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Best golf drivers 2018

The best drivers for 2018: 16 models tested and reviewed

If you’re in the market for a new driver in 2018, don’t even think about getting your wallet out until you’ve been through our rundown of the best models…

 

Best golf drivers 2018. This is the most comprehensive test you will find of all the latest and greatest drivers on the market for 2018.

Click through for individual reviews and videos of each driver and check out the results table on the final page which shows which ones carried the furthest.

This test effectively started 18 months ago when some of these were released and has continued right through this winter with testing sessions in Abu Dhabi, Leeds and Sheffield.

Best golf drivers 2018 – Callaway Rogue, Draw, Sub Zero

In a nutshell: The heads look bigger so inspire more confidence than the Epics.

But there’s that  same explosive feeling off the face. Across the board we found the performance was better on mis-hits than with the Epics.

Three heads makes fitting easier and it allows the regular model in particular to max out on forgiveness by doing away with the sliding weight track.

Of the three, I actually got the best numbers with the Sub Zero but if I was choosing one to go into battle with, it’d be the regular Rogue all day long.

Click through to the final page to see a full results table with the best carry numbers.

SRP: £469

Shaft used: Project X Even Flow 6.0

Click here to read and watch our full review.

Best golf drivers 2018 – TaylorMade M3 and M4

In a nutshell: After much deliberation we’ve finally decided we prefer the silver finish to the white on last year’s M1 and M2.

However, we haven’t been able to do enough on-course testing to reach a meaningful conclusion about Twist Face.

It’s not noticeable from the address position so there’s no worries about that. And the sound, feel and distance is all great.

TaylorMade M4 Driver vs TaylorMade M2 Driver Comparison with Trackman

Will it help golfers find more fairways? We’ll have to wait until we’ve put it into play on the course a bit more

And out of the two, it would be the M4 all day long as it offers maximum forgiveness and distance.

The performance with the M4 was noticeably better, mainly due to more forgiveness than the M3.

The M4 carries on from the M2 as arguably the best option for those who just want to grip it and rip it.

We’d struggle to justify the extra £110 for the M3 unless we really needed to dial in a shot shape.

SRPs: £479/£369

Shaft used: Project X Hzrdus Black

Click to read and watch our full reviews of the M3 and M4.

Best golf drivers 2018 – Ping G400 Max

In a nutshell: The G400 Max is the fourth option from the G400 range adding to the existing regular, LST and SFT models.

And out of the four, I’d be reaching for the Max without any hesitation at all.

It has the largest footprint so inspires the most confidence at address and offers fantastic forgiveness and distance.

It surprised us a little at how low the spin rates remained considering the weight has been dragged as far back as possible.

And it produced the most consistent set of numbers from all the drivers in this test.

See how it fared in our results table by clicking through to the final page.

SRP: £389

Shaft used: Ping Alta CB 55g stiff

Click here to read and watch our full review.

Best golf drivers 2018 – Titleist 917 D2

In a nutshell: It was around 18 months since I got fitted into this driver.

And this test served as a reminder of how much I liked it. The sound and feel is still the best of anything around at the moment.

It’s a driver which is all about the fitting. I was fitted into an 8.5˚ head with the SureFit hosel and CG system deployed in the draw position.

My technique and strike patterns have changed a fair bit since then so I was struggling to launch it as well as I would have liked.

So we probably needed re-dialling in for optimal numbers – which were still very impressive.

See how the 917 D2 fared by clicking trough to the results table on the final page.

SRP: £365

Shaft used: Mitsubishi Diamana White 70 stiff

Click here to read and watch our full review.

Best golf drivers 2018 – Cobra F8

In a nutshell: We were very impressed with the F8 when we went to the launch back in October. And were just as impressed with it in this test.

The numbers are as good as anything, the looks, sound and feel are superb and you get the bonus of the Arccos in the grip to track you stats.

It’s a great package for the price.

Click through to the final page to see a results table with the best carry numbers.

SRP: £329

Shaft used: Aldila NV 2KXV Blue 60 stiff

Click here to read and watch our full review.

Best golf drivers 2018 – Mizuno ST180 and GT180

In a nutshell: Both look amazing at address with the matte blue finish on the crown.

A flat, low-spinning flight on the ST180 and a bit more launch with the adjustable GT180 which produced better numbers.

Don’t be in any doubt that these Mizuno drivers are the real deal.

Click through to the final page to see a results table with the best carry numbers.

SRP: £399/£449

Shafts used: Mitsubishi Tensei Blue 60 stiff

Click here to read and watch our full review.

Best golf drivers 2018 – Srixon Z565

Best golf drivers 2018

In a nutshell: Absolutely classic and stylish looks which will appeal more to better players.

But it’s very user friendly with a very pleasing sound and sensation at impact.

Struggled to launch it a bit so we’re certain we’d get better numbers with a proper custom-fitting.

Click through to the final page to see a results table with the best carry numbers.

SRP: £325

Shaft used: Miyazaki Kaula Mizu 6S

Click here to read and watch our full review.

Best golf drivers 2018 – Cleveland Launcher HB

In a nutshell: Light, easy to launch and loads of fun to hit. Probably a bit too light for me but this driver will give so many players lots of pleasure because it’s so user-friendly.

If you’re in need of a bit more air-time off the tee then this is a fantastic value-for-money option.

See the best carry numbers I got with the Launcher by clicking through to the results table on the final page.

SRP: £279

Shaft used: Miyazaki C.Kua 5s

Click here to read and watch our full review.

Best golf drivers 2018 – XXIO 10 series

Best golf drivers 2018

In a nutshell: Super-premium construction and materials. The number one driver in Japan, loaded with technology.

We absolutely loved the looks, sound and felt a stronger shaft would have given better numbers.

SRP: £799

Shaft: XXIO MP1000 45g Stiff

Best golf drivers 2018 – Wilson C300

We like the maroon finish which really makes this driver standout.

The numbers were really good but we weren’t huge fans of the sound – that’s just a personal quibble though.

Still comfortably the best Wilson driver we have ever tested.

Click through to the final page to see a results table with the best carry numbers.

SRP: £349

Shaft used: Fujikura Speeder 58 Pro Stiff

Click here to read and watch our full review.

Best golf drivers 2018 – Benross Evolution- R

Another great effort from Benross to produce a driver that competes against models nearly £200 more expensive.

Numbers could have been even better with a stronger shaft.

The overall look is a tad on the busy side but for less than £200, I cannot knock this driver at all.

Click through to the final page to see a results table with the best carry numbers.

SRP: £199

Shaft used: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage 50g Stiff

Best golf drivers 2018 – Vertical Groove Driver

The wildcard entry in this year’s test and it’s the longest driver on the PGA Champions Tour in the hands of the Wild Thing John Daly.

A fairly compact look at address but loads of helpful alignment.

A low-flying, low-spinning flight with plenty of run out.

Despite its compact look it was surprisingly forgiving on heel and toe strikes. We think the technology makes sense and, most importantly, it works.

SRP: £399

Shaft used: Aldila Tour Green 65g Stiff.

Best golf drivers 2018 – Results table

Firstly, a little more on how this test was conducted.

How the drivers were tested

Every driver here has been tested using a launch monitor on at least two separate hitting sessions. Every driver was hit until I felt I had made the best possible swing and struck it right out the middle.

Was every driver fitted?

No. Most were sent in a spec that I had been fitted into previously. Some were simply sent in with stock stiff shafts. I’m certain the performance of the non-fitted drivers could have been improved via a custom-fitting. My strike patterns and technique has changed since some of the earlier fittings so the specs aren’t as relevant any more.

What did I learn?

This was as much a shaft test as it was a test of the different heads. I was far more likely to get good numbers with a shaft I liked in a head I wasn’t keen on than the perfect head in the wrong shaft.

What surprised me?

How forgiving the Callaway Rogue drivers are and how well the Cobra F8Mizuno GT180 and Vertical Groove drivers performed.

What driver will I use in 2018?

There’s the million dollar question. The launch monitors were telling me that the Ping G400 Max was producing the best numbers on a more consistent basis than anything else.

But I can’t help being drawn towards, seduced even, by the TaylorMade M4 as I’m very confident I have been fitted into the right spec with it.

In the few rounds I have played with the Ping, I’ve liked what I’ve seen so will stick with it, for now…

And as for the below results, they were all very player-dependant and often more about the shaft than the head but make of the below table what you will. See you next year, I’m off for a back massage.

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