Golf Driver Buying Guide

How important is the modern golf driver? Are we still just driving for show? Or is the driver the foundation of a good set and a good game?

Advances in sweet spot technology, size, launch angle, composition, ball speed and forgiveness are just some of the categories that manufacturers now spend vast amounts of time and money researching and developing.

The result is a vast array of drivers on the market each with their own features and benefits. We are spoilt for choice as to what driver we should use in today's market, and finding the right one can increase your drives for shorter approaches, more distance or perhaps being able to get up to that testing par 5 in two.

Whilst it may just be one club in the bag, it is typically the most expensive. There is a lot to consider when buying a new driver so here are the key facts you need to know.

What head size is right for me?

Club heads are measured, by volume, in cubic centimetres (cc) with a maximum limit of 460cc. Almost all drivers in today's market are between 440 and 460c. Typically, 440cc drivers are designed for players that like to shape the ball more in the air as they generate different launch conditions compared to 460cc heads which generally offer more forgiveness.

As the limit is on volume, the shape of the head will vary depending on the vertical and horizontal depth of the head and the level of forgiveness and launch conditions the manufacturer wants to achieve.

What is the best material?

Driver technology has moved on a long way since persimmon woods and even the first metal woods that were made from steel. Now virtually all drivers today are made of titanium or composite heads.

The reason titanium became so popular is that it is strong, long lasting and lightweight. It allowed companies to increase the size of clubheads without increasing weight, meaning players could swing faster, produce more distance and have greater margin for error with a larger sweetspot.

Composite drivers are clubs that combine several different types of materials. Lightweight materials such as carbon or heavyweight materials such as tungsten are often combined with titanium to improve driver performance.

When used on the crown or the rear section of a clubhead, carbon can reduce the overall weight of a driver. This allows companies to alter the weighting or centre of gravity of a driver, whilst using a titanium face, to produce optimal ball speeds. Heavier materials such as tungsten can help increase a club's perimeter weighting which will increase MOI.