Table of Contents
Drivers

Best Drivers For High Swing Speed Golfers

Phillip Bishop
Phillip Bishop
Hard Goods/Golf Club Testing Manager
Tony Covey
Tony Covey
Employee #2, Editor, Jack of All Trades

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Best Drivers For High Swing Speed Golfers

The most comprehensive driver test of 2024 backed by more than a decade of experience from the industry leaders in independent golf club testing.

Our 2024 Driver Test is among the largest we’ve ever conducted. This year, we tested 37 models from the largest brands of golf alongside smaller brands vying for your attention and dollars.

In total, our team spent more than 240 hours collecting and analyzing data from a test pool of 35 avid golfers just like you. To identify the best drivers, we considered a variety of Distance, Accuracy, and Forgiveness metrics. We looked at averages while also seeking to identify which drivers were among the very best for each of our testers.

The results of this test serve as an indispensable guide for the off-the-rack buyer or for anyone looking for a bit of extra insight before your next fitting. Whatever you’re looking for from your next driver, you’ll it here.

This article is specific to high swing speed golfers. We categorize high swing speeds as 105 mph and above. If that is you, these results are for you.

These are the best drivers of 2024 for high swing speed golfers.

Best Drivers of 2024 – High Swing Speeds

TaylorMade Qi10 LS best driver for high swing speeds

Best Overall – TaylorMade Qi10 LS

PING G430 LST Driver review

Runner Up Overall – PING G430 LST

Srixon ZX7 Mk II driver review

3rd Place Overall – Srixon ZX7 Mk II

Best For Distance – Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D

COBRA Darkspeed X Driver high swing speeds

Best For Accuracy – COBRA Darkspeed X

Best For Forgiveness – PING G430 SFT

Best Value – Kirkland Signature Driver

Show All


Best Overall DRIVERS – High swing speed Golfers

You want to play the best driver. We want you to play the best driver for you. It is that simple.

In this year’s test, there were drivers that repeatedly blew us away. Each of these drivers is the leader or among the leaders in our three scoring categories – distance, accuracy, or forgiveness. These are our data-driven results – the most comprehensive you’ll find anywhere. Check out the best drivers overall for high swing speeds.

We’ve included subjective feedback from our testers, however, it does not factor in the rankings. Performance should always trump opinion when it comes to purchasing a new golf club. Backed by more than a decade of golf club testing experience, we can confidently state that opinion doesn’t always match reality.


Best Overall TaylorMade Qi10 LS

score icon Review Score
9.8/10
accuracy icon Accuracy
9.5
forgiveness icon Forgiveness
6.4
distance icon Distance Score
8.8
dollar icon Price
$629.99

Buy This If

  • You prioritize accuracy off the tee:

    TaylorMade Qi10 LS is one of the best drivers for accuracy in our high swing speed category. For 36% of our testers, Qi10 LS ranked in the Top 5 for our straight shot metric at high swing speeds.

  • You want distance off the tee:

    Similar to its accuracy ranking, TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver was in the Top 5 for 36% of our testers for total yards. Combine this with accuracy and you have the making of a phenomenal driver for faster swinging golfers.

Don't Buy This If

  • You prioritize forgiveness and consistency:

    For us, forgiveness is how consistent a golf club is at producing similar shot metrics off the face. In our high swing speed category, TaylorMade Qi10 LS places in the bottom half of the field for our forgiveness scoring category. So, be wary if you expect this driver to be forgiving.

Bottom Line

Do you have a fast or high swing speed? Well, you’ve come to the right place. The TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver placed in the Top 10 overall in our 2024 Most Wanted Driver test. Upon further evaluation, TaylorMade Qi10 LS is the best driver for fast or high swing speed golfers according to our data driven results. It isn’t necessarily the best for a specific scoring category, but it ranks highly for distance and the second best driver for accuracy among faster swinging golfers. You can’t beat a lethal combination of accuracy and distance potential. Check it out for yourself.

Testers' Feedback

Most consistent TaylorMade driver with keeping the spin down. I can see myself gaming this driver.

Best looking and feeling driver that I can recall hitting in the past 5-6 years. Very impressive.

Setup is square at address and the aesthetics are phenomenal overall. One of the best looking TaylorMade drivers.

Expert Take

Specific to high swing speeds, TaylorMade Qi10 LS is arguably one of the best drivers. As a “low-spin” driver, it handles spin effectively, which will be important for most faster swinging golfers. You have plenty of fitting optimization available to you, which can enhance overall performance for accuracy and distance. Our data already suggests it excels with accuracy.

As swing speeds increase, misses tend to widen. In this case, we see the TaylorMade Qi10 LS handle the speed increase by mitigating miss hits. If you are a golfer who has speed and wants more accuracy (with distance potential), TaylorMade Qi10 LS is a great starting point.

 


Runner Up (Overall) PING G430 LST

score icon Review Score
9.5/10
distance icon Distance Score
9.5
accuracy icon Accuracy
8.6
forgiveness icon Forgiveness
7.3
dollar icon Price
$579.99

Buy This If

  • You want distance off the tee:

    PING G430 LST excels at distance in our high swing speed category. It finishes in our Top 5 percent evaluation for 36% of our testers for carry yards and 45% for total yards.

  • You want to be accurate off the tee:

    For 27% of our testers, the PING G430 LST driver was in their Top 5 for straight shot percentage. This demonstrates the G430 LST's ability to extremely straight for faster swinging drivers.

Don't Buy This If

  • You are highly subjective with your driver purchase:

    Performance wise, PING G430 LST thrives in our high swing speed category. However, it is still a hit or miss driver for subjective feedback. Acoustics are arguably better over the G425 lineup, but some still don't like the sound or feel. Others think the "turbulators" are distracting.

Purchase at

Bottom Line

For high swing speed golfers, PING G430 LST ranks 2nd overall according to our data driven testing results. It ranks in the Top 5 for distance and accuracy. If you are a fast or high swinging golfer, a driver that offers distance and accuracy is a killer combo. You can’t beat that potential. Check out PING G430 LST driver today.

Testers' Feedback

Best feeling PING driver I’ve hit in years. Love it.

Felt good no matter where I hit it on the face. Very impressive performance as well. Hard to beat.

Very nice feel and it produces consistent results across the board.

Expert Take

Top to bottom, PING G430 LST is one of the best drivers for high swing speeds. It is a triple threat for distance, accuracy, and surprisingly, forgiveness and consistency. Some may not like the subjective appeal of it, but you can’t knock it on performance.

Low-spin technology, but manages spin well without knuckling. It offers above average forgiveness and consistency with distance and accuracy to boot.


3rd Place (Overall) Srixon ZX7 Mk II

score icon Review Score
9.4/10
distance icon Distance Score
9.9
accuracy icon Accuracy
8.6
forgiveness icon Forgiveness
6.7
dollar icon Price
$499.99

Buy This If

  • You want a driver that is consistently long:

    Srixon ZX7 Mk II is the best driver for carry distance in our high swing speed category. For nearly 55% of our testers, it was in their Top 5 percentage for carry distance. ZX7 Mk II excels with carry distance.

Don't Buy This If

  • You favor forgiveness in a driver:

    Forgiveness is Srixon ZX7 Mk II's weakness. It places in the bottom half of the field for forgiveness. Our forgiveness metric evaluates how consistent a golf club is at producing similar shot outcomes. Specifically, ball speed and carry deltas, and dispersion.

Bottom Line

Overall, Srixon ZX7 Mk II driver is one of the best in back to back years for driver testing. It is even more of a standout in our high swing speed category. With its 3rd place finish, it cements itself as one of the best drivers for faster swinging golfers. Why is it so good? Well, it is the runner up for distance. It also finishes in the top 8 for accuracy in our high swing speed evaluation. Much like others at the top of the field, it offers tremendous upside for distance and accuracy.

Testers' Feedback

Really like the contrast between the crown and the face. It provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance at address. The face seems hot as well.

Really impressive, low-spinning, great look and feel. A dark horse driver for sure.

The feel is off-putting for me. But, the driver is stupid consistent.

Expert Take

Srixon ZX7 Mk II shouldn’t be overlooked any longer. It excels with distance and accuracy in our high swing speed results. Internally, our biggest knock against it is the lack of driver shafts available. However, this doesn’t show up in its overall performance. It’s one of the best drivers on the market. Check it out.

The Srixon ZX7 Mk II is a driver that is the epitome of “untapped” potential. We believe it will only be better if you go through a professional fitting that offers you a shaft specific to you.

Best drivers for high swing speeds

BEST Drivers FOR DISTANCE – High Swing Speed Golfers

Distance is king. When you are looking for a new golf club, what’s the number one thing you’re looking for?

Distance.

Being long off the tee is a huge advantage. Anyone who says distance doesn’t matter is delusional.

Distance is an advantage. However, consistent distance is more important. The best drivers for distance are consistently longer tester to tester. They excel in both carry and total distance. Below are the best drivers for distance for high swing speeds.

*Please note that the scores for the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D represent its scores from our 2024 Most Wanted Driver Test. It finishes 4th overall in our high swing speed results.*

Best For Distance Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D

score icon Review Score
9.4/10
distance icon Distance Score
9.4
accuracy icon Accuracy
7.2
forgiveness icon Forgiveness
8.4
dollar icon Price
$599.99

Buy This If

  • You want distance:

    Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D has a distance score of 9.9/10 for our high swing speed results. The Paradym Ai Smoke Max D was in the Top 5 for carry distance and total distance for 45% of the test pool. This helps propel it narrowly past the Srixon ZX7 Mk II.

  • You want help with a slice:

    Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D is draw-biased. By design, it is suppose to help limit a slice or fade. The driver adaptor sleeve also allows for a draw setting. In testing, it was the fourth best driver at producing a shot outcome left of the target line.

Don't Buy This If

  • You already draw the golf ball:

    Since the Paradym Ai Smoke Max D is a draw-biased driver, we recommend you avoid it.

Purchase at

Bottom Line

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D is the best driver for distance in our high swing speed results. For us, distance is a combination of carry and total distance. In testing, Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D excels with carry and total distance. It narrowly beats out the Srixon ZX7 Mk II.

Testers' Feedback

Feedback across the face is great. It lets you know where you hit it.

First Callaway driver I’ve liked in some time. I was pleasantly surprised!

Stellar balance, very workable and the distance is there. It also sits great despite being a draw-biased driver.

Expert Take

Don’t let this draw bias driver fool you. It packs a punch. For a consecutive year, Callaway’s draw bias driver is one of the best. It is the shock and awe driver of 2024, and the best for distance. It performs for a multitude of golfers, including high swing speed golfers.

You good players who suffer with a block right or left (depending on which side of the ball you stand on) shouldn’t overlook this draw biased head. This driver offered both distance and forgiveness to most of our testers.


Runner Up (Distance) Srixon ZX7 Mk II

score icon Review Score
9.4/10
distance icon Distance Score
9.9
accuracy icon Accuracy
8.6
forgiveness icon Forgiveness
6.7
dollar icon Price
$499.99

Buy This If

  • You want a driver that is consistently long:

    Srixon ZX7 Mk II is the best driver for carry distance in our high swing speed category. For nearly 55% of our testers, it was in their Top 5 percentage for carry distance. ZX7 Mk II excels with carry distance.

Don't Buy This If

  • You favor forgiveness in a driver:

    Forgiveness is Srixon ZX7 Mk II's weakness. It places in the bottom half of the field for forgiveness. Our forgiveness metric evaluates how consistent a golf club is at producing similar shot outcomes. Specifically, ball speed and carry deltas, and dispersion.

Bottom Line

Overall, Srixon ZX7 Mk II driver is one of the best in back to back years for driver testing. It is even more of a standout in our high swing speed category. With its 3rd place finish, it cements itself as one of the best drivers for faster swinging golfers. Why is it so good? Well, it is the runner up for distance. It also finishes in the top 8 for accuracy in our high swing speed evaluation. Much like others at the top of the field, it offers tremendous upside for distance and accuracy.

Testers' Feedback

Really like the contrast between the crown and the face. It provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance at address. The face seems hot as well.

Really impressive, low-spinning, great look and feel. A dark horse driver for sure.

The feel is off-putting for me. But, the driver is stupid consistent.

Expert Take

Srixon ZX7 Mk II shouldn’t be overlooked any longer. It excels with distance and accuracy in our high swing speed results. Internally, our biggest knock against it is the lack of driver shafts available. However, this doesn’t show up in its overall performance. It’s one of the best drivers on the market. Check it out.

The Srixon ZX7 Mk II is a driver that is the epitome of “untapped” potential. We believe it will only be better if you go through a professional fitting that offers you a shaft specific to you.

Best drivers for distance high swing speeds

BEST Drivers for Accuracy – High swing Speed Golfers

While we acknowledge distance is a priority, accuracy shouldn’t be discounted, especially with a driver. Keeping the golf ball in play off the tee is critical to shooting lower scores. As golfers, we are always chasing after the perfect driver or searching for that magical unicorn. Instead, finding a driver that is accurate is the first step to bettering your golf game. After all, if a driver is both accurate and long, that is a recipe for success.

Below are the best drivers for accuracy for high swing speeds.


Best For Accuracy COBRA Darkspeed X

score icon Review Score
8.8/10
accuracy icon Accuracy
9.5
forgiveness icon Forgiveness
7
distance icon Distance Score
7.5
dollar icon Price
$549.99

Buy This If

  • You want accuracy: 

    COBRA Darkspeed X is the best driver for accuracy in our Best Drivers of 2024 – High Swing Speed results. For 45% of our testers, Darkspeed X was the top performing driver for straight shot percentage. We evaluate this metric by seeing how often a certain club is in the Top 5 for each tester for a given metric.

  • You want subjective appeal:

    No matter how much we encourage golfers to buy based on performance, we acknowledge subjective appeal will influence a golf club purchase. COBRA Darkspeed X was the highest rated COBRA driver in our testing for sound, feel, looks, and likelihood of purchase.

Don't Buy This If

  • You prioritize distance and forgiveness:

    Despite its stellar accuracy performance, COBRA Darkspeed X is purely average when it comes to distance and forgiveness for high swing speed golfers.

Bottom Line

COBRA Darkspeed X driver excels for high swing speed golfers based on our data. It is the best driver for accuracy at high swing speeds. This is an outstanding accomplishment for a driver that may have underperformed in our official Most Wanted Driver test. It isn’t the longest or the most forgiving driver for high swing speeds. However, it’s accuracy score propels it to a 6th place ranking overall for our high swing speed category. Go check it out.

Testers' Feedback

It is simple – a great F****** driver. They nail it for looks, feel, and sound, too.

Very impressive overall, except I’m not a fan of the matte black finish. Definitely peaks my interest based on performance.

Amazing driver – sits perfectly to my eye and the ball speed is solid.

Aesthetically pleasing and offers tremendous performance upside.

Expert Take

COBRA Darkspeed X is another driver with “untapped” potential. For our high swing speed results, it is the best driver for accuracy. The Darkspeed X has movable weights that can bring forth potential distance gains. However, this may lead to a loss in accuracy. This driver is all about finding the appropriate balance for you and your needs.

If you like an all black affair, then this driver may offer you the sex appeal you’re looking with a head that’s prone to accuracy.  Some may find the all black a bit subtle with not enough alignment help, but that may be offset by the contrast it offers with the golf ball in play.


Runner Up (Accuracy) TaylorMade Qi10 LS

score icon Review Score
9.8/10
accuracy icon Accuracy
9.5
forgiveness icon Forgiveness
6.4
distance icon Distance Score
8.8
dollar icon Price
$629.99

Buy This If

  • You prioritize accuracy off the tee:

    TaylorMade Qi10 LS is one of the best drivers for accuracy in our high swing speed category. For 36% of our testers, Qi10 LS ranked in the Top 5 for our straight shot metric at high swing speeds.

  • You want distance off the tee:

    Similar to its accuracy ranking, TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver was in the Top 5 for 36% of our testers for total yards. Combine this with accuracy and you have the making of a phenomenal driver for faster swinging golfers.

Don't Buy This If

  • You prioritize forgiveness and consistency:

    For us, forgiveness is how consistent a golf club is at producing similar shot metrics off the face. In our high swing speed category, TaylorMade Qi10 LS places in the bottom half of the field for our forgiveness scoring category. So, be wary if you expect this driver to be forgiving.

Bottom Line

Do you have a fast or high swing speed? Well, you’ve come to the right place. The TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver placed in the Top 10 overall in our 2024 Most Wanted Driver test. Upon further evaluation, TaylorMade Qi10 LS is the best driver for fast or high swing speeds according to our data driven results. It isn’t necessarily the best for a specific scoring category, but it ranks highly for distance and the second best driver for accuracy among faster swinging golfers. You can’t beat a lethal combination of accuracy and distance potential. Check it out for yourself.

Testers' Feedback

Most consistent TaylorMade driver with keeping the spin down. I can see myself gaming this driver.

Best looking and feeling driver that I can recall hitting in the past 5-6 years. Very impressive.

Setup is square at address and the aesthetics are phenomenal overall. One of the best looking TaylorMade drivers.

Expert Take

Specific to high swing speeds, TaylorMade Qi10 LS is arguably one of the best drivers. As a “low-spin” driver, it handles spin effectively, which will be important for most faster swinging golfers. You have plenty of fitting optimization available to you, which can enhance overall performance for accuracy and distance. Our data already suggests it excels with accuracy.

As swing speeds increase, misses tend to widen. In this case, we see the TaylorMade Qi10 LS handle the speed increase by mitigating miss hits. If you are a golfer who has speed and wants more accuracy (with distance potential), TaylorMade Qi10 LS is a great starting point.

best drivers for accuracy high swing speeds

BEST Drivers for FORGIVENESS – High swing speed Golfers

“Forgiveness” is a nebulous term in the golf industry – it’s used often, but rarely defined. As a golfer, do you want a driver that performs consistently? Your answer should be a definitive yes. You should desire a driver that produces similar results off the club face shot to shot. Are the ball speed deviations tight? Are the carry distance deviations minimal? Are the dispersion ellipses compact? These are metrics we analyze when it comes to forgiveness.

Below are the best drivers for forgiveness for high swing speeds


Best For Forgiveness PING G430 SFT

score icon Review Score
8.9/10
forgiveness icon Forgiveness
9.9
accuracy icon Accuracy
8.2
distance icon Distance Score
7.3
dollar icon Price
$549.00

Buy This If

  • You prioritize forgiveness and consistency:

    PING G430 SFT is extremely forgiving and consistent. It dominates the field in our high swing speed results by offering tight dispersion, and consistent carry distances and ball speeds.

  • You want a reliable, draw bias driver:

    Every year, PING's SFT driver models excels at being the most draw bias driver. The G430 SFT is no different. It offers a reliable draw bias outcome. Or, if anything, can help mitigate a slice or fade.

Don't Buy This If

  • You prioritize distance:

    Despite its stellar forgiveness performance, PING G430 SFT will leave you wanting more from a distance standpoint. It is average to below average for distance in our high swing speed driver results.

Bottom Line

It comes at no surprise that the PING G430 SFT driver is forgiving. However, that it is the best for forgiveness for our high swing speed results is shocking. Certainly not the driver we expected to be crowned as the best for forgiveness for high swing speed golfers. Not only is it the best for forgiveness, but it blew away everyone else. The biggest factor was dispersion. PING G430 SFT’s dispersion was in the Top 5 for 27% more testers than the next best driver.

Testers' Feedback

Super consistent. Forgiving. Every time I picked it up, I felt like I was going to hit the fairway.

Too busy on the crown for my liking, however, it is a stupid consistent and good driver.

If you are looking for a draw bias driver, this is it. You’ll have no trouble hitting draws with it or managing a slice.

Expert Take

PING G430 SFT certainly isn’t for everyone. However, it is stupid consistent, which is showcased by its forgiveness score (the best for high swing speeds). It is draw bias in nature, but the amount of draw is more manageable than year’s past. So, it is versatile enough to add draw shaping or mitigate your fade/slice.

 

Runner Up (Forgiveness) Titleist TSR2

score icon Review Score
8.9/10
forgiveness icon Forgiveness
8.7
accuracy icon Accuracy
8.1
distance icon Distance Score
7.9
dollar icon Price
$599.99

Buy This If

  • You want a forgiving and consistent driver:

    Titleist TSR2 driver is one of the more consistent and forgiving drivers in our high swing speed driver results. It delivers consistent and reliable carry distances and ball speeds.

  • You want an appealing and well rounded driver:

    Subjectively, Titleist TSR2 ranks highly according to our testing pool. It is appealing for looks, sound, and feel. Combine this with a well balanced performing driver and you have a highly touted golf club overall. TSR2 performs well in our forgiveness scoring category and is above average for distance and accuracy. You can't beat that.

Don't Buy This If

  • You are on a budget:

    One con of Titleist TSR2 is its price point despite being on the market for over a year now. You'll still shell out $599.99 for this driver brand new.

Bottom Line

Titleist TSR2 ranks 7th overall in our high swing speed results. It is the 2nd best driver for our forgiveness scoring metric. Additionally, it ranks above average for distance and accuracy. For forgiveness, TSR2 is one of the best at producing consistent carry distances and ball speed numbers in comparison to other drivers on the market. This is a sneaky good driver, especially for high swing speed drivers.

Testers' Feedback

Overall, a very clean, traditional driver with outstanding performance.

TSR2 is so easy to hit. It is like a lottery waiting to happen from a distance standpoint. It is that sneaky good.

One of the most consistent drivers on the market and can fit a plethora of different golfers.

Expert Take

If your swing isn’t in top form, the TSR2 may offer the forgiveness you may need. It gets plenty of play on many professional tours, which shows it can handle higher swing speeds. Additionally, it offers upside for distance and accuracy. In our testing, it tends to handle spin effectively and flirts with being “low-spin” in some cases. In the end, it might be one of the best driver heads on the market for a plethora of golfers.


best drivers for forgiveness high swing speeds

How to Choose a Golf Driver

Our mission is to cut through the subjective BS and encourage golfers to buy based on performance. Performance should be your top priority. However, there are other things you need to consider when purchasing a new driver.

Key Components

If you’re new to golf, it can be useful to understand the parts of a driver. Golf drivers consist of several parts: the clubhead, the shaft, and the grip. The clubhead is the portion that actually strikes the ball and is often made from materials such as titanium or composite blends.

The hosel connects the head to the shaft, which can vary in length and is commonly constructed from steel or graphite. The grip can be chosen separately and you can always regrip your clubs. And if you really want to go the custom route, you can add a unique ferrule, too.

Cost

Pricing from top manufacturers appears to be consistent with 2023. Is this a positive? Depends on your perspective. You will likely be dishing out $600 give or take for the newest drivers.

Best Value Driver

The price for brand new drivers is at an all-time high. Fortunately, the Kirkland Signature Driver is our choice for best value. At $199.99, you can purchase a brand new driver Kirkland Signature Driver.

Kirkland Signature Driver Review

Phillip Bishop
Phillip Bishop
Hard Goods/Golf Club Testing Manager

Shaft Selection

Selecting the right shaft for your golf game is critical for optimal performance. The proper shaft can positively impact launch conditions and overall accuracy.

Shafts are typically made from either graphite or steel with the former being lighter and aiding in faster swing speeds. The shaft flex corresponds to swing speed and affects the trajectory.

Beginners often benefit from lighter graphite shafts that offer more flex, while seasoned players may prefer the precision of stiffer steel shafts suited for more powerful swings.

Legal Considerations and Regulations

The USGA sets regulations for club design and performance. These rules are in place to maintain the integrity of the game and set limits on factors like head size, shaft length, and spring effect.

Driver Maintenance and Care

This may seem obvious, but a damaged driver isn’t going to perform as well. Just like we found in our scuffed golf ball test, a pristine driver performs best.

With that in mind, we recommend that you regularly clean your golf driver and inspect for damage. Store in a golf bag with a protective cover to safeguard the head. Proper care extends the life of the driver and ensures consistent performance.

How We Test Drivers

Testing drivers is not an easy task. Our 2024 Most Wanted test took 420 testing hours to complete. The magnitude of our driver test is remarkable and, oftentimes, overlooked.

For 2024, the testing pool includes 37 different driver models including the winner of our 2023 driver test – TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus.

MyGolfSpy’s test program is powered by three crucial components :

  • Foresight GC Quad – Foresight is the gold standard in camera-based launch monitor technology. Why? Because it produces data we can rely on with every shot hit. And since we can’t say it enough, for this test, our GC Quad’s captured more than 18,000 shots.
  • Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls – The Titleist Pro V1 is MyGolfSpy’s ball of choice for Most Wanted testing. Not only is the Pro V1 is most popular ball on the market. Three generations of MyGolfSpy testing (both robot and Ball Lab) have shown both the performance and quality to be outstanding.
  • The Indoor Golf Shop’s SIGPRO Premium – Indoor golf is taking the world by storm. All of our testing is done indoors at our HQ in Yorktown, VA. With each test, our screens take an absolute beating. Thus, we need high-quality, durable impact screens to handle the workload. SIGPRO Premium exceeds our expectations.

For driver testing, we have 35 testers. Since a driver is marketed to all golfers, our testing pool includes golfers of varying swing speeds and skill levels. Due to the scale of this test, each tester committed to 12 appointments to complete the driver test. All 35 testers hit each of the 37 drivers.

Best Drivers of 2024 – Scoring

Providing you, the golfer and consumer, with insights into the best drivers on the market is our No. 1 goal with this test. We can’t do that without taking a diligent, in-depth approach to analyzing the data we collect throughout this process.

Our scoring categories remain the same and we will review those below. However, we are taking a new, more extensive approach to our scoring categories.

Overall scores will now be labeled as an MGS Score. The MGS Score is on a 10-point scale.

Driver testing is comprised of three scoring categories:

  • Distance
  • Accuracy
  • Forgiveness

These three categories are weighted with distance taking a slight priority.

Driver Swing Speed

Distance

Maximizing driver distance is every golfer’s goal. For our distance category, we evaluate two specific metrics:

  • Carry Distance
  • Total Yards

Accuracy

Being accurate off the tee can be a game changer. For our accuracy category, we analyze two specific metrics:

  • Straight Shot Percentage – An enhanced take on Fairway Percentage. The target area widens the further a shot is hit. This ensures longer shots aren’t penalized and allows us to fairly compare results for big hitters with those of shorter ones.
  • Playable Shot Percentage – You want playable shots. We identify a playable shot as one that is in or within 10 yards of the edge of a 35-yard-wide fairway.

Forgiveness

We label forgiveness as how consistent a driver is at producing consistent shot outcomes. For our forgiveness category, we asses three specific metrics:

  • Carry Distance Deltas – The difference between the longest and shortest carry distance for a given driver.
  • Ball Speed Deltas – The difference between the fastest and slowest ball speed for a given driver.
  • Dispersion – Previously called Shot Area, dispersion is a measurement (yards/squared) of the elliptical distribution of a series of golf shots.

How the MGS Score is Calculated

Scores are derived from two sets of metrics. The specific metrics we use have been detailed above.

The highest percentage of the score is derived from the data displayed in the Launch Monitor data sheet (see data below). These are based on the data collected during the testing process and the related calculations for metrics such as dispersion, straight shot percentage, etc..

Any metric that falls within the average range is given a score of 8. As scores fall above or below the average range, scores increase to a maximum of 10 and a minimum value of 6.

Said another way, for each metric we score, every club will receive a score of 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, depending on how far from the test average the value is. 10s and 6s are rare.

New for 2024, a small percentage of the score comes from the Top 5 percentage. For this secondary view into the data, we look at the rate at which each club was among the Top 5 best for every golfer in our test pool for each of our metrics.

These additional insights help us identify clubs that not only produce outstanding results on average but also are consistently among the top performers for the golfers in our test pool.

The launch monitor averages account for approximately 90% of the overall score, while most of the remaining amount comes from the Top 5 percentage.

In both cases, scores are weighted with 40% of the score coming from distance metrics, 35% from our accuracy metrics, and the remaining 25% from our forgiveness metrics.

Finally, we reserve a very small percentage of the score to account for things like fitting considerations, excessive amounts of outliers, and other details that fall outside the scope of the data.

How Category Scores Are Calculated

Please note that while we leverage the same two factor approach to our category scores, the calculations are slightly different because there is no weighting within the individual categories.

With that, overall scores will be higher than the average of the individual category scores.

Fundamentally, the purpose of the score is to keep it simple for those who want it that way. For the rest of you, we’ve provided data, including our key metrics, Top-5 percentages, and the full scoring table below.

Best Drivers of 2024 – 7 Key Takeaways

Our driver test is one of the longest, most extensive tests we do throughout the calendar year. Here are 7 key takeaways after 420 hours of testing:

1. Bonded, Non-adjustable Drivers Are Obsolete

Of the 37 drivers, only one offered no adjustability. With custom fitting becoming increasingly relevant, consumers are unlikely to find the right driver for them if they opt for a bonded, non-adjustable driver.

2. Don’t Sleep On Non-Mainstream Drivers

Nearly every golfer is familiar with, and to some degree, trusts, the big brands – PING, Callaway, Titleist, TaylorMade, etc. That said, there are several outside-the-mainstream drivers you should consider based on our data-driven results. Among them, the Srixon ZX7 Mk II is a standout, especially for distance. Mizuno ST-G is our favorite Mizuno driver to date. The Wilson Dynapower Carbon is one of the best drivers for accuracy.

3. Moveable Weights Sometimes Cause More Problems Than They Solve

We noted that with lower spinning models like the COBRA DARKSPEED X and LS, the Titleist TSR4, and the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke, our test struggled to produce consistent results with the heavy weight in the forward position. Fortunately, few golfers benefit from the absolutely lowest achievable spin.

Conversely, the sliding weight of the Mizuno ST-G provided a more gradual approach to spin reduction. We were able to dial that in more efficiently.

4. MOI is Just a Number

2024 is the year of 10K (MOI) but that needs to be put in proper context. At the end of the day, MOI is just a number. It’s an element of forgiveness, but it’s not the whole forgiveness story. It’s a static measurement that influences a dynamic result (the things that happens when you hit a golf ball).

At the most basic level, MOI serves to preserve ball speed on off-center hits. It doesn’t always mean a more consistent driver, and it definitely doesn’t guarantee straighter drives.

The most forgiving driver will always be the one you hit closest to the sweet spot most often. With that, while it’s true that some higher MOI drivers ranked among our most forgiving, models like the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke, COBRA DARKSPEED LS, and PXG 0311 GEN6 that aren’t typical talked about as forgiveness leaders performed well for some forgiveness metrics.

5. They’re Definitely Not All the Same

While differences at the top of the table can be minimal. Looking strictly at the launch monitor data, the top 3 longest drivers (based on average Total Yards) are separated by less than a foot. Looking deeper, however, there’s nearly a 16 yard difference between the longest and shortest drivers in the test.

At the individual level, the best drivers for distance were in the Top 5 for 35-40% of the test pool, while the laggers weren’t in the Top 5 for anyone.

A similar pattern emerges for every metric we consider.

6. The Shaft Matters

It’s neither a surprise nor a secret that not all manufacturers put the same effort (money) into their stock shaft lineup. While having more options doesn’t guarantee better performance (the head still has to perform), even for the off-the-rack buyer, a more robust shaft lineup is an advantage.

7. There’s Design and Then There’s the Golfer

For some golfers, for sometimes many golfers, drivers don’t do what they’re supposed to. There’s design and there’s perception. What I mean by that is that if something in the design of a driver – things like face angle, lie angle, even the way the top line presents at address – causes a golfer to change something in his setup, the real-world result can differ from the design intent.

It’s the reason why we sometimes see draw-biased drivers produce fade-biased results and why better player drivers with small shapes and open faces can sometimes go left.

Best Drivers of 2024 – Hitting Bay Basics

Here are some quick insights to help you better navigate your next hitting bay experience.

  • Shaft Length – The equipment industry still can’t agree on the definition of an inch so one manufacturer’s 45.75 is often another’s 46. Pay attention to the actual shaft length of the clubs at your next hitting bay experience. A 46-inch shaft will almost always get you more yards but it typically leads to a loss of accuracy and increased dispersion. A shorter shaft typically won’t cost you many (if any) yards because you’ll hit the sweet spot more often.
  • Adjustable Loft – When you adjust loft, you change the face angle. Adding loft ↑ closes the face while decreasing loft ↓ opens the face. By understanding the relationship between loft and face angle and the influence face angle has on where your ball starts, you can leverage the loft adjustability to improve accuracy.
What are the best drivers?
  • Adjustable Weights – Not all adjustable weighting systems are created equal. You can leverage movable weight to its fullest potential by looking for systems that allow you to move significant mass over a wider area of the clubhead while keeping the weight close to the perimeter of the golf club. Lighter weights moved over small distances or moved between central locations will have a minimal impact on ball flight.
  • Good Looks Don’t Equal Good Performance – Don’t overvalue looks. Golfers tell us all the time they can’t hit a club well if they don’t like how it looks but we’ve found very little evidence to suggest this is true. Very often, golfers produce outstanding results with clubs they claim to despise. Keep an open mind about a club that you may not find visually appealing.

Best Drivers For High Swing Speed Golfers – The Data

The table below contains the relevant data from the 2024 Most Wanted Driver Test that is specific to high swing speeds only. We’ve done our best to provide the data that serves as the foundation for our scores, while giving you the opportunity to focus on the metrics that matter most to you.

Using the dropdown menu, you can toggle between the Launch Monitor Metrics and related calculations, our Top-5 percentages (the rate at which a driver was among a tester’s Top 5 for a given metric) , and the full scoring table. Each of the tables is sortable.

ATTENTION MOBILE USERS:

While we’ve done everything we can to make the data viewable on mobile, table data isn’t particularly well-suited for the platform. If you really want to dig in, we’d suggest hopping in front of a desktop.

FAQ: Best Drivers For High Swing Speed Golfers

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Phillip Bishop

Phillip Bishop

Phillip Bishop

Cancer Survivor. Amputee Golfer. Essentially, a OneLeggedBoss. When he isn't facilitating testing or analyzing data, Phillip enjoys his family time, practicing and playing golf, unwinding with video games, capturing photos of nature, or devouring pretzels.

Phillip Bishop

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    Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

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        Leo deBonz

        2 weeks ago

        I will love to see if the tester mentions what kind of shaft they used. Do they all were using the same off-rack shafts, or they bring their own preferred shaft? Did they pull the moveable weight? Did they adjust the loft?

        Or maybe each tester dial to the maximum with everything they had? I’m afraid each tester doesnt have access to every shaft brand available.

        Reply

        Timothy Secor

        3 weeks ago

        The ear of $700 drivers is here. I mean, seriously?

        Reply

        Timothy Secor

        3 weeks ago

        era

        Reply

        PHDrunkards

        3 weeks ago

        At what head weights were these tested? The moveable weights were configured as equal and as even as possible?
        What loft?
        What shaft? Same shaft, and length in every club?
        Did all the clubs have the same grips?

        From what I’ve seen from people doing their own tests around my parts, these are not the results that they are getting at all, especially when they have tried to equalise every club as close to the same set ups as possible.

        Reply

        Phillip Bishop

        3 weeks ago

        All of the data is pulled from our 2024 Most Wanted Driver Test. The data is then filtered to testers who fall under our speed criteria of 105 mph or above. The results for this analysis are specific to that data. Each tester hits every single participating driver and we fit each tester accordingly utilizing different stock shaft offerings and varying loft options (specifically 9°, 9.5°, 10°, or 10.5° depending on OEM).

        Reply

        Jon Bridges

        3 weeks ago

        While my personal testing is limited to my own golf and golf swing, my results with the Qi10 LS are in sync with what this testing shows. I have been using TaylorMade drivers since the SIM was released and this is the best one yet. It is accurate and long, pretty dang good combo for a driver.

        Reply

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