Updated October 16, 2023. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
Do you dread teeing off with the big stick? Have you wished for an easier-to-hit, more forgiving driver that still provides powerful distance?
If so, then the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver may be the answer to your prayers.
Utilizing a compact 304cc head, the TaylorMade BRNR Mini features game-changing technology that launches rockets off the tee.
Its forged titanium face and inverted cone design produce sizzling ball speeds, while the aerodynamic shaping reduces drag for added yards.
Could this portable powerhouse help you finally conquer the tee box?
In this TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver review, I’ll examine how the new BRNR Mini golf club can transform your game off the tee box.
TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver
Outstanding Distance Driver for Mid Handicappers
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Check Price on PGA Tour Superstore
Specifications
- Loft: 11.5°-13.5°
- Lie: 57°-61°
- Head Size: 304cc
- Shaft Length: 43.75″
- Swing Weight: D4
Pros
- Delivers exceptional ball speed
- High, crisp ball flight
- Great for golfers with slower swing speed
- Low spin, penetrating flight
- Great alternative for a regular driver
Cons
- Smaller club head may turn away golfers that want 460cc driver
- Priced like a full-sized driver
TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Features
K-Sole Design
The rounded sole helps golfers hit the BRNR Mini from the fairway with a lower loft that produces more distance and rollout on longer Par 5s.
Two Sole Weights
The BRNR Mini Driver offers a 13-gram and 1.5-gram sole weight. Both weights are interchangeable and allow golfers to create either a high flight shape or a low, penetrating flight with rollout.
4° Loft Sleeve
The BRNR Mini comes equipped with a four-position loft sleeve that provides up to four degrees of loft difference for golfers who want total customization.
My In-Depth TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Review
Paying homage to the popular Ti Bubble 2 driver of the 1990s, the company has created one of the most unique golf clubs you’ll find on the market today with its TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver.
For this TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver review, I took the club to the range and then played a few rounds with it before hitting the Trackman to see if the numbers connected to what I saw on the course.
First, the innovative feature I enjoyed the most with this TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver is the two interchangeable weights placed along the sole.
With one weight weighing 13 grams and the other at 1.5 grams, you can place the heavier weight either in the rear or just behind the face to alter flight and rollout.
Since I was curious about what kind of distance I could get with this club, I first placed the 13-gram weight behind the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket. With the weight in the front, the new BRNR Mini driver delivered a low, penetrating flight with a ridiculous rollout.
After a few swings, I quickly noticed it feels like a well-produced 2-wood, so if you want more distance from your secondary woods, I think the lightweight carbon fiber design boosts the length and improves ball speed.
The sound is also muted yet solid, without some drivers’ harsh, tin-like effect.
With the loft of a 2-wood, the BRNR Mini delivers power and accuracy off the tee box. While I use a Stealth 2 Plus primarily off the tee box, I really loved how creative I could get with the TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver.
Whether you swing easy or aggressively, you’ll be blown away by how far and straight the TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver launches the ball, all wrapped up in a buttery smooth feel unmatched by larger driver heads.
One of the big attractions to the BRNR Mini is its modern interpretation of the retro TaylorMade Ti Bubble 2 aesthetic.
I must admit that when evaluating the appearance of this club for my TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver review, I was blown away by how its black and copper color scheme conjures up memories of golf’s past but with an updated flair.
When it comes to stock shafts, TaylorMade outdid itself by including the Retro Burner edition of the UST Mamiya Proforce 65 shaft. The stock shaft matches the look of the shafts on the old Burner Bubble drivers of the 1990s.
TaylorMade also uses a SuperStroke S Tech stock grip that uses copper trim to round out the look of this entertaining wood.
Having the old TaylorMade logo draped all over this thing doesn’t hurt either. If you are a sucker for golf nostalgia, the BRNR Mini will certainly evoke warm memories.
While most would admit that the BRNR Mini offers versatility on a par 5, there’s a hesitancy on whether the club would work elsewhere on the course.
At an MSRP of just under $450, I understand the criticism from some golfing corners that the club is too expensive for something you might only hit a few times on the golf course each round.
But I believe those complaints are short-sighted. You might get a different distance than you would with the Stealth 2 driver or your favorite 460cc driver, but the BRNR Mini driver offers so much more utility for attacking the golf course.
Take how Tommy Fleetwood is using the BRNR Mini in his game. The 31-year-old golfer has six top-5 finishes in majors and has swapped his 3-wood out for the TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver.
Fleetwood feels the club delivers better results because of its dependable ball flights and how the shallow face angle helps lift the ball for extended carry.
While we might not be as capable as Fleetwood on the links, his mindset with the club is the one I think works the best after spending time with this outstanding piece of golf equipment for my TaylorMade Mini driver review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a TaylorMade mini driver?
A TaylorMade mini driver is a compact, lightweight driver that is smaller than a standard full-sized driver.
It has a head size of around 300cc and combines distance, forgiveness, and accuracy in a confidence-inspiring club that is exceptionally easy to hit for golfers who struggle with a regular driver.
The mini driver launches shots high with low spin, maximizing carry distance off the tee.
What’s the difference between a mini driver and a 3 wood?
The main differences between a 3-wood and a mini-driver come down to their size, design, and intended use. A mini driver has a larger head size than a 15-degree fairway wood.
Mini drivers prioritize easy launch and distance in a confidence-inspiring package. In contrast, a smaller fairway club offers more versatility and workability, but it’s harder to hit consistently.
Can you hit a mini-driver from the fairway?
Yes, you can hit the BRNR mini-driver off the deck. The rounded sole delivers plenty of solid sound, feel, and exceptional turf interaction.
The BRNR Mini driver is available in higher lofts such as 11.5 and 13.5 degrees, helping produce longer distances on par 5s from the fairway.
What Do Other Golfers Think?
The driver enjoys a high 4.8/5 rating on the PGA Tour Superstore website, with 221 of the 264 respondents giving the BRNR Mini driver a five-star rating.
On the TaylorMade store, reviewers gave the BRNR Mini driver similar marks with a 4.8 rating out of five stars. 411 of the 498 reviews have awarded the club a perfect five-star score.
What Golfers Like
- Classic, old-school Burner driver aesthetic
- Incredibly versatile, great for tee box or fairway
- Smaller head delivers close distances to a larger driver
- More forgiveness than standard fairway wood
What Golfers Don’t Like
- Doesn’t get a high launch from tight fairway lies
- Expensive price for a club used just a few times on the course
- Too much similarity to a smaller fairway club
My Honest Verdict
The TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver packs impressive distance into a small, compact clubhead. At just 304cc, it’s one of the smallest drivers on the market yet delivers speeds and forgiveness typically found in much larger clubheads.
The BRNR combines TaylorMade’s inverted cone technology with a forged titanium face to generate faster ball speeds across the face.
Combine that with the sleek, aerodynamic shape and adjustable weighting, and you have a uniquely designed driver engineered to launch high and maximize carry.
Whether you struggle with the driver or just want something effortless to swing, the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver is an excellent option worth considering. Hit it once, and you’ll be hooked by the combination of performance, playability, and versatility.