Drivers

11 drivers that offer max forgiveness off the tee

By: GOLF Editors
A split image of TaylorMade, Ping, Callaway and Cobra drivers.

Some of the most forgiving drivers are on the market right now.

GOLF

In today’s game, hitting the ball far of the tee is great, but nothing beats hitting it long AND straight.

This year’s crop of drivers can let you have the best of both worlds, as they’re more forgiving than ever. With new offerings from Callaway, Cobra, Ping, TaylorMade and more, this is one of the best years for those looking to upgrade the big stick to something more forgiving.

Click here for Fairway Jockey’s collections page featuring max-forgiveness drivers, or keep reading below for all the details on 11 drivers that will help you maximize forgiveness off the tee, and find more fairways.

Ping G430 Max 10K

PING G430 Max 10K Custom Driver

$599.99
The G430 MAX 10K is PING’s straightest and highest MOI driver to date, eclipsing the 10,000 g-cm2 combined moment of inertia threshold first surpassed by the G400 MAX five years earlier. FIXED BACK WEIGHT The fixed back weight allows for the record-setting MOI as it drives mass down and back to increase forgiveness and optimize the center of gravity position. LARGER HEAD PROFILE PING’s biggest head profile to date maximizes the USGA-allowable heel-toe and front-back dimensions while staying within the 460cc volume limit. This eye-pleasing shape helps square the golfer to the target and inspires the confidence to hit longer, straighter tee shots.
 
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What our clubtest research says: The Ping G430 Max 10K produced an average distance loss of just 6.6 yards when comparing eight points on the face other than the center in GOLF’s robotic testing.

What this means for someone with inconsistent contact is you can essentially hit it almost anywhere on the face and not see a significant dip in performance. There’s a reason why we compared Max 10K to a “tank” during our robotic insight videos. It can withstand anything you throw at it.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Custom Driver

$599.99
Ai SMOKE MAX DRIVER The new Paradym Ai Smoke driver represents a quantum leap forward in Callaway’s Ai journey. This new family of drivers feature the most sophisticated driver face in Callaway history, the Ai Smart Face.  World’s First Ai Smart Face™  The all-new Ai Smart Face optimizes driver performance using swing dynamics from thousands of real golfers. This promotes optimal launch conditions and tight downrange dispersion. Micro Deflections With Ai Smart Face technology, micro deflections are activated upon impact helping to optimize launch and spin on off-center shots. The result is sweet spots not just in the center, but all over the face.
 
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What our clubtest research says: The Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max saw launch angle increase by 2 degrees with a nearly identical spin rate to its predecessor. But it’s not just the 10.5- and 12-degree heads that are seeing improved carry numbers.

“When you launch at 12 degrees, you’re at about 2,700 RPMs. Increase to 13 or 14 degrees and you’re going to 3,000 RPMs,” said Golf Laboratories founder Gene Parente. “But with the [Ai Smoke Max], the launch increased but spin remained the same. So if you’re a player who needs less spin and a higher launch, this is worth a look.”

TaylorMade Qi10 Max

TaylorMade Qi10 Max Custom Driver

$599.99
The higher the inertia the more forgiving the driver. Introducing the Qi10 Max driver, experience TaylorMade speed with the forgiveness of 10K inertia. BUILT FOR FORGIVENESS & STABILITY The Qi10 Max features a shallower head shape that extends from front-to-back and significantly increases inertia by allowing mass to be placed further away from the center of the clubhead. NEW INFINITY CARBON CROWN An Infinity Carbon Crown covers 97% of the total crown area, creating a strategic advantage for mass redistribution and enhanced forgiveness. At address, it delivers a sleek and clean view that pairs with subtle alignment cues, setting the stage for confidence and success.
 
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What our clubtest research says: TaylorMade’s 12-degree Qi10 Max came in with a 3.5-yard distance loss number in GOLF’s robotesting that was nearly 2 yards better than the runner-up 12-degree Qi10 (5.2 yards). For golfers who swing around 95 mph with a neutral attack angle, the 12-degree Qi10 Max is most certainly a driver that needs to be in the testing discussion, regardless of impact location.

Cobra Darkspeed Max

Cobra DarkSpeed Max Custom Driver

$399.99
The Cobra Darkspeed MAX model delivers draw-bias and unrivaled stability in a low-mid spin design for ultimate distance and accuracy. REFINED AERODYNAMIC DESIGN An improved aero shape features a streamlined face to topline radius, a highercrown peak, raised skirt and reduced clubface surface area to maximize speed. SHAPED FOR SPEED AND FORGIVENESS A refined clubhead shape blends speed with forgiveness for an elevated lookat address that inspires maximum confidence on the tee.
 
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What our clubtest research says: If you miss out on the heel or high on the face, the 12-degree Cobra Darkspeed Max head is worthy of further testing. The distance delta was almost zero in both locations — and that’s not a typo. While the high-toe miss delta was surprisingly high at 10.2 yards, tight numbers across the other 7 mishit locations on the face allowed the Max head to produce an impressive delta of just 6.4 yards overall.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Custom Driver

$599.99
Ai SMOKE MAX D DRIVER The new Paradym Ai Smoke driver represents a quantum leap forward in Callaway’s Ai journey. This new family of drivers feature the most sophisticated driver face in Callaway history, the Ai Smart Face. World’s First Ai Smart Face™ The all-new Ai Smart Face optimizes driver performance using swing dynamics from thousands of real golfers. This promotes optimal launch conditions and tight downrange dispersion. Forgiving Shape The Max D Driver is built with high MOI, and a generously stretched profile at address, suited best for players looking to hit a draw. A rear weight will help stabilize the head and increase launch.
 
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What our clubtest research says: With more weight concentrated in the heel to help turn the head over, draw-biased drivers like the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D are great options for golfers who tend the miss in the low heel.

Instead of seeing spin and launch increase exponentially on low heel hits, Max D saw carry decrease by a mere 6.3 and 7.6 yards with the 10.5- and 12-degree heads. No other driver model produced a single-digit carry loss on low-heel hits during testing, further highlighting Max D’s impressive showing on the robot.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fast Custom Driver

$599.99
Ai SMOKE MAX FAST DRIVER The new Paradym Ai Smoke driver represents a quantum leap forward in Callaway’s Ai journey. This new family of drivers feature the most sophisticated driver face in Callaway history, the Ai Smart Face. World’s First Ai Smart Face™ The all-new Ai Smart Face optimizes driver performance using swing dynamics from thousands of real golfers. This promotes optimal launch conditions and tight downrange dispersion. Forgiving Shape The Max Fast Driver is built with high MOI, and a generously stretched profile at address, suited best for players looking for easy launch. From a fixed hosel and rear weight, Max Fast will be a go to driver for lightweight easy-to-swing performance.
 
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What our clubtest research says: With a name like Ai Smoke Max Fast, one would assume speed is what you’re getting with Callaway’s lightweight offering. Yes, the speed numbers were strong, but it’s the overall forgiveness number that left us excited.

What’s interesting is average carry distance loss jumped to 10.5 yards on the 9.5-degree head and 11.5 yards on the 10.5-degree head. If you’re someone who struggles with consistent contact and swings it with a neutral attack angle at around 95 mph, the 12-degree deserves to be in the testing conversation.

Titleist TSR1

Titleist TSR1 Custom Driver

$599
Moderate swing speed, meet maximum performance. Titleist TSR1 Driver’s incredible lightweight configuration and enhanced aerodynamics make it easier to generate more speed. The new Multi-Plateau Variable Face Thickness design optimizes ball speed across the entire face. Benefits Maximized Launch & Distance Exceptional Forgiveness Features Ultra-Lightweight Configuration Multi-Plateau Variable Face Thickness Design Improved Aerodynamics Aerospace Grade Titanium SureFit Adjustability
 
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What our clubtest research says: At roughly 40 grams lighter than a standard driver, Titleist’s 460cc TSR1 driver is exactly what you’re thinking — a lightweight product designed for slower to moderate swing speeds who want to pick up more distance (and launch) without making significant modifications to their swing.

TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD

TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Custom Driver

$499.99
  NEW 60X CARBON TWIST FACE Building on the speed producing success of the original 60X Carbon Twist Face that optimized energy transfer for fast ball speeds, the new face design in Stealth 2 features an advanced version of Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) to help maintain ball speed on off center strikes and increase forgiveness. It weighs 24g (2g lighter than the original Stealth face) and is designed to have an expanded COR area for a larger sweet spot and boosted performance across the entire face. CARBON REINFORCED COMPOSITE RING The Carbon Reinforced Composite Ring unites the driver head into a singular force and frees up additional mass that has been strategically placed to deliver more forgiveness. HIGH DRAW DESIGN WITH FORGIVENESS Standard draw bias designs promote a corrective flight at the expense of forgiveness, utilizing the weight savings from the full-body carbon construction and shifting the Inertia Generator closer to the heel, we’re able to maintain draw-bias while creating the highest MOI in the Stealth 2 family of drivers. NANOTEXTURE COVER The 60X Carbon Twist Face is encased by a polyurethane cover, featuring a revolutionary nanotexture technology. The nanotexture cover is used to fine tune launch and spin to optimize total distance regardless of playing conditions. ASYMMETRIC INERTIA GENERATOR The Inertia Generator remains the foundational source of refined aerodynamic properties. The result is a slippery-fast head shape that aids in swing speed generation on the downswing for golfers at every level. It is outfitted with a 15g rear weight to optimize MOI and forgiveness. THRU-SLOT SPEED POCKET Our flexible Speed Pocket™ design is engineered to maximize ball speeds and produce additional forgiveness on low-face strikes.
 
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Get the TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD here!

Cleveland Launcher XL2

Cleveland Launcher XL2 Custom Driver

$449.99
It’s BIG and built for one thing: sending bombs down the middle. The all-new Launcher XL 2 Driver delivers more distance, forgiveness, and consistency than ever, thanks to new MainFrame technology, an improved XL design, and more. Step up and swing BIG. With Launcher XL 2, bigger just got better. MAINFRAME XL FACE MainFrame XL Face Technology uses a variable thickness pattern that maximizes flex at impact to boost distance. It also repositions weight low and deep in the clubhead for added forgiveness and consistency. XL HEAD DESIGN With an improved XL Head Design packing even more MOI than last generation, plus a low-and-deep weighting profile, players can enjoy long, high-launching ball flight with plenty of forgiveness. REBOUND FRAME Instead of giving it one flex zone, we’ve got two. With alternating flex zones acting in-sync, Rebound Frame directs more energy into the ball for speed and distance on every shot. ACTION MASS CB An 8-gram weight tucked into the end of the shaft counterbalances the club for more control without extra effort. This counterweight helps the club feel lighter on takeaway and stay stable through impact. ADJUSTABLE HOSEL With an adjustable hosel, you can fine-tune your launch angle, distance, and shot shape. Adjust your loft, face angle, and lie angle with 12 different positions. The wrench is sold separately.
 
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Get the Cleveland Launcher XL2 here!

Cobra Aerojet Max

Cobra Aerojet Max Custom Driver

$399.99 (was $549.99)
The Aerojet MAX driver blends aero shaping into a forgiving draw-biased design to enable maximum speed and a straighter ball flight. AERODYNAMIC SHAPING A seamless aerodynamic design is adapted to deliver faster clubhead speed for maximized distance. PWR-BRIDGE WEIGHTING An innovative suspended bridge weight design enables unrestricted flexibility of the face and sole, and positions the CG low and forward to unleash faster ball speed. PWRSHELL WITH H.O.T FACE A forged PWRSHELL face insert maximizes flexibility for faster ball speed and higher launch. A H.O.T Face design uses artificial intelligence to create a variable thickness pattern that delivers more efficient speed and spin across the face. ADJUSTABLE WEIGHTING Two adjustable weight settings in the back and heel allow for a neutral or draw-biased ball flight. CARBON CROWN AND SOLE A carbon fiber crown and sole create a lighter and stronger chassis.
 
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Get the Cobra Aerojet Max here!

Cleveland Launcher XL2 Draw

Cleveland Launcher XL2 Draw Custom Driver

$449.99
It’s BIG and built for one thing: sending bombs down the middle. The all-new Launcher XL 2 Driver delivers more distance, forgiveness, and consistency than ever, thanks to new MainFrame technology, an improved XL design, and more. MAINFRAME XL FACE MainFrame XL Face Technology uses a variable thickness pattern that maximizes flex at impact to boost distance. It also repositions weight low and deep in the clubhead for added forgiveness and consistency. XL HEAD DESIGN With an improved XL Head Design packing even more MOI than last generation, plus a low-and-deep weighting profile, players can enjoy long, high-launching ball flight with plenty of forgiveness.
 
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Get the Cleveland Launcher XL2 Draw here!

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