Edited by: Jordan Fuller
Reviewed by: John Marshall
Last Update:
When golfers hit that golden age of 50, they notice that their body begins to defy them more after a round of golf: the muscles take longer to loosen up, and injuries linger rather than disappear after a good night of sleep.
But that doesn’t mean it is time to give up the great game. Instead, the senior golfer that stays ahead of the curve is the one who adapts their fitness, their swings and, most importantly, their equipment.
As golfers age, the first thing that drops is swing speed. Simple math has taught us that the harder we swing, the farther the ball goes down the fairway. Sure, there are other factors at play for creating a straight drive, but, remember, swing speed equals distance.
So how do we lessen the ill effects of aging on our game off the tee box? By finding the right driver to maximize our MPH.
Here are reviews of the ten best drivers for seniors and slow swing speeds.
Featured Recommendations
Table Of Contents
- 1 Featured Recommendations
- 2 10 Best Drivers for Seniors & Slow Swing Speeds
- 3 Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
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4 Questions & Answers
- 4.1 What should I look for in a golf driver tailored for seniors?
- 4.2 What ideal weight should a driver have for golfers over 50?
- 4.3 What characteristics should I look for in the shaft of my driver?
- 4.4 Do I need to choose a senior flex when buying my driver?
- 4.5 What’s the ideal loft angle for a driver for seniors?
- 4.6 What driver would you recommend for senior golfers who are slicers?
10 Best Drivers for Seniors & Slow Swing Speeds
TaylorMade RBZ Driver
Best For Most Senior Golfers: Reliable Driver for Increasing Swing Speed
Buy on Amazon from $176.96
PROS
- Lightweight driver with terrific feel through impact with the golf ball
- Large sweet spot that is forgiving and enhances ball speed
- Adjustable hosel that allows golfers to add or subtract loft from the driver’s face
CONS
- The loft sleeve will be a benefit, but most golfers would like to see movable weighting as well
For the senior golfer just looking for an all-around driver that does everything well, then the TaylorMade RBZ is the driver of choice.
The RBZ features an Ultralite titanium core that is placed behind the clubface for a higher arc on your drives. Older golfers who find that their shots off the tee are getting lower and lower will undoubtedly benefit from this technology.
When we got the club out on the course, the speed pocket really shined by producing solid contact, especially on impact that was directly in the heart of the sweet spot, that had us trusting in the RBZ Black right away.
Although the RBZ Black features a loft sleeve that enables the golfer to adjust the loft and trajectory of their drives, the lack of adjustable weights on the sole is a glaring omission that had us wishing for more control of our shot making.
That minor complaint aside, the RBZ Black is a dynamic driver that allows the golfer to relax and never worry that their club won’t produce quality shots that reach the fairway with startling consistency.
For the senior golfer who is looking to make a jump in their game off the tee box, the RBZ is a dependable performer that will certainly leave your second shots closer to the hole.
Cobra King F8 Driver
Update Pick, If You Want The Best: Great Driver with Adjustable Settings
Buy on Amazon $229.99
PROS
- Adjustable weighting on the sole of the club creates a fade or draw for the senior golfer
- Loft can be modified with the adjustable hosel creating more lift on drives
- Milled sweet spot allows the golfer to reduce friction at impact for less side spin
CONS
- Golfers may want more adjustability in the sole weighting rather than having stationary weights
The update to our beloved F6 is the Cobra King F8 driver that certainly brings everything wonderful about the previous F-models to a modern club.
The F8 has received a few facelifts with the first being a newly milled clubface that gives the driver the thinnest, hottest and most precise face that Cobra has ever created.
For the golfer that means better contact with fewer side-effects. When upgrading to the F8, golfers will find a reduction in sidespin and can expect more distance over older models.
The F8 also benefits from a carbon fiber crown that provides a lightweight swing. We felt when using the F8 that we experienced an increase in our club speed and when testing we noticed that our drives definitely were a few yards longer.
We would prefer that the weights that cause draw or fade bias be adjustable, the F8 has them fixed for a one-size-fits-all approach. While some golfers have no problem with this design, we would rather have the power to change the weighting as we see fit, especially during our round.
That said, the hosel is easy to move and had us delighted on the range seeing how the settings altered the shape of our drives.
A reliable performer with a terrific look, the King F8 from Cobra is absolutely worth a look for the senior golfer.
PGX Offset Driver
Best For Budget Minded Senior Golfers with a Slice Problem
Buy on Amazon $52.89
PROS
- Fixed hosel offset helps with keeping your drive straight, especially if you slice the golf ball
- Slick black finish on driver’s head makes for easy alignment
- Large sweet spot helps with off-center hits for high-handicappers
CONS
- Poor feel due to entry-level materials used on the driver
If you are on a budget and you have a tendency to slice your drives, the good people at Pinemeadow have created the PGX Offset driver.
This matte black driver utilizes a neon green indicator to give you a line to the center of your clubface.
As far as the club goes, what you see is what you get. This entry-level club isn’t sophisticated like the TaylorMade M-series but it is very inexpensive, and for the money involved, it does admirably on the course.
The sweet spot on the PGX Offset is significant, and if you hit the ball in the middle of that area, you’ll see a drive that stays left of the target with distance.
We have several nagging complaints about the club. The first gripe is that the loft of the clubface of the PGX Offset is only available at 10.5 degrees. For older golfers, we’d certainly like a 12-degree option.
Also, the club is only available in a regular flex option. So, if your swing is slower, you’ll have to have a golf professional replace the shaft with a senior flex edition.
If you have a beginning older golfer in your family looking to pick up the game, then the Pinemeadow PGX driver isn’t a bad place to start their club set.
TaylorMade M3 Driver
Great Driver for Senior Golfers Who Love Adjustable Features
Buy on Amazon from $242.25
PROS
- Two weights allow the golfer to dial in the perfect shot shape and height
- Adjustable hosel gives opportunity to change loft settings
- Hammerhead face insert keeps distance at a maximum with significant swing speed boost
CONS
- Senior golfers who prefer fixed hosel clubs, won’t like the M3
Much like previous models, the M3 from TaylorMade offers senior golfers hundreds of options for adjusting their ball flight, reducing their slice or hook and maximizing their distance.
Beginning with the club’s Twist Face technology, the M3’s face is curved giving amateur golfers the chance to correct their off-center strikes with a reduction in side spin.
The club’s Hammerhead slot gives the M3 one of the largest sweet spots a driver can have. The lighter and more flexible face increases ball speed at any point of impact, even if it is low on the clubface.
And finally, the Y-track gives the golfer ultimate control with two movable weights that can be distributed along the sole to create the ideal shot shape for your game.
We loved playing around with the weights to dial in a subtle fade or more extreme draw. You will love the playability of this feature when shaping shots over 18 holes.
Some golfers may be wondering if the M3 is too complicated for their game. We can assure you from spending several hours with the club, that all adjustments were easy to do on the fly and we can’t see you having a problem on the course.
With the Twist Face technology reducing side spin and the weights perfecting the flight of our shots, we highly recommend the M3 as a top-shelf driver that will deliver the goods for older golfers shot after shot during your round.
TaylorMade M4 Draw Driver
Best For Senior Golfers Looking For A Lightweight & Offset Driver for Senior Golfers
Buy on Amazon $299.99
PROS
- Offset face reduces side spin that causes slices for true ball flight that is straight
- Loft sleeve gives golfers chance to add or reduce height from drives
- Adjustable rear weight in sole helps relocate the center of gravity for higher shots
CONS
- Would like to see movable weights to assist even more in specific shot making
TaylorMade has created an alternate version of their popular M4 series with a Draw model that delivers high performance to senior golfers who want help with their slice from a driver they can trust.
The M4 Draw features a curved face that aids in reducing the slice for straighter shots. The face has also been engineered to provide more loft in the high-toe and less on the lower end for a more dependable spin. Additionally, the face has a center slot that is also flexible for increasing ball speed on low shots while eliminating spin.
If there is a complaint on the M4 Draw, it is that the club does not have movable weights. In previous models of the M-series, TaylorMade gave the golfer the opportunity to adjust the weights to create a dialed-in approach that provided a draw or fade ball flight. That option is not available on the M4 Draw.
For senior golfers that have never been able to shake their slice, the M4 Draw is a complete club available with a 12-degree loft that can be adjusted via the loft sleeve, making it an ideal driver for golfers who need help getting the ball into the air. With exceptional feel and inspiring distance, the M4 Draw can cure a lot of your golfing ills.
Cleveland Launcher HB Driver
Lightweight Driver for Senior Golfers
Buy on Amazon from $199.99
PROS
- Offered in a 12-degree fixed hosel option that gives senior golfers opportunity to increase ball flight for extra distance
- Lightweight clubhead for increased swing speed
- Amazing feel with exceptional forgiveness due to a sizeable sweet spot, ideal for older golfers
CONS
- No adjustable features such as weighting and hosel adjustment
Another highly dependable driver comes from Cleveland, a company that’s been known to design and produce high-quality golf equipment.
Their Launcher HB driver is another solidly built top performer that gives senior golfers a reliable driver that will increase distance and maximize forgiveness on weak strikes.
The Launcher HB is highlighted by the HiBore crown design that moves the center of gravity on the driver lower and deep within the club head so that the golfer hits high drives with a severe reduction in spin.
The inspired design of the crown compresses the ball at impact and then catapults it for a faster ball speed than most standard drivers.
Another feature we found to be exceptional is the ultra-lightweight hosel, that although fixed, is the lightest the company has ever created keeping more weight around the clubhead for a stronger design that you’ll feel with each shot.
Our chief complaint about the Launcher HB is the lack of adjustability, but frankly, after we got the driver to the range, we were floored at how good it was throughout our testing.
This club is just truly well designed and really well constructed. We were continually impressed with the distance and roll we achieved off the tee box.
Golfers of all ages will love the performance of the Launcher HB, but for older weekend warriors, the driver will provide a definite increase in distance and keep that spin low for straight, accurate drives.
Callaway Rogue Driver
Exceptional Driver for Senior Golfers
Buy on Amazon $365.64
PROS
- Jailbreak technology is a game changer for Rogue driver with an incredible boost in ball speed
- Aerodynamic design gives the Rogue a glide through the golf ball that is unmatched
- Adjustable loft sleeve offers several options for golfers to try out to perfect their shot
CONS
- May not be a great driver for beginners but for experienced senior golfers it is a wonderful club
Callaway’s Rogue series gets an update for golfers who struggle with the slice.
The Rogue features all of the tremendous technological advancements that the Rogue series is known for starting with the company’s patented Jailbreak technology. This feature repositions the weight in the driver to enhance the golfer’s swing speed for the longest drives you’ve ever hit.
Another fantastic feature of the Rogue is the loft sleeve on the hosel. Golfers can dial in a variety of options that will reduce or enhance ball height, giving golfers ultimate control of their shots.
Finally, the head of the Rogue has been re-designed to minimize drag on the clubface for more clubhead speed. Remarkably, the company asked for the help of Boeing engineers, who regularly work with planes, to make the Rogue more aerodynamic.
Once we got the Rogue to the range, we noticed that the club stayed accurate to our intended target line.
So, not only does the driver keep your drives straight but the feel of this club is something all golfers who want to hit the ball solidly should experience. Also, on shots that were struck off-center from the face, the Rogue kept them controlled by reducing that ugly side spin.
For senior golfers looking to get a boost on their distance by lifting the ball with more consistency, then the Rogue is a wonderful option.
Cobra Max Driver
Great for Senior Golfers Wanting More Height
Buy on Amazon $124.99
PROS
- Speed channel face on the Max delivers increased ball speed and distance for senior golfer
- Center of gravity is low on the Max creating high arc with drives for exceptional distance
- Thin clubface keeps the weight down and the speed on drives at all-time best
CONS
- No adjustable features and has offset look that may distract for some golfers
Cobra has created a high-launch driver that is ideal for senior golfers suffering from a lack of height on their drives.
The Cobra Max driver has an offset look that delivers high performance without too many bells and whistles.
The Max benefits from Cobra’s adjustment of the center of gravity. The company reduced the weight in the crown of the club and moved it to the back to support better lift at impact.
For the face of the Max, the company inserted their patented speed channel design that increases the velocity of the ball after impact. As a result, golfers see more consistent drives with eye-popping speed.
The offset look is appealing to senior golfers because it gives a large indicator to where the club needs to go at address. Golfers feel that clubs like the Max driver are simpler to hit and the confidence rolls over to other aspects of their game.
When testing the Max, we loved how easy it was to hit. We never felt we had to attempt to hit the ball with maximum effort to get the most distance. Instead, we felt the Max produced effortless distance that translated well to the course.
If you just want more height on your drives without spending a boatload of money for all the other distractions that some drivers offer, then the Cleveland Max driver is a useful option that provides terrific execution.
TaylorMade M4 Driver
Great Driver for Consistent Contact
Buy on Amazon $299.99
PROS
- Offered in a 12-degrees setting that helps boost the shot height for senior golfers
- Adjustable hosel for better loft and ball height
- Enormous sweet spot that provides great feel at impact
CONS
- May be too detailed for some golfers who like less complicated clubs
One of our favorite drivers is the M4 from TaylorMade. For senior golfers that want their driver to be flexible in a variety of areas, the M4 really allows the golfer to dial in their preferred shot flight without a problem.
The main feature of the M4 is a loft sleeve that can increase or decrease the loft angle of the driver’s face for more adaptability of the golfer’s ball height.
With a simple adjustment through the hosel of the club, the driver can add or subtract a couple of degrees of loft to provide higher or lower drives.
Out on the course, the M4 performed beautifully. With the high-contrast crown, we never struggled to find the sweet spot at address. As we hit balls throughout the day, the M4 delivered a solid sound and receptive feel that had us coming back again and again.
Yes, we’d prefer if the club had adjustable weights to hone in our desired shot style, but that isn’t a large enough reason to discount this driver.
Adjusting the hosel was never a hassle with the M4, and we enjoyed playing around with the height of our shots throughout the testing session. An exceptional driver that will transform your game off the tee, the M4 deserves a hearty slap on the back for being one of the best drivers around.
Cobra King F6 Driver
High Performing Driver for Older Golfers
Buy on Amazon $199.99
PROS
- Front-to-Back center of gravity technology allows the golfer to move the position of the weight to encourage more roll or higher ball height from drives
- Eight adjustable loft settings give senior golfers a variety of options to dial in their ideal shot
- Speed channel increases ball speed for jaw-dropping feel and distance
CONS
- Not much to complain about with the F6, but lack of draw/slice correction is a bummer
The Cobra King F6 checks all the boxes with two adjustable weights that help increase either the height of your drives or boosts the roll that extends your yardage off the tee.
The F6 also features an adjustable hosel that dials in loft settings for booming tee shots that will have your golfing buddies dizzy with envy.
The F6 is highlighted by the Front-to-Back CG technology that has two weights, one heavier than the other, that can be switched to either heighten the trajectory of your drives for a high soft finish or move the weight forward for an exceptional roll down the fairway.
Cobra has re-designed the F6’s face with a new Titanium-based pattern that reduces thickness making it lighter and more flexible for reducing side spin at impact. The new face has created a larger sweet spot that allows off-center strikes to fly straight and still reach the fairway.
And if look matters to you, the F6 is one of the sleekest drivers we’ve ever tested with a black finish that is sparkling. We loved the consistency and feel at impact with the F6, and our confidence grew with each successive shot we hit on the range and the course.
The F6 is one of the best drivers for senior golfers we’ve ever tested due to the performance, the adjustable features and how clearly it enhances the game of those who need it most. The F6 is a winner that all mid-to-high handicap senior golfers should try if they want to improve their game.
Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria 1 – Design
For senior golfers, having a driver that is well designed and well made is very important because the golfer always needs to have confidence in their opening club.
This rule is especially true for drivers. No club in the bag hits the ball further than the driver, and the golfer certainly needs to be comfortable when standing at address, moments before the tee shot.
Great driver design is also crucial when the golfer places the club behind the golf ball. It is vital that the driver’s head have some clear indicator letting the golfer know where the center of the clubface is, in relation to the golf ball.
The placement of the indicator is why most driver heads are black with a white or vibrant colored mark, such as an arrowhead shape, that allows the golfer to line up their drive quickly and directly in the center.
When you first hold a driver, give it a look at address and notice the contrasting elements that will allow you to hit the ball with ease, this is the importance of good design.
Criteria 2 – Feel
The moment you hit a drive, the club gives a response to impact. This response is what golfers are talking about when they talk about the “feel” of a golf club. Again, the feel of a driver is especially important when we discuss the comfort level and confidence a golfer has in their golf club.
Once a golfer purchases any club, whether it be a putter or driver, they begin to accumulate experience with the club on the course or driving range. For senior golfers, it is essential that they practice with their clubs to establish what their routine ball flight and shot shape is when using the club.
By having a sense of feel with a driver, a senior golfer will know when something is not right either with their swing or, perhaps, the club itself.
Feel can be established quickly with a driver or any club if you spend the time to understand it by hitting hundreds of balls. For senior golfers looking to push back the hands of time, the time spent practicing and knowing the club, is well worth the investment.
Criteria 3 – Forgiveness
For senior golfers who have a mid-to-high handicap, the forgiveness of a driver is a crucial element to know. Most golfers who have double-digit handicaps have trouble hitting the center of the club face.
Since most manufacturers understand this, they have made clubs with more extensive sweet spots that reduce the side spin that creates slices and hooks.
All of this technology has been created to help you hit the ball straighter on your off-center strikes. Golfers who swing their driver slowly will appreciate the adjustments because that will allow balls to fly straighter and farther while fighting that distance-killing side spin.
So, what are you looking for in a forgiving driver? Forgiveness can come one of two ways. The first way is through the construction of the driver, especially if the fixed clubhead has no adjustable features such as moveable weights or loft angles on the hosel.
The second way you can improve a driver’s forgiveness is through the adjustable features. By moving weights far apart behind a clubface, you can keep the driver more stable through the impact zone, limiting side spin.
Criteria 4 – Loft Options
One of the biggest mistakes that senior golfers make when buying a new driver is purchasing a driver that does not have enough loft. Yes, Brooks Koepka can use an 8-degree driver and crush 325-yard bombs down the fairway, but his swing speed is one of the best in the world.
Loft equals ball height, and it is a vital necessity to maximizing the height of your drives when you swing slower. Giving the ball the best chance to get down the fairway means the golfer can hit the ball hard while allowing it to get into the air at the proper launch angle.
Senior golfers who need all the help they can get would do themselves a huge favor by finding a driver with a loft that starts no lower than 12-degrees.
There are certainly exceptions to this rule of thumb, but you need to make sure your swing speed is still registering above 85-90 MPH before you buying a driver with less than 12-degrees of loft.
Criteria 5 – Adjustable Features
When you are trying to maximize each shot, especially off the tee box, it certainly helps if you have options with your equipment. Manufacturers have long tried to discover new ways to help the golfer adjust their clubs while on the course and in the last decade, they have been incredibly successful.
There are two avenues that companies have circled to help you improve your drives through your decision-making.
The first is with adjustable weights that shift behind the club face of the driver. Golfers can move the weights to maximize forgiveness by setting the weights wide apart or focus more energy behind the golf ball by putting them together for added distance.
The second avenue is through an adjustable hosel that can shift the loft on the clubface for more ball height via launch angle.
An adjustable club does not completely overrule a fixed hosel club as the best option for your game. If properly fitted, then a fixed hosel club will undoubtedly allow you to hit the best drives possible for your skill set.
But, if you love to tinker on the range and discover more distance and height on your shots, then an adjustable driver can give you the control to shape your drives.
Questions & Answers
What should I look for in a golf driver tailored for seniors?
There are five areas that a senior golfer should focus their attention when finding the right model for their game.
The first area is design. You want a driver with a clean look that has a bright indicator that allows the golfer to see the correct spot they need to align the driver’s head to the golf ball.
The second area is feel. Golfers should always strive to find clubs that they have comfort in because that encouragement will translate into confidence. Knowing the way a golf ball comes off the clubface will allow a golfer to adjust their game on the fly, saving strokes and the final score.
Forgiveness is the third area that senior golfers should examine when buying a driver. Especially for older golfers who have a mid-to-high handicap and struggle to find the sweet spot on most drives, finding a driver featuring maximum forgiveness is a great idea.
Loft is another area that senior golfers must approach with an open mind. Most golfers believe that the lower the loft angle of their driver, the farther the ball will travel, but that is not the case for low-speed swingers. Senior golfers need to find a driver with a loft, no lower than 12 degrees.
Finally, adjustable features put the driver entirely in control of the golfer. Perhaps, you want more height or need to reduce that slice; then adjustable weights can remedy those issues. While adjustable drivers are not for everyone, they are terrific tools that can help.
What ideal weight should a driver have for golfers over 50?
Since golfers are of all shapes and sizes, there really is no perfect weight for a driver for golfers over 50. That said, there are ways to increase swing speed through your equipment.
A great way to increase the swing speed of the driver is by reducing the length of the driver’s shaft. A shorter shaft can increase swing speed by several MPH, allowing the golfer to boost their average drive by several yards.
Another way to reduce weight and increase swing speed is going with a fixed hosel driver that utilizes an evenly distributed, perimeter-weighted club head.
This type of club shouldn’t wholly dissuade you from looking at an adjustable weighted driver, but you’d certainly save a few ounces on the club if you chose to go the fixed hosel route.
What characteristics should I look for in the shaft of my driver?
For the shaft of a driver, you want to know the length and flex rating before you even try to consider purchasing the club.
The length of the shaft is incredibly important when determining swing speed. For senior golfers and players with slower swing speeds, it is crucial to see if a shorter shaft would increase MPH because, in most instances, it will.
Most drivers off the shelf are around 45 inches, but studies show that a shaft of 43 to 44 inches could increase swing speed by a few MPH, making the perfect recipe for longer drives.
Flex rating is determined solely by how fast you swing the club. Extra-stiff shafts that pros like Phil Mickelson hit are for golfers who can generate up to 120 MPH with their clubs. Senior flex shafts are for golfers who swing around 70-85 MPH on average.
Do I need to choose a senior flex when buying my driver?
Choosing the senior flex on your new driver’s shaft isn’t as black and white as companies will present to you.
First, senior flex is an approximation rating on the flex of a shaft as the golfer swings the club. Slower swing speeds need more flex so that the club can create a whipping action that brings the club through the impact zone squarely.
Golf swings are ultimately about timing and the flex of a shaft assists in creating the right swing for your game.
Swing speeds between 70-85 MPH are usually the sweet spot for senior flex shafts. This swing speed will produce a drive that goes anywhere from 175-225 yards based on exterior elements such as wind and the firmness of the turf.
If you hit your drives in that yardage range, then the senior flex is an excellent place to start but seeking the help of a golf professional, could help you boost your distance with a more appropriate shaft for your driver.
What’s the ideal loft angle for a driver for seniors?
The ideal loft angle in a driver for seniors is around 12-degrees although slower swingers need to think about using even higher loft to help them get the ball into the air for maximum distance.
The loft of a driver is the number one area that mid-to-high handicappers of all ages misinterpret, causing them to hit weak and inconsistent drives.
For senior golfers, every yard of carry matters. So, getting the loft perfect on the driver gives the golfer the best chance to create shorter second shots.
One of the best ways to determine your ideal driver loft is by going to a professional or golf superstore that has a TrackMan system.
Within a dozen swings on the TrackMan, the professional will have your swing speed, launch angle and other information that will allow them to find the best driver and loft for your game.
What driver would you recommend for senior golfers who are slicers?
A great driver for golfers with slower swing speeds that have problems with slicing is any driver with a draw bias. Basically, draw-biased drivers have an offset on the clubface that puts the club in a position that encourages draw side spin to counteract the slices you typically hit.
A perfect driver to cure this ailment is by TaylorMade, the M4 D-Type Driver. This driver has a draw bias on the clubface that will counteract any off-center hits with maximum forgiveness for more drives that reach the center of the fairway.
With the M4 D-Type, the company utilizes its patented Twist Face Technology for more flexing at impact, reducing side spin and increasing forgiveness for more drives that reach their target.