The best beginner drivers to help every golf newcomer crush it off the tee

While every club in the bag is important, perhaps the most valuable one for a beginner is the correct driver. 

With most beginner golfers lacking the precision and speed required to hit driving irons or woods, being able to find the fairway with the big stick is of paramount importance. 

Thankfully, driver technology has come leaps and bounds in the last decade, with both heads and shafts now in a place where more newcomers to the game can regularly find the fairway than ever before. And as much of the initial struggle of golf simply comes with getting the ball the distance to the hole, getting a driver that prioritises easy launch and carry distance can be an invaluable tool in the quest to break 100.

While we also carry a guide to more forgiving drivers for mid-to-high handicappers, for the purposes of a true beginners list we've taken into account, forgiveness, looks, ease of use and and overall performance from across the entire range of drivers on the market in 2025. 

From this, we've hand-selected six of the best drivers right now that would set any beginner golfer off on the right foot. 

Our expert testers have tested all of the drivers on this list, putting them through their paces on the golf course, as well as in the studio – our mission, as always being to help you get the most out of your driving and shoot lower scores at a price that is right for you.

The Best Golf Drivers for Beginners in 2025

TaylorMade Qi35 Max

Key Features:

• Fourth-generation carbon twist face for maximum energy transfer and alignment benefits.
• New symmetric inertia generator includes a massive 34g tungsten weight, creating the best launch conditions we have seen in a 10k TaylorMade driver
• High inertia shape paired with Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, 4° loft sleeve and Infinity Carbon Crown

Price: £529

Pros:

• Incredibly forgiving
• Still packs plenty of punch
• One of the easiest drivers on the market to hit

Cons:

• Expensive

TaylorMade’s Qi35 Max driver aims to dominate the 10k MOI sector in 2025, prioritizing forgiveness and consistency for golfers of all levels. Central to its design is the new symmetric inertia generator, featuring a 34g tungsten weight positioned low and back for improved launch and forgiveness. Combined with chromium carbon construction, this driver optimises flight, spin, and ball speed across the face.

Visually, the Qi35 Max makes an impact with its large profile and futuristic aesthetic, inspired by high-performance sports cars and fighter jets. The light grey chromium carbon finish, dynamic sole design, and modern crown deliver a bold, tech-forward look. The fourth-generation carbon face feels lively and responsive, providing ample feedback while delivering a satisfying sensation at impact.

While the Qi35 Max isn’t designed solely for speed, it still generates impressive power. It excels in forgiveness, maintaining consistent spin, ball speed, and dispersion even on off-center hits. The slight draw bias helps correct mishits, and the increased spin benefits players with slower swing speeds.

For those entering the 10k MOI category, the Qi35 Max is an outstanding option. However, Qi10 Max owners won’t see dramatic improvements. Get fitted for optimal results, as this forgiving, easy-launching driver is among 2025’s best.

READ OUR FULL TAYLORMADE QI35 MAX DRIVER REVIEW

Wilson DYNAPWR Max 

Key Features:

• The increased front-to-back and heel-to-toe length delivers a higher moment of inertia (MOI) than ever before, ensuring the straightest tee shots
• PKR-360 face is milled to various thicknesses to provide more ball speed across the entire face
• Flippable rear weight allows golfers the ability to fine-tune their left to right shot shaping to deliver straighter tee shots.

Price: £480

Pros:

• Extremely forgiving
• Confidence-inspiring at address
• Both models sound and feel fantastic

Cons:

• Less adjustability than some competitors
• Wilson's most expensive driver to date
• Expensive for a Wilson driver 

Wilson have been quietly turning heads with the increasing quality of their metal woods for some time now, and the DYNAPWR Max provides more forgiveness than any driver the brand has ever produced by hitting the mythical 10,000 MOI figure.

Featuring a larger head profile and an A.I driven PKR-360 face, this driver provides outstanding levels of forgiveness and ball speed from across the face, even on less than ideal strikes.

One of the most forgiving clubs we've ever tested, the DYNAPWR Max is a fairway-finding machine.

The drawbacks? The DYNAPWR Max perhaps isn't the most adjustable driver on this list, with just the one flippable weight that can be turned to emphasise MOI or a draw bias depending on what you most value.

It's that extra forgiveness, plus its attractive price point, that makes this driver an excellent choice for beginner golfers who want to get serious about the game.

READ OUR FULL WILSON DYNAPWR MAX DRIVER REVIEW 

Cobra DS-Adapt Max-K

Key Features:

• SmartPad technology to keep face square with loft and lie changes
• Progressive Aero shaping to reduce drag and increase club speed
• Movable weight technology to maximise shot shaping
• FUTUREFIT 33 Adjustable Hosel System

Price: £469

Pros:

• One of the best-looking drivers of 2025
• Exceptional levels of adjustability
• Very easy to hit with bags of forgiveness

Cons:

• Adjustment options might be overwhelming for newcomers
• No notable cons

The Cobra DS-Adapt Max-K driver is a standout addition to the 2025 market, combining exceptional forgiveness with cutting-edge customisation. Breaking the 10k MOI barrier, this driver is designed to deliver unparalleled stability and accuracy. Its FUTUREFIT33 adjustable hosel offers 33 loft and lie configurations, while the Smartpad sole technology ensures the clubface stays square at address, no matter the setting.

Aesthetically, the Max-K builds on Cobra’s popular Darkspeed line with sleek black, silver, and carbon accents, creating a modern and dynamic look. Its angular crown design and rear sole weight enhance its visual appeal and functionality. The driver produces a strong, satisfying crack at impact and provides ample feedback, ensuring players can pinpoint their strikes.

In performance, the Max-K prioritises forgiveness over raw speed, making it a fairway-finding machine. Even off-centre hits benefit from the stability and face technology, reducing errant shots. The new adjustable hosel allows quick, precise setup adjustments, optimising performance for various swing styles. With spin hovering around 3,000 RPM, the driver offers a neutral, workable ball flight.

At £469, the Max-K delivers excellent value, outperforming pricier competitors in forgiveness and playability. Ideal for players seeking maximum forgiveness and customisation, it’s a top contender for 2025.

READ OUR FULL COBRA DS-ADAPT MAX-K DRIVER REVIEW

Callaway Elyte X Driver

Key Features:

• Neutral and draw settings with an adjustable 13g weight
• Thermoforged Carbon crown enables fast head speeds while optimising launch and spin
• Ai10x Face delivers 10x more control points than the Ai Smart Face

Price: £569

Pros:

• Draw bias setting will really help those who struggle with a slice
• Lovely, robust feel from across the face
• Better adjustability than the Paradym Ai Smoke Max D

Cons:

• Higher launch and spin not ideal for faster swing speed players
• Expensive

The Callaway Elyte X is the most forgiving driver in the 2025 Elyte range, tailored for players seeking maximum launch and forgiveness. With a 460cc head and Thermoforged carbon crown, it retains ball speed across the face while optimising spin and launch. Its adjustability includes a moveable weight for neutral or draw bias settings, complemented by the new Ai10x smart face, which features 10x more control points for enhanced performance.

Aimed primarily at beginners and slicers, the Elyte X offers a versatile option for golfers looking to boost forgiveness and launch. Its bulbous yet aerodynamic head inspires confidence, framing the ball beautifully. The matte black crown and silver-green accents add a premium aesthetic, making it one of Callaway’s most attractive designs to date.

In testing, the Elyte X impressed with consistent ball speed and remarkable forgiveness. While not the fastest in the lineup, it’s one of the quickest forgiving drivers available in 2025. Even off-centre hits retained distance and accuracy, and its draw-bias adjustability helps combat slicing effectively.

For golfers prioritising forgiveness, the Elyte X delivers excellent performance, striking aesthetics, and improved adjustability, making it a standout choice for 2025 despite its premium price.

READ OUR FULL CALLAWAY ELYTE X DRIVER REVIEW

Mizuno ST Max 230

Key Features:

• Cortech Chamber: A dense stainless steel weight with elastomeric TPU shifted closer to the clubface to maintain ball speeds across a wider portion of the clubface
• 54 gram back weight: positioned to improve stability and straight line performance
• Beta rich LFS Ti clubface: a new lighter, faster face material for improved ball speeds from across the face

Price: £449

Pros:

• Offers outstanding forgiveness and stability from across the face
• One of the longest drivers we've tested this year
• An excellent all around performer

Cons:

• Larger footprint and profile may take some getting used to at address

One of the best performers from last season, the Mizuno ST Max 230 is an outstanding driver that can compete with the best of the best in terms of both distance and forgiveness.

The driver features a large 54 gram weight located at the back of the head to improve MOI and twist resistance, which has in turn made it one of the mast stable models on the market this year.

Thanks to the extended Cortech chamber, which allows stress to be taken away from the clubface, this model also provides remarkably consistent ball speed numbers from across the hitting surface.

In terms of looks, this might not be the most attractive design on this list, but the carbon crown and electric blue panelling on the sole, certainly add to its shelf appeal.

During testing, this driver was one of the easiest to hit, and along with the PING G430 Max 10K and TaylorMade Qi10 Max, we think it's one of the best options on the market for mid to high handicappers who struggle to find the fairway.

Thanks to a new Beta rich LFS Ti clubface, this driver also produces lovely feel across the face and crisp and satisfying acoustics.

If you're a golfer who wants to improve their distance and accuracy off the tee, then the Mizuno ST Max 230 should certainly be considered. Given it's getting close to the end of its two-year cycle, it can also be had for well under £300 right now, which is a steal.

Takomo Ignis D1

Key Features:

• Carbon crown
• Trio of adjustable weights to prioritise fades, draws or MOI
• Variable thickness face provides a huge sweet spot
• Choice of Fujikura shafts

Price: £299

Pros:

• Fantastic forgiveness and ball speed from across the face
• Looks great
• Outstanding value

Cons:

• Not super long
• Slightly lower MOI

Takomo's Ignis D1 driver is a new addition to the market and a step in a bold new direction for the affordable premium brand, who have made their name making sleek irons and wedges with a direct to consumer model.

The first flagship driver to release after a period of prototyping, the Ignis D1 is firmly aimed at the developing golfer, prioritising forgiveness and repeatability of performance over raw speed and distance with its variable thickness face and massive sweet spot. 

Despite costing £200 less than the big-budget companies, it features tons of premium tech, including adjustable tungsten weights and a carbon crown, and looks excellent. The choice of Fujikura Ventus shafts is a great touch as well, offering tons of stability without the price tag.

Shop now: $299 from Takomo Golf

READ OUR FULL TAKOMO IGNIS D1 DRIVER REVIEW

Things to consider when buying a new golf driver:

1. CLUBHEAD SIZE

The size of a golf driver's head is measured by volume in cubic centimetres and the maximum size allowed by golf's governing bodies is 460cc.

All of the latest golf drivers sit between 440cc (drivers suited for players who like to shape the ball more in the air) and 460cc (drivers suited for players who crave more forgiveness).

Size matters. Find the one that appeals most to you at address.

2. MATERIALS

Gone are the days when we used persimmon woods or metal woods made of steel. The latest golf drivers on the market are either made of titanium or carbon heads.

Titanium has become a particularly popular choice for golf driver heads because it is a strong, light and durable material.

As a result of using either titanium or composite materials, golf companies can design 460cc drivers without increasing weight. This means players can swing the club faster and hit the ball further and more accurately because of the larger sweet spot on the face of the driver.

When used on the crown or the rear section of a clubhead, carbon can reduce the overall weight of a driver.

When it comes to the crown, you also want to not only find the right shape as you stand over the ball at address, but also the right design and colour that fits your eye.

Some crowns are shiny, others have a matte finish that reduces glare. In our personal opinion, the latter appeals more (well, certainly when the sun comes out!)

3. MOMENT OF INERTIA (MOI)

MOI is a common phrase in golf, particularly when it comes to the driver.

It refers to a club's forgiveness, specifically its resistance to twisting at impact.

A driver with a high MOI means it is less likely to twist or rotate when you strike the ball outside the centre of the face.

4. CENTRE OF GRAVITY (CG)

CG is another common phrase and it refers to the single balance point of the driver. Different brands have opposing views on where best to place the CG in their drivers.

The CG of a driver can be moved vertically, horizontally, or back and forward in a clubhead by moving fixed or adjustable weights inside the head.

It can be a bit of a minefield, so the only real way to find out which CG location works best for you is to get custom fitted.

In general, the lower and further back the CG is, the higher the ball will launch as the spin is increased. The driver will also be more forgiving as the MOI will be higher. Moving the CG forward will increase ball speeds but reduce the ball spin and the MOI.

A balance of high launch and low spin is the holy grail.

WATCH OUR LATEST VIDEO ON GOLF DRIVER CUSTOM FITTING

5. LOFT AND LIE

Driver loft refers to the angle of the face in relation to the vertical, and each model is typically available between 8 and 13 degrees.

Lower lofted clubs (e.g. 8 degrees) have a slightly lower trajectory, but go a little further in the hands of players who can generate plenty of clubhead speed.

Higher lofted clubs (e.g. 13 degrees) are better for players with slower swing speeds or players that need extra help to get the ball airborne.

Lofts in between (e.g 10.5 degrees) are for the vast majority of players who have neither particularly fast nor slow swing speeds.

With a plethora of adjustable golf drivers now available, however, it means you can tinker all day and play about with your loft. To do this, you simply remove a screw in the heel of the club, connect the shaft to the clubhead and replace it with a predetermined setting.

However, be careful when adjusting the loft of your golf driver because that will sometimes also change the lie angle - the angle of the shaft to the ground at address. A change to the lie angle will affect your ball flight horizontally left or right.

But remember, you cannot change the setup of your driver during your round.

Dialling in the correct loft and lie is a vital aspect of the custom fitting process, so we strongly recommend you opt for one, especially if you are looking to maximise your performance with the driver.

6. WEIGHTS

Using weights in the clubhead of a driver can have a significant impact on improving a player's ball flight as it changes the club's CG and MOI properties.

Of the drivers that feature weights, you can expect to see sliding weights or plugs from anything between one and 20 grams on the sole of the club.

The benefit of using more weight in the heel is that it will create a draw bias, while placing more weight in the toe will produce a fade bias.

And if a player craves a higher ball flight, they can simply place the weight in the back portion of the head.

7. SWINGWEIGHT

This one often goes overlooked, but it's an incredibly important feature of a golf club to note.

Knowing how much your driver weighs (total weight), and of that weight, how much of it is in the head (swing weight), is becoming a critical part of improving a player's driving.

The total weight and the head weight of your driver have to be matched to your physical strength, your swing tempo and your golfing athletic ability.

Play with too light of a total weight or swing weight for your strength, tempo and ability and your percentage of off-centre hits increases.

8. SHAFT FLEX

Shafts are important in all golf clubs, but especially drivers.

Using lighter, less stiff shafts will produce a higher, right-to-left biased ball flight, while heavier, stiff shafts will launch the ball lower with a higher tendency to shape the ball to the right.

The right shaft can help players hit the ball further, straighter and more consistently. Most manufacturers will offer drivers in regular (R), stiff (S) and extra stiff (XS) shaft flexes.

Other flexes include light or ladies flex (L), senior (A) and more extra stiff options (XXS, XXXS).

Again, a custom fitting session will help find the perfect shaft flex for your game.

9. SHAFT LENGTH

Although the legal limit for the length of a driver is 48 inches, most drivers have a shaft of around 45 or 46 inches to strike the best balance of distance and control.

While longer drivers will typically increase speed and help players hit the ball further, the additional length of the driver will sacrifice an element of control and accuracy.

So unless you are a basketball player, anything around 45 inches in driver length will typically suit the vast majority of players.

10. SOUND / FEEL AT IMPACT

Yes, finding the right shaft, clubhead and swing weight combinations are all important traits to consider when it comes to the feel of a driver, but the sound at impact is also what is going to make you want to keep coming back for more.

If your driver doesn't sound and feel right to you at impact, then it's going to become pretty unattractive to you. Yes, there are no pictures or sounds on the scorecard, but this in all likelihood is an expensive purchase for you and you want to feel satisfied every time you pull the trigger.

Find yourself a driver that not only works for you off the tee peg, but also gives you a satisfying feeling at impact and makes you want to keep coming back for more.

Many of the major golf manufacturers have dramatically improved their acoustics through the years, however, so we would be surprised if you find one in the class of 2023 that fails to satisfy your needs.

How often should I change my golf driver?

A question that often warrants many different answers.

Golf driver technology is now so advanced that all changes year to year are very small, so constantly changing your golf driver is not usually necessary.

However, there are reasons why you should consider changing, as listed below:

Golf swing change - A dramatic change in your golf swing (such as a change in AOA, face angle, or swing speed) will mean your driver that was working for your old swing may not be optimal for your new swing. If this is the case then it’s best to see a local PGA Pro or a qualified golf custom fitter to determine what needs to be done. It could be an adjustment to your current driver or even a new shaft.

Shot Data - We would always recommend using a launch monitor every year to ensure that your driver is still optimal for your swing. You may find some major or minor changes have occurred. The best golf pros on the PGA Tour do this every week in order to keep on top of things. If you are serious about your golf game then we strongly recommend you check out your shot data at least once a year.

Time - Every three to five years is when we recommend you take a look at new golf driver models from the game’s biggest brands as that is how long it takes to notice significant changes in driver technology for consumers.