There's nothing more frustrating in golf than seeing your first tee shot sail into the rough or trees somewhere left or right of the hole. It's something which unfortunately happens, especially if you are new to the game, or perhaps someone with a higher handicap than average. We all want to get better at the game and, in this piece, we have taken a look through the best drivers for high handicappers. The driver often sets the tone for the round and, whilst the 'big stick' can be your greatest asset, it can also cause your scoring the most damage - that is why we have also created guides on both best golf drivers and most forgiving drivers too.
In this piece though we are focusing on the higher handicappers. What makes a good driver for high handicappers you may ask? Well firstly, forgiveness. Even the best golfers in the world struggle to hit the middle of the face often and forgiveness in a driver will mean off-centre hits don't go catastrophically wrong and leave you out of bounds. Manufacturers will achieve this forgiveness by using larger driver heads, strategically placed weights around the head and giving the driver a high Moment Of Inertia (MOI, a fancy term for forgiveness).
If you're a high handicapper who tends to slice the ball, then you can check out our guide on the best drivers for slicers, which features a selection of drivers that are both forgiving and help reduce the amount of slice you get on the ball. Our expert club testers have personally tested every model we list below, so be sure to read the full reviews if you want to take a deeper dive into any of the models we've chosen. As well as this guide, we also recommend checking out our posts on the best golf drivers for beginners, best golf drivers for mid handicappers, or the best golf drivers for seniors.
The Quick List
A new model to add to the Cobra driver family, the MAX-K delivers maximum levels of forgiveness by using more than 10k MOI - one of the most forgiving drivers of 2025.
Extra stability and forgiveness have meant the Qi35 has been an upgrade to the already impressive Qi10 driver. Stunning looks will also appeal to the masses.
One of the best and most popular draw bias drivers of 2024 sports a number of new upgrades for 2025 including a new premium look and extra forgiveness.
One of the most forgiving drivers on the market, Titleist has introduced a new crown construction that provides great feel and a powerful sensation at impact.
The Elyte X is designed with forgiveness in mind whilst also prioritizing high launch from the tee to help players get the ball airborne and earn a few extra yards on their drives.
For the high handicapper who struggles to get the ball airborne off the tee, the ST-Max 230 from Mizuno could be a great fit for your game.
Load the next 2 models
The ZXi gives users playability and forgiveness in abundance - a fantastic option for the high handicap player who wants to fall in love with a new driver.
The E725 is a high-performing budget option for the higher handicap who doesn't want to break the bank on a new driver in 2025.
Best High Handicap Drivers
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Top pick
The MAX-K suits a wide range of golfers but specifically those higher handicap players thanks to the high levels of MOI on offer here.
During testing we loved both the forgiveness and stability levels which compliment the high shelf appeal of this aesthetically pleasing driver.The MAX-K boasts a 10K MOI, aiming to deliver extreme forgiveness and consistency. The MAX-K features a slightly oversized profile (460cc), and the highest MOI of the DS-ADAPT family models.
We also enjoyed the new FutureFit33 adjustable shaft adapter during testing - it allows players to really dial in their driver to suit their playing characteristics by decoupling lie and angle and loft. It's a high tech piece of kit that can help inexperienced players make some real improvement from off the tee.
- Read our full Cobra DS-ADAPT MAX-K Driver Review
Best shelf appeal
The most stable and forgiving driver in the TaylorMade Qi35 family, the 'Max' driver boasts stunning looks and a spin profile that will players of all abilities.
The faults of the Qi10, most notably the sky-high spin levels, have been fixed thanks to the lower CG. whilst a massive 34g weight at the rear of the club head helps stabilize the club through contact. I was blown away with how tight our dispersion was with it during testing as well.
This driver suits really well to slower swing speed players because what you lose in spin rate, you'll gain in launch. I tested this out during our review process and launch never proved an issue for me despite a slower club head speed. Overall, this is a fantastic option for anyone looking an upgrade for 2025, sporting improved feel, looks, acoustic and upgrading on the already fantastic performance of the Qi10 from 2024.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi35 Max Driver Review
Best tech
The SFT is the most user-friendly driver in the G440 family, promoting a strong draw bias for those who struggle with the right miss and plenty of technology catered to easy high launch. Like the other models in the family, playing position looks are much improved despite a lackluster sole - but we don't see that bit anyway, do we?
As you can see from the length of this buying guide, the market for high handicapper drivers is a competitive one. We were blown away by the performance of the G430 SFT last year and were excited to see if the G440 could match and surpass it. Ping have begun by massively upgrading the looks - the carbonfly crown on the head looks premium and although the sole design may divide opinion, I wouldn't lose sleep about it considering we don't look at the sole of the club during the shot.
The draw bias is also elite. No matter how much I tried during testing I simply could not miss to the right. I'd estimate the draw bias has increased by around 15-20% from the G430 here, a significant and impressive achievement. This is without doubt one of the best drivers from slicers in 2025. When you factor in this alongside the improved feel, feedback and looks, it means this should be a standout option for mid-to-high handicappers in 2025.
- Read our full Ping G440 SFT Driver Review
Best at address
To begin with and, importantly, the traditional looks that we are used to seeing in Titleist woods have remained, with the GT2 looking perfect when down at address. Put simply, there are no joins or banner strips down in the playing position, with Titleist filling and polishing the sections where polymer meets titanium which, consequently, retains that familiar, clean Titleist aesthetic.
In the GT range, the GT2 is the most user-friendly as, not only does it offer the highest MOI, but the speed has not been sacrificed to achieve this. Certainly, picking up the clubhead, you will realise how lightweight it really is and how much technology is in the club.
How have they done this, you may ask? Well, Titleist's engineers have created something called Proprietary Matrix Polymer in the crown section and, in testing, we found that the sound and feel were exquisite! What's more, there was an increased level of forgiveness, especially on shots that came out the bottom and the heel of the driver.
- Read our full Titleist GT2 Driver Review
Best draw bias
The most user-friendly of the Elyte family, the 'X' should be a serious consideration for higher-handicap players looking a fresh driver option in the bag for 2025. Arguably the best driver for easy, high launch of the 2025 range we've tested so far, players will also love the predominant draw bias too.
Although the style of the sole will divide opinion, this driver still looks fantastic both in the bag and at address thanks to the new ‘Thermoforged’ carbon crown designed to enable fast club head speeds and facilitate optimal launch and spin outputs. The head features a 13-gram weight than can be adjusted to help players manipulate and customize the ball flight to suit what they want from their driver.
Feel remains pleasant but suitably solid and robust. This is another solid driver from Callaway that will be a popular sight in golf bags throughout 2025.
- Read our full Callaway Elyte X Driver Review
Best For high launch
The ST-Max 230 is an underrated model that more should test
Mizuno are better known for making some of the best golf irons and lesser known for their fairway woods and drivers, but the Japanese brand have worked hard to improve the quality of their longer clubs and have succeeded in doing so.
Mizuno claim that their ST-Max 230 driver is the most stable driver they've ever made and after our testing with it, it's hard to argue against that statement. Changes to the head profile has allowed the Japanese brand to relocate weight to more extreme locations, increasing the MOI and boosting performance and forgiveness as a result.
Not only has performance improved, but like most Mizuno golf clubs, this one is pretty on the eye. It offers a premium aesthetic which compliments the blue and black color scheme. The large head size will also inspire confidence amongst higher handicapper before they pull the trigger at address. Sound and feel are also terrific, with the feel more subtle than some of the other most forgiving drivers on the market and the acoustics follow the same pattern.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Max 230 Driver Review
Best looking
We think Srixon clubs are pretty underrated and the ZXi Max proves this theory correct. Delivering outstanding levels of playability and forgiveness, the Max harnesses the same technology as the ZXi or ZXi LS drivers but caters towards the more inexperienced or higher handicap golfer. This club looks fantastic at address and whilst the design of the sole may divide opinion, we're more interested in the part of the club we can see during address!
This club head doesn't look as big as some of the other drivers on this list and doesn't inspire confidence to the same level which shopper in this category of driver may prefer, boasting more of a 'players' look given the size and shape of the head. It's worth seeing what this looks like in person before deciding it's the driver to add to your arsenal.
As for performance, this club laughed at mishits, gobbling them up and reproducing them as decent drives. This is the tightest dispersion I've had with a driver this year bar the impressive TaylorMade Qi35 Max mentioned above in this guide. Ball flight is neutral and consistent, but a bit more draw bias could have suited those who tend to miss to the right off the tee.
- Read our full Srixon ZXi Max Driver Review
Best value
Tour Edge won't be the first name that comes to mind when you think of golf brands, but the performance of their E725 driver surprised us pleasantly during testing - so much so, we think this is a damn good driver.
It ticks the boxes needed for a high handicap driver, most notably feel and forgiveness. Couple this with a pretty but premium aesthetic and good ball speed numbers on our launch monitor and we think this is a really good piece of kit.
The biggest selling point is the price, hence the 'best value' tag in this guide. The E725 is priced at $200 less than most other options on this list. With that money you could upgrade other parts of bag whilst also getting your hands on a really underrated driver. It's well worth a test run at least.
- Read our full Tour Edge Exotics E725 Driver review
How we test
In terms of how we test products, each of our reviews and buying guides incorporate a strict testing procedure combined with the knowledge and experience honed over years of putting products to the test by our team.
Everyone that tests has a variety of different levels in the golf game from higher handicaps to ex-pros we have them all. With this level of spread through our team, we are able to get more information whether that be understanding data to have hands-on testing and getting a real feel for how the products perform.
When it comes to testing out drivers specifically, our usual testing process incorporates attending product launches and speaking with manufacturers to ensure we understand the technology of each driver in detail. Our next step is to use the driver indoors, testing each golf club with premium golf balls on a launch monitor, allowing us to gain an initial insight into performance and pick up a lot of data.
We then move on to test the club outdoors. We select a top-notch course and take the driver we are testing out for a spin, putting it to the test on a range of different holes to gauge its true level of performance.
In each review, we always aim to be as honest as possible, ensuring that manufacturers are unable to ‘buy’ a good review. At Golf Monthly, when it comes to product testing, we always like to tell it how it is, offering a true insight into each product we put to the test.
How to choose a golf 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.
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 what you're after, go for something with a high MOI or adjustable weights to help alter spin and flight characteristics. If distance is key to you, 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.
Added Launch The chances are, you'll need help keeping the ball in the air for longer, so opt for a model that produces high launch - this could be through higher loft or lighter, more flexible shaft options.
Value If you're new to the game or simply have a lot to improve on, it might be best to choose a less expensive driver as you learn the game and then upgrade to something more expensive once your swing is more technically sound and your scores lower.
Forgiveness Focus on a driver that feels easy to swing and offers lots of assistance on off-centre strikes, which should improve the consistency of your shots both in terms of distance and direction.
FAQs
What is the most forgiving driver for high handicappers?
In this guide, we'd pick out the Ping G430 SFT, Honma, Cleveland Launcher XL and TaylorMade Stealth HD as some of the most forgiving for high handicappers - but all of them will suit high handicap golfers. Check out our full guide on the most forgiving drivers for even more options.
Should high handicappers use a driver?
While the driver is arguably the hardest club in the bag high handicappers should endeavour to use one. It's the club that provides the most distance off the tee and, when used effectively, can help you achieve lower scoring. An option to use off tee if you are really struggling with driver would be one of the best fairway woods, which are easier to hit and are only marginally shorter off the tee.
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