Bombing a drive off the tee in golf has become one of the most fascinating feats in the world of sports. And the rise of equipment technology has allowed amateurs to take advantage of long ball shots — in theory — just like the pros, leaving everyone from 20-plus to single-digit handicappers constantly searching for the star of the show: the driver.
Golfweek’s golf equipment expert, David Dusek, broke it down perfectly his 2023 driver review:
Everyone wants to hit the ball farther and straighter, and with exotic materials like titanium, carbon fiber, and tungsten used to make today’s drivers, the dream of more distance can be a reality for many players.
The best way to find the driver that is best for your swing and game is to work with a good custom fitter that has a launch monitor, try a few models (along with different shafts) and see which one performs the best.
Of course, the latter part of this is often nodded and then ignored, which is usually the case when discussing the various models offered by the top brands in the game.
As it is, we all want to hit it longer, straighter and less spin, and according to the ads accompanying the latest versions, the formula has always been cracked and lies in THIS year’s model.
But in reality, the drivers available from previous years contain just as much technology that can help a broad spectrum of golfers — including those in high school and, as we’ll note below, even Colin Morikawa.
With that in mind, here are our top picks from the sale rack at PGA TOUR Superstore.
Ping G4525 Max courtesy of PGA TOUR Superstore
In a world of club makers looking to increase forgiveness across the face without sacrificing distance, Ping may stand above the rest. The G425 Max, although it does not have the most attractive sound from the face – as it is adjusted in newer G430— has the technology to give amateur golfers tons of pop off the tee while keeping dispersion as tight as possible. The CG displacement weight can be set to neutral, pull or fade, making this option stable for all swing types.
TaylorMade SIM2 Max courtesy of PGA TOUR Superstore
While TaylorMade is going full steam ahead into the “carbon wood era” with the Stealth and Stealth 2 drivers, what’s in the rear sight is hard to ignore—especially when it’s a driver who’s also perfected cutting-edge technology that improves ball speed while providing forgiveness. (And let’s not overlook the fact that Collin Morikawa traded in his Stealth 2 this year, including at the 2023 PGA Championship, in favor of his trusty SIM.)
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Callaway Rogue ST Max courtesy of PGA TOUR Superstore
Callaway’s prowess in the driver game is nothing new, with the latest Paradym models creating a lot of buzz in the professional world as well as among amateurs. But don’t sleep on Rogue models like the ST Max. It checks all the boxes now expected of a Callaway driver – Tungsten Speed Cartridge, Jailbreak Speed Frame and AI-designed Flash Face – which ultimately produces bombs off the tee.
Cobra LTDx courtesy of PGA TOUR Superstore
This might be the best deal of all. If you’ve been following the equipment boom on social media lately, you’ve surely heard more than a few fitters praising the Cobra LTDx – while probably debating whether newer Aerojet models may exceed output. It’s fast. It has low spin. This is forgiving. Overall, this is the type of driver that works for the pros—at one point, even Bryson DeChambeau—all the way up to the high handicappers.
Srixon ZX5 courtesy of PGA TOUR Superstore
In the past few years, Srixon has jumped into the upper echelon of golf manufacturers, with a solid range of clubs and balls that got a boost when Brooks Koepka became the brand’s most famous endorser. And in the world of All-Things Carbon, Srixon drivers are part of the game in some respects, with the ZX7 and ZX5 featuring carbon crowns that help increase MOI and increase forgiveness.
Although many are now focusing on the second iteration of the Srixon ZX drivers – the MK II— the original ZX5 is a solid option for golfers who want to hit high-launching drives off the tee.
Courtesy of PGA TOUR Superstore
Shop all golf equipment sales at the PGA TOUR Superstore
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