Let’s dive into the Best Golf Driver for Mid Handicappers 2024.
Golf is an interesting game loved by many across the globe. But it is a tough sport to master, with only a handful of players holding a single-figure handicap.
Some credible sources indicate several golfers hold a handicap of between 15 and 18, qualifying them as mid-handicap golfers.
To help these players improve and enjoy their game, several companies are releasing different models of drivers.
In fact, each passing year sees a new set of contenders for the top drivers in the industry, with companies battling out launch monitors to justify why they are the best in their categories.
This has brought a lot of confusion to potential users who have to choose between multiple options.
You are probably wondering: What is the best golf driver for mid handicappers? Well, don’t worry because we have taken time to review different arrays of drivers.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a slow swinger looking for the best drivers for distance or a quick swinger going after the most forgiving drivers; this handy guide will help you pick the right driver.
But note that our review only has the best golf drivers for mid handicappers and we will highlight some of the top features and unique attributes of each driver. So, let’s dive in.
List of the Best Golf Drivers for Mid Handicappers
- TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver: Best Overall
- Titleist TSR3 Driver: 2nd Best
- Ping G430 LST Driver: 3rd Best
- Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max Driver
- Mizuno ST-G Driver
- Ping G430 Max
- Cleveland Launcher XL
- Srixon ZX5 MK II
- Wilson Dynapower Carbon Driver
The Best Golf Drivers for Mid Handicappers
1. TaylorMade Qi10 LS Driver
If you are looking for a low-spin driver, then the latest Qi10 driver might be the right fit. It has a slightly different profile than your standard driver.
Some drivers are more rounded, but this driver features a pear-shaped design with a blue design along with subtle white stripes.
In terms of performance, the Qi10 LS driver produces a reasonable speed that is quite similar to the outgoing Stealth 2.
We would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a driver in the low-spin category.
Key Features
- Lower CG projection
- A higher MOI than Stealth 2 creates a driver aimed at distance.
- Carbon steel
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Consistently high ball speedVery low spinningIt has a cleaner aesthetic than its predecessor. | No much performance gain over Stealth 2 Plus |
Price: $629.99
2. Titleist TSR3 Driver
The TSR3 has stuck with the classic-shaped head at address just as other TSR models. The main reason for the design is to make it as fast as possible through the air.
Besides this, Titleist tried to make this drive as sleek-looking as possible without losing performance.
It is also the best golf driver for mid handicappers due to the fact that it has a five-position SureFit CG Track, which is now more suited to fit more flush when you have it set in the more extreme positions.
Besides this, Titleist also tried to fit a variable-thickness face pattern that is geared more toward mid handicappers.
Key Features
- SureFit CG track
- Has a speed ring with a variable-thickness face pattern for a more centered strike.
- Smoother sole with a smaller hose opening
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Impressive consistencyImproved sound and feelInviting a high-tech look at the address | Some may feel that there is so much going on at the address. |
Price: $449
3. Ping G430 LST Driver
The G430 LST is ideal for fast-swinging mid handicappers.
The LST is usually the slow spin option, which comes with a lovely carbon crown, which is usually absent in other models.
The good thing about the crown is that it has an eight-layer carbon wrap plus the toe and heel of the driver. This design saves a lot of eights in the crown.
Key Features
- Sizable 460cc head
- State-of-the-art rubber-blend compound
- Adjustable backweight
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Impressive consistencyImproved sound and feelInviting a high-tech look at the address | Some may feel that there is so much going on at the address. |
Price: $499
4. Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver
One of the biggest challenges that you will face as a consumer is sifting through all the marketing hype before you can figure out whether the driver you want to buy is legitimate.
Thankfully, Callaway Paradym lives up to expectations.
We found this driver to be legitimate and indeed the best golf driver for mid handicappers.
It comes with tons of benefits for mid handicappers, including improved forgiveness and distance.
Since most mid-handicap players tend to use the whole driver face, this new Paradym driver has a new AI-designed face to ensure that you get the best ball speed possible, irrespective of where you hit it.
Key Features
- Micro deflections that create multiple sweet spots
- AI Smart Face Designed using real-player data
- Adjustable perimeter weighting for desired shot shape
- Paradym Shift from a lighter, stronger carbon shape
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Designed for faster speedFully adjustableForgiving all over the club faceTop-end distance | It is slightly expensive. |
Price: $599
5. Mizuno ST-G Driver
This driver has a 440cc head, which has been aimed at lower- to mid-handicapped golfers. It is also adjustable and can be set up as a low-spin driver.
Overall, we think the ST-G is one of the best-looking drivers from Mizuno.
Key Features
- Ultra-lightweight carbon crown
- A new multi-thickness CORTECH face
- Highly resilient forged SAT2041 Beta-Ti face
- Optimized Wave Sole Plate
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| – Offers plenty of forgiveness. – Very user-friendly – Wonderful shelf appeal | – It only has a slight distance gain when compared to previous models. |
Price: $600
6. Ping G430 Max Driver
The G430 Max range has a more shallow profile to allow for forged variable face thickness.
With this, players get more flexibility in the face to provide better speed and forgiveness off the face.
Another interesting thing about the Max is that it has taken loft off the lower parts of the face to control ball speed on those thinner shots off the tee.
Key Features
- Innovative face-design optimization leads
- Long and forgiving
- A 25-gram movable backweight positions the CG to influence shot shape.
- Optimized T9S+ Forged Face
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| – Offers plenty of forgiveness. – Very user-friendly – Wonderful shelf appeal | – It only has a slight distance gain when compared to previous models. |
Price: $549
7. Cleveland Launcher XL Driver
The Launcher HB entered the market in 2020, and now Cleverland has introduced a better replacement, the Launcher XL.
The company introduced this driver specifically for mid- to high handicappers.
Another thing that makes the Launcher XL the best golf driver for mid handicappers is that the head has been increased by 6%.
Key Features
- Lightweight design
- Rebound frame
- XL head design with an MOI of 5,100 g/cm2
- Accuracy is built for maximum control off the tee.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| – It has premium looks. – Stable and more forgiving off-center – Dense, satisfying feel at impact | – Hosel settings are not visible when secured. |
Price: $450
8. Srixon ZX5 MK II Driver
The ZX5 MKII offers a better footprint than the ZX MK II driver, so it tends to provide better forgiveness with a slightly different head design.
On top of this, it is designed with an all-titanium head and three ribs that cross each other on the inside.
Key Features
- An adjustable hosel provides the opportunity to vary loft, face angle, and lie.
- Variable-thickness face
- Rebound frame with dual flex zones
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| – It sounds better than previous releases. – Simplistic design belies technology in the head | – Limited in terms of weight adjustability |
Price: $599
9. Wilson Dynapower Carbon Driver
The Dynapower has lots of carbon fiber throughput but has a more inviting look with a slight bias to a fade. That is why it is a better driver for those fighting a hook off the tee.
Apart from this, the Dynapower carbon driver is among the most adjustable drivers. This is only possible with titanium or carbon heads.
Key Features
- Dynapower AI that analyzes thousands of permutations to find the perfect thickness
- Lower spin head design
- Six-way adjustable loft adapter
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| – It has premium looks. – Stable and more forgiving off-center – Dense, satisfying feel at impact | Hosel settings are not visible when secured. |
Price: $380
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conventionally, a mid-handicap player is someone who can hold a playing handicap of 10–20. He or she normally shoots in the 80s on a par 72 golf course.
But note that this is a more subjective area.
Before you can acquire a new driver, there are a few important things that you have to consider.
The first thing that you have to do is ask yourself what you need from your driver. Is it something to help you find more fairways or something that will offer more distance?
Whatever the reason, it is always better to choose a custom fit.
Another thing to prioritize when choosing the best golf driver for mid handicappers is to consider something with a high MOI or adjustable weights.
The best golf driver for mid handicappers is something that non-low spinning models on the list will find more ideal.
So, drivers like the Ping G430 SFT, the Srixon ZX5 MK II, and the Cleveland Launcher are some of the most forgiving models on this list.
Wrapping It Up
But just note that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule, so you have to figure out what works for you.
In this case, you need to focus on a few things, such as your loft, the shaft flex, adjustability, and head size.
Normally, the best golf driver for mid handicappers has a shaft flex that is stiff or regular.
Likewise, the best driver loft will normally be 11–13 degrees. The same goes for forgiveness.
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