Choosing the right golf driver as a beginner can be overwhelming, with so many options available in the market.
In 2025, some of the top golf brands have introduced beginner-friendly drivers designed to help new golfers achieve greater distance and accuracy on the course.
Each driver is designed with features to help beginners improve their swing, reduce slice, and achieve greater distance and accuracy on the course. The most important thing to consider when it comes to buying a driver is to feel confident using it.
Check out our best drivers for beginners 2025, to explore which driver you could be gaming this season…
Best Golf Drivers for Beginners 2025
AT A GLANCE
NCG PICK
Cobra DS-Adapt MAX-K
More information: Cobra website
It has a confidence inspiring look for those who maybe struggle off the tee or aren’t as consistent as they would like – the forgiveness levels are great.
BEST LAUNCH
Ping G440 Max
More information: Ping Website
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the Ping G440 MAX driver. It’s performance on off-centre strikes was phenomenal, its long out the centre of the face and its still straight out of the rest of the face.
HEAD TURNER
TaylorMade Qi35 Max
More information: TaylorMade website
It’s easy to hit and feels great. There’s not much else a club golfer could need from a big stick.
BEST FOR SLICERS
Cobra DS-Adapt MAX-D
More information: Cobra website
This truly is a great option for those who struggle with a slice or fade. The draw bias is extremely affective, in part thanks to its weighting system that makes the face of the club shut more.
FAIRWAY FINDER
Srixon ZXi Max
More information: Srixon website
A driver that is easy to hit, easy to launch and vastly forgiving. Perfect for those wanting to gain accuracy off the tee and get the ball in play on a consistent basis.
MOST FORGIVING
Callaway Elyte X
More information: Callaway UK / Callaway US
The levels of forgiveness were extremely impressive and I was able to manufacture a straight, neutral ball flight. For those who seek added launch this is a great option.
BEST VALUE
Mizuno ST-X 230
More information: Mizuno UK / Mizuno US
This driver will shock you. Its beautiful head will make you take it off the rack in your pro shop, but it’s the results that will make you keep it in the bag – and is now discounted!
BEST BARGAIN
RAM FX
More information: RAM Golf UK / RAM Golf US
If you’re new to the game and don’t want to spend a fortune on a new driver, or simply just want something really easy to hit on a budget, then this is perfect for you.
BEST OLD MODEL
Callaway Big Bertha
More information: Callaway Pre-Owned UK / Callaway US
Easy to hit, forgiving, produces great distance and now available at some great discounted prices – what more could you want?
NCG PICK
Cobra DS-Adapt MAX-K Driver
There’s a new forgiving driver on the market and is a serious option for club golfers everywhere. A smartly designed driver that is packed with technological advances, including Cobra’s new FutureFit hosel system for a better fitting.
Offers fantastic forgiveness on off-centre strikes, out of the toe and heel. Despite its high spin rate, there is still plenty of distance available to achieve.
PROS
- Strong distance
- Easy to hit
- Very forgiving
CONS
- Spin rate maybe too high
- RELATED: Read our full Cobra DS-Adapt MAX-K Driver Review: Maximum Forgiveness
Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 12°
Stock shafts: True Temper Denali Black 60 (S), True Temper Denali Blue 60 (X, S, R), True Temper Denali Red (CB) 50 (S, R, A)
More information: Cobra website
BEST LAUNCH
Ping G440 MAX Driver
The good news for you Ping fans is that this driver still looks like a Ping with its classic modelling. Since its introduction the Ping G series hasn’t changed its design much, the turbulators, shape and sole design are all still evident in the G440 range.
In comparison to those previous Ping drivers, there is a considerable and evident improvement. There is loads more tech in the G440, the head is significantly lighter, it’s more forgiving than any G series driver and is hotter than any Ping driver I have tested.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the Ping G440 MAX driver. It’s performance on off-centre strikes was phenomenal, its long out the centre of the face and its still straight out of the rest of the face.
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For those golfers who don’t practice much and are more of a weekend warrior then this is the perfect driver. I felt like I couldn’t hit a bad shot with it. There aren’t many better qualities to have in a driver than turning up to the golf course after a week or two of no golf and still have full confidence in the big stick.
I think the Ping G440 MAX driver is a really high performing option. I found it easy to swing quickly, it felt great off the face and its straight. I’m sure the dispersion range will be better than most golf club golfers will have experienced before with their driver.
PROS
- Great off-centre performance
- Very forgiving
- Extremely straight and consistent
CONS
- None
- Read the full Ping G440 Max Driver Review
Available: From January 30th
RRP: £575 / $650
Grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour
Lofts: 9°, 10° and 12.5°
More information: Ping Website
HEAD TURNER
TaylorMade Qi35 Max Driver
I now understand why the MAX driver is TaylorMade’s most popular driver. It is incredibly forgiving and not once when I was stood over the ball did I feel like I was going to miss a fairway.
The profile of the head is so inviting and is confidence inspiring for all golfers to be able to launch the golf ball into the air. Distance isn’t scarified for forgiveness, players will still be able to fly it a strong distance.
It is one fun driver to hit. If I wasn’t trying to squeeze out all the performance I could possibly gain then I would be inclined to give this some serious thought. Standing on the tee during testing, I felt like I could never miss a fairway with it. Knowing that no matter how I’m swinging the club I will find the fairway is a big boost and huge benefit for recreational golfers.
It’s easy to hit and feels great. There’s not much else a club golfer could need from a big stick.
Available: Pre-sale from the 7th of January. Retail from the 30th of January.
RRP: £529 / $599.99
Shafts: 2025 Fujikura AirSpeeder and Mitsubishi Diamana T+ 60.
Lofts: 9.0° 10.5° and 12.0°
More information: TaylorMade website
BEST FOR SLICERS
Cobra DS-Adapt MAX-D Driver
This truly is a great option for those who struggle with a slice or fade. The draw bias is extremely affective, in part thanks to its weighting system that makes the face of the club shut more.
A smart looking driver that incorporates a slight oversized profile for more forgiveness. The red and black colour scheme is a nice addition.
PROS
- Extremely affective draw bias
- Changeable hosel system
- Looks good
CONS
- Lost a bit of distance
- RELATED: Read our full Cobra DS-Adapt MAX-D Driver Review: Helping the slicers
Lofts: 10.5°
Stock shafts: MCA Vanquish 40 (R, A), True Temper Denali Red (CB) 50 (S, R, A)
More information: Cobra website
FAIRWAY FINDER
Srixon ZXi MAX Driver
A driver that is easy to hit, easy to launch and vastly forgiving. Perfect for those wanting to gain accuracy off the tee and get the ball in play on a consistent basis.
Feels light so I had great confidence in being able to swing it hard and fast. Although you do sacrifice on distance a tad, accuracy is just as important round a lot of courses.
Overall, this is a driver that can hugely benefit those with a slower swing speed. A driver that where accuracy is king. I failed to find the centre on many of my strikes throughout testing but I still managed to find the fairway with all of them.
Ultimately that’s what this club is for. It’s easy to hit, really forgiving and your bad shots won’t be punished as badly. Despite this it’s still a fast driver with a thin face that is going to perform well.
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PROS
- Off-centre strikes still perform well
- Forgiving
- Light
CONS
- Do sacrifice on distance a touch
- RELATED: Read our full Srixon ZXi MAX Driver review
Available: Pre-sale from the 1st of February
RRP: £549 / $549.99
Graphite Shaft: Project X Denali Red 50
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 12.5°
More information: Srixon website
MOST FORGIVING
Callaway Elyte X Driver
Meet Callaway’s most forgiving driver from their Elyte range. The driver that delivers stand-out distances in a club golfer-friendly club head. Callaway’s Elyte X driver is designed to help golfers increase their launch.
A very consistent driver that feels both light to swing but strong enough at impact to hit good distances. I’m not usually a golfer who would put a 10K MOI driver in the bag, but this could be an exception.
The levels of forgiveness were extremely impressive and I was able to manufacture a straight, neutral ball flight. For those who seek added launch this is a great option.
Putting a maximum forgiveness, 10K driver in my bag would never cross my mind. Generally they don’t suite my eye. But I have to say, the consistency in which I hit this driver does live me open to be persuaded to game this club.
Callaway has done an amazing job with the Elyte X driver.
For golfers who struggle with launch but still want good distances, this driver is the best in class.
PROS
- Premium look
- Phenomenal launch
- Consistent performance
CONS
- High spin rate
- RELATED: Read our full Callaway Elyte X Driver review
Available: Pre-sale from the 15th of January. Retail from the 31st of January.
RRP: £569 / $599.99
Shafts: True Temper Project X Denali Charcoal, Mitsubishi Chemical Vanquish PL and WMS Mitsubishi Chemical Eldio.
Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 12°.
More information: Callaway UK / Callaway US
BEST VALUE
Mizuno ST-X 230 driver
This driver will shock you. Its beautiful head will make you take it off the rack in your pro shop, but it’s the results that will make you keep it in the bag for 2023.
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I could not believe how well this driver performed. Mizuno are going to change a lot of golfers’ minds when they get the ST-X 230 in their hands for a fitting, as not only does it look superb, you can’t argue with how the shots perform.
I tested the ST-X 230 driver a few weeks after using the lower spinning ST-Z driver as my gamer, and I made a huge mistake not trying both of Mizuno’s new heads at the same time because as much as I loved the ST-Z, the ST-X is much more suited to my game.
I thought that my dream of having a smaller profile head with high spin characteristics was something I could only dream of, but Mizuno have managed it in the ST-X 230.
I loved the feeling that I could swing hard and never hit that disastrous low spin miss hit. The ball seemed to hang in the air forever, and I can put up with that all season with no problem.
Mizuno fans, I think you will be really pleased when you try this. It’s one of the best Mizuno drivers for mid-handicappers out there.
Pros:
- Slight draw biased round head
- Very forgiving
- Higher spin and very workable
Cons:
- Head feels really big
- RELATED: Read our full Mizuno ST-X 230 driver review
RRP: £499 / $500
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 UK / Mizuno US
BEST BARGAIN
Ram FX Driver
Straight away I love the head design and matte finish. It’s a classic shape, and sits wonderfully behind the ball. I also like the all black matte finish on the head as there is no glare.
I have no problem recommending any of the Ram golf clubs I have tested this year to 95% of the golfers I meet. The price relative to performance drop off compared to the big names makes these clubs such good value, it’s hard to look past them.
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The 460cc driver with enlarged sweetspot offers maximum forgiveness and it has a more forward center of gravity for lower spin for penetrating distance. For less than £80 you obviously are not going to get A.I. design or carbon components, but what Ram have put together here is actually really really good.
I actually really like this driver. It doesn’t come with a head cover and obviously has a cheap Ram shaft in but for £79.99 it is a great buy. It looks and feels great, and the performance is brilliant for the price. If you are a new player and looking for a driver on a budget this is absolutely the one you should buy.
PROS
- Easy to hit
- Pretty good ball speed
- The matte finish looks great
CONS
- Headcover not included
- Read the full Ram FX Driver Review
Right-handed lofts: 10.5°, 9°, 12°,
Shafts: Regular, Stiff
More information: RAM Golf UK / RAM Golf US
BEST OLD MODEL
Callaway Big Bertha driver
The 2023 Big Bertha edition is big – and now at great discounted prices.
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.
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. I don’t like that harsh, fast feeling as It just makes me feel like I am going to toe the ball straight left, which is not a good thought when you are standing over the ball!
The Big Bertha has a big weight on the sole that’s close to the heel, which makes the driver draw biased. This may mean the driver might not suit hookers of the ball, but it’s really going to help those golfers who suffer with a slice.
I genuinely feel like I could put this in the bag, and it would help my game. It may not be the driver that fitters want me to play, but at the end of the day, golfers need help from the club. Yes, long distances on the driving range are nice, but I need fairways out on the golf course, and I believe the Callaway Big Bertha 2023 driver will deliver that for me.
PROS
- High launching
- Super light
- Really forgiving
CONS
- Not sure there are any!
- Read the full Callaway Big Bertha 2023 driver review
RRP: £499 / $499
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 Pre-Owned UK / Callaway US
Best Golf Drivers For Beginners 2025
As a beginner, choosing the right driver can make a significant difference in your game. With top brands like Callaway, Cobra, Ping, Srixon and Mizuno offering specialized golf drivers for beginners in 2025, there are plenty of options to consider.
With features like lightweight, larger sweet spots, and adjustable weighting, these golf drivers can help new 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 and increased ball speeds, 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. Modern drivers have adjustable hosels allow you to close the dace and moveable draw bias weighting can get you hitting straighter shots in no time at all.
Don’t forget about the shaft either. Getting the correct graphite 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 PGA Professional Jack Backhouse and Hannah Holden go through some drills you can do to start getting better.
