As a mid handicapper, you probably enjoy a couple of pars in a row and then hit one out of bounds. Being a mid handicapper makes you feel so close to those high 70 rounds, but there are just a few bad swings that keep you away.
Could a new driver be the answer for you?
This year’s technology focuses very heavily on forgiveness. We tested all the best drivers for mid handicappers and narrowed down specific ones that could work for your individual needs.
Take a look at which one would fit best in your golf bag.
What Is A Mid Handicapper?
A mid handicapper is a golfer with a handicap in the 11 to 20 range. Some golfers in the 21-23 range may also refer to themselves as mid handicappers. Generally speaking, anyone less than a 10 handicap is a low handicap golfer.
Mid handicappers make several pars and even a birdie here and there, but they often struggle to get the double bogeys off the card.
The Best Drivers For Mid Handicappers
When we analyzed the best drivers for mid handicappers there were several winners. Depending on what you are looking for, it’s not hard to find a club with some impressive technology, great feel, and maybe even a few more yards of distance than you are used to.
Here are the best drivers for mid handicappers in 2024.
- Titleist TSR2 (Best Feel)
- TaylorMade Qi10 Max (Best New Technology)
- Ping G430 Max 10K (Best Forgiveness)
- Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke (Best Distance)
- Cobra LTDx (Best Adjustability)
- TaylorMade Stealth 2 (Best Previous Year Model)
- Ping G425 Max (Best Accuracy)
- Callaway Mavrik (Best Deal)
Titleist TSR2
The Titleist TSR2 is the best driver for mid handicappers that care about feel. Having hit all of the new releases this year, there are some great options on the market.
However, Titleist still wins with the overall look and feel of the TSR2. The club head is classic, clean, and confidence inducing. You don’t need to be a low handicapper to understand what the pros like about Titleist.
While most of them have the TSR3 in their bags, the TSR2 is perfectly adapted to the mid handicapper.
Pros
- Great feel when it comes off the face
- Very consistent performance
- High ball speeds with Cortech Chamber Technology
- Highly adjustable
Cons
- A little expensive
- Not as lightweight feeling as other drivers on the market
Technology
Titleist is not afraid to invest in these golf drivers and make them some of the highest performing clubs on the market. With the TSR2 you’ll get the Quick Switch hosel to fine tune your ball flight. I suggest setting it neutral to begin with and then playing with the numbers when you get used to the feel of the club.
In addition, the Titleist features the Cortech Chamber Technology to increase speeds. For many years, the Titleist were falling behind a bit in their distance technology but they have recently caught up.
The bottom line here is to make sure you don’t skip over the Titleist simply because you believe it’s a players club – it works for mid handicappers really well.
Value
You’ll have this Titleist driver in your bag for years to come, and the technology will still be relevant. Make sure this is one you like because the higher price point will make up for itself when you don’t need to replace technology often. You get what you pay for with a Titleist driver.
TaylorMade Qi10 Max
The TaylorMade Qi10 Max is the latest release from TaylorMade. With this new model, TaylorMade is not pushing distance nearly as much as they are pushing forgiveness.
It’s a really forgiving driver; in fact they made the moment of inertia (a fancy term for forgiveness) higher than any other club they have ever made. Now, that’s something worth looking into!
Pros
- A very forgiving driver, making it easier to hit straight golf shots
- Top of the line technology just released
- High launch and easily repeatable swing
- Elongated clubhead shape gives golfers more confidence
Cons
- It’s expensive because of the new technology
- Forgiveness and stability are impressive, but distance is not better than other drivers
Technology
If you already have the TaylorMade Stealth 2, you may not need to look into the TaylorMade Qi10 Max. The technology in the Stealth 2 is quite similar, and although this one is a little more forgiving, you probably won’t see more distance.
TaylorMade brought back some of their best features with the Qi10 Max. You’ll get the 60x Carbon Twist Face for maximum energy transfer and a unique feel. For mid-handicappers with high swing speeds and slightly wild shots, the Qi10 Max may get you back in the fairway.
As a beginner or high handicapper, it makes sense to maximize any distance you can get, and the Qi10 Max ensures that happens for you.
Value
The TaylorMade Qi10 Max is expensive, which is to be expected because it is one of the newest releases to the market.
However, if money is not a concern for you, you’ll be able to keep this driver in play for the next few years.
If you are TaylorMade brand loyal, I wouldn’t upgrade to the Qi10 Max unless you have an older SIM driver; the Stealth is still pretty similar and has good functionality.
Ping G430 Max 10K
The Ping G430 Max 10K, just like the TaylorMade Qi10, is here for forgiveness. The MOI is powerful on this one, but you can’t beat the feel and sound. Overall, it’s always a great experience hitting a Ping driver.
The Ping G425 has been one of the best for mid handicappers in the last few years, and the Ping G430 takes things just a little further.
Pros
- MOI that surpasses the 10,000 g-cm threshold
- Straightest and most forgiving driver ever from Ping
- Large head profile and lower CG
- Thin face with consistent spin across
Cons
- It’s a little louder than previous Ping models
- Clubhead is big, not for a golfer who likes a compact look
Technology
Of all the golf manufacturers, we find that Ping doesn’t release a new driver unless they really feel like they have made an advancement in technology. The G430 Max 10K is an advancement in forgiveness.
However, it is important to note that if you are a feel player who likes to work the ball and control flight, I wouldn’t choose this one. Go to the Ping G425 Max. It’s a bit more appealing to the golfers on the lower end of the mid handicap range.
The driver features a Carbonfly Wrap Crown designed to reduce weight and lower the center of gravity. You’ll also get the Trajectory Tuning 2.0 with eight adjustment positions. If your game changes or you know you need a little extra loft for forgiveness, you can easily adjust.
The thing to remember about this one is that it’s really for the player who needs forgiveness. It’s Ping technology, so it feels great, and it’s not an offset for a beginner type club. If you are a mid handicapper who sprays the ball from time to time, you’ll do a lot better with the Ping G430 Max 10K in play.
Value
Ping drivers are expensive, but maybe more importantly they hold their value. You will not be replacing this one anytime soon. If you are a golfer that takes care of equipment, the Ping G430 10K is good for you.
Also, if you have always been known to spray the ball a bit, the Ping G430 10K is a good investment. However, if you are just going through a rough patch where you are missing a little left or right, it may be more forgiving than you need.
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max
The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max driver is the latest addition to the Callaway lineup.
With this driver, you’ll get impressive distance and again, the use of Ai technology. Callaway led the way with the introduction of Ai, and it seems like they have no intention of stopping anytime soon.
Where most drivers in 2024 focused on forgiveness, we felt like Callaway also wanted to push the limit with yardage and get you those few extra yards.
Pros
- AI Smart Face Technology for optimal launch
- Multiple sweet spots
- 360 Carbon Chassis for lighter weight and more forgiveness
- Up to 19 yards of shot shape correction thanks to adjustability
Cons
- Expensive new release
- Adjustability takes a little bit to learn
- Need to purchase an adjustment tool to go along with this driver
Technology
Why have we been trying to play with one sweet spot for all these years! Callaway finally set things straight and said they are happy to provide more than one sweet spot across the face of this club.
That makes the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke a really good choice for mid handicap golfers.
In addition, the Paradym Ai Smoke has the benefit of the Ai Smart Face technology and a 360 Carbon Chassis.
I like the Ai Smoke just as much as the Paradym, but I don’t think the changes between the two models are significant enough to warrant a switch. However, if you have the Mavrik (see below), you may find that it’s time to upgrade to the Paradym technology.
Callaways’ designs continue to get better thanks to the help of Ai, and with this driver in your bag, it should be easier to find fairways.
Let’s face it: 19 yards of shot correction should be enough to get your ball back into play.
Value
This is, again, an expensive driver. If you are not worried about money but want some of the best technology on the market and the most advanced clubhead, there is, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver should do the trick. Most golfers will find this one worth the money, and we tend to agree.
Cobra LTDx
Cobra tends to fly under the radar when compared to Callaway and TaylorMade. However, if you want an affordable driver with a ton of adjustability and great feel, the Cobra LTDx is the right choice.
Cobra does a great job of mixing the forgiveness mid handicappers need with the feel and precision they want. The Cobra LTDx has a large clubface, plenty of ball speed, and can work for a wide range of players.
Pros
- PWR-COR Technology for maximized ball speed across the entire face
- Impressive sound and feel
- Clean and modern looking clubhead
- Great pricing
Cons
- Tends to be dull if you miss the center of the face
- Face may not be as hot as the most recent models from Cobra
Technology
The Cobra LTDx is a really fair value right now. You get a mix of materials, a CNC Milled Infinity face, and lots of ball speed and distance, all at a very fair price. One of the things that stood out to us about the Cobra was the feel.
The ball comes off the clubface really nicely and feels like a premium driver built for lower handicaps. On the miss hits, it’s not as great. However, the results of the ball flight and golf ball are still fine.
Cobra drivers are sneaky long, and the LTDx was the longest among many of the drivers the year that it came out. A few of the newest may inch just past it, but we are probably talking inches. If you are a mid handicapper looking to change things up in your game, don’t rule out the Cobra LTDx.
Value
This and the Callaway Mavrik will be your two lowest priced drivers on the list. If you are on a budget, choosing between these will be your best financial move. The good news is the technology in the Cobra is still plenty good enough to make it last for at least the next 5 years.
TaylorMade Stealth 2
The TaylorMade Stealth 2 isn’t quite as shiny and new as the TaylorMade Qi10 Max. However, similar to the Ping G430 and G425, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 still brings a lot of positives to the table.
The price has been considerably less since the release of the Qi10 Max. In addition, the driver has a lot of forgiveness. If you have one of the older M series TaylorMade drivers, this upgrade may be the best choice.
Pros
- Inverted Cone technology for extra ball speed
- Carbon Reinforced Composite Ring for optimal launch
- Great sound and unique feel coming off the face
- Price has recently dropped
Cons
- Stealth and Stealth 2 were not all that different
- Carbon technology does give a slightly different feel
Technology
The Carbon Twist Face is what really helped the TaylorMade Stealth 2 stand out. The idea here is that an additional jump off the face of the driver could only help give it the performance boost that it needs.
In combination with the Carbon Twist Face, TaylorMade also incorporated the H.O.T. or Highly Optimized Topology into the face of the driver. Essentially, there are 15 zones across the face that allow for high ball speeds and a higher smash factor.
You’ll get more distance even when you aren’t having a great day out on the course. The Stealth 2 was one of the best golf drivers last year, and the fact that the TaylorMade Qi 10 Max was released doesn’t take that away.
Value
Now is the time to pick up a TaylorMade Stealth 2. The pricing just dropped so it’s a better value than it ever has been. You’ll have the club in play for years to come.
Ping G425 Max
The Ping G425 Max isn’t the latest release, but that’s not necessarily bad news. Since the G425 has been on the market for a little while, you can get some good pricing on this driver.
The Ping G425 offers a lot of great technology for the mid handicapper. It’s long, forgiving, and fully customizable to suit your needs as your game changes.
Pros
- Very stable on off center hits
- Customizable ball flight with 26g movable weight
- Impressive feel and sound
- Adjustability in loft
- Lower price point
Cons
- Doesn’t feature the latest technology found in the G430 driver
- Turbulators on the crown have had some mixed reviews
Technology
THe Ping G425 Max is one of the most consistent drivers you will find on the market. It’s not the longest, and it’s not the most forgiving. However, it’s consistent, it feels great, it sounds great, and it’s $100 (or more) cheaper than it was a few months ago.
The Ping G425 Max has been around for a little bit, so at this point, we know a lot about what it can do for your game. If you are looking for something that has proven on course performance, the Ping G425 Max certainly does.
I like the Arccos Caddie Smart Grip and Sensor with the Ping G425 Max. It helps you have an idea of how the driver is performing. You’ll be able to make smarter decisions about adjusting the loft to suit your game.
It might not be the latest Ai model on the market, but the Ping G425 Max was made with mid handicappers in mind.
Value:
One of the best values that you will find on our list. The Ping G425 has impressive technology that is still relatively new, but it is offered at a considerably reduced price. If it’s been a while since you have updated your driver and you want something really good for a fair value, the Ping G425 is it.
Callaway Mavrik
If you haven’t already noticed, most of the best golf drivers for 2024 are over $500. This is just the cost of a new driver at this point.
If you don’t have that much in the budget but still want a new driver in the bag for the season, the Callaway Mavrik is a good option.
It’s a few years old, but Callaway is still selling it, and the pricing has dropped considerably.
Pros
- AI Flash Face SS20 for faster ball speeds and more forgiveness
- Cyclone Aero shape makes it easier to swing
- Jailbreak technology for stability at impact
Cons
- Not the newest release, likely won’t have the most forgiveness
- Shaping is more traditional, not as modern as Paradym
Technology
The Mavrik was created using AI technology to produce a ton of distance and plenty of forgiveness. Callaway created this driver with AI technology so you do get optimized distance and forgiveness coming off the face.
Although the Mavrik is a few years old, it’s still a very good driver and completely relevant as far as technology is concerned.
If your driver is 7 to 10 years old, you will still see improvements by switching to the Callaway Mavrik, and you will save hundreds of dollars. The Mavrik has a great feel, and when you hit it in the center, it can reach the same speed that you get with the latest releases.
Value
If the Mavrik was a little older, we might say you want to be careful that you aren’t getting into some dated technology. However, this club still has plenty of life left, and you’ll save a lot of money. If you have an older driver or a smaller clubhead, the Mavrik just makes sense to upgrade to.
What To Look For In The Best Drivers For Mid Handicappers?
Now that we have laid out for you the best drivers of 2024 for the mid handicapper, let’s take a look at how you can narrow these down. I know that a lot of the technology sounds similar, and it is. However, there are a few important things that all mid handicappers should consider when purchasing a driver.
Distance
Every driver on this list is capable of long distance. Distance is really determined by your swing speed and how close to the center of the face you hit your golf ball. You may test these drivers and find that one goes a few yards further than the other, but keep in mind that accuracy is just as important.
A straight 240 yards drive is better than a wild 250 yard drive.
If your main goal is pure distance, you’ll like the Ping G430 and even the Cobra LTDx, which are both capable of a lot from the tee box.
Dispersion
Pay close attention to dispersion rates and how that impacts your driving. If you had to hit 20 balls into the middle of a fairway, how many would even end up in the fairway.
The closer you can get that number to 20, the better a golf driver is for your game. Forgiveness is not something that should be saved for the higher handicappers and beginners. This forgiving technology is out there, go ahead and take advantage of it.
Pricing
Most new golf drivers start at around $550. The price only goes up from there when you add in custom shafts and grips. A golf driver is a big investment.
If you are fine with playing a model from a year or so ago, the pricing drops usually below $400. Some golf drivers from two years ago (still new) will be in the $299 range.
The high-priced drivers will last for at least 5 to 7 years so thinking about it as a long term investment may help. Also make sure you get the shaft and loft that works for your game. A $599 driver that works for your game is one thing, one that is a mistake is quite another!
Adjustability
Adjustability is something I would recommend in a driver for all mid handicappers. With an adjustable driver, you get to fine-tune the ball flight. For the price you pay, it makes sense to ensure that the driver works for your game for years to come.
Be smart about the loft you purchase in an adjustable driver. Check the entire range of lofts and choose something that lets you add more or less loft based on how your game progresses. If you end up needing more forgiveness, it’s easy to add loft
If you lower your handicap and feel like less loft could help you with workability, you’ll have that choice as well.
An adjustable driver helps improve the value of the club you purchase, as it can suit your game even as it changes.
Model Year
Any golf driver released within the last three years will have relevant technology. Pay close attention to the year of the driver you are currently playing with . Try not to purchase something less than three years newer than the one you have. It takes about three years to see major developments in technology.
In addition if it’s been 5-10 years since you have upgraded your driver, you’ll see a world of difference in the technology.
So updating a 10 year old river with a club that is not the latest addition won’t hurt your game. Any upgrade in technology will make the difference.
Shaft
The shaft you choose for your new golf driver is just as important as the clubhead. In fact, some would say it’s been more important. When choosing a golf shaft, take a look at the flex, kick point, and overall weight.
Here’s a general guideline for your driver swing speed and what shaft flex that should translate to.
| Swing Speed (mph) | Recommended Shaft Flex |
| Under 85 | Senior (A-flex) |
| 85-95 | Regular (R-flex) |
| 95-105 | Stiff (S-flex) |
| Over 105 | Extra Stiff (X-flex) |
The heavier a golf shaft is, the lower your ball flight will be. In addition, a low kick point shaft will increase the launch of a driver. It’s best to test these with a launch monitor when possible.
For most of the new drivers on the market, mid handicappers will end up with one of the stock shaft offerings. In a $599 driver, you can expect that the shaft is quite good!
Is It Worth Upgrading My Driver? (5 Things for The Mid Handicapper To Know)
At this point, you probably have your eye on one of these new drivers. Here are five things you should know before you upgrade and decide whether or not it’s worth upgrading your driver.
- If your driver is more than 5 years old, the new technology will make a significant impact on your game.
- When upgrading your driver, be careful with being brand loyal. Brands once known for forgiveness are now great for distance; you have to be open minded if you want to get an excellent fit for your game.
- Pay close attention to the shaft specs. If your current driver is great, you just want something new and understand what those specs are in your current club.
- If you have never straightened your slice out in all the years you’ve owned your previous driver, it may be time for something to draw bias.
- Start tracking your golf rounds at least for 5-10 rounds and see how many fairways you hit and how far you are hitting your drivers. You will get valuable insight into what type of golf drivers you need moving forward.
Mid Handicap vs. Low Handicap Golf Driver – What’s The Difference?
One major concern that mid handicappers have is ensuring they are not choosing a driver built for the wrong player type. Low handicap golf drivers generally sit open at address, have a smaller profile and are made for helping players hit draws or fades.
The average mid handicapper is looking for a distance club that hits the center of the fairway.
The lines between mid handicapper and low handicapper driver are continually being blurred. With the advancements in golf technology, you can use the adjustability of these clubheads to make a wide range of clubs work for your game.
Frequently Asked Questions ‘
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the best drivers for mid handicappers.
Which Stealth driver is best for mid handicappers?
The Stealth 2 from TaylorMade is an excellent fit for the mid handicap golfer. It has the perfect blend of forgiveness and distance. Many players that use it find the feel is suitable for their game as well.
What is the longest most forgiving driver in golf?
The longest and most forgiving driver in golf is a toss up right now between the Ping G430 Max 10K and the TaylorMade Qi 10 Max. The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke is another great option, and it has all of the latest AI technology and enhancements from a top brand.
Should mid handicappers get a cheap driver?
Mid handicappers don’t need to spend $700 on a new golf driver. However, it does make sense to at least get to that $250-$400 range to make sure the driver has relevant technology with distance and forgiveness in the long run. Purchasing a cheap driver that needs to be replaced next year isn’t a smart move for any golfer.
What driver should mid handicappers use?
Mid handicappers will find the Ping G430 Max 10K, Ping G425, and the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke to be great golf drivers for their game.
Final Thoughts
At this point, you have a lot of information about the best golf drivers and what they can do to take your golf game to the next level.
If you are ready to make the purchase but still have questions as to which one may be the best for you, go ahead and leave a comment below.
The driver is an important club. When you gain confidence in your driver, it will bleed through to the rest of your game and make you a better player.
