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Dubbed the ‘big dog’, a golf driver is the biggest, bulkiest club and is often the most expensive. These burly clubs are used for long shots, and deliver powerful impact that sends the ball flying hundreds of yards, given you’re a hard hitter. But what if you don’t deliver such a powerful swing? Don’t worry - you’re not alone. The industry for golf clubs has expanded so much throughout the years that manufacturers have come to consider the fact that not all users are the same. For instance, some have studied the many different types of golf swings to be able to produce clubs that cater to these specific people.
The best golf driver for low swing speed should be slightly lighter and may have a smaller head since users with slow speed tend to have better precision than fast swingers. But because the selection for these particular clubs has expanded significantly throughout the years, finding the right one for yourself might be a bit of a challenge.
Want to figure out how to make the right pick? Take cues from our comprehensive guide.
Before you go out and buy a driver for low swing speed, it pays to know how swing speed is calculated and whether you actually fall under the low swing speed category.
According to studies, the average swing speed is at about 93.4 miles per hour. With that, experts define any speeds at 70 - 90 mph a low swing speed. The reason why this information should be relevant to a player is the thought that slow swing speeds tend to generate shots that fail to make the distance.
If you’ve got a low swing speed, you’ll be happy to learn that many of those who study the physics of golf have actually dispelled this general notion as nothing more than mere myth.
Slower swing speeds can generate incredibly long shots, given that the player uses the right body mechanics, and of course, uses the right club. So while you might feel tempted to make an effort to swing faster and just buy the best driver for 90 - 100 mph swing speed, there are ways to can get just the same results out of practicing your low swing speed as is.
There are a few things you can try in order to get the best performance out of your club when you swing at lower speeds. These practices can help drive that ball much farther out, and may help you maximize your performance without actually having to swing any harder or faster.
Many of us tend to believe that how hard you hit the ball makes a bigger difference in terms of distance compared to where you hit the ball. But basic physics will tell you that finding the ball’s sweet spot and hitting it dead on can be much more rewarding.
Making contact too high, too low, or off to the side of a ball can impart spin and cause inefficient energy. So as you transfer your energy from your legs, to your arms, and through your swing, the ball doesn’t absorb enough of the impact, making it fall short of your target.
What’s more, imparting spin by hitting the ball too far off the center can waste energy, and even change the direction of the ball all together. So aside from falling short of your target, spinning balls can miss your intended landing all together.
Finding the sweet spot on a ball often depends on how well you know the head on your club. Try practicing by hitting the ball with different areas of the club head and find out which surface works best to generate long distance shots.
One of the differences between amateurs and pro golfers is that they tend to maintain focus on different aspects of a swing. For instance, beginners and intermediate golf players might think that generating distance requires a fast swing straight from the top. But pros don’t necessarily observe the same principle.
In fact, pros only exert effort towards the end of the swing curve. This extra push is more than enough to drive significant force into the ball, and may even help with precision. To better understand and execute the skill, you may want to consider trying the whoosh drill, which is a typical golf practice strategy that helps you fine tune your swing for farther results.
You can invest in the very best club in the market, but if you don’t know how to gradually accelerate your swing, you might still not get the results you want. When using a golf club for low swing speeds, it pays to take the time to learn how to position your body relative to it, as well as how to move in order to achieve the best results.
Gradual acceleration that builds up from top to bottom, and then a transfer of energy from the ground up can significantly increase the power and distance of your swing. Once the backswing ends, dig your feet into the ground, build up energy in your arms, and then give a little extra oomf as you make contact to achieve high flying outcomes.
What makes a good golf club? More importantly, what makes a good club for people with lower swing speeds? Consider these factors.
There are two main materials used for the shaft of a club. These are graphite and steel. The distinctive difference between these two types of material is their level of flexibility. Graphite tends to have more give because they’re lighter, which also helps increase swing speed.
Club heads can have “cavities” which are basically hollowed out areas along the back of the head that help create a stronger focal point for better energy transfer. For players with low swing speed, experts recommend between a half and a full cavity club head to help generate stronger force.
It’s easier to build up your speed if you’re using a club that won’t weigh you down. Clubs made from lightweight materials are often ideal for low swing speed because they aren’t as easily pulled down by gravity. So as you swing through, you’ll find it easier to bring your backswing to a full powered hit instead of having it dampened and pulled down by the weight of your club.
The TaylorMade SLDR Golf Driver makes it to the top of our list as the best club for lower swing speeds. This premium TaylorMade club features a graphite shaft, and a low-forward center of gravity that reduces spin and increases speed upon impact.
What we like about the SLDR is its sliding weight. This mechanism lets users change the way the club’s weight is distributed so you can customize your experience to better suit your needs and preferences.
Other than that, the club also features loft sleeve technology which basically lets you adjust the angle of the head to achieve the outcomes you prefer. The sleeve can be adjusted to 12 different positions, with 1.5 degrees of difference between each.
Lightweight, adjustable, and optimal for lower swing speeds, the SLDR Golf Driver from TalorMade is a suitable choice for most slow swingers out there. Aside from all of its great features, it’s also worth mentioning that the SLDR is a pretty handsome club indeed, so it’s a big dog you’d be proud to pull out on the fairway.
Women tend to have lower swing speeds than men, so manufacturers have designed specific clubs intended for women in order to help them achieve the best results on the course despite the low speeds. Our best pick for women is the Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Driver - a powerful graphite club that’s ultra light and perfect for women.
The club incorporates an aerodynamic design that reduces drag on your club, letting you swing with freedom for greater distance. The Recoil shaft provides both power and control, letting you generate strong yet accurate shots that don’t require too much effort or speed.
Much like the previous club, this design also features an adjustable weight that lets you improve the physics of the club in order to cater to your specific needs and performance. When it comes to durability, the Big Bertha is nothing short of impressive, shining with the robust construction that Callaway is known for.
All in all, there’s a lot to love about the Big Bertha Driver. Reliable and hardwearing, this premium driver can definitely help any woman out on the fairway to bring out the best in her game.
Powerful, robust, and highly reinforced, the M2 Driver 460cc from TaylorMade is considered the best driver for 85 mph swing speed players, and is yet another proud design that’s a favorite among low speed swingers. The lightweight construction is especially effortless, letting you swing and play with freedom of movement that doesn’t require too much force to generate substantial outcomes.
The club head is positioned low and back, allowing greater control and accuracy for more precise shots. The expanded club head on the other hand, provides a larger hitting surface that’s easier to master and get used to - perfect for those who like to swing more carefully at slower tempos.
In terms of performance, there’s nothing else we can say about the 2017 M2 other than it gets the job done. Of course, other than aesthetics though, there’s not a lot separating it from the 2016 M2. So unless you’re keen on the updated look of the 2017 version, the slightly steeper price tag might not seem as practical.
Sometimes, speed isn’t all that matters. Having a club that performs just right and that helps maximize your potential can be much more important than putting extra effort into generating a stronger swing. On our list of the best golf driver for low swing speed, we can highly recommend the TaylorMade SLDR Golf Driver which is a premium golf club designed especially for those who don’t want to exert effort where it might not be necessary.
This handsome club comes with all the features you’d need to help improve your distance, and also comes with a pretty reasonable price tag. So if you were hoping for the best value for your money, this one is your best bet.
