Best Drivers for Senior Golfers 2024
There are loads of new drivers out in 2024, 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
Like all golfers, senior players range greatly in ability and so not one club will fit all. In this guide to the best drivers for senior golfers, we highlight what we think will best suit the typical senior golfer. Usually players lose speed as they get older and so need a lightweight shaft and something that feels a little softer. In terms of the driver heads, you would look at a more forgiving shape and something to give a higher launch.
Below we’ve highlighted a range of different branded golf drivers that are designed to suit all of those needs, featuring some of the best drivers 2024 and some favourites from previous years too.
Best Golf Drivers for Seniors
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver
When you have the club in hand, you just want to hit it! It looks great behind the ball, and the lattice pattern on the top of the club is a nice touch. Personally, the smoke effect on the back of the club does nothing for me but is something different.
Looking at the data below, the first thing to notice is that I am not capable of hitting 10 shots without scuffing one left! It has nothing to do with the club. It is completely down to my lack of ability! Discounting the first bad hit, I pretty much averaged 200 yards carry with a total average distance of 215 yards. The furthest carry was 213 yards, with a total rollout of 230 yards.
To put the numbers in context, I tend to compare myself to LPGA Tour averages – these being a carry with the driver of 218 yards, ball speed of 140, launch angle of 13.2 degrees, descent angle of 37 degrees & peak height of 25 yards.
Overall, I was really impressed with this driver’s performance. When you are over the ball, you just want to hit it, and so it gives you confidence before you even hit the ball.
- Read the full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver Review
RRP: £569
Shafts: Project X Cypher 2.0 | 40 G (LGT) | D2
MCA Tensei AV Blue | 50 G (REG | STF) | D3 & 60 G (STF ) | D4
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 50G
Lofts: 9°, 10.5° & 12°
More information: Callaway website
Titleist TSR1 driver
RRP: £529
Right-handed lofts: 9°, 10°, 12°
Left-handed lofts: 10° (9° and 12° custom only)
Titleist featured shafts: Mitsubishi MMT SpeedMesh 40 (Men’s) and 35 (Ladies)
More information: Titleist website
Cobra DarkSpeed Max Driver
I really like the fact that although this is Cobra’s most forgiving driver model it doesn’t look too big behind the ball, yet is still confidence-inspiring. It’s a big win for Cobra in the looks category this year.
This driver is called Max for a reason, Cobra is aiming to deliver maximum forgiveness, maximum height, and maximum draw bias.
The back of the driver features a 12g weight that can be positioned at the heel of the club for the most draw bias or at the rear for a more neutral option. During my testing, I kept this at the back as I don’t need excessive amounts of help hitting a draw. I was seriously impressed with the results in terms of dispersion and consistency.
My average carry distance ended up at 229.8 yards, which I was really happy with. I really liked the fact my carry distance was very consistent across all three models in the Darkspeed range, which meant you could pick the best model based on ball flight, spin and shot shape rather than simply going for the model that flys the furthest.
PROS
- Easy to hit
- Great dispersion
- High launch
- Good balance of speed and forgiveness
CONS
- Not everyone needs draw bias
- Read the full Cobra DarkSpeed Max driver review
RRP: £429
Stock Shafts: Project X Hzrdus CB Red (A and R flex) | UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X Red (R and S flex)
Grip: Lampkin Crossline
Lofts: 9°, 10.5° & 12°
More information: Cobra Website
Wilson Dynapwr driver
RRP: £370
Mizuno ST-X 230 driver
If you love classic-shaped drivers, you are going to love the Mizuno ST-X 230. Its head is really deep, and the head is very round compared to its pear-shaped sister, ST-Z 230. It certainly feels a lot more workable when you stand at address.
The head somehow looks big behind the ball, which is confidence inspiring. I don’t know if this is because the head is big or because the shaft is shorter than many other brands at only 45 inches; it just feels big. I like it, but I fear it will put some players off.
The great distance I achieved with the Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver is thanks to a new forged SAT 2041 beta Ti face is boosted by the Cortech Chamber on the sole. The new tech makes strikes feel solid from all over the face and keeps ball speed and distance up.
RRP: £499
Lofts: 9.5˚, 10.5˚, 12˚
Grip: Lamkin ST+2 Hybrid 360
Shaft: UST Helium Nanocore 40, UST LIN-Q M40X Red 50
More information: Mizuno website
Callaway Big Bertha Driver
The 2023 edition is big. The elongated crown has a generous profile and is a completely different shape from the Paradym models, which have been a huge success already this year. Putting it behind the ball gives you confidence.
Now it is big, the head is elongated, and there is plenty of club face to aim at, which is nice. I normally prefer a more classic round shape, but this looks good and sits very nicely behind the ball. I was very pleased with the results I got hitting it.
I used the standard 50-gram stiff graphite shaft and loved how it felt in the swing. Despite having fairly decent club head speed, I have always preferred a lighter shaft, and this one seems to work well for me, as I clocked a decent 112mph club head speed with it.
I absolutely loved hitting this driver. I love the lightweight design, the draw bias, and just how easy the club felt to hit. I personally find some of the low-spin ‘good players’ drivers don’t have the same feel from the face as the more forgiving drivers do
RRP: £449
Right-handed lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°
Left-handed lofts: 10°, 9°
Featured shafts: There are too many shaft options to count!
More information: Callaway Website
TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver
The Max driver has the largest profile in the Qi10 range, but it still looks great behind the golf ball and is likely more confidence-inspiring for the majority of golfers. I love the new infinity carbon fibre crown and how seamless the top of the club looks behind the golf ball.
I was really impressed with the high ball flight I got with this and the consistency of the flight. My ‘worst shot’ dispersion-wise finished only thirteen yards from my target, and from left to right, my dispersion was only 25 yards wide, which is absolutely insane. I’m not sure I have ever hit a driver so straight with a variety of strikes.
This driver is going to make an impact in the golf market this year. It offers serious levels of forgiveness that could improve the game of all golfers, from high handicappers to tour pros and it is going to be a serious contender for going in my bag this year.
RRP: £449
Shafts: Fujikura Speeder NX TCS 50 (S, R, A) and Mitsubishi Diamana T+ 60 (X, S, R)
Grip: Golf Pride Z-Grip Black/Blue 0.600 52g
Lofts: 9°, 10.5° & 12°
The Qi10 Max also comes in a women’s version at 10.5° and 12.0° lofts with Fujikura Speeder NX TCS 40 shaft. A lightweight High & Light (HL) version of the Qi10 Max both at 10.5° and 12.0° lofts, will be available in custom.
More information: TaylorMade Website
Ping G430 Max 10k driver
Visually, this is Ping’s largest profile driver ever. That doesn’t mean the volume of the driver has increased, but rather, the shaping has been stretched for more forgiveness. Ping are probably the best on the market at producing a club that looks confidence-inspiring behind the ball, and this model is no different. It sits great, and I really like the two-toned look of the new Carbonfly Wrap Crown.
The 10k name in this driver is all about the forgiveness story. It refers to something called the MOI of the driver, which has come in at over 10,000g-cm². Basically, this is a measurement of how forgiving the club head is. MOI stands for moment of inertia, and it is all about how much the club head twists when you hit the ball out of the toe or the heel.
Importantly, this driver doesn’t just deliver forgiveness. I also got great club head and ball speed data, giving this a real all-around package. Definitely a club for amateur golfers to give a try this season!
RRP: £599
Shafts: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) Black 55 (SR, R, S), PING Alta Quick 35/45 (HL build only)
Optional Stock Shafts: PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X), PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X), Mitsubishi Kai’Li White 60 (S, X), PRJX HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 50 (5.5, 6.0), PRJX HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5)
Grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16”, Red -1/32”, Aqua -1/64”, White-Std, Gold +1/32”, Orange +1/16”)
Lofts: 9°, 10.5° & 12°
More information: Ping Website
Best Golf Drivers For Seniors
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 2024, 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.
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Nicola Slater
Nicola recently graduated from Stirling University where she studied Sports Studies, she wrote her dissertation on barriers to participation for women in golf.
Nicola plays her golf at Hickleton and she currently plays off +3. Having played for Yorkshire Ladies and has represented England at junior and senior level, she will soon be beginning her professional career on LETAS.
