Millions of people around the globe play golf and the fairways are full of players of varying abilities. One of the great things about golf compared to many other sports and pastimes is that you don't need to be brilliant to be able to enjoy it or to play with others who may be much better (or indeed worse) than you. Playing tennis against somebody much better than you is not fun, but golf can be.
In fact, only a small percentage of golfers reach a single figure handicap because golf is hard and unless you are blessed with a natural talent or you have plenty of time to spend practicing and honing your skills, the changes are you will be a mid-high handicap player. A number of statistics show that the average golfer has a handicap of 15-18 which puts them firmly in the mid-handicapper category, along with millions of others who a little above or below that handicap figure. As such, it makes sense for golf companies to make clubs aimed at that particular market, while also of course catering to the games top players and boosting their profile by having their products used on tour.
So most of the bigger manufacturers will release a new driver with multiple head and shaft options. This means if the average golfer sees Rory McIlroy using a new driver and wants to do the same, they can do, albeit the head and shaft will be geared at their ability and swing speed and not Rory's. Visually though, to the layperson it will look the same.
In this guide we have compiled a list of the best drivers that are aimed at golfers in the mid-handicap category. We have extensively tested all of these, as well as the other options on offer in each model, so we can give you an informed view of the kind of club that will help you.
There is no one size fits all solution though and you need to have a good understanding of your own game before deciding what driver you need. Not all 15 handicap players will have the same attributes and skillsets. For example, you may be a 15 handicap who swings the club very quickly and needs the emphasis to be on forgiveness. If that's the case you should check out our guide to the most forgiving drivers. Alternatively, perhaps you are a slow swinger who hits every fairway but who needs more length. If so, you'll be looking for the best drivers for distance.
Generally though, the drivers listed below combine the best of both worlds and will therefore suit most players in the mid-handicap range.
WATCH: We run through the performance of the best drivers in 2024
The Quick List
The Qi10 LS is an outstanding driver for longer hitters and there are notable aesthetic improvements from the Stealth 2 Plus, albeit the performance has not jumped drastically.
The GT3 sits in the middle of the GT range and provides plenty of forgiveness and adjustability. Additionally, the exceptional sound and powerful feel across the face will appeal to a wide variety of players.
The G430 LST was hugely impressive for us in testing and strikes a great balance between distance and consistency. Despite it being a low spin model there was still ample forgiveness on offer.
The outstanding aesthetics and exceptional feel at impact of the high performing Mizuno ST-G make this an excellent choice for the better player.
An excellent all-round performer that is further enhanced by a a sliding weight on the back which gives the Ai Smoke Max fantastic adjustability.
The Darkspeed X driver from Cobra offers high levels of forgiveness that make it a great option for a wide variety of player, while the exceptional looks and competitive ball speeds make it one of the best drivers of 2024.
Load the next 6 models
The acoustic and feel of the Black Ops 0311 are right out of the top drawer, as is the fabulous new aesthetic with its multi-material glossy crown.
The G430 Max gave us increased distance in testing without any loss of control, and it looks, feels and most importantly plays like a premium driver.
Wilson's best ever driver, Dynapower Carbon delivers premium looks and a satisfying feel at impact while being exceptionally stable on off-center strikes.
The visually appealing TSR1 from Titleist was effortless to swing and is going to really help golfers with moderate swing speeds to launch the ball higher for longer drivers.
We think the ZX5 Mk II is ideal for mid to slower swingers and we enjoyed the improved sound of this driver which offers ample forgiveness in a no-nonsense head.
While the Launcher XL 2 Draw may not be our favorite looking head, we found the performance to be good and overall it offers great value as well.
Best Golf Drivers for Mid Handicappers
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Fast Swing Speeds
As mentioned above, not all mid-handicappers swing the same so some will require a different type of driver to others. So first up is one for the faster swingers. The LS (low spin) version of the Qi10 driver from TaylorMade, which has a slightly different profile compared to the standard and Max heads in the Qi10 family. The LS features a more familiar pear-shaped design as opposed to the more rounded shape of the others.
The main difference between the Qi10 range and its predecessor the 2023 Stealth 2, is that the red has gone and has been replaced by a blue design that has a subtle white strip along the top line. This is a big improvement in our view and the Qi10 drivers look exceptional.
The performance is up there with the best TaylorMade drivers and our testing showed that the ball speed and spin was not too dissimilar to the outgoing Stealth 2. Do not mistake that as a negative though, as the numbers are excellent and stack up well against the best drivers money can buy.
Overall, for a fast swinger looking for a low spin option, this should definitely be on your list to try out.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver Review
Titleist GT3 Driver
With the new GT range Titleist's main target was to make it faster than the hugely successful TSR family. To do this their their engineers changed the all-titanium construction to something called Proprietary Matrix Polymer which seems to have done the trick as in our testing we found that the lightweight head produced plenty of power and speed!
The GT range consists of the GT2, GT3 and GT4, with the GT3 being the most adjustable model thanks to a new weight track which sits much closer to the face. This weight track allows the centre of gravity to be moved and as a result of that we found that the GT3 was very easy to flight and shape. We also found that the forgiveness on offer from predominantly low, heel misses was very impressive.
In terms of the looks, we were happy to see that Titleist chose to retain the simple aesthetics that we know and love. Despite being a multi-material crown, there are no joins or banner strips down in the playing position or, in fact, any real indication of the new technology and it's the typical classical looking driver that Titelist do so well.
- Read our full Titleist GT3 Driver Review
Ping G430 LST Driver
The excellent G430 range from Ping has something for everyone. The LST differs from the others in that it's the low spin model and will suit faster players. The G430 drivers are constructed from an eight-layer carbon wrap, which allowed Ping's engineers to save weight in the crown which could then be distributed elsewhere to help with launch and strike.
Looking down at address, the carbon crown looks premium and Ping has stuck with the turbulators that we saw in the G425. The head of the LST is 440cc which is slightly more compact than others, but despite this smaller footprint we think that Ping has done a great job of making it still look inviting at address.
During testing we noted that the LST had an increase in ball speed and a decrease in spin, which will be really appealing to those who swing it faster. In fact, the ball speed was up there with anything we've tested, whilst the flight was strong the overall user-friendliness was superb.
- Read our full Ping G430 LST Driver Review
Mizuno ST-G Driver
As with the Ping model listed above, the ST-G from Mizuno also has a 440cc head that is tailored towards the lower end of the mid handicapper scale. One of the main features of this Mizuno model is the adjustability which allows it to be tailored to be a low or high spinning driver, making this one of the more versatile offerings on the list.
The aesthetics really set this model apart too and we found the shape of the head to be close to perfect when looking down at address. In testing we found the feel off the face to be interesting, but enjoyable. The acoustics were relatively quiet, muted even, and, yet the ball speed was up there with some of the top drivers on the market.
In our experience weight tracks in drivers sometimes do not have that big an impact, but it's worth noting that this is not the case with the ST-G. Our testing showed that the driver became a lot less forgiving when the weight was shifted forward so that's something to be mindful of when changing the settings.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-G Driver Review
Average Swing Speeds
Callaway has built on the tremendous success of the Paradym family and taken it to the next level with the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke family. The Ai Smoke Max is the standard head for this range and is aimed at the broadest range of golfer, making it an ideal choice for the mid-handicap golfer looking to add one of the most premium clubs on the market to their bag.
Callaway has made a few changes from the original Paradym, the most notable of which is the new grey colorway, which we feel blends much better with the grey banner strip. The overall aesthetic of the AiSmoke Max is off the charts, especially with that good-looking smoky pattern you get on the sole.
As you'd expect from Callaway, there's a tech story and as the name suggests it's related to A.I. With this model Callaway has created with an all new AI-designed face to create a bigger hitting area. As such, the forgiveness was highly impressive during our testing! We enjoyed good feedback on the strike location and found that our dispersion stayed pretty tight. The overall sound and feel was relatively similar to the Paradym from the year before, but the Ai Smoke seemed to feel a little livelier off the face.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver Review
Cobra Darkspeed X Driver
Cobra have a great recent track record when it comes to drivers and they've knocked another one out of the park with the Darkspeed X. We absolutely love the matte black, stealth aesthetic and even the headcover is a thing of beauty, adding to and even heightening the all-black visuals.
As with the Darkspeed irons, the aesthetic makes the club seem a little more compact than it actually is which can be a good or bad thing depending on individual preference. In theory it could deter the player who likes to see a more inviting profile at address, but we feel that the premium feel and style you get from this colorway outweighs any potential downside.
In terms of the tech it is not really any different from the Aerojet driver and the upgrades have been in looks more than anything else. That said, the Aerojet is a great driver so it was hard to improve on. The performance of the Darkspeed X ticked a number of boxes for us in testing, with the launch and spin sitting perfectly in the window we would be looking for.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed X Driver Review
PXG Black Ops 0311 Driver
The Black Ops 0311 range from PXG sees the introduction of a new AMF technology titanium alloy face that PXG claim gives higher strength and flexibility to increase face deflection, resulting in high launch and lower spin. Our testing did show an extremely strong and penetrating flight, while the ample adjustability will appeal to mid-handicap players too.
The acoustics of the Black Ops were some of the best we have heard in testing this year and the lively feel wasn't harsh whatsoever.
We would describe the aesthetics as fairly basic, but that's no bad thing and we enjoyed the clean and simple looks, which include a gloss finish, carbon crown and subtle, light grey accent graphics. Additionally, the shape is pleasingly rounded and the head sits extremely square in the neutral setting making this a nice club to look down on at address.
- Read our full PXG Black Ops 0311 Driver Review
Ping G430 Max Driver
This is one of the best all-round drivers we've tested and it's packed with innovtive tech. The G430 Max features a thinner face with a more shallow profile to allow for Ping's forged variable face thickness technology, which provides more flexing to increase speed and forgiveness off the face.
The club face also features 'spinsistency', which is a variable roll radius that helps deliver extra carry distance and a more consistent spin rate. Additionally, Ping's engineers have taken loft off the lower parts of the face which helps to maintain distance and ball speed on thinly struck shots, making this one of the more forgiving drivers we've ever tested.
This driver has the same easy-to-hit feel that we loved in the previous model, the G425, while the look behind the ball is something that should inspire confidence for the mid-handicapper.
- Read our full Ping G430 Max Driver Review
Wilson Dynapower Carbon Driver
Wilson Dynapower offers two options - titanium and carbon. The carbon is more expensive and is generally aimed at the better class of player, but it offers a more pleasing feel at impact that the titanium head and is suitable for mid-handicappers.
The head features carbon fiber throughout and offers a traditional but inviting look when looking down to address the ball. This driver has been setup with a slight bias to a fade, so is a great option for those fighting a hook off the tee. It's also the first adjustable driver Wilson has made so you can play around with the settings until you lock in what you need.
In our testing we noted that on off-center strikes the ball speed did not seem to drop much whether out of the heel or the toe, which is really important for the golfer who is inconsistent with the big stick and needs that little bit of help. The adjustability helps with this too as it will allow you to change up your ball flight. This is one of the best looking drivers on this list and that aesthetic has been helped by Wilson making it so the adjustable settings are hidden until you unscrew the head, which is a nice touch and adds to the clean look.
- Read our full Wilson Dynapower Carbon Driver Review
Slow Swing Speeds
For slow to moderate swingers of the club, a specific type of driver is needed to maximise distance and forgiveness. Most brands will offer something in this range and one of the best we've tested is from Titleist. The TSR1 is amongst some of the best Titleist drivers and has been designed primarily for golfers who swing it less than 90mph.
It retains the slick looks that we have come to expect from the Titleist TSR range, but where the TSR1 differs is that it comes in at roughly 40 grams lighter than the TSR2, which means you are more likely to swing it faster. In fact, the grip and the shaft combined weigh less than some individual grips on the market, so working in tandem with the clubhead, this allows for a super lightweight package.
The TSR1 is a higher spinning model than many on this list but this is important for slower swingers as more spin helps to keep the ball in the air longer. It is generally unsuitable for those who already swing it quickly but it will certainly add speed to those who struggle in that area, and it's also designed to provide a boost in launch too. In our testing, our tester saw a big increase in carry and total distance compared to her current driver.
- Read our full Titleist TSR1 Driver Review
Srixon ZX5 Mk II Driver
The ZX5 MKII has a bigger footprint than the Srixon ZX7 Mk II driver and is designed to provide maximum forgiveness for the average golfer. An all-titanium head features three ribs that crisscross on the inside to provide more rigidity and increase stability through impact.
Srixon's engineers saved weight in the crown which was then repositioned further back to improve launch, so this makes it very appealing to the golfer that swings that bit slower.
In terms of the looks it has a more stripped-back aesthetic, with a dark grey color on the crown that we feel is a lot more restrained than other drivers out there. Visually it's very appealing.
When we tested this driver we found that it was very easy to launch and there was a distinct draw bias which should pique the interest of any golfer that suffers from a slice and wants to straighten out those left to right trouble shots.
- Read our full Srixon ZX5 Mk II Driver Review
Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Draw Driver
The Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Draw is aimed at the higher end of the mid-handicap scale and suits the golfer with a slow to moderate swing speed and suffers with a slice. It's a premium performing driver that won't break the bank, but don't mistake the low price point for a lack of quality. It has a lower price tag than most on this list but that makes it a great budget option for the type of golfer it is aimed at (slow swingers with a slice!).
While aesthetically it didn't blow us away, it's nice enough. The color and finish at address look a lot more premium than the moderate price tag would suggest, but from an overall shelf appeal point of view, we think it looks okay, but no more than that. The sole graphics and finish look a touch more “budget” than some of the others on this list, but looks aren't everything, right?
When it comes to performance, we were impressed with what the Launcher XL2 had to offer. There is quite a loud sound at impact but it generates a high amount of ball speed and the draw bias was very obvious in our testing, so this is certainly one of the best drivers for slicers and should help you find more fairways.
- Read our full Cleveland Launcher XL 2 Draw Driver Review
How we test
All of the content we put out is based on rigorous product testing as well as the great knowledge and experience our team has. All of our testing team play to a competent level in golf and have been using golf equipment or testing it for many years. This knowledge and experience in golf allows them to outline the pros and cons of certain products and to make sure you know what you need.
When it comes to driver testing, the process begins with attending product launches and discussing the products with their manufacturers. Next we move on to hitting these drivers both indoors and outdoors to test them on the course and to get valuable data on a simulator. This is done with premium golf balls and a launch monitor to get the best accuracy possible. Getting out there on the course and using these drivers in a real-world setting is important to the process too, so that we can ensure the feedback we give is real and based on outside factors too.
How to choose a new driver
There are a few key things to consider when investing in a new driver and 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.
If accuracy is your primary focus then you should go for something with a high MOI and/or adjustable weights which will help alter spin and flight characteristics to dial in your ideal setting. If distance is your priority then look at a low-spinning driver to help ensure your ball doesn't balloon too much. If you're after something in the middle, the so-called 'standard' heads in most driver ranges will suit you the best.
FAQs
What is the easiest driver to hit for a mid handicapper?
Any of the non-low spinning models in this list will be ideal. We think the Ping G430 SFT, Cleveland Launcher and Srixon ZX5 MK II are some of the most forgiving in this guide. For a more in-depth look at forgiving drivers, check out our guide on the most forgiving golf drivers currently on the market.
What is considered mid-handicap?
This is a slightly more subjective area. But traditionally a mid-handicapper is considered to hold a playing handicap of 10-20.
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