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Have you stood at the range and watched someone blast off their drives, or have a friend that outdrives you every time you play together? You’re not alone. Drivers have always been a focal point in golf, distance does play a key factor in how well you can perform on the golf course. It doesn’t hurt either when you can show off a little to others.
This article is going to give some tips on the best golf drivers for distance so you can gain an extra couple yards off the tee and hopefully drop some unnecessary shots.
The market for drivers has always been a diverse area, especially since technology is at its best compared to ever before. Theoretically, there are a couple of factors to pay attention to in a driver which may help give you just the extra distance you need.
First is the head. The heads of drivers are probably the part of the club which changed the most over the course of history. The different shapes of the driver heads do play a factor, but that falls further into the personal preference end of the spectrum.
However, the material used to make these driver heads do play a major role in the distance you can achieve, as well as the price you’re going to have to pay for.
Titanium heads have been a hit in the manufacturing industry, however it does come at a higher price than other typical drivers would. Some customers were happy with the new material and the distance they got, others were turned away by the price tag. Thus, the invention of composite drivers which have a mix of titanium and other alloys to achieve similar results and less to cash up.
Shafts are the next large factor which comes into play when wanting some extra yards. Although already common, graphite shafts are highly idea for hitting long drives. The only exception is only if you have an extremely high swing speed, such as long-distance hitters, in which fully graphite shafts may be too flexible for you.
Finally, we can take a look at the newest innovations of driver heads: adjustable weights. Weights are possibly the most technical part of the driver which highly depends on swing specifications and data. How much weight and where it needs to be placed will depend on your swing speed, attack angle, as well as club path. However, with the correct fitting, weights can absolutely help boost your distance in improve feel at the same time.
The golden rule of golf still applies when choosing a driver that will help you hit it further: whatever feels best is probably best.
However, there are some things that you can pay attention to which may help in the driver selection process. The key thing to remember is that all the things discussed in this section will vary depending on the swing you have. The only way to get a driver that will help you get some extra distance is if it fits you and your swing. There isn’t a specific club that is going to help every kind of golfer.
First and foremost is the weight of the club. Just as described in the previous section, your swing speed plays a major role in how far you can hit the ball. Generally, people with slower swing speeds tend to hit it shorter. However, people have now learned to overcome that problem with a heavier driver which allows them to simply swing and let the momentum guide the club.
On the other hand, if you tend to swing through the ball speedily, then you might need to consider getting a lighter driver to take advantage of the speed you already have through the ball.
Another thing to pay attention to is the stiffness of the shaft you buy or use. The flex of a shaft can vary, and it is this variation that allows different kinds of trajectories and overall distances. Greatly enough, the flex of your shaft will not only affect the distance, but also your dispersion.
People with higher swing speeds or ‘wristy’ swing movements will need a stiffer shaft. A shaft that is too flex will create a higher ball trajectory and the force placed on the ball will be focused more upwards rather than travelling forward.
The Callaway XR 16 has proven itself to be a driver that has capabilities to help its user hit it long. This driver is the current driver type used to hold the world’s longest distance record, so there’s not much more to say.
This driver features an aerodynamic head for increased clubhead speed and a larger head for increased forgiveness. This club, however, does not have any adjustable weights like a lot of other drivers in the market.
If you want to hit the ball long, but is also focused on getting the best bang for your buck, the Cobra KING F8 is a viable option. The crown of the driver is 20% lighter than all its previous models, allowing more forgiveness. It comes with adjustable weights on the front, rear, and heel. If you so choose, you can also change the loft of the driver to hit it at the height you like.
This driver also has a smartphone app feature which allows you to track your distance and get statistical data on your swing.
Titleist is a major company in the golfing industry and has remained a constant throughout the throes of the vast driver productions. The D3 has its very own, unique to Titleist, adjustable weights with the SureFit CG weight chamber. Ther are also two forms on the driver, Neutral for forgiveness and Top Heavy for accuracy. If you’re going for a hassle-free classic driver, the D3 is a contender.
The best golf drivers for distance can come in all different shapes and forms, but you can’t beat technology. Innovation will always push the boundaries of maximum distance, but it will always need to work with the various swings that golfers have. Its important to find a driver that works for your swing specifically, one that will balance out the quirks and focus on the positives.
The good news is that a lot of the current drivers on the market today are engineered and created with much research behind them, so most will be able to hand out good distances. However, we would highly recommend trying the Callaway XR 16 if you’re a little unsure, as we do think it is the best driver for distance in general. And remember, golf isn’t all about distance, but it can sure help in the overall game.
