Best Golf Drivers for 2023

SI Golf's list of the best golf drivers to buy right now.

Author:
Paul Liberatore
Publish date:
Nov 21, 2023

Paul Liberatore is the founder of Golfers Authority, which reviews the world's best golf products and gear.

If there’s one club in the bag weekend warriors like you and I love to hit, it's the driver. There’s nothing more satisfying than busting a tee shot down the middle of the fairway 30 yards past your playing partners.

But there’s a problem that plagues most golfers: they play with the wrong driver. If you fall into this category, chances are you’re costing yourself valuable yards off the tee and probably aren’t hitting as many fairways as you should.

But how are you supposed to know what driver is best for you? Driver technology is constantly changing, and there are countless options. Making the right choice can seem overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re doing or what to look for.

But don’t worry. I’ve got some good news. I’ve spent the better part of 2023 researching and testing all the latest and most significant drivers and have compiled a list of what I consider to be the best.

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What Should You Look for In a Driver?

Drivers are the most expensive clubs in your bag. If you purchase a new one, you’re probably looking at an investment north of $500. To that end, it’s vitally important to consider several different factors before a final decision.

The first thing to consider is budget. While you might be tempted to buy the most expensive driver on the market because it’s what everyone else is playing, there’s a good chance it’s not the best one for you. The bottom line is you need to make sure you can afford the driver you will buy.

Once you’ve established how much money to spend on a driver, you should schedule a fitting with a PGA Professional. More than any other club in your bag, it’s imperative that you get properly fitted for your driver. During a formal fitting, your PGA Pro will determine your game's best driver head, loft, and shaft type. Even though this process might cost you a little extra money and take some time, it’s worth it. Whatever you do, ensure you get fitted before buying a new driver.

After you’ve gone through a fitting and narrowed down the prospective list of drivers to a select few, you must choose the one you’re the most comfortable with. Like any other club, you should feel confident standing over your driver. Not only that, but you should like the way it feels and sounds.

Now that we’ve established a few important factors to consider when buying a new driver let’s look at the best for 2023.

Best Driver for Most People - Ping G430 Max Driver

Ping’s tagline is “Play Your Best.” And it makes sense. Since Karsten Solheim founded the company in 1959, Ping has made top-shelf golf equipment for golfers of every ability. That includes the vast majority of us that go through highs and lows.

That’s especially true of their drivers, considered some of the most forgiving in the game. The Ping G430 Max is no exception.

What I like about this driver is how adjustable it is. The 25-gram tungsten back weight can be moved to influence cut and draw bias by up to 10 yards. Also, the loft can be adjusted 1.5 degrees stronger or weaker.

Compared to previous models, the face on the G430 Max is shallower and thinner. This helps promote high launch conditions while increasing ball speed at the same time.

The G430 Max is also one of the best-sounding drivers in 2023, which is attributed to the integral rib structure and increased crown curve. This combination of design features optimizes frequencies for a solid sound that is also quiet enough to not distract.

I was also impressed with the spin consistency of the G430 Max. My spin rates were well within the expected margin of error on both solid shots and mishits. The results were consistent ball flights that weren’t only long but straight.

There isn't a much better option for the ideal combination of distance and forgiveness than the Ping G430 Max in 2023.

Best Driver for Mid Handicappers - PXG 0311 Gen 6 Driver

As we’ve come to expect from PXG, their all-new 0311 Gen 6 driver is one of the hottest drivers 2023. It delivers the ultimate combination of distance, forgiveness, and tight shot dispersion.

The face of the PXG 0311 Gen 6 Driver is one of the hottest of any driver this year. It’s made of a Ti412 titanium alloy, one of the hardest substances on earth. This results in explosive ball speeds that add incredible distance, even on mishits.

The teardrop head shape is also one of the most aerodynamic I’ve ever encountered. The curvature of the crown and shorter front-to-back profile minimize drag for maximum clubhead speed.

Plenty of stock shaft options are available, making fitting and customization easy. When I did the PXG Driver challenge in August, I was blown away by its performance, and you will be, too.

Best Driver for Slicers - Callaway Paradym Driver

Before I began testing drivers this year, I knew Callaway would occupy a spot high on my list. Their reputation for making some of the best drivers in the game is unsurpassed.

As someone who battles the occasional slice, there was no better driver I tested that helped mitigate it than the Paradym.

Shift Construction and a 360-degree carbon chassis remove titanium from the clubhead's body, pushing weight and stability to the limit. The result is lightning-fast ball speeds with minimal spin and high launch conditions – the ultimate combination for maximum distance.

A triaxial carbon crown and forged carbon sole are added to the weight reduction. The result is a clubhead that’s 44% lighter compared to models from previous years. The lighter the club head, the faster you can swing and the farther the ball goes. It’s as simple as that.

The Paradym was also one of the most stable-feeling drivers I tested. AI-designed Jailbreak technology works to reduce torsional and horizontal torque. This design feature played a considerable role in reducing my slice.

Jam-packed with cutting-edge technology and expertly engineered for the average golfer, the Callaway Paradym Driver is one of the best-performing drivers this year.

Best Driver for Adjustability - TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver

There’s a reason more players on the PGA and LPGA Tour play TaylorMade drivers than any other brand. It’s simply because they make the best drivers in the game.

That long-standing trend continues with the Stealth 2 driver. And it’s not just pros that put this club in the bag; it’s golfers of all abilities.

There’s no question this driver’s adjustability is second to none. And that makes it easy to adjust to on the fly depending on your swing and the conditions you’re playing in.

What I found even more impressive was the amount of technology incorporated into this club’s design.

To start, the 60X carbon Twist Face and Inverted Cone Technology work to optimize energy transfer between the clubface and ball at impact. That’s a recipe for explosive ball speeds and more distance.

The Asymmetric Inertia Generator in the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver is designed to increase clubhead speed in the downswing and maximize aerodynamic efficiency. This driver creates arguably the least drag of any on the list.

TaylorMade’s patented Speed Pocket sits behind the clubface and works to provide forgiveness on shots struck low on the face.

Sure, the Stealth 2’s adjustability is excellent, but even more impressive is its state-of-the-art technology that’s downright proven to work.

Best Driver for Feel - Titleist TSR2 Driver

Since I’ve played the game, Titleist has had a reputation for making the best-feeling golf clubs. That goes for everything from woods to irons, down to their Scotty Cameron putters.

That said, picking the TSR2 as the best-feeling driver I tested in 2023 was easy.

The face of the TSR2 has been sped up compared to previous models. The new Multi-Plateau VFT design increases ball speed across the entire face, not just in the sweet spot. I couldn’t believe how solid this driver felt, even on mishits.

The CG has also been moved lower and farther forward in the clubhead. This fosters conditions for higher launch and optimal spin. Once again, optimizing both those factors is the key to achieving maximum distance.

While I’ve always been a big fan of the classic shape of Titleist drivers, the feel of the Titleist TSR2 Driver is unsurpassed.

Longest Driver - Cobra Aerojet Driver

Let’s be honest: when it comes to the driver, we all want to hit it as far as possible. That’s why listing the Cobra Aerojet driver as the longest I tried out in 2023 was a no-brainer. I hit it miles farther than anything else.

The feature that stood out the most to me was this club’s PWR-Bridge. Its suspended weight gives the face unlimited flexibility. That increases the COR and the trampoline effect between the ball and clubface at impact.

But that’s not the only feature that makes this the Cobra Aerojet Driver one of the longest drivers I’ve ever hit. The PWRSHELL face insert adds another layer of flexibility to the face, increasing ball speed and optimizing launch conditions.

Loft can also be adjusted 1.5 degrees up or down, making the Aerojet a complete package.

Best Driver for High Handicappers - Tour Edge Exotics E723 Driver

If I had to point out one brand that makes excellent golf clubs but gets overlooked, it’s Tour Edge. They’re one of the most popular brands on PGA Tour Champions.

After trying out their newest driver, the E723, it far exceeded my expectations.

This driver’s flight-tuning system is fantastic. It features a sliding track with a 20-gram weight. The weight can be moved along the track to optimize ball flight, providing up to 10 yards of fade or draw bias.

Structurally, the Tour Edge Exotic E723 Driver sets itself apart from the competition. Ridgeback technology incorporates 360-degree perimeter weighting and a ridge that runs from the center of the face to the crown. Not only does this make the club incredibly stable, but it also increases MOI for maximum forgiveness. For this reason, I consider the E273 the best driver for high handicappers.

Best Value Driver - Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver

By now, it’s probably apparent that drivers aren’t cheap. They can get even more expensive if you choose a specialty shaft.

With that in mind, I spent much time trying out some less expensive drivers and was most impressed with the Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver.

From the start, I found this driver one of the straightest and most stable I tested. The CORTECH chamber behind the clubface reduces spin and feels as solid as anything.

The multi-thickness 2041 Beta Ti clubface is one of the hardest of any driver this year. This not only affords golfers a solid feeling at impact, but it also increases ball speeds for increased distance.

This year’s redesign of the carbon sole plate into a single piece reduces weight. That weight has been redistributed elsewhere in the clubhead, where it can be used more efficiently.

Even though the Mizuno ST-Z 230 isn’t the most high-tech driver in the world, it’s well-built, performs reliably and is unquestionably valuable.

Editor’s Choice - Honma Beres Nx Driver

Most of the major manufacturing companies we’re familiar with are based in the United States. That’s why it might surprise you that one of the game’s premier up-and-coming companies is based in Japan.

The company is Honma, producing some of the world's most well-built, best-performing clubs.

I had read a lot about their new Beres driver and couldn’t wait to try it out. And man, I’m sure glad I did. I was so impressed with this driver that I immediately knew I would make it my editor’s choice.

If I had to describe this driver with one word, it would be craftsmanship. That starts with the carbon crown, with a cross-pattern design allows weight to be strategically distributed to the most efficient parts of the clubhead. The design minimizes power loss at impact while maximizing stability and performance.

This driver’s distance comes from its ultra-wide booster slot. Situated in the sole, just behind the clubface, this pocket maximizes energy transfer between the club and ball at impact. This results in drives that launch consistently high with minimal spin. As we know, that equates to distance.

A not-so-noticeable feature in the Honma Beres Nx Driver is the 12-gram heel weight. While this component might not seem like much, it made a massive difference in helping me keep the ball online, especially on off-center strikes.

Lastly, the adjustment options with the Beres Nx are a step above the rest. When you adjust the loft on most drivers, you must twist the shaft. This can change many things, like torque, kick point, and swing weight. But when you adjust the Beres Nx, the shaft stays in place. It might not seem like much, but this can make all the difference in the world regarding performance.

The R&D team at Honma is one of the best in the world, and it certainly shows with the Beres Nx driver.

Most Underrated Driver - Srixon ZX5 MKII Driver

Much like Tour Edge, Srixon is a manufacturer that doesn’t always get the credit it deserves for making world-class golf clubs, it’s Srixon. Some of the best players in the world employ their equipment, including Brooks Koepka, Hideki Matsuyama and Shane Lowry.

Their newest driver, the Srixon ZX5 MKII, has garnered much attention in 2023, so I thought I’d try it and see the hype.

The Rebound Frame’s job in the MKII is to get as much energy moving into the golf ball as possible at impact. And it does just that. When I looked at my numbers on the launch monitor, my ball speed was blistering compared to others I tried. My carry distance increased, and the ball rolled out more once it hit the ground.

Structurally speaking, the MKII is solid. Its crown comprises a series of ridges and latticework that make it as stable as anything.

The face has been engineered with variable thickness in strategic spots. This expands COR capability across the entire hitting area while also increasing forgiveness.

With an eight-gram adjustable sole weight in the back, it becomes easy to see why the ZX5 MKII is a complete club and deserves the spot on our list.

Best Budget Driver - Wilson Dynapower Titanium Driver

Wilson is underrated when it comes to golf equipment. While their stuff might not rival the likes of TaylorMade, Callaway, Ping, and Titleist, they make reliable golf equipment that performs more than adequately for the average player. And it’s affordable for almost everybody.

This driver’s story begins with Wilson’s design team utilizing AI to run tens of thousands of trials to find the ideal thickness for each point on the clubface. It took a while, but they eventually got it right. I hit hundreds of balls with this Dynapower, and it was more than evident that this club performs well across the face.

The Wilson Dynapower is also plenty forgiving. The CG is set low and back in the club, resulting in a high MOI. That’s good news for those who don’t always hit the sweet spot.

Finally, the Dynapower features a 16-gram weight in the back of the clubhead that creates stability and adds even more forgiveness.

For the price you pay, the Wilson Dynapower driver is a great choice.

Best Driver for Women - TaylorMade Kalea Premier Driver

The TaylorMade Kalea Premier Driver is made for female players with a slower swing speed. It has been designed to increase swing speed through its Inertia Generator and Thru-Slot Speed Pocket. This design feature provides a ton of forgiveness on thin shots while maximizing ball speed on solid shots and making the TaylorMade Kalea Premier one of the best drivers for women this year.

Best Driver for Seniors - Cleveland Launcher Lite XL Driver

Just like it’s almost impossible for me to test the best golf equipment for women, it’s tough to do when it comes to seniors. Thankfully, I play with my dad once a week, and he’s been an excellent resource for equipment testing for the past few months.

In that time, I had him test out quite a few drivers I thought would benefit seniors. Some he thought were okay, some he didn’t like, and only a couple he saw a difference with.

Among the latter, the Cleveland Launcher Lite XL Driver made the most significant difference in his game.

This driver is lighter than most; that’s its most significant advantage. The lighter weight allows seniors with slower clubhead speeds to swing it faster and hit the ball farther.

The head is also maxed out at 460cc. This increases the size of the effective hitting area and, in turn, provides more forgiveness than traditional drivers most golfers use.

The club’s rebound frame allows energy to be increasingly transferred into the ball impact instead of absorbed by the club. Coupled with an ultra-thin titanium face, you’ve got a recipe for distance.

While nothing is earth-shattering about this club’s tech or design, it’s an excellent option for seniors who chase more forgiveness and longer tee shots.

Best Boxed Set Driver - Stix Golf Clubs

It’s worth repeating that drivers can be exorbitantly expensive. Not everyone is looking to spend hundreds of dollars on just a single club.

For those golfers, buying a package set is a great option. One of the most affordable and reputable package sets is made by Stix.

While all the clubs in this set are well-built and perform well, the driver is exceptional.

The Stix driver head has an extra-large sweet spot, and the lightweight shaft allows golfers to maximize swing speed.

This driver and complete set are an excellent option for beginning golfers or those who don’t want to spend a ton of money.

Final Thoughts on the Best Drivers for 2023

Equipment changes faster in golf than in any other sport, especially regarding drivers. The major manufacturers are constantly upgrading their technology and releasing new clubs.

But that doesn’t mean finding the best golf driver for your game must be daunting. If you stay within your budget, go through a proper fitting, and narrow your choices, I’m confident you can turn your driver into a weapon instead of a liability. You’ll start shooting lower scores and having much more fun when you do.