What is the best driver?

[Doug Emmons]

The original Callaway Great Big Bertha driver from the 90’s was amazing. It let me get it out there 250-275 on average with one of sweetest fades you’ve ever seen.

It’s currently picking up dust in my garage, and every so often I think about seeing what can still do.

[cbruce95]

Have always had a love hate relationship with the driver mostly hate until I recently got the Taylormade Stealth HD, 10.5 with an extra 0.75", shaft after having a couple of goes with my pals M6 D Type driver and seeing a huge difference on my slice that I would usually hit to then becoming just a small fade that was playable.

This is only my 3rd driver I have owned the other 2 being a Nike sq dymo2 str8-fit driver then replaced this with a Nike Vapor Pro Driver. For the last 3 - 4 years i have taken the driver out the bag to avoid the temptation to use it and just used my TSI3 3 Wood instead of the tee as I found this more consistent and regularly found the fairway and was usually similar distance to my playing partners drive with his driver. But now with the stealth I have the confidence to play the driver regularly now with a slight fade or straight flight path. Just now need to work on the Wedge shots into the green.

[ARLINDO]

There is no such a thing as a "best driver"? Ther are only drivers professionaly fitted for each particular golfer.

[tdsimm01]

I believe when the Taylormade r7 came out it was the biggest advancement in drivers. I loved that club and played it for 10 years. 

[mdumble21]

The best driver I've played is my current gamer, the Cobra F9. It still looks great behind the ball, I've hit some of my best drives with it and it beat the Darkspeed the other day at a demo event (even when I swapped the heads over). 

Honourable mention goes to the Callaway X Hot Pro - could hit absolute bombs with it and I sometimes kick myself for selling it years ago.

[Barkerbob]

I think the best driver I have had so far is my Ping G425.  Never have been very good with driver but this one seems to be in the fairway more.  I am always trying new and different clubs and always looking for that miracle club.

[FallenSaber]

The Sasquatch!!! Nike Sumo 2. Loved that driver. Every drive felt like a bomb!

Edited 5 hours ago by FallenSaber

[Proshop3356]

I was the first kid on my block to get the Big Bertha. Everyone wanted to hit it. It was definitely a groundbreaking head, but the metal shaft Callaway had in it was crap. I’m currently gaming the TM Stealth Plus. I’ve never had a driver that was so much longer than my previous driver, (M3). I had to change my sight lines the first time I had it in the bag. 

[Jakesy35]

Best driver I’ve ever used is my current gamer, the SiM2 Max D, 10.5 turned down to a 9 degree loft, with a UST Mamiya LinQ Red shaft that’s been cut down a half inch from standard length. My whole golfing life has been a struggle when it comes to driving and this setup is the first one I’ve ever had where I’m able to consistently hit good shots off the tee. Since putting it in the bag, I’ve been able to keep the majority of my drives in the fairway, which has been such a problem for me in the past that I would put the driver away after a few holes almost every round.  Now I’m shaving off strokes when I hit driver instead of adding them.  The confidence I get from knowing that I can make good contact and get the ball 230-250 yards off the tee has completely changed my game for the better.

[jpgolfer64]

I bought a Callaway Epic Max in 2021, it has been very reliable and long. I have a Mitsubishi MMT shaft in it and have since changed out my  T200 shafts to MMT. So, to me the saft is as important as the clubhead. The knock on the Callaway has always been the sound, like a crack of the bat. I'm planning on getting a fitting with the new  GT driver soon.

[Robbie64]

Ping G430 LST project X Hzd red smoke stiff

[livininparadise]

On 10/1/2024 at 8:10 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

Pretty simple question. What is the best driver you have ever used? 

Maybe it is a blast from the past you wish you had back or maybe it is your current big stick... so lets  hear it!

Ping 400 max

[Zelmo12]

I have 3 that really changed my driving (before I self sabotaged and sold them for other drivers) ha

Taylormade m1 I think it was the 2015 model that had the red tracks underneath. you could take one of the tracks out and add it vertically or horizontally to make it a bomber or more forgiving. Loved the top crown as well. Very easy to line up.

Cobra F9- this was probably my favorite driver ever (white version) but the face had this channel around it where it was probably welded on. If you got the ball in this channel it would eat the crap out of your golf ball. Very annoying.

Cobra darkspeed ls- this is my current gamer and with a auto flex shaft it is disgusting. Long, straight, forgiving... what ever other buzz words you like! The smaller head size is amazing to me. 

[RetiredBoomer]

2 minutes ago, jpgolfer64 said:

The knock on the Callaway has always been the sound, like a crack of the bat.

I've always been oblivious to the sound of my driver.

I notice if it sounds different that it usually does, indicative of a mis-hit,
but as for its normal sound, I never really cared.

When I bought my first titanium driver, a Titleist 12° Howitzer,
it sounded different than anything I'd ever heard before,
but I didn't even need a single round of golf to get used to it.
A few practice tee hits did the trick.
It would be playing partners who noticed the sound.

Yet, sound seems to be a real factor for a lot of hitters.
At the beginning, I suspected that they were concerned about how the hit sounded to others,
but now I understand that to some, the sound is almost part of the feel.
 

 

 

[JimmyP]

Recently I borrowed a driver from a friend that can no longer play due to injuries.  It was a Ping G410.  So much easier to hit than my PXG 0811X.  I can only imagine what the new Pings are like.  I'll not know as I can not afford to plunk out $700 for a club.  I'll probably make my friend an offer for the G410.

[Rwboyce]

In my opinion,  the best driver is either the Ping G425 or G430 10X. They have been the best selling drivers at the store where I work. I play the G425 and get great distance when I hit the center of the face.

[CSSShoreham]

Ping G430 Max 10K w/ Ventus Velocore shaft. 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by CSSShoreham

[Hamviper]

This is a fun one. I like many others have a love hate relationship with drivers. Out of high school I bought the 9 degree Deep Face Cobra driver tiger used. Was amazing. I worked at a golf course back then and played a lot of golf. Really loved that driver. The shaft was a problem though. Broke 3 of them before I traded it away.

Today I am reallying enjoying my Cobra LTDx ls and Darkspeed X. That LTDx is the best sounding driver I have ever owned. It does require a bit more consistency in swing then I can give it right now though. The X is a LTDx ls with forgiveness, but doesn't sound as good. I think the Darkspeed X is the best looking driver I have ever owned, feels great and, has enough forgiveness to make it playable with great distance.

[ManBeard]

On 10/1/2024 at 8:10 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

Pretty simple question. What is the best driver you have ever used? 

Maybe it is a blast from the past you wish you had back or maybe it is your current big stick... so lets  hear it!

The biggest holy s*** moment I've ever had, was the first time hitting my old Taylormade M1. To go from using my good Old Nike Sumo and NOT hearing a what sounds like a bat on a garbage can , was world shifting. 

 

I used to HAAAAAAATE hitting driver because of a horrible slice, so I would use anything and everything but one. After one range session with the M1 with the weights moved to a draw bias, I found myself wanting to hit it all of the time!

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 minute ago, ManBeard said:

The biggest holy s*** moment I've ever had, was the first time hitting my old Taylormade M1. To go from using my good Old Nike Sumo and NOT hearing a what sounds like a bat on a garbage can , was world shifting. 

 

I used to HAAAAAAATE hitting driver because of a horrible slice, so I would use anything and everything but one. After one range session with the M1 with the weights moved to a draw bias, I found myself wanting to hit it all of the time!

The OG M1 and M2 were so good. Probably the best looking in the series till they went to SIM. 

[BrutonAD]

Ping g430

[Scott malotke]

TM Stealth

[Josh Parker]

Before my Titleist GT3 with Tensei 1k Blue I would have said this one.....

Titleist 983k or the ole Cleveland Launcher 460 with the green aldila shaft.

[Scott77]

I would have to say that my current driver is my favorite so far. I am playing a Titleist TSI2. Long and accurate for me.

[Erin B]

Ping 410LST hands down the best driver I’ve ever had.

[Trevor613]

Ping Rapture V2 with a Diamana Blueboard 63g stiff (the OG blueboard).  I love this driver...found it on eBay a few years after it was released. Stayed in my bag for nearly 15 years!!! until last April.

I'm currently gaming a Callaway Paradym with the Diamana TB shaft that I was fit into last year and I just can't get comfortable with it. I may need to trade it for a newer Ping G430 10K to see if I can find my next unicorn!

[Steve Cherry]

Taylormade R7

[Bad Golfer]

It definitely seems like the general consensus is anything Ping has made since the G400 up to present. I might have to go try to hit one.

[AlmostRetired]

A long, long time ago, in a land far, far away....my favorite driver was and still is a 1956 MacGregor M85W Super Eye-O-Matic. There is nothing like the feel of hitting a balata covered 100 compression Titleist with a persimmon driver...its like butter....smooth...

Now I'd have to say it's the one in my bag, a Rogue ST Max...I'm sure there are better ones out there, but this one does the best for me so far.  Fittings haven't given me enough gain in yardage and dispersion to justify the expense of a new one.  

[RetiredBoomer]

Those old Mac Eye-O-Matic s were indeed special.

For me, it was the M09 driver and the 945W fairways.

The lengths,  lie angles,  face angles,  and head shapes  all felt perfect to me.

On the other hand, I don't miss balata covered wound balls even a little bit!