Updated December 27, 2021. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
The Rundown:
Best Overall: TaylorMade M4 Driver
“The TaylorMade M4 is one of the best feeling drivers, with great feedback on every swing. Top-notch forgiveness and a large sweet spot for maximum distance – perfect for mid-handicappers.”
Runner-Up Choice: Cobra King F9 Speedback Driver
“The King F9 comes loaded with great features that produce impressive swing speed and jaw-dropping distance. Boasting one of the hottest and fastest faces on the market, the F9 Speedback Driver is perfect for mid-handicappers.”
Best Premium Option: Callaway Rogue Driver
“The Callaway Rogue is the most customizable driver on the market. With the latest technology, and an aerodynamic clubhead, this driver is perfect for mid-handicappers who want the best equipment to get their game to the next level.”
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 are using 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.
Featured Recommendations
Last updated on 2022-01-29. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown:
- Featured Recommendations
- 9 Best Golf Drivers for Mid-Handicappers
- Best For Most Mid-Handicappers: TaylorMade M4 Driver
- Runner-Up Choice: Cobra King F9 Speedback Driver
- If You Want The Best: Callaway Golf Men’s Rogue Driver
- Best For Golfers Who Want A Lightweight Driver: Cobra Golf Men’s King F8 Driver
- Best Budget Option: PGX Offset Golf Driver
- Wilson Staff D7 Driver
- TaylorMade SIM MAX Driver
- Callaway Mavrik Driver
- Wilson Staff C300 Driver
- Best For Most Mid-Handicappers: TaylorMade M4 Driver
- Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
- Questions & Answers
- When should I use a golf driver?
- What are the key factors to create an ideal golf shot with my driver?
- What features do the best golf drivers have?
- What’s the difference between drivers and woods?
- What is an adjustable driver and is it truly useful?
- How do you know if a driver is USGA-approved?
- How do I measure a golf driver shaft length?
- For a mid-handicapper, should I get my driver custom fitted?
- When should I use a golf driver?
9 Best Golf Drivers for Mid-Handicappers
Best For Most Mid-Handicappers: TaylorMade M4 Driver
Maximum forgiveness, simple to adjust
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PROS
- One of the best feeling drivers we tested, with great feedback on every drive
- Forgiveness on the M4 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
TaylorMade’s M4 driver is their latest addition to the historic run of quality drivers that the company has produced over the years.
Several new features of the M4 are worth raving over. First, there is the company’s new Twist Face technology that has created a clubface that is curved to correct off-center hits.
The M4’s clubface utilizes this technology to create drives that are straighter, longer and more consistent than any TaylorMade model we’ve ever tested. This driver is quite the creation and well worth the expensive price tag.
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The next feature that has golfer’s heads 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. In unison with the flexible and lightweight face, the Hammerhead slot ramps up swing speed for lower spin and greater accuracy on off-center strikes.
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 as well as 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.
Runner-Up Choice: Cobra King F9 Speedback Driver
High Speed, High Distance Driver for Mid Handicappers
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PROS
- Aerodynamic head for incredibly fast swing speed and dynamic yardage off the tee
- Speedback weighting system keeps the driver low with high launch from impact
- Low spin driver with maximum forgiveness for better accuracy and length
CONS
- Does not have adjustable weighting to help fine tune shot shape
The Cobra King F9 Speedback Driver delivers a wallop on the tee box with impressive swing speed and jaw-dropping distance. This driver offers you several loft options, swappable stationary weighting, and one of the largest and most forgiving faces you’ll find on a modern-day driver.
One of our favorite features of the F9 Speedback is the precision milling on the face. Rarely will you see a clubface on a driver that has been milled to help create more ball speed and distance, but the F9 boasts one of the hottest and fastest faces on the market.
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The adjustable loft sleeve offers you eight different loft settings. If you like a lower or higher launch at impact, the loft sleeve can give you the ideal launch setting for your drives. When coupled with the stationary but swappable, weighting, you can really control your drives’ carry and distance.
Although the weighting is swappable, we wish the F9 had more adjustability with the weights. The ability to fine-tune your swing and create subtle draws or fades would make this one of the best drivers we’ve ever tested. But for mid handicappers, the specs on this driver meet a lot of needs and will undoubtedly improve your game.
Although there might be a few drivers we’d recommend more, for the value and performance, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another club for the tee box that produces the impressive results of the Cobra King F9 Speedback Driver.
If You Want The Best: Callaway Golf Men’s Rogue Driver
Elite features, incredible distance
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PROS
- The adjustable features on the Rogue are highly usable and create a great flight path for golf ball every time
- Jailbreak Technology gives the Rogue one of the most forgiving sweet spots we’ve ever tested
- Multiple options available on shaft as well as loft specifications
CONS
- Expensive driver, but worth the trouble if you are serious about improving your game.
One of the most customizable drivers on the market is the stunning Callaway Rogue driver.
Although we’ve taken the time also to review the Rogue Draw driver in this article, the standard Callaway Rogue driver is the model that the entire golfing world has been raving about since its release.
This driver is a marvel of technology with an aerodynamic clubhead aided by Jailbreak technology that keeps the club light throughout the swing. The Rogue delivered eye-popping drives throughout our testing time making it one of the best overall drivers we’ve ever seen.
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What makes the Rogue so unique is how the driver’s technology enhances the results of your shots off the tee box.
A stiffer clubhead, boosted by the Titanium bars that fuel the Jailbreak technology, gives you excellent feedback at impact for a pleasing sound that just fills you with confidence after each drive.
The increase in ball speed and the resulting distance is unavoidable and will have you smiling from the first tee to the 18th green.
The adjustable features on the Rogue include the ability to increase the loft by two degrees as well as place the driver in a draw bias offset.
These features are convenient during rounds where the wind is playing a factor and making it difficult to shape shots.
For professional performance with eight different playing combinations, the Callaway Rogue driver is a remarkable piece of golfing equipment.
Best For Golfers Who Want A Lightweight Driver: Cobra Golf Men’s King F8 Driver
Long hitter, wonderful forgiveness
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PROS
- Offers a host of features for a fraction of the price of the elite drivers
- Off-the-charts performance with forgiveness, as well as distance
- Very lightweight, great driver for golfers looking to boost swing speed
CONS
- The driver has all black finish, so we had some slight difficulty with alignment at times
Designed for the mid-handicapper, the engineers over at Cobra have created a fantastic driver known as the King F8.
Featuring Cobra’s thinnest clubface ever, the F8 is built for speed but provides terrific forgiveness on those drives that don’t find the sweet spot.
The oversized shape of the F8 takes advantage of Cobra’s first ever milled clubface on a driver to provide excellent feel throughout impact.
We had a little trouble at times lining up the club with the ball due to the all-black finish, although there is a different silver finish available, but the design and appearance of the F8 is a show-stopper.
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Starting with the milled face, the King F8 has been designed to enhance the ball speed.
Cobra’s production process ensures that the King F8 has a better thickness throughout the face to improve the ball speed at impact.
The King F8 was consistently one of the longest drivers we tested for our review. With the excellent feel, the King F8 was a high-performing driver that instilled confidence with each successful drive.
Next, the sweet spot on the King F8 is one of Cobra’s largest with a uniquely designed clubface that utilizes more surface area for an expanded zone to crank solid drives down the fairway.
Cobra’s Aero360 clubhead reduces drag on the downswing creating faster club speed and long distance.
The King F8 has adjustable features that increase loft as well as set up a draw bias to help you correct your nagging slice.
For dependable performance in a very affordable package, the King F8 is a Cobra driver that has a host of features and technology that will take your tee box game to the next level.
Best Budget Option: PGX Offset Golf Driver
Affordable alternative to correct your slice
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PROS
- Offset club face assists mid-handicappers in hitting straighter, more consistent drives
- Affordable driver, perfect for golfers on a budget
- 460cc volume for large sweet spot, helps with forgiveness
- Matte black finish makes this a sleek and sharply designed budget driver
CONS
- Not an upper-tier brand, you get what you pay for here
Carving out a niche as one of the most affordable golf equipment producers on the market today, Pinemeadow has created a driver for mid-handicappers looking to correct their slice.
The popular PGX Offset driver is a fixed hosel club that has a sleek matte-black look that is interested in only one thing, and that is giving you the ability to hit straight drives again.
The PGX Offset driver from Pinemeadow has a sizeable 460cc clubhead for an extended sweet spot that assists in maximizing distance off the tee regardless of where you hit the golf ball off the club face.
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The offset in the PGX Offset driver is a slight alteration on the clubface that allows the face to square at impact for golfers who suffer from poor fundamentals.
Hitting a slice is about not bringing the clubface back to a square position at impact, but Pinemeadow’s PGX offset driver helps give the golfer that fraction of a second back on the downswing to allow the face to square itself when the ball comes into contact with the face.
Now, there are several knocks on the PGX Offset driver. Even though the club is highly affordable, it does not come with any adjustable features or higher-quality add-ons such as an off-market shaft or upgraded grip.
The PGX Offset driver does utilize a graphite shaft to help keep the club lightweight, but the hosel is fixed so that the offset can be sturdy and stable through impact.
Although it doesn’t have any of the upper-tier features that many drivers in this review carry, the PGX Offset driver can help you with your slice.
Wilson Staff D7 Driver
Excellent Driver for Increasing Distance
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PROS
- Three different loft options with differing weight distribution gives each driver a unique launch angle off the face
- Terrific feel and response with concentrated carbon fiber crown for dampened vibration
- Incredibly light driver with outrageously top-level swing speed that produce extended drives
CONS
- No adjustable features, creates problems for mid handicappers looking to grow with driver
For mid handicappers, drivers, like the Wilson Staff D7 Driver, can boost distance, improve accuracy, and also provide forgiveness on off-center strikes. When golfers make the jump to a mid-level skill set, they need equipment that can facilitate the improvement.
The superlight design of the D7 Driver is the primary reason why the club is one of the best on the market for mid handicappers. Distance is vital to taking the next step and reducing the handicap to low handicapper levels. The D7 creates maximum distance and the best ball speeds of your golfing career.
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The company has set the internal weighting for each of the three loft options to different specifications to provide alternate shot height. For mid handicappers, the ideal options lie in the 9-and 10.5-degree models. The 9-degree option moves the weight forward in the driver to offer more direct power directly to the golf ball with a lower spin, lower flight shot shape.
The 10.5-degree option moves the weight in the midsole for an equitable combination of launch and distance. The 12-degree option is best for seniors and beginning golfers needing more carry to help with their slower swing speeds.
Worth noting that there are no adjustable features with the D7 Driver. And while that’s important for golfers who want more control over their game, mid handicappers that want more yardage from their game off the tee won’t be disappointed by putting the Wilson Staff D7 Driver in their bag.
TaylorMade SIM MAX Driver
Exceptionally Well-Made Driver, Corrects Slices
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PROS
- Lightweight multi-steel design increases club speed
- Twist Face Technology expands sweet spot for boosted forgiveness
- High MOI increases forgiveness for longer drives
CONS
- Golfers who are working with a coach to correct their slice, may want a standard driver to learn correctly for the expensive cost
TaylorMade’s SIM Max Driver remains one of the best drivers on the market for mid handicappers. On the course, the SIM MAX delivers exceptional performance, boosting distance and accuracy.
With most mid handicappers, a driver needs to reach the fairway with far more regularity, and I’m happy to say, after my time with the club, the SIM MAX delivers tight shot dispersion along your target line.
What I love about the SIM MAX driver is the solid construction. The driver feels incredibly sturdy in my hands, and that build quality translates to the course because the SIM MAX crushes the golf ball.
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The SIM MAX represents a move forward for TaylorMade in design. Along the bottom, you’ll find an Aerodynamic Asymmetric Sole, and while that may cause your eyes to glaze over, I assure you the feature is worth taking note of once you hit the driver on the range.
Let’s talk about the negatives for a bit. The SIM MAX does not have adjustable features, outside a loft sleeve, that helps you take loft off the face. While the lack of sliding weight does minimize the driver’s adjustability, if you take your time getting the proper loft and shaft, you’ll find that the SIM MAX performs quite well.
The lack of adjustable weighting reduces the driver’s ability to straighten out slices, but again, on the range, we noticed the top-tier features worked together to keep the drives out of the rough.
When it comes to the price, the SIM MAX comes in just below the newest drivers available, so while the driver costs a bit more than the average driver, the performance certainly justifies the money.
Callaway Mavrik Driver
Best Distance Driver Option
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PROS
- One of the best drivers for feel, with each drive providing amazing 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 market for adjustable drivers may want more features at this price point.
From Callaway comes their latest creation, an absolute marvel of design and performance, the Mavrik Driver. This club is an absolute cheat code for mid handicappers, providing a huge leap in distance. The Mavrik also offers incredible feel at impact, especially if you find the center of the sweet spot.
The ball speed off of the face of the Mavrik Driver is consistently strong, a feat only achieved by elite-level drivers. Not to be overlooked, the driver is also one of the most attractive drivers we’ve tested with a sleek black club head that helps shape the center with a fresh appearance.
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The highlight of the Mavrik 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 for more customization of 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 also reduces drag, boosts swing speed, and offers increased consistency, features that are crucial for the improvement of a mid-handicapper.
The face on the Mavrik also 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.
Wilson Staff C300 Driver
Flexible features; maximum distance
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PROS
- Love the interchangeable weight system in the sole of the C300, offers great deal of flexibility
- Hosel has several settings to fine tune the flight path of your shots
- Power Hole technology expands sweet spot for one of best experiences we’ve had from a Wilson driver
CONS
- May fall short for golfers who would like an adjustable weight-slider system
Wilson’s newest driver takes advantage of their patented Power Holes technology to improve the flexibility of the clubface as well as increase distance.
The Wilson Staff C300 is a dynamic driver with a weight system that can be easily changed anywhere on the course to reduce or increase spin as well as add a draw or fade bias to shape your shots as you prefer.
Painted in a show-stopping red, the Staff C300 provides excellent contrast with the golf ball to give a clear and identifiable alignment system to improve your accuracy.
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The Power Holes technology has been used exclusively in Wilson irons, but with the C300, the company has brought the advantage to their new driver line.
The Power Holes are Urethane-filled slots that are positioned around the clubface of the driver to minimize the friction between the clubface and the body of clubhead during impact so that the golf ball can take advantage of the flexible face as well as an expanded sweet spot. We loved the feel of the C300 as our testing progressed.
Another terrific feature of the C300 is the adjustable hosel that increases or decreases the loft of the club by a couple of degrees in each direction.
For the mid-handicapper struggling with distance, the C300 will offer several options to choose from that can boost carry and utilizes the advanced technology of the driver.
Although it may not carry the same regard as a driver by TaylorMade or Callaway, especially ones with an advanced slider weight system, it would be a shame to overlook the Wilson C300 driver because it certainly delivers the goods on the tee box.
Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria 1 – Design
For the mid-handicappers, having a driver that looks well-made is extremely important because the look of the club 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 address, having a high-quality driver that contrasts well 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.
Criteria 2 – Feel
The reason that feel is necessary with the driver is that the mid-handicapper 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 feel of the driver.
When the response after hitting the golf ball is terrible, then the golfer can adjust their fundamentals such as stance or grip.
Criteria 3 – Forgiveness
For the mid-handicapper looking to make that jump into the single-digit handicap level, it’s essential to have a driver that is forgiving 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 so that they are hitting 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.
Criteria 4 – Loft Options
Choosing the wrong loft on a driver is one of the biggest mistakes amateurs make.
When they are reading about the top golfers in the world, and they see that Tiger Woods is hitting an 8.5-degree lofted driver, then they believe that they need a low-lofted driver.
But what they don’t consider is that most amateurs don’t generate 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.
Criteria 5 – 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 sole of the club can affect everything from hitting a draw or fade, to improving launch angle and forgiveness.
An adjustable hosel can place offset on the clubface also 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
When should I use a golf driver?
A driver can be used in multiple situations on the golf course. The most common way for a golf driver to be used is from the tee box.
On longer par-4s and par-5s, a driver is almost a necessity to get the golf ball down the fairway to set up manageable second shots. Golfers may use hybrids or long irons on shorter par-4s that have doglegs or hazards that the player wants to avoid.
On par-5s that are incredibly long, say 550-600 yards, it is not uncommon to see a golfer use their driver on their second shot, especially if their ball is sitting in the fairway.
Adjustable drivers where the settings can be changed to allow for more loft are perfect for long second shots from the fairway.
Another area that sees occasional, if not extremely rare, usage for a driver, is when the ball is sitting in the rough off the green.
Drivers have large soles that do not hang when sliding through grass or longer rough, so golfers like to use their drivers to putt the golf ball toward the hole.
What are the key factors to create an ideal golf shot with my driver?
Hitting a great drive has specific swing elements that come together to produce a fairway-splitting shot. Golfers must have a strong and broad foundation that starts with their feet and legs.
A full turn away from the golf ball coils the body to load up for a powerful downswing. And as the golfer makes their move toward the golf ball, the club lags behind the body to create maximum power.
Hitting the golf ball with the driver is different than using an iron because the swing does not impact the ground. A sweeping arc that hits the golf ball on the upswing is vital for the driver to get the ball into the air.
What features do the best golf drivers have?
The best golf drivers on the market today share similar features such as adjustability in the hosel, weighted system on the sole of the driver, and clubface technology that allows for maximum forgiveness when hitting the golf ball.
The best manufacturers of drivers will offer plenty of variety in these areas so you can easily find a driver that is best suited to your golfing needs.
What’s the difference between drivers and woods?
The main difference between drivers and woods involves the shape of the club and the loft of their clubfaces.
Drivers have a shallow-lofted clubface because their primary goal is to strike the golf ball with maximum swing speed and deliver a launch angle that sends the ball down the fairway.
Woods have a lower profile, meaning they are not as tall as drivers because they are intended for use from the fairway or light rough from a longer distance.
Woods have more loft than drivers so that they can get the ball into the air quickly. Woods are primarily used from the fairway on par-5s and long par 4s, or off the tee box on holes where there are tight fairways.
Drivers are almost exclusively used off the tee box and have the advantage of hitting the ball off a tee to encourage ball height.
What is an adjustable driver and is it truly useful?
An adjustable driver has several features that the mid-handicapper can change at any point in their round.
Having this ability to alter the club allows the golfer to hit shots with the different shape. 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 sole of the club can assist in correcting these swing issues. Adjustment drivers are handy for amateurs who are 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 club 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 that is 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.
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 weight system all tailored to your swing will give you the best drives of your golfing career.