There are loads of new drivers out in 2023, but which ones actually suit a player whose swing isn’t really fast? We’ve got you covered with our list of best drivers for slower swing speeds
Finding the right golf driver can be a challenge for senior golfers, but there are several top brands to consider in 2023. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the best golf drivers for seniors from trusted brands in the industry.
These include the Callaway Paradym X driver, Titleist TSR1 driver, Wilson Dynapwr driver, Cobra Aerojet Max driver, TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD driver, and Ping G430 Max driver.
Each driver is designed with unique features to help seniors achieve greater distance, accuracy, and overall performance on the course.
As with the rest of the Paradym range, this is a great-looking driver. Looking at this at address, the club head is more elongated than the rest of the family. This is to allow Callaway to get more weight low and back so it is easier to achieve a higher launch and is more forgiving.
I loved how easy-to-hit this model felt, and I think this would really suit mid to high-handicap golfers, but personally for my game, it launched too high and spun too much to put in play. I do think this could be dialled in with a proper custom fitting though.
So how does this perform compared to the rest of the Paradym range?
It definitely launched the highest. My highest shot launched at 121.4ft with the average of just over 100ft which was 14ft higher than the Paradym and 18ft higher than the Triple Diamond. If you struggle to get enough height on your driver, this would be a great option to launch the ball higher. It also spun the most, which was to be expected given the CG location is further back.
PROS
Great dispersion
One of the best golf drivers for seniors for distance
Forgiving on off-centre strikes
Also arguably the best driver of 2023
CONS
Ball flight may be too high for some
Bigger head than other Paradym options
Read the full Callaway Paradym X driver review HERE
I hit a few more shots with it and was really impressed with how easy it was to hit and how effortlessly I was able to get the ball in the air higher than I ever have. The first shaft I tried was the TSR1 specific shaft which is only 40g, and I loved it. The ball was spinning way too much to be optimal, but I didn’t want to stop using it as it was just so much fun.
The TSR1 is 40g lighter than any of the other TSR drivers, with weight savings in the head shaft and grip. This will allow players with a slower swing speed to move the club quicker and hit it further. It also has the lowest and furthest back centre of gravity, which provides the high launch and maximum forgiveness.
Overall this is a great addition to the TSR line-up; it will help slower players hit it higher and further whilst also helping low-spin players enjoy hitting driver more often. It won’t be for everyone, but it will help many golfers enjoy their games more.
Wilson have put a 16g weight at the back of the club which drags back the centre of gravity and increases MOI, making it really easy to hit, and easy to hit straight.
Interestingly the CoG of the driver is not in the centre of the head and is just misaligned from the sweet spot. The heel-biased centre of gravity is to help golfers who fade the ball straighten their flight, or to give better players a more consistent draw shape.
I wouldn’t normally use a draw-biased head but the shots I produced were really consistent, with none finishing to the right of the target. This predictability could be a real asset to me out on the course and it is definitely worth considering.
Forgiveness is a huge factor when it comes to picking the right driver, and this has to be one of the most forgiving out available at the moment. It is also incredibly adjustable, which we didn’t see in last year’s driver, but this is a huge win for golfers who can now really customise their flight. This is one of the best golf drivers for senior golfers.
PROS
Smaller more classic shape
Very forgiving
Centred hits gave very competitive ball speeds compared to more expensive drivers
One of the best golf drivers in 2023 for seniors
CONS
Non centred centre of gravity won’t suit players who hook the ball
It is worth noting that the sole features adjustable weights that allow you to adjust the ball flight further. Two weights, one 12 grams and the other 3 grams, sit in the sole of the club head. Add the heavy weight in the heel if you want more draw bias. If you want a more neutral ball flight, add the heaviest weight to the rear of the club head.
Often draw bias drivers are so optimised for shot shape they don’t always keep up in the distance department. This wasn’t true of the Aerojet Max at all. On average it only carried 3 yards shorter than the LS which is impressive when you consider the aerodynamic and head weighting differences.
Overall this is another great driver from Cobra. It is seriously worth checking out if you are fed up of missing the fairway to the right and also if you want something easy to hit high and need a driver that spins more.
PROS
Great distance
Will suit lots of golfers
Very draw bias
Easy to hit and launch
Weight options to control level of draw bias
CONS
Some players may spin too much
Read the full Cobra Aerojet Max driver review HERE
My first shot with the Stealth 2 HD was a high bomb with a touch of draw that was remarkably easy to create. I didn’t feel like I had to work at all to get the ball turning over at all, and the ball seemed to launch in a completely different flight window compared to the other two Stealth 2 drivers.
I wouldn’t normally go anywhere near a draw-biased driver, with my bad shot normally being a low hook, so I wasn’t sure how I would get on with the Stealth 2 HD. I was quickly blown away by how easy to hit the driver was and how well the miss-hit shots performed.
The new face design features an advanced version of Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) to help maintain ball speed on off-centre strikes and increase forgiveness. It also features a flexible speed pocket in the sole, which boosts performance on low-face strikes.
PROS
Hugely forgiving
Great launch characteristics
Draw features really work
CONS
Limited stock shaft options
Read the full TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD driver review HERE
Initial shots felt like they were going further from the same club head speed, which is always a good sign. My average carry distance was 233.4 yards, which is the distance I would want to see from my driver, and my longest shots were getting out at just under 240 yards.
Clearly, the most consistent thing about this data though is the dispersion. Both the front-to-back and left-to-right dispersion is ridiculously small. I’m honestly not even really sure how I generated such consistent data.
In terms of ease of use, this felt exceptionally easy to launch and get down the fairway even with the 9° club head I tested.
Spinsistency is a huge story in this range and it was really interesting looking at the consistency of the data here. The spin rate only varied by 350 rpm across all my shots which is very consistent.
Senior golfers require drivers that cater to their specific needs and physical abilities, and choosing the right driver can make a significant difference in their game.
With top brands like Callaway, Titleist, Wilson, Cobra, TaylorMade, and Ping offering specialized golf drivers for seniors in 2023, there are plenty of options to consider. With features like lighter weights, improved aerodynamics, and adjustable weighting, these golf drivers can help senior golfers achieve greater distance and accuracy on the course.
Consider your own preferences and skill level to determine which driver is the right fit for you and get ready to enjoy improved performance and greater confidence on the course.
How do we test drivers?
At National Club Golfer we are passionate about producing accurate and thorough reviews and make sure our testing process is rigorous so we get a good understanding of how each club performs.
Each driver is hit with TP5 golf balls to allow us to collect launch monitor data with our in-house TrackMan and Flightscope. After this it is time to head out onto the golf course and test the clubs in practice and competition play. We do this across a variety of golf clubs in our base of Yorkshire.
What is important when buying a new driver?
When buying a new driver it is important to know what you want from that club to help you improve.
Most people are looking for more distance, each driver model is optimised for different things. Depending on your swing and your impact conditions, you may not actually hit the model that is advertised as the longest, the furthest. So if you want more distance it is always worth giving different models a hit before you make a decision.
For most golfers, especially high handicappers, something that is more forgiving is going to yield the best performance. Most forgiving golf drivers have a slightly bigger club head with perimeter weighting for high MOI. They also have a center of gravity that is further back to help players get more height on their shots.
Do you want something that is draw bias? There are so many models out there to help with slice correction, it would be silly not to take a look if you see your ball disappearing into the right trees too often. A closed face and draw bias weighting can get you hitting straighter shots in no time at all.
Don’t forget about the shaft either. Getting the correct shaft can help dial in your spin, launch angle and can also give you some extra distance. Having a club fitting or trying different options with your local pro can really improve the performance of your new driver.
How To Use A Golf Driver
Driving the ball well is one of the most difficult skills in golf to master, but it’s a vital ingredient to improving your golf and being a good player. After the basics of tee the ball up high enough, widening your stance and moving the ball forward in your stance, how do you go about improving?
Check out this video where Equipment Editor Hannah Holden and PGA Professional Jack Backhouse go through some drills you can do to start getting better.
How To Draw The Ball In Golf With a Driver
Learning to draw the ball and fixing your slice makes driving the golf ball a lot further, as not only will you hit it a lot further, but you will be able to control your ball better in the wind and on doglegs.
Hannah and Jack have made a useful video to help you understand why the ball is not drawing, and what to work on to get it drawing properly, which you can check out HERE
You’ve probably spent a small fortune to get the set up that’s right for your game, so don’t forget to get specialist insurance from Golf Care to protect your clubs from theft, loss, and accidental damage. Plus, they even cover GPS watches, trolleys, and other golf equipment. With 30% off annual insurance starting from just £26.59, and a free golf gift bundle worth up to £365 including 12 free Srixon balls, it’s a no brainer. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.
Jack is a PGA Golf Professional who specialises in coaching. He also loves his golf equipment and getting into the data of the latest clubs on the market.
Jack has quickly become a go-to for expertise on a wide range of golf products but specialises in reviewing hardware. If you are looking for some new golf clubs make sure you have checked out his latest driver, fairway wood or iron reviews.
He previously worked in wealth management, all of this means that number crunching and launch monitors are his favourite thing in the world.
Jack is a member at Sandmoor Golf Club and regularly gets out on the golf course to maintain his scratch handicap.
GlobalGolf$523.99View Deal
American Golf£529.00View Deal
DICK'S Sporting Goods$599.99View Deal
PGA TOUR Superstore$599.99View Deal
