed was consistently high and up there with best golf drivers on the market, with the spin low enough to result in a penetrating ball flight.
- Read our full Titleist GT4 Driver Review
Best for looks
The Mizuno ST-G has a compact head and is aimed at the lower handicap player. It's extremely versatile due to the adjustability available, and the ST-G can be anything from "a low-spin bomber, fade or draw biased or simply a more stable compact driver."
It also looks great and earns our selection as the best-looking driver due to the shaping of the head and the gloss black finish of the crown. The dimensions of the head make it seem even deeper than it actually is when down behind the ball, whilst the top edge of the club blends into a sleek carbon effect as it moves back. We also think that the Mizuno logo, while aesthetically pleasing, is very useful as a marker to center the ball.
Performance-wise, in our testing we found the distance to be solid but not outstanding. It isn't as long as other drivers in this guide but the adjustable weights negate this somewhat as you can adjust the spin rate levels by up to 400rpm, which will alter your distance numbers. In testing, we noted that the forgiveness was affected adversely by some of the settings, specifically when in the forward position, but the overall performance was still very impressive.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-G Driver Review
Best low spin
As is normal for Callaway drivers, the new Paradym Ai Smoke range features numerous different heads to suit different types of player. Compared to its predecessor, it has a new look and now sports a distinctive grey colorway and an overall color that blends so much better with the grey banner strip, creating a really clean aesthetic which we love.
It's also crammed with technology as you would expect from the brand that leads the way in Artificial Intelligence. The Ai Smart Face was created by using swing dynamics from thousands of real golfers to see where on the face golfers tend to hit when they miss the sweet spot, and then re-enforce those areas to essentially produce a very big hitting area.
The Ai Smoke Triple Diamond has retained many of the positives that we found in the old Paradym Triple Diamond. One example of this is the feel, with a muted thud creating an excellent sensation which we really enjoyed during testing.
We found that on well-struck shots the data was very similar to last year's model, but where Callaway have improved the performance is in the mis-hit section. The Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond gave us a bit more peace of mind when we didn't find the centre, with the ball speed and dispersion not punished too much on those poor strikes.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver Review
Best wide appeal
The second Qi10 in this list is the standard model, used by Rory McIlroy. It features a new ultra-rounded shape that we really liked and although this is a matter of personal preference, we feel that the rounder profile frames the ball really nicely and the Qi10’s proportions are just about perfect to our eye.
Although it's unclear as to why McIlroy has chosen the standard Qi10 over the Qi10 LS, what we do know is that the Qi10 delivered in terms of ball speed and distance output, with the stability yet again very evident. In our testing dispersion numbers were tight and we think that this would only become more apparent over a longer time period when the golfer becomes more accustomed to the club.
Overall, we feel that the Qi10 represents a big jump over its predecessor, the Stealth 2, with the looks being the primary upgrade. The cosmetic improvements are obvious, but there has also been a jump forward in the overall performance and user-friendliness here, and although it is in the bag of McIlroy, that doesn't mean you have to be a really accomplished player to use it, as this driver is ideal for a wide range of ability levels.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Driver Review
Best for feel
As with the standard Black Ops driver listed above, the Tour version has AMF Technology as well as three adjustable weight ports. There are differences though. The Tour has a slightly larger sole pop out feature because of the taller, deeper face, and it also comes in different lofts.
The aesthetics are similar to the standard model, with the gloss finish, carbon crown and subtle, light grey accent graphics etc, but the Tour is slightly more pear shaped. It will be a matter of personal choice as to whether you prefer that or the more rounder look of the standard model. Both look exceptional.
The sound at impact is identical to the standard model, and the performance in testing was impressive, as our tester barely had a single spin number over 2000 rpm throughout. When you match this with a relatively low launch angle, the result is an extremely low, penetrating ball flight that will provide extra distance due to the run it gets after landing.
- Read our full PXG Black Ops 0311 Tour-1 Driver Review
How we test drivers
Our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure backed up by the knowledge and experience of the test team. The driver section is headed up by Joe Ferguson and assisted by Joel Tadman, who have both been testing golf clubs for years and play to a high standard. Between Joe, Joel and the rest of the team we are able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases each year and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
The process for drivers begins when we attend product launches and speak to manufacturer's to understand the technology. We then hit the golf clubs indoors, usually at Foresight Sports and 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.
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. Hopefully answering these questions will narrow your search down slightly and make comparing between various models much easier.
What is your priority? - What is the most important thing for you when it comes to the driver? If accuracy is what you're after, go for something with a high MOI or adjustable weights to help alter spin and flight characteristics.
If distance is your primary focus (and it probably is if you are on this guide) and you swing the club pretty fast, look at a low-spinning driver to help ensure your ball doesn't balloon too much. If you're a slower swinger but want to increase distance, you may need something that spins more rather than less. For forgiveness, a larger head will probably suit you the best. Many brands make different models for different levels of player and some brands will have as many as four different heads.
Looks - You have to like how a golf club looks especially when looking down on the golf ball, and while it should be the primary reason for buying, let's face it, we all like something that is nice to look at when the head cover comes off. So make sure you go and take a look at how different models look in your hands and down by the golf ball.
Adjustability - Most models these days come with a degree of adjustability whether it be loft, weight movement, shaft and so on. Therefore have a think about how important adjustability is to you because you can change the characteristics of a club if you want to. Alternatively you can just keep things simple with other models as well.
Custom fitting - This is probably the most essential part of the driver buying process, no matter the driver you're after or how good you are at the game. A custom fit session will make sure you get the right flex and length of shaft, correct loft and correct head for your game, meaning you'll finish with a driver that will be as suitable as possible for you out on course.
Budget - Finally be aware of your budget. You can go for more premium models, such as the TaylorMade Stealth, or you can go for cheaper designs from Cobra instead. Wherever you fall in terms of price point, there is something for everyone.
FAQs
Which driver gets the most distance?
There is no one simple answer to this question because it will vary for every single golfer. But we have found there are specific models that do go further in our testing and they are included in our specific best drivers for distance guide.
How do I get more distance from my driver?
Again, this will depend on many factors including set-up of your driver as well as your swing type. When it comes to the latter, it's best to check with your pro but, when it comes to the driver, the optimal set-up for distance is best experimented with so you can find that balance of flight and length.
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