Let’s face it, hitting the golf ball further makes the game easier and more fun. You’re not alone in feeling like you’d rather have a wedge than a 7-iron into a pin. The best golf driver for distance for your game will likely be a bit different than the one that is best for your playing partners or competitors.
In this article, we break down the science of hitting it further and help you narrow down which drivers are likely to provide the most distance for your golf game. Below is a list of the top-performing clubs, or scroll down to read more about what makes a driver long.
Best golf drivers for distance in 2023
- Cobra LTDx LS (Best all around)
- TaylorMade Stealth + (Best for slow swing speeds)
- Ping G425 LST (Best for lowering high spin rates)
- Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS (Best for low handicappers, high swing speeds)
- Titleist TSi 3 (Best for feel & control)
The science of drivers that will hit it further
Every new golf driver that comes out claims to be longer and more forgiving than the drivers released 12 months ago. It’s hard for amateur golfers (and great players) to truly understand what makes a golf driver a distance club and how they can benefit from it. There are, however, a few things that all golfers should be looking into when it comes to a great golf driver for distance.
Ball speed
Ball speed is the biggest variable in how far a drive will travel. What we really care about is maximising ball speed for your given club head speed. For many years this value has been capped by the rules of golf (COR = 0.83), which essentially means no driver can transfer more than 83% of energy from club to ball, and these days all drivers hit this max value.
Given this constraint, the past five years have seen manufacturers work hard to maximise ball speed for off-center hits, trying to get it closer to this legal limit when the ball misses the sweet spot. All drivers in this list hit the legal limit of 0.83 and do a great job of maximising ball speed for off-center hits.
So if ball speed to club head speed is maxed out, why do you hit some drivers further than others? Here are the other key variables.
Backspin & drag
In simple terms, backspin causes drag and shorten the overall distance. Distance drivers aim to create a higher launch angle with less backspin. However, some backspin is inevitable in golf and actually required to carry the ball a good distance, given how a golf ball launches.
Finally, we have a balance to strike in golf – less backspin equals longer drives, and more backspin equals straighter drivers. We all want to hit it long, but it needs to be in play.
Optimal Launch Angle And Spin
The loft of the golf driver will typically be between 8 and 12 degrees for an average male golfer. However, the launch angle that all players strive for is a bit higher in the 14 to 17-degree range.
The ideal spin rate for hitting long drives is dependent on your swing speed. Professionals look for something more in the 2400 – 2750 range. As club head speed reduces from the professional level to more normal levels (below 110mph), the optimal amount of backspin to maximise carry distance actually increases.
The perfect spin rate depends on your launch angle and club head speed, to learn more we highly suggest going for a driver fitting.
Shaft Options
The lighter a golf shaft is, the more swing speed and ball speed can be generated with the same amount of force being created. There is a point when a golf shaft can get too light and too flexible for a faster swing speed player, which can decrease total distance and accuracy.
Many golfers get excited about buying a driver with a longer shaft to generate more club head speed. However, in reality, the longer length adds minimal extra speed and results in more off-centre hits. Most golfers are best with standard-length shafts or even drivers with 1/2″ shorter than standard.
A golf shaft fitting will help you determine shaft flex as well as launch, which can help improve overall results with the driver.
Brand
So many golfers ask us if there is truly the longest driver in the game. From trying equipment and talking with great players and even golf manufacturers, we can tell you that the best driver for distance is continually changing and evolving.
There are general trends we see, where a certain model seems to fit a wide portion of the golfing population but the key is finding a driver that optimizes your launch.
In addition, sometimes, a certain brand’s look, feel, and style appeals to a player. This helps to improve overall confidence in the shot and can even have an impact on distance. In summary, no one brand is the longest.
Let’s jump into some of the best-performing drivers on the market.
Cobra LTD x LS (Best All-Around Driver for Distance)
Cobra has struggled to win the distance game in the past. Although they have tried to produce products with more ball speed, they sometimes struggle to obtain and sustain maximum distance in their clubs. However, with this new Cobra LTD x LS we have seen a higher smash factor and more power than ever before in a Cobra driver, making it truly one of the best golf drivers for distance and great forgiveness.
Forgiveness
If you are looking for distance in a golf driver, it’s very important to also look for forgiveness. We will not hit the golf ball in the center of the clubface every time. Therefore if you want to ensure your ball flight and total distance are not impacted, forgiveness is key.
It’s better to have a driver that allows you to consistently hit the ball 275 yards than a driver that hits one shot 300 and another 225.
Cobra has always had really impressive forgiveness built into any of the clubs they put on the market. The thing that helps to increase forgiveness in the Cobra LTDx LS is the stability at impact combined with the adjustable weighting.
The adjustable weights are 10g and 3g, and they can be positioned to change the ball flight from a more fade biased to draw-biased. The customizable weighting system makes this a smart choice for players in a transition period in their game and working towards improvement.
Distance
When testing the Cobra LTDx LS, it was not just the carry distance or the roll distance that stood out, but the total distance. The Pwr Cor Technology is a weighting system inside the club head of the Cobra LTDx LS that incorporates steel, titanium, and even aluminium to help improve distance and overall power.
This multi-material construction allowed for the mass to be positioned low and forward. The result is a very low spin but a faster ball speed. There is no debating this clubhead was made with distance in mind.
The natural shot shape with the Cobra LTDx LS is piercing and straight, but you can adjust that a bit with the external weighting system and adjustability in the head.
In addition to the multi-material clubhead with perfectly positioned weights, Cobra also implemented the HOT Face, which stands for Highly Optimized Technology. This is where Cobra went down the Artificial Intelligence route, and it started to pay off on the golf course.
There are 15 Hot Zones on the clubhead with varying levels of thickness. The technology is quite advanced and complicated, but you won’t need to worry about that. All you will see is increased ball speed on the launch monitor.
Accuracy
Another important feature of this golf club is the stability that was created at impact. For both fast swing speeds and slower swing speeds, you will want a driver head that feels stable at impact.
With the Cobra LTDx, there is are a few components to the clubhead that make it incredibly stable. These include the lightweight carbon crown, sole plates, and the Titanium Speed frame.
With a stable-feeling clubhead and the right driver shaft, accuracy becomes considerably easier. This is one of the best drivers for increasing player confidence and returning the clubface to square over and over again.
It’s also worth mentioning that Cobra has made some funky-looking golf drivers in the past few years. They may have had good forgiveness, but they were a bit hard to look at. This has changed with the Cobra LTDx, it’s powerful and clean looking on top of being effective.
Value
Cobra is one of the best manufacturers when it comes to value. Their best golf drivers will typically release about $50 less to the market than other brands, and they are typically the first to drop their pricing. This is the cheapest of the best golf drivers for distance, but also one of the best golf club choices on the market. Your value here will be well worth it.
Golf Insider verdict
The Cobra LTDx surprised us. Although we didn’t doubt that it would be in the top 5, there was no comparing the versatility of this club. Players with both high and low swing speeds saw the golf ball fly further, and they had much more consistency. It seems as though the introduction of Artificial Intelligence and the new HOT Face technology has helped Cobra step up their game.
TaylorMade Stealth + (Best for slow swing speeds)
The TaylorMade Stealth + was, without a doubt, the most highly anticipated driver for distance. TaylorMade admitted to the fact that this club has been 20 years in the making, and they have developed it to be entirely different from any other club on the market. The introduction of carbon was undoubtedly a game changer (as we’ll see with many following the r, but many golfers are wondering if this is the end of titanium in the golf world.
Forgiveness
The TaylorMade Twist Face technology has always been their cutting age forgiveness technology. The Twist Face helps golfers get the club back to the impact position with a square clubhead and ensure that it remains stable through impact.
The forgiveness of the TaylorMade Stealth + is a bit different in that the traditional Twist Face is not a 60X Carbon Twist Face. There are 60 layers of carbon, a material that is incredibly light and workable in a driver club head. These 60 layers of carbon improve MOI and make them feel coming off the clubface entirely different.
Weight savings in the head not only allowed for increased ball speed and optimized distance but it increased the effectiveness of the flexible Speed Pocket. Although the Speed Pocket technology is geared mainly towards distance, it can improve overall forgiveness as well.
Distance
TaylorMade continues to lead the way by having some of the best technology on the market for distance. There is no question that the new nanotextured technology and 60X Carbon Twist face helped to lower the spin and increase total distance.
The introduction f carbon into the clubhead allowed TaylorMade to do some unique things with weight placement and overall design, allowing for an increase in total distance, carry distance, and roll.
If you have not yet seen the TaylorMade Stealth driver, you may be surprised by how the clubhead looks. It is entirely different from the SIM 2 Max. The clubface is red and there are no extra markings or crown lines on the club. The top of the club head is simply black, and it fades directly into the red on the club head.
If you were going to create a driver that looks like a race car, designed for speed, this would be what you make it look like. The top down look can take some time if you are upgrading from another TaylorMade driver. With this clubhead, there is very little help with alignment, and it’s sometimes hard to get the clubhead situated exactly how you need it to be.
Accuracy
The TaylorMade Stealth + is accurate, but it was built a bit more for distance than accuracy. The one thing we can say for certain here is that you will have very easy adjustability to fine-tune the launch and ball flight of the club.
With an adjustable sliding weight on the bottom of the club head, you can really fine-tune the Stealth+ to get it where you need it to be. It was not the driver with the lowest dispersion rates across testing done, but still, something that brings a fair amount of accuracy to the table.
Value
Overall the TaylorMade Stealth+ will be one of the more expensive golf drivers. The pricing on this one may stay higher for a little longer because the technology is just starting to catch on. Believe it or not, golfers were just as nervous about the carbon technology as they were excited. The club is expensive, and it is a big change from anything that we have been used to in the years past.
There is no denying the fact that the technology you purchase in the TaylorMade Stealth + should last you for at least five years, and the resale value should be strong.
However, we should note, there has been a growing trend of golfers posting images of cracked Stealth driver faces. TaylorMade are quick to replace such clubs, and this occurs to be far more common in high-handicap golfer than in lower handicaps. Based on this we might suggest the Stealth isn’t at robust as traditional drivers.
Golf Insider verdict
We thought that the carbon in the golf clubhead was a good thing for golf and a risky move on the part of TaylorMade. After hitting it and playing several rounds, it’s relatively easy to see why this technology made such an impression on people.
Titanium drivers are far from dead, but the carbon construction allows weight to be saved and the MOI to be maximised. This makes the Stealth + driver a super choice for those looking to maximise distance.
Ping G425 LST (Best for lowering high spin rates)
The Ping G-series is focused on putting all of the technology they can into golf clubs for the everyday golfer. Ping makes several models of the G425 driver, one of them is called the Ping G425 LST (Low Spin Technology) which is what we’ll focus on here. In our testing, the LST did an epic job of reducing backspin rates.
Forgiveness
The Ping G425 was developed with forgiveness in mind. Ping built this club to have the highest MOI of any golf driver they have ever created. This has been achieved by some weight saving in other areas of the club head, allowing more weight to be positioned to stabilise the club head during off-center strikes.
In testing, this led to really impressive accuracy and ball speed even with toe and heel strikes. We found just a 4% loss in ball speed with our worst-struck drives.
In addition, the internal ribbing in the Ping G425 LST improves overall sound and feel and has helped golfers expect a more pleasing experience when they contact the ball. This is something that can improve player confidence and produce better swings.
Distance
The key to the Ping G425 LST long distance comes from the low spin technology. The club head has significantly reduced spin from the Ping G425Max model as well as other premium golf drivers on the market.
On our testing backspin rates reduced by 25% (690rpm) compared to the Ping G425 Max – that is an outstanding jump.
In addition to the low spin technology, there is also a 17-gram CG shifter with a draw, neutral, and fade option to help fine-tune the ball flight.
These technologies create the foundation for an impressive long-distance golf driver. However, what makes this a top choice for the best golf driver for distance is the T9S+ forced face. The forged face allows maximum flex in the club head and adds incredible distance.
Accuracy
The Ping 425 LST performs surprisingly well, considering Ping took the bold move of creating this in a 445cc head size (smaller than the standard 460cc). In addition, the adjustability and fact that you can fine-tune the ball flight helped the Ping G425 stand out from other options on the market.
Better aerodynamics, more control, and adjustability all lead to an increase in accuracy and player confidence.
Value
Ping takes a while to drop the pricing on their golf drivers. They make some of the best drivers in the game when it comes to resale value. Even after playing with a Ping driver for a few years, chances are you will be able to sell it for quite a bit of money.
One thing worth mentioning from a value standpoint is the Ping G425 LST does come with the Arccos Caddie Smart Grip. You can pay close attention to how your driver is performing and which settings are the best fit for your particular golf game.
Golf Insider verdict
We have been big fans of the Ping G425 LST since it first came to the market. If you’re looking to maximize distance and you know high backspin rates are your Achilles heel then go try out the Ping G425 LST and enjoy that extra carry and roll distance.
Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS (Best For Higher Swing Speeds & Low Handicap)
The Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS sounds like it has quite a bit going on, and it does. Anything that earns the name “Triple Diamond” probably has some technology built for the lowest handicapped players in the game. This is certainly not a golf driver that will be a good choice for the new player, but if you have fast swing speeds and a lower handicap, this driver for distance is easily one of the best out there.
Forgiveness
Even drivers built for the best players in the game will need a certain amount of forgiveness built into the club head. In this model, Callaway used a Tungsten Speed Cartridge to move 20 grams of weight low and deep into the driver’s head.
The result was an increase in speed on off-center hits. We discussed this at the beginning of the review in describing how important it is for dispersion rates to be considered in addition to the total distance.
When it comes to forgiveness in the Callaway Triple Diamond driver, it’s certainly not going to lead the way. Expect to have a bit more trouble with things like swing flaws, slices, and hooks when using the Rogue ST Max LS Triple Diamond.
Distance
The distance in the Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond comes from a combination of the Jailbreak Speed Frame and the Artificial Intelligence that Callaway has had in play for many years. Players can expect more ball speed as well as a lower spin on the ball across most of the club face.
This new driver for Callaway was designed to give better players more distance. It is adjustable, and it has a clubhead with just 450cc. The slightly smaller clubhead has helped some players increase clubhead speed and improve workability.
With a Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond, you are playing with a tour-proven model that has set itself apart from the rest of the driver market. As a fast swing speed golfer, this one needs to be on your list.
Accuracy
Callaway calls this driver the most stable in the Roge family. When you look at distance drivers, one of the things that helps improve consistency is the stability of the clubhead at impact. With this 450 cc head that has tremendously low spin expect good accuracy, but a little less than the most forgiving drivers on the market.
The club head is set up for a neutral ball flight, something that most better players are looking for when trying to increase driver distance and overall consistency.
Value
The Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond is certainly not a cheap choice, but when it comes to an adjustable driver with impressive speed and spin control, you will have no trouble justifying the spend. It’s worth mentioning that if you have the original Rogue driver, the new model is a tremendous increase in technology and a much more stable driver.
Golf Insider verdict
The Callaway Rogue ST line of golf drivers seems to be a better performer than the Epic line. Callaway capitalized on what they did well with the Mavrik and then developed this Triple Diamond model that works really well for faster swings speeds looking for extra control and tremendous distance.
Titleist TSi3 (Best For Feel)
Although carbon was the material most talked about this year in the driver game, it’s worth mentioning the Aerospace Titanium that Titleist used in their new TSi3. If you want something that has a tremendous look, feel, and consistency and also a unique and incredibly high ball speed design, the TSi3 could be a great option.
Forgiveness
In our testing, we found that the TSi3 offered great forgiveness across the club face and really surprised us with how effective the adjustability features were in improving slices and hooks.
The new materials and design have allowed Titleist to really play around with their center of mass in the club head and the result is a really forgiving driver, which also feels great!
Distance
The Titleist is by no means short, but in testing, we found a few extra yards from the options above in this review. However, the TSi3 performs well and is the longest out of the TSi models we tested.
The material used in the driver’s face is an ATI 425 Aerospace Titanium designed to be both elastic and strong. Golfers with faster swing speeds will not have to worry about the longevity of this clubface. Titleist wanted to ensure that customers understand that to create this top driver, they had a hard time getting this Titanium material, as it is not like anything else.
When we hit the Titleist TSi3, not only was it long, but it also had a pleasing sound and feel. Many golfers feel the same way when it comes to the perfect golf driver. Distance is essential but having something that feels great at impact is just as important.
As mentioned earlier, the TSi3 is also equipped with plenty of adjustability, making it a good option for slower and higher swing speeds. If you need a bit of help fine-tuning your launch or flight, this driver’s head is there to do it.
Accuracy
The accuracy of the Titleist TSi3 is quite impressive. In fact, year after year when you compare dispersion rates on Titleist drivers to others on the market, expect to see some solid numbers. Titleist drivers can be long, forgiving, and great feeling all at the same time.
The improvements in accuracy and adjustability from the original TS series were noticeable and appreciated.
Value
Titleist golf clubs last a long time and tend to hold their value. They are never going to be the cheapest on the market, but come in just above mid-price.
Golf Insider verdict
The Titleist TSi3 driver takes modern technology and puts it into a great looking driver head that stands out from others on the market. We were impressed with adjustability, feel sound, and overall distance that this club brings to the market. If you have an older Titleist driver that needs an upgrade, look at this TSi3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes finding the right driver for your game can take a bit of time. Here are a few questions that golfers asked about which golf clubs are the best for distance.
What driver gives you the most distance?
The driver that gives you the most distance will be the one that maximises ball speed and launches the ball at your optimum launch angle and spin rate. These values change between golfers, however it is also worth paying attention to the drop off rate in ball speed for miss hits.
What degree of driver goes the farthest?
Many golfers looking for the best driver for distance will settle on the 9.5-degree loft. However, most golfers will gain distance by moving up to a 10.5º or even 12º driver. The perfect loft is the one that produces the ideal launch angle and is a proper fit for your swing speed.
Does shaft selection matter when looking for more distance?
Shaft selection is important when searching for more distance. Shaft flex and weight will affect the swing speed you can generate. The shaft torque, kick point and overall flex profile will also change your ball flight, in terms of height and draw/fade.
If you have the time go for a driver fitting.
Does adjustability help golfers get more distance?
An adjustable golf driver head can help improve distance as it can fine-tune the ball flight and spin that a player gets from their golf club.
Conclusion
We hope this has helped educate you about how to hit the golf ball further and also helped you narrow down your driver picks to some of the longest drivers out there.
The Cobra LTD x LS is. a great all-around performer, no surprise to see the Stealth + up there and for those who generate too much backspin we highly recommend testing the Ping G425 LST.
Happy golfing.
