ClubTest 2020: Regularly miss it on the toe? These 5 drivers can help
The Cobra King SpeedZone Xtreme driver.
Cobra
The average golfer doesn’t possess Jim Furyk’s accuracy off the tee. More often than not, you’re going to catch it off the high toe or low heel, with the toe being the far more common miss for the mid- to high-handicapper. With many manufacturers touting overall forgiveness, there are a handful of drivers that mitigate toe misses better than others on the market. Utilizing GOLF’s extensive robot and player testing, here’s a look at five drivers that produce a tight dispersion out of the center and high toe.
Cobra King SpeedZone
Lofts: 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees
Our take: The CNC-milled face on the SpeedZone driver has a fresh look with an Infinity design that wraps into the sole and crown to enlarge the sweet spot and boost forgiveness (something players raved about during testing). Removing unwanted titanium—50 percent of the head is comprised of carbon fiber—allowed for the addition of a 69-gram internal weight that pushes the center of gravity down and away from the strike to maximize head stability. Combine all of these attributes and you get a driver loaded with forgiveness and pinpoint accuracy. There’s a reason why Cobra staffers Rickie Fowler and Bryson DeChambeau switched to SpeedZone almost immediately after it was released. For non-pros, the driver also checks a bunch of boxes, but where it truly shines is in the ball speed retention department. Robot testing revealed a club that produces nearly identical ball speed numbers on shots struck in the center of the face and off the toe. With this and the Xtreme model finishing near the top in forgiveness tests, players have two great options based on shape and adjustability preferences.
ClubTester’s take (+1-hdcp): “Firm feel of this driver is like Led Zeppelin back in the day—it hits all the right notes and gets your attention.”
Robot’s take: For both fast and mid swing speeds, forgiveness on toe hits and in general spiked while also producing a lower peak height.
Cobra King SpeedZone Xtreme
Cobra King SpeedZone Xtreme
Lofts: 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees
Our take: The 458cc Xtreme is slightly longer front to back than the standard model, and features but one adjustable weight, giving it more forgiveness for the golfer looking for pure speed and not as much workability.
ClubTester’s take (13-hdcp): “Looks like a hammer. I can swing this bad boy and not have to worry about it getting away from me.”
Robot’s take: Like the standard model, forgives toe shots like crazy.
TaylorMade SIM
Lofts: 9.5 and 10.5 degrees
Our take: Squeezing every last ounce of speed and forgiveness out of a driver head takes creativity—and some ridiculously smart engineers. Looking at TaylorMade’s shiny SIM (Speed in Motion), it’s clear that the company’s braintrust has been busy finding new ways to capture more speed while doing so in a way that appeals to golfers who crave adjustability and control. A speed-inducing Inertia Generator (located in the sole) is paired with a new aerodynamic profile to improve clubhead speed. What separates SIM from the other two models in the line is a 10-gram sliding weight that creates 20 yards of draw-fade bias to optimize ballflight. The driver has a slightly smaller face than the Max and Max D, but thanks to a fifth-generation carbon composite crown and groundbreaking Twist Face technology, it’s difficult to tell much of a difference when it comes to speed.
A combo of low spin and impressive carry numbers gives SIM some first-rate launch characteristics. Even with a smaller face profile, the driver still ranked near the top in overall (high speed) and high toe (both speeds) forgiveness. And if your go-to shot happens to be a fade? Even better.
ClubTester’s take (+1-hdcp): “This club is a 787. It’s big, bold, looks good and flat-out goes.”
Robot’s take: Carry and forgiveness numbers rate near the top for high swing speed players. Impressive forgiveness for the mid-speed set, too.
Ping G410 Plus
Lofts: 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees
Our take: Three weight locations along the perimeter—draw, neutral and fade—allow 20 yards of draw and fade. The multimaterial, 455cc construction features a forged T9S+ face that’s heat treated to increase face deflection. A creased crown design stiffens structure to enhance efficiency of the head.
ClubTester’s take (16-hdcp): “Penetrating ballflight and great distance without swinging hard.”
Robot’s take: Performed well for mid-speed players in terms of carry and accuracy. Forgave heel hits, too.
Titleist TS2
Lofts: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5 degrees
Our take: The 460cc TS2 is built for pure, unadulterated distance. Instead of adding a SureFit CG cartridge to the sole to adjust shot shape, Titleist kept the profile simple, focusing on forgiveness across the entire face.
ClubTester’s take (10-hdcp): “It seems to check every box. It’s a cheeseburger. You can’t go wrong with it.”
Robot’s take: One of the best for reducing unwanted spin for mid swing speed players.
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