Updated January 14, 2025. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
As golf courses get longer and longer, there has never been a more important time for mid-handicappers to get more from their driver.
A new driver with optimized features can give a mid-handicapper up to 20 yards instantly on their drive. Simply put, longer drives can bring the golfer better birdie chances and lower scores.
Most amateur golfers use substandard or old equipment that limits ball speed and launch angle.
It is vital in this modern era of golf to play a driver that lifts the ball to give the amateur golfer maximum carry for increased distance.
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Table of Contents
Best Golf Drivers for Mid Handicappers 2025
TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus+ Driver
Best All-Around Drivers for Mid Handicappers
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Specifications
- Loft: 8°-10.5°
- Lie: 54°-58°
- Shaft Length: 45.75”
- Swing Weight: D4, D5
Pros
- Twist Face technology offers forgiveness on off-center strikes
- Sliding weight track provides customized shot shape
- Powerful distance with an inviting sweet spot
Cons
- Expensive driver for the casual golfer
TaylorMade’s delightful Stealth 2 Plus+ offers outstanding all-around performance with a forgiving, powerful sweet spot.
The driver provides many features that make it one of the most impressive on the market if you are interested in adjustable features.
Along with a hosel sleeve, the driver also has a sliding weight that provides customized shot shaping with precision.
Once we got our hosel sleeve and sliding weight locked in, we felt free to absolutely rip drives down the fairway, and the driver delivered with confidence.
The face offered a premium feel and responsiveness with each swing, providing instant feedback to help me make adjustments to hit more fairways.
With a color scheme that will remind you of a Ferrari, the Stealth 2 Plus+ delivers premium ball speed with superb accuracy in a flashy, dynamic package.
Check our full TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver Review
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Specifications
- Loft: 9°-12°
- Lie: 58.5°-60°
- Shaft Length: 45.75”
- Swing Weight: D3
Pros
- Clean, effortless distance with fast ball speed
- Excellent face flexibility for maximum energy transfer
- Low, deep CG offers a smooth launch with extended carry
Cons
- No sliding weight or adjustable weighting
Cleveland’s Launcher XL, our choice for the best value driver on the market for mid handicap golfers, offers an aerodynamic head that cuts through the air to deliver maximum power to the golf ball.
Everything about the Launcher XL is built for speed. From the contoured crown to the rounded sole, Cleveland designed the driver to get the most out of your swing.
And after spending a few rounds with this driver, we must admit they’ve been rather successful with their efforts.
If there’s a downside to this otherwise impressive driver, it’s the lack of adjustable weighting. The hosel sleeve helps, but we’d like to see some customization with the weighting to provide total control over the shot shape.
At a very affordable price, the Cleveland Launcher XL remains a top option for golfers looking to gain more consistency from the tee box.
Check our full Cleveland Launcher XL Driver Review
Callaway Paradym Driver
Best Distance Drivers for Mid Handicappers
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Specifications
- Loft: 9°-12°
- Lie: 57°
- Shaft Length: 45.75”
- Swing Weight: D3
Pros
- Powerful, far-reaching distance with a solid feel
- Adjustable weighting offers premium slice/draw correction
- Impressive ball speed with high launch
Cons
- Doesn’t have the finesse of other top-tier drivers
Callaway’s Paradym Driver offers golfers the opportunity to hit missiles all over the golf course. Regardless of your swing speed, this driver gets the ball into the air with a maximum velocity that turns into an eye-popping distance.
The driver carries a large footprint that helps produce the power you want from the tee box. The gigantic sweet spot minimizes side spin to tighten shot dispersion for more reached fairways during your round.
We enjoyed how smooth the driver felt throughout the swing, especially as the head passed through the impact zone. The driver’s high MOI kept the face square to help me hit more fairways, along with its jaw-dropping power.
The Paradym’s three-position rear weight offers draw, fade, and neutral shot shape.
While it doesn’t offer the precision of the Stealth 2 Plus+, the correction makes the driver accessible for mid handicap golfer with a handicap number well into the double digits.
Check our full Callaway Paradym Driver Review
Cobra Aerojet Driver
Best Dispersion Driver for Mid Handicap Golfers
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Specifications
- Loft: 9.5°-12°
- Lie: 56.2-57.2°
- Length: 45.5″
- Head Volume: 460 cc
- Swing Weight: D4.5/D5
Pros
- Aerodynamic shaping increases swing speed
- Adjustable hosel fine tunes shot shape
- Inviting sweet spot also provides exceptional forgiveness
Cons
- Not crazy about the color scheme and design
The Cobra Aerojet driver is an excellent option for mid handicaps aiming to pick up extra yards while maintaining accuracy off the tee.
Featuring Cobra’s patented Aerojet Technology, this 460cc driver has a streamlined clubhead shape and raised crown design to promote faster clubhead speeds and lower drag through impact.
The forged CNC milled face incorporates E9 technology for an enlarged sweet spot and maximized ball speeds across the face.
We really loved how the adjustability options like the 8-way MyFly hosel and SmartPad technology allowed me to fine-tune launch conditions and trajectory bias.
The driver also delivered tight dispersion behind its high MOI design. We were sitting in the fairway quite often with this dynamically fast driver. During our time with the Aerojet, we found its forgiving profile inspires confidence in our driving ability.
Overall, the Aerojet delivers the powerful distance mid handicappers desire thanks to advanced aerodynamics and technologies that produce jaw-dropping ball speed.
Check our full Cobra Aerojet Driver Review
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Specifications
- Loft: 9.5-12°
- Lie: 58°
- Length: 45.75″
- Head Volume: 460 cc
- Swing Weight: D3
Pros
- Exceptional low spin from the tee for tighter dispersion
- Six-way adjustable hosel customizes shot preference
- Lightweight feel and impressive responsiveness
Cons
- Not as long as other top-tier drivers
Offering solid distance and forgiveness at a reasonable price point, the Wilson Dynapower Carbon is an ideal choice for mid handicap players seeking an affordable, well-rounded driver.
We found its large 460cc carbon composite head is lightweight and aerodynamic to promote faster clubhead speed for added yards off the tee.
The high-strength carbon crown moved weight low and deep in the head for a higher MOI and more forgiveness on off-center strikes.
We really loved how the aerodynamic head shape reduced drag through the downswing to help generate faster ball speeds across the hitting area.
And if you are in the market for adjustability, this driver features a six-option hosel, providing the shot-shaping versatility mid handicappers need.
Though it doesn’t match the distance gains of more expensive drivers, the Dynapower Carbon delivers outstanding all-around performance, making it a top-value pick for golfers wanting quality without the premium price tag.
Check our full Wilson Dynapower Driver Review
Cobra LTDx Driver
Best Adjustable Features Driver for Mid Handicap Golfers
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Specifications
- Loft: 9°-10.5°
- Lie: 57.5°-58.5°
- Length: 45.5”
- Head Volume: 460cc
- Weight: D0, D3
Pros
- Extremely affordable price point
- Fixed weighting boosts launch and extends carry
- CNC-milled face increases forgiveness and feel
Cons
- Crowded clubhead design is rather distracting
Engineered for mid handicappers desiring maximum distance with tight dispersion, the Cobra LTDx driver delivers on all fronts.
The driver’s forged CNC-milled Titanium face is thinner and hotter to generate faster ball speeds that we quickly witnessed while hitting the club on the Trackman.
Combine this increased ball speed with Cobra’s adjustable hosel that allowed me to tweak loft, lie, and face angle, and we boosted our launch resulting in longer, straighter drives.
The 14g tungsten weight low in the back creates a higher MOI for more forgiveness on off-center hits. We enjoyed how the weighting kept the face stable through the impact zone, creating straight drives that hit the fairway more regularly.
From the personalized adjustability to the innovative multi-material construction, everything in the LTDx aims to add yards through the bag while minimizing wayward shots.
Its lower price also means it’s a steal for mid handicappers looking to increase all-around performance.
Check our full Cobra LTDx Driver Review
Ping G425 MAX Driver
Most Forgiving Drivers for Mid Handicappers
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Specifications
- Loft: 9°-12°
- Lie: 58.5°
- Shaft Length: 45.75”
- Swing Weight: D3
Pros
- Generates staggering distance with incredible carry
- Rewards consistent contact with incredible feel at impact
- Adjustable loft sleeve offers eight different combinations for customized ball flight
- Sliding rear weight dials-in ideal shot shape for your swing
Cons
- Takes time to find the right combination of adjustable features for your game
- Included Arccos Caddie Smart Grip service requires a subscription to use
The Ping G425 Max Driver is built for distance. It provides a dynamic feel at impact and customizable features that offer you the ability to create your perfect shot shape off the tee box.
When you first get the G425 in your hands, the first thing you’ll notice is the lightweight feel of the driver.
After taking a few practice swings with this driver, we noticed immediately how solid the club felt throughout the takeaway and downswing.
Once we began hitting balls, the sound at impact was pleasant, and striking drives on the range certainly ranked high in our enjoyment.
Easily our favorite two features of the G425 Max are the adjustable loft sleeve and sliding rear weight. With a turn of the included wrench, you can fine-tune the loft of the face to eight different settings to help raise or lower ball flight.
The rear sliding weight also provides an outlet for adding more side-to-side movement to the club.
During our testing, we loved the consistency the G425 Max provided as we tinkered with placing the weight in a draw or fade position.
We also found the face to be highly forgiving on off-center strikes, reducing side spin and allowing those wayward drives to routinely find the fairway.
We could not recommend this driver more for mid handicap golfers as Ping’s reputation for crafting dynamic, well-made golf clubs continues with the G425 Max.
Callaway Mavrik Driver
Highly Accurate Driver for Mid Handicap Golfer
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Specifications
- Loft: 9°-12°
- Lie: 58°
- Shaft Length: 45.75”
- Swing Weight: D2
Pros
- One of the best drivers for feel, with each drive providing excellent response at impact
- Wide, inviting sweet spot offers plenty of distance with exceptional forgiveness
- Jailbreak Technology stiffens club head delivers maximum power to golf ball
Cons
- Golfers in the market for adjustable drivers may want more features at this price point
The Mavrik Driver is an absolute cheat code for mid handicap golfers, providing a huge leap in distance. It offers an incredible feel at impact, especially if you find the center of the sweet spot.
Its ball speed off of the face is consistently strong, a feat only achieved by elite-level drivers.
Not to be overlooked, it is also one of the most attractive golf drivers we’ve tested, with a sleek black club head that helps shape the center with a fresh appearance.
The Mavrik’s highlight is the company’s Jailbreak Technology. With the two stiff steel rods inserted behind the club face, the Jailbreak works to increase power to the golf ball.
As it stiffens the clubhead, the Mavrik uses the Jailbreak feature to increase launch angle for more carry and length.
The adjustable loft sleeve also comes in handy by increasing or decreasing the launch angle to customize the shot height.
The rear stationary weight creates a deep, low center of gravity to help with lift and increase the carry of the drive. The aerodynamic head reduces drag, boosts swing speed, and offers increased consistency, crucial for improving a mid-handicapper.
Mavrik’s face provides a terrific sound and feel at impact that helps create confidence in the golfer.
For a first-rate driver that offers an impressive appearance, the Mavrik performs even better and should be considered for any mid-handicapper’s bag.
Titleist TSi2 Driver
Best Luxury Driver for Mid Handicappers
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Specifications
- Loft: 9°-11°
- Lie: 58.5°
- Shaft Length: 45.5”
- Swing Weight: D3
Pros
- Lightweight feel throughout the swing
- Effortless power extends the reach of each drive
- Adjustability offers versatile options for creating the ideal shot shape
- Stylish black matte finish offers a dynamic appearance in the golf bag
Cons
- Higher top tier cost for an elite driver
- Feels hollow on off-center strikes
If you are in the market for a frontline, PGA Tour-level driver, the Titleist TSi2 offers the look, feel, and performance you expect at this price point.
With a low CG, the TSi2 provides mid handicap golfers with an exceptional launch in a sleek, matte black finish.
This driver’s design screams “fast swing speed,” After a few days with the driver, we can confidently say the club delivers with flair.
The aerodynamic crown helps maximize speed on the downswing, allowing you to get to the ball at impact at maximum MPH.
When evaluating the driver, we found that it offers a lightweight feel, tremendous feedback when you strike it purely in the center of the face, and the adjustability that you’d expect to find with a top-tier driver.
Another benefit of the TSi2 worth noting is the low spin. If you carry a relatively consistent swing to the course, a driver like this from Titleist will build upon that quality, delivering more fairways with additional distance.
However, if we can post criticism here with the TSi2, the driver can be difficult to find that consistency, especially if your swing is struggling to find a rhythm.
For a driver of this caliber, routinely played by PGA Tour pros, you should note the lack of true forgiveness before taking the plunge.
In the end, the Titleist TSi2 is one of the top crafted golf drivers on the market and is undoubtedly worth its price tag if you are ready to take the next step in your golfing journey.
TaylorMade M4 Driver
Consistent, Accurate Drivers for Mid Handicappers
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Specifications
- Loft: 8.5°-12°
- Lie: 56°-60°
- Shaft Length: 45.75”
- Swing Weight: D2
Pros
- One of the best feeling drivers we tested with great feedback on every drive
- Forgiveness is top-notch, noticed straighter, more consistent drives than with other elite-level drivers.
- Large sweet spot for maximum distance
Cons
- Lack of adjustable weights had us disappointed at times, as we wanted more adjustability
Several features of the TaylorMade M4 are worth raving over. First, the company’s Twist Face technology has created a clubface that is curved to correct off-center hits.
Its clubface utilizes this technology to create straighter, longer, and more consistent drives than any TaylorMade previous models we’ve ever tested. This driver is quite creative and well worth the expensive price tag.
The next feature that has the golfer’s head-turning is the Hammerhead slot that rests behind the club face.
This power slot expands the sweet spot on the M4 for incredible forgiveness that pushes the boundaries of what a driver can do for a mid-handicapper.
The Hammerhead slot ramps up swing speed for lower spin and greater accuracy on off-center strikes in unison with the flexible and lightweight face.
Remarkable to feel, the Hammerhead slot alone is worthy of an M4 test drive on your closest range.
Finally, the M4 has an aerodynamic design using TaylorMade’s Geocoustic technology for an incredible feel and a strong and dynamic sound off the clubface.
Golfers love the M4 because the feedback instills confidence that carries over to every part of your game.
The Geocoustic technology aids in increasing the sweet spot for drives that carry longer than any club you’ve ever played before. For the features and the unique construction, the M4 is a driver that stands among the best.
Check our full TaylorMade M4 Driver Full Review
How We Tested the Golf Drivers
When testing drivers for mid handicappers, we look for clubs that generate far-reaching distance, offer tighter dispersion and better accuracy, and deliver value for the price.
We first note any new design changes from the previous year’s model with every driver we test.
During this evaluation, we’re looking for a more forgiving hitting area, a streamlined crown, and new adjustable features that add customization to the club.
Since mid handicappers want to improve their performance off the tee box, the driver must offer worthwhile performance to help them reach that next level.
For these reasons, we take specific note of any boost in distance and dispersion when we first test in an indoor launch monitor setup.
The indoor area allows us to test the driver without worrying about other uncontrollable elements, such as wind and humidity.
It also allows us to get relatively pure data to help us gauge whether the new driver can actually increase distance, reduce the penalty from a slice, and increase launch to boost carry.
Once we understand how the clubs respond indoors, we take the driver outside to see how it responds to the weather elements we mentioned. If the club shows tight dispersion indoors, we want to see how balls land when dealing with wind and different temperatures.
Before we finish our evaluation, we’ve taken hundreds of swings with the driver, helping us get a true sense of the club’s overall performance.
How to Choose the Best Driver for Mid Handicappers
Design
For the mid-handicappers, having a driver that looks well-made is extremely important because the club’s look instills confidence in the golfer.
This may sound silly, but it is true that once the golfer has confidence in their equipment, they are free to concentrate solely on swinging the driver.
Also, when standing at the address, having a high-quality driver that contrasts nicely with the golf ball allows the golfer to see and focus on the impact area.
While it may seem superficial, by having a driver that the golfer knows will perform well on every shot, the trusted club allows them to relax and focus on the task at hand.
Feel
The driver’s feel is necessary because the golfer wants to receive instant feedback on every shot.
A high-performing driver will give the golfer strong feedback after impact, letting them know if they hit the center of the club face.
Feedback from the driver also plays a part in the mental aspect of golf. If a golfer feels confident in their equipment and then they know when they are striking the ball well based upon the driver’s feel.
When the response after hitting the golf ball is terrible, then the golfer can adjust their fundamentals such as stance or grip.
Forgiveness
For the mid-handicapper looking to make that jump into the single-digit handicap level, it’s essential to have a forgiving driver on off-center hits.
Golfers need a driver that forgives bad strikes because mid-handicappers must maintain their distance on each drive.
Mid-handicappers need to get the ball down the fairway as far as possible to hit shorter second shots.
Finding a driver with maximum forgiveness allows the golfer to focus solely on making a reliable yet powerful swing so they can hit shorter second shots into the green.
Loft Options
Choosing the wrong loft on a driver is one of the amateurs’ biggest mistakes.
When they are reading about the top golfers in the world and see that Tiger Woods is hitting an 8.5-degree lofted driver, they believe that they need a low-lofted driver.
But what they don’t consider is that most amateurs don’t generate the swing speed of Tiger Woods. So instead, the low loft on the driver keeps the ball limited in ball height and sends low liners into the fairway.
Mid-handicappers would serve their game better if they found a modern driver with adjustable loft to increase their launch angle.
Recommended: Best Driver Loft For Distance: What Driver Loft Should You Use?
Adjustable Features
Adjustable features on a driver are essential when attempting to improve the quality of your drives because you can change so many characteristics of the club.
Adjustable weights in the club’s sole can affect everything from hitting a draw or fade to improving launch angle and forgiveness.
An adjustable hosel can also place offset on the clubface to change your shot shaping capabilities off the tee box.
Adjustable features allow the golfers to play around with the specifications on the drivers so they can tailor-make a ball flight that works best for their game.
Questions & Answers
What is an adjustable driver and is it beneficial?
An adjustable driver has several features that the mid-handicapper can change at any point in their round.
This ability to alter the club allows the golfer to hit shots with different shapes. This can be useful if the golfer is having problems with a slice or hitting the ball too low.
A few simple adjustments to the offset or the weights on the club’s sole can assist in correcting these swing issues. Adjustment drivers are handy for amateurs struggling to hit the ball straight or attempting to maximize their distance.
How do you know if a driver is USGA-approved?
The USGA maintains an up-to-date list of approved driver heads on their website.
Before you purchase a driver, especially if you are looking at an off-brand custom made driver, then you need to make sure that the golf clubs will meet the USGA specifications for a legal playing club that can be used in tournaments and prevent you from being accused of cheating at your next event.
How do I measure a golf driver shaft length?
First, you will need a measuring stick at least four feet in length. What you want to do next is take the driver and hold it like you would when addressing the ball for a shot.
The bottom of the driver is flush against the ground, and the shaft of the club should lie at an angle that points back to your waist. Take the measuring stick and place it underneath the shaft, first touching the area where the clubhead and ground meet.
Then run the measuring tool along the bottom of the shaft to the bottom of the grip cap. The measurement will be the length of the golf shaft.
Recommended: How to Measure Golf Club Length Accurately
For a mid-handicapper, should I get my driver custom fitted?
The mid-handicapper should inquire about getting their driver custom fitted because professionals will utilize your swing data to find a driver that will not only maximize your distance and launch angle but find a driver that works best for your swing.
If there is a downside to having your driver custom-fitted, it is because the cost for the fitting and driver can be very expensive.
That said, playing with a driver that has a high-quality grip, high-performing shaft, an adjustable hosel, and a weight system all tailored to your swing will give you the best drives of your golfing career.
Conclusion
Our choice for the best driver for mid handicappers, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus+, might cost a pretty penny, but the performance and results cannot be denied.
This driver is an absolute powerhouse, offering premium features that you’d expect with an elite, top-tier club that the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy use for their competitive rounds.
Our favorite feature of the Stealth 2 Plus+ is the sliding weight track. With a few clicks of a wrench, we could move the weight into a new position that could raise the height of our drives and increase slice/draw correction to help me hit more fairways.
Far too many drivers fail to offer the sophistication that the Stealth 2 Plus+ provides, a benefit that can elevate a golfer’s game to new heights.