Any golf club set should have a 1-wood or driver. That’s how important this type of club is. However, it can be expensive as well. Don’t worry; we’re here to show you some of the best affordable golf drivers.
The main reason why drivers are quite expensive at times is they’re the longest type of golf club with the biggest clubhead. This design is mostly for the purpose of getting the ball further than other clubs. Sometimes, maximum distance is crucial so the ball will reach a winning spot on the green.
To finally help you find quality drivers without breaking the bank, we’re now introducing the following products:
Table of Contents
Best Affordable Golf Drivers Review
Srixon Golf 2017 Men’s Z 756 Driver
With the advanced Power Wave design, the sole of the Srixon Golf 2017 Men’s Z 756 Driver can completely flex to increase the coefficient of restitution (COR), especially when the impact is lower.
Another new design is the Stretch Flex Cup to extend the face all the way to the sole and crown for a bigger sweet spot. Speaking of the crown, it’s lighter than what most drivers have and also placed in a different position to increase the clubhead’s moment of inertia (MOI) and put the center of gravity (CG) lower.
Partly because of its stiff flex, this golf driver has high forgiveness to hit the ball in a more powerful way. It can also make the ball fly straighter to improve accuracy.
If you’re particular about sound, however, this driver seems too hollow. It can’t also beat the distance of some hybrid golf clubs. And, worse, the clubhead isn’t too durable because it’s breakable.
Pros:
- Full flex for a more consistent performance no matter how unpredictable the impact is
- More coverage for the sweet spot
- Higher MOI, lower CG
- Sufficient forgiveness
- Clean launch
Cons:
- Hollow sound
- May be underwhelming if you’re a hybrid user
- Breakable clubhead
TaylorMade Men’s RBZ Black
With its titanium head and core plus adjustable loft, the TaylorMade Men’s RBZ Black golf driver is specifically designed for better control, launch, flight, spin, and distance.
For added distance, the matrix white shaft promotes a smoother feel. And, if you’re particular about style, this club looks so classy because of its satin black coating and details which are also functional for better alignment.
It’s already a given that this golf driver has a high level for forgiveness to guarantee a winning distance. As a plus, the textured grip follows the standard design so it can be used by most golfers. This driver is also value for money, thanks to the free protective cover for its clubhead.
However, despite the practical idea of adding a clubhead cover, this product can still be inconvenient because the sleeve may not fit perfectly. And, more about the grip, it’s not very fashionable. Lastly, just like the previous option we’ve discussed, the clubhead isn’t durable for it may detach from the shaft.
Pros:
- Designed for overall performance
- Smooth feel
- Classy appearance
- Can help you achieve proper alignment
- Decent option for most players because of its standard design
Cons:
- Improper fitting of the cover
- Needs improvement on the grip
- Detached clubhead even with casual use
Tour Edge Golf – Hot Launch HL3 Driver
Once you hit the ball directly through the cup face of the Tour Edge Golf – Hot Launch HL3 Driver, its clubhead made of forged titanium can make the ball go faster than what you’re used to. Another feature contributing to ball speed is the power channel contained in the back of the face for more forgiving shots.
It gets better because even when your hit is off-center, you can still perform like a pro with the variable thickness technology added on the face. In fact, the superior quality of this driver is evident just by looking at it.
When it comes to distance, the loft of this golf driver is higher for a more effective ball flight that can cover up to 20 additional yards on the fairway.
Unfortunately, the clubhead may be asymmetrical, resulting in a center mark that’s not exactly in the middle of the face. The face can be very rough as well, which might affect your hits if you’re used to smoother golf drivers.
Pros:
- Faster ball
- More forgiving
- Effective even with off-center hits
- High-quality appearance
- Significant increase in the average distance you achieve
Cons:
- Asymmetrical clubhead
- Off-center mark
- Too rough to touch on the face
MacGregor Golf MACTEC Adjustable Titanium 460cc Driver
Being a club with an adjustable loft, the MacGregor Golf MACTEC Titanium 460cc Driver can match your preference and the real-time weather by allowing you to set its angle to nine, 10.5 or 12 degrees through the free adjustment key.
Meanwhile, the extra-large clubhead is made of titanium to significantly increase distance and forgiveness even with off-center hits. Regarding ball speed, the lightweight shaft is completely made of graphite and contains a technology called Dynamic Launch for a more powerful impact.
Because of the longer distances this golf driver can reach, you can stay consistent as you target the fairway. You’ll appreciate the additional weighting for the sole to launch the ball higher.
Sadly, despite the strategic weighting designed for the sole, this golf club may still feel off for some golfers because of the shaft. It may also fail to match the performance of older models for it still requires more effort on your swings.
Pros:
- Can be adjusted to your liking
- Performs great even when your hits are off
- Powerful enough for high-speed shots
- Consistent performance, especially on fairways
- Higher ball flight
Cons:
- Strange feel because of the ineffective weighting on the shaft
- Can’t compete with some older models
- Not for easier swings
PGX Offset Golf Driver
While a lot of options don’t have extra items, the PGX Offset Golf Driver is guaranteed to have a protected clubhead because of its secure cover. That’s why it looks so perfect fresh out of the box, especially with its stylish color combination of black, white, and green.
More importantly, the offset of this golf driver ensures a direct impact and a straighter shot. This makes it easier for any golfer to achieve a distance up to 200 yards or more.
As expected, this driver still has its downsides. It looks excellent, but some drivers out there appear more offset. There might be a learning curve as well because of its unique feel.
And, the worst one? During the initial use, there’s a possibility that the clubhead would break for some reason. This is probably due to an unnecessarily strong impact, but that shouldn’t be a problem in the first place.
Pros:
- Secure protection for the clubhead during transport or storage
- Fun colors
- Straighter shots
- Sleek appearance
- Powerful impact
Cons:
- Not as offset as other golf drivers
- Strange feel
- Possibility of a broken clubhead in just a few sessions
MAZEL Titanium Golf Drivers for Men 460CC
Somehow proven by its clear sound upon impact, the MAZEL Titanium Golf Drivers for Men can ensure distance, ball speed, efficiency, and rebound even with off-center hits because of its face with a CNC cup design. More about their face, it primarily focuses on distance by having a big sweet spot, made possible by the 460cc depth.
Despite the strength of its titanium face, this golf driver remains lightweight through its variable thickness around its clubhead for high-speed swings. It’s easy enough to control for it may feel extremely light when held, depending on the golfer’s experience. The comfortable grip can also contribute to effortless performance.
However, just like any golf driver so far, this one still has a breakable clubhead. And, even though we’ve mentioned it’s quite easy to control this driver, it can still be a hassle for some golfers because of the excessive force its clubhead can make. Lastly, while the sound it makes can be satisfying, it can also be too loud.
Pros:
- Clear sound
- Good rebound
- Highly efficient
- Strong yet lightweight
- Comfortable grip
Cons:
- Clubhead not durable enough
- Too much force sometimes
- Can be excessively loud
TaylorMade SIM MAX Driver Fujikura Ventus 6 Shaft
More stylish than the first TaylorMade golf driver on this list, this model has a more detailed design because of its multiple textures and colors.
To be more specific, the TaylorMade SIM MAX Fujikura Ventus Driver is composed of different materials namely steel, carbon, and titanium for more effective weighting around the clubhead to ensure a high MOI and an extremely low CG.
Other advanced features include the asymmetric sole for a more aerodynamic structure, the inertia generator for distance, speed, and forgiveness, and the speed-injected technology for COR.
We should also highlight the strange yet satisfying sound of this golf driver. While other drivers sound like a typical piece of metal being used to hit something, this one seems muffled but with the right amount of oomph to meet your expectations.
To cater to different types of golfers, this product comes in a wide variety of choices. However, this may also lead to wrong orders.
Pros:
- More fashionable than other TaylorMade golf drivers
- Combines the advantages of quality materials
- Significantly lower CG
- Aerodynamic shape
- Balanced sound
Cons:
- Possibility of receiving the wrong variation
Orlimar Golf ATS Junior Boy’s Individual Clubs
Since kids also deserve some fun with their parents or guardians on the golf course, the Orlimar Golf ATS Junior Boy’s Individual Clubs include drivers made for ages 3 to 5 or children standing 3’ to 3’8” tall.
And, since pure steel or graphite shafts are too heavy for junior golfers, composite material is used. Meanwhile, the rubber grip is soft while the clubhead comes with a protective cover.
Even though this golf driver is one of the most affordable options, its design is surprisingly comparable to high-quality variations for adults because of the clubhead that’s bigger than most junior drivers. This isn’t ideal for much younger kids in general, but it’s a great way to introduce the sport to them in a more serious manner.
Pros:
- Specifically designed for kids
- Light enough for most junior golfers
- Soft to touch
- Very affordable
- One of the more challenging options for children
Cons:
- Too heavy for some kids
Pinemeadow PGX 500cc Illegal/Non-Conforming Driver
If you’re just a recreational golfer who simply wants to have a smoother game every single time on the golf course, the Pinemeadow PGX 500cc Illegal/Non-Conforming Driver is perfect for you.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a driver you can use in tournaments, skip this one because its 500cc clubhead is illegal according to the standards of the United States Golf Association (USGA).
When it comes to its price, this golf driver is surprisingly cheap, considering that it performs really well. It can make the ball fly 300 yards away. In addition to being an affordable recreational club, it looks great as a gift for other casual golfers.
While it’s good news that this extremely large golf driver isn’t known for broken or detached clubheads, it may eventually have a dent.
Pros:
- Perfect for recreational golfers
- Very affordable
- Can achieve maximum distance
- Attractive appearance
- Not breakable
Cons:
- Should never be used in tournaments
- Can be dented
TaylorMade Golf M2
Looks simpler than the SIM MAX but more appealing than the RBZ, the TaylorMade Golf M2 is highly recommended by experienced golfers. It has an advanced multilateral structure to stay lightweight with a lower CG positioned further back. Other features include Geocoustic technology and speed pocket.
Compared to the rest of the brand’s M models, this one is arguably the best because of its maximum distance and forgiveness. As a plus, it comes with free items like the clubhead cover and the adjustment tool for the loft.
Unfortunately, if you’re going to choose the one with a stiff shaft, it might affect your swings because it can be challenging to predict its movement and reaction to impact.
The free tool can be disappointing as well for it may not fit the weight. And, if you want to change the weight, you can’t because of its extremely secure adhesive.
Pros:
- One of the superior options
- Winning distance because of maximum forgiveness
- Includes a couple of free items
- Lightweight structure
- Effective placement of the CG
Cons:
- Possibility of poor swings if you’ll use a stiff shaft
- Free tool might be unusable
- Fixed weight
How to Choose Affordable Golf Drivers
Budget
Since you’re not just looking for high-quality golf drivers, you should consider the price before focusing on other factors.
Luckily for budget-conscious golfers, some drivers are sold under $100. However, they’re mostly for beginners or recreational players because of their mediocre quality in general.
Cheap drivers can definitely serve their purpose, but most of them can’t last a year. A common issue with them is the seemingly unavoidable problem which is a broken clubhead.
If you’re willing to spend more money without exceeding $1,000, there are a lot of great options within the $200 to $600 range. Some of the best ones cost $350 to $400.
Loft
If you’re a serious golfer, it’s crucial to use a golf driver with a loft that can be easily adjusted. That’s because it can significantly affect precision.
Now, one can’t talk about loft without including the angle of the face. They go hand in hand since any adjustment you do on the loft affects the face’s angle. The logic is simple: increasing the loft results in a closed face while reducing it leads to an open face.
Precision vs Range
Precision
If you’ll find a golf driver that can effectively balance accuracy and distance, then you’re one lucky golfer. However, sometimes, you just can’t have both. That’s when you encounter the dilemma of choosing which factor to prioritize–precision or range?
Precision simply refers to the consistency of your performance. To be honest, the same idea goes for consistently bad hits.
However, if your hits are always accurate, then you’re being precise in the best way possible. You can achieve that by using the right driver. Imagine how frustrating it can be if your accuracy is just based on luck.
Now, accurate shots are more likely to happen if the shaft is shorter or follows the standard measurement. This doesn’t exactly improve the distance, though.
Range
The likelihood of a wider range of distance may be increased by using a longer shaft. Unfortunately, this often leads to inaccurate hits.
If you still can’t master your shots, don’t focus on range. In fact, many experts recommend accurate drivers for most golfers instead of the ones designed for maximum distance.
Of course, your choice should still be based on your skill level or your needs on the golf course. If your number one problem is distance, then focus on improving it with a longer driver.
Weights
Fixed
Not all golf drivers have adjustable weights because, well, some golfers just don’t think they’re necessary. That can even be a good thing since the lack of additional mechanisms also means a cheaper driver.
A secure hosel is basically a hassle-free option for a lot of players. It stays fixed, thanks to heavy-duty adhesive or glue.
However, it’s still best for any golfer to try adjustable weights to experience a huge difference in their performance. People don’t just spend extra money on movable weights for nothing.
Movable
A lot of golfers prefer adjustable weights so they can enhance forgiveness, ace a slice, and set the launch. Some of them transfer a huge chunk of the mass to a bigger section on the clubhead to place the weight closer to the edges.
Meanwhile, some golfers transfer the weight in the front to reduce the angle of the launch as well as the spin. On the other hand, to increase both factors plus MOI, the weight should be transferred in the back.
Shaft
Force
The performance of any golf club doesn’t solely depend on its clubhead. The shaft is also a very important factor. You can identify a good shaft by considering the amount of its force.
Technically referred to as torque, the force we’re talking about should be strong enough to make an object rotate. In terms of golfing, that object obviously refers to the ball.
So, do you need a higher or lower torque? You should go for a higher torque if your swings are quite slow. But, if you’re already a pro when it comes to swing speed, avoid excessive results by minimizing the torque.
Length
The length of the golf driver’s shaft can affect both feel and impact. The longer the shaft, the lower the precision. That’s because the heel is more likely to make a direct contact.
On the other hand, the shorter the shaft, the greater the consistency. Instead of the heel, there’s a higher chance for the toe to receive the impact.
Weight
Heavier shafts are for golfers who prefer less spin and a lower ball flight. And, obviously, more lightweight shafts ensure more spin and a higher launch. Meanwhile, if you don’t want the ball to curve, go for a shaft with more weight.
As you can see, we don’t exactly mention swing speed here. That’s because the shaft’s weight won’t necessarily affect your swings. Instead, it will significantly affect your control.
Flex
The reason why golf driver shafts can either be stiff or regular is to give golfers a chance to choose based on the quality of their swings.
Stiff shafts aim to lower your launch and the ball’s peak height in the air as well as reduce its spin. On the other hand, regular shafts can guarantee excessive peak height and spin. Pros are stronger players, so they’re generally using stiffer shafts.
Aerodynamics
More and more golf drivers nowadays feature a more aerodynamic shape. Does this mean that aerodynamic drivers are the best options in the modern age?
Even though manufacturers promote the idea that aerodynamics can affect the clubhead’s speed, a lot of older models are still superior to newer ones. That’s why it’s not that important to choose aerodynamic drivers. It’s actually more practical to consider the shaft’s length and weight.
Conclusion
There are multiple TaylorMade products on our list, but one particular model has captured our attention. The TaylorMade SIM MAX Fujikura Ventus Driver is fashionable and unique with a much lower CG, better aerodynamic shape, and more satisfying sound. It comes in different variations, though, so be more careful when you place your order.
Choosing an affordable golf driver definitely involves checking its price and comparing it with other budget options. However, it should also include consideration of other factors like loft, precision, range, weights, shaft, and shape. More specific factors include the shaft’s torque, length, width, and flex.