Best Drivers for Beginners
Starting golf with the wrong driver makes the game harder than it needs to be. Beginners need maximum forgiveness (because most swings won't find the center), high launch (because slower swings need help getting the ball airborne), and good value (because you're also buying irons, a putter, a bag, shoes, and balls). Skip the tour-level drivers — they'll punish your developing swing. These beginner-friendly picks score highest on the metrics that matter most when you're learning the game.
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Tour Edge
Tour Edge Exotics Max
$500 · 2026
9.4Beginner Score
8.7Overall
Cleveland
Cleveland Launcher XL2
$399 · 2026
9.4Beginner Score
8Overall

Tour Edge
Tour Edge Exotics Lite
$500 · 2026
9.2Beginner Score
8.4Overall
Cleveland
Cleveland Launcher XL2 Draw
$450 · 2026
9.4Beginner Score
8.2Overall
Wilson
Wilson Dynapower Max 2026
$399 · 2026
9Beginner Score
8.2Overall
Cobra
Cobra Darkspeed MAX
$499 · 2024
9.2Beginner Score
8.5Overall
TaylorMade
TaylorMade Qi4D Max
$600 · 2026
9.7Beginner Score
8.8Overall

PXG
PXG Lightning Max
$399 · 2026
9Beginner Score
8.2Overall
Ping
Ping G430 Max 10K
$599 · 2024
9.8Beginner Score
8.7Overall
Srixon
Srixon ZXi Max
$449 · 2026
9.2Beginner Score
8.4Overall
Mizuno
Mizuno ST-Max 230
$449 · 2024
9Beginner Score
8.4Overall
Ping
Ping G440 Max
$599 · 2026
9.5Beginner Score
8.6Overall
Compare Top Picks
Tour Edge Exotics Max vs Cleveland Launcher XL2 →Tour Edge Exotics Max vs Tour Edge Exotics Lite →Tour Edge Exotics Max vs Cleveland Launcher XL2 Draw →Cleveland Launcher XL2 vs Tour Edge Exotics Lite →Cleveland Launcher XL2 vs Cleveland Launcher XL2 Draw →Tour Edge Exotics Lite vs Cleveland Launcher XL2 Draw →