ClubTest 2021: 5 draw-biased drivers that’ll help you correct a slice
The ball peels off the clubface at impact with its sight set on the trees lining the right side of the fairway. For some golfers, this is a common result. Of all the penalizing misses golfers fight on the course, the slice is the most common by a wide margin.
The arms get stuck on the downswing, resulting in an open face at impact. We’ve all been there.
A certified instructor can help you fix that pesky slice. But if you’re looking for some additional insurance, a draw-biased driver deserves serious consideration. With more weight positioned in the heel of the head or a face design that’s purposely closed, it’s easier to square up the club at impact and keep the ball in play.
Here’s a look at five draw-biased models that earned high marks during GOLF’s 2021 ClubTest.
Callaway Big Bertha B21
Callaway Big Bertha B21
Our take: This eye-catching, draw-biased driver is perfect for correcting a pesky slice, but it’s the feel at impact that left a number of our testers asking if they could immediately take the Big Bertha B21 home: “Can I give it a triple love? I love the feel, launches high and it’s extra forgiving. This was my favorite by far.”
The details: To achieve the perfect balance of spin and speed, Callaway chose to freshen up the usual driver recipe, positioning the CG low and forward to drop spin. The thought here is that reducing overall spin will negate the sidespin that causes wayward shots to go out of play. The end result is a spin-killer that doesn’t skimp on consistency and forgiveness. It’s a package any high-handicap slicer will no doubt appreciate.
Where to buy it: Click here. Or better yet, get fit for the driver by the experts at our sister company, True Spec Golf.
Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Draw
Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Draw
Our take: No-nonsense aesthetics and clean lines appeal to traditionalists who want nothing more than drives that fly straight and far. Said one of our testers, “It looks shut at address, but it feels great and shots fired flew straight as a needle and plenty far enough. Love that matte finish as well.” In addition to Cleveland’s ultralight hosel, redesigned HiBore crown, deep-weighting sole pad and a counterbalanced shaft, it’s the turbocharged cupface that delivers the knockout punch.
The details: A cupface is as it sounds — the face extends beyond the front in a cup-like shape, making it stronger, resulting in faster ball speeds across more points on the clubface. The retweaked crown lowers the CG for a higher launch and greater forgiveness, and the deep-weight scheme raises the MOI to lessen unwanted twisting. The draw-biased version features a 2-degree closed face and redesigned bulge and roll to improve the overall look in the address position.
Where to buy it: Click here. Or better yet, get fit for the driver by the experts at our sister company, True Spec Golf.
Cobra RadSpeed XD
Cobra RadSpeed XD
Our take: With a hammer-like sound and impressive feel, RadSpeed delivered in a big way during GOLF’s ClubTest. As one tester raved, “I love the aesthetic. There’s some slight carbon fiber you can see in the back, and you can’t go wrong with matte black. Feels great, looks great.” This was the general consensus with Cobra’s latest big stick. In addition to noticing lower spin and a more penetrating flight (thanks to a reimagined adjustable sole weighting system), the CNC-milled face offers sneaky alignment assistance, framing the ball at address. It’s easy to see why this neon-yellow-and-black beauty is the driver of choice for U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau and Rickie Fowler.
The details: Cobra is known to push the boundaries with game-changing technologies. This year is no different. In addition to a new age CNC infinity milled face and carbon-fiber crown, Cobra also reimagined its sole weighting system. The OEM used tenets from a popular engineering formula called the Radius of Gyration (“Rad” stands for “radius”) to spread the weights in the sole of the drivers farther to the front and the back of the head for desired performance enhancements throughout the lineup. If you need a slice-killer, RadSpeed XD (“Xtreme Draw”) has heavy heel weighting to encourage a much-needed draw-shot shape.
Where to buy it: Click here. Or better yet, get fit for the driver by the experts at our sister company, True Spec Golf.
Ping G425 SFT
Ping G425 SFT
Our take: Some drivers offer flashy distance while others provide sturdy stability. Ping’s G425, however, checked both boxes for our testers. In his first time hitting the Turbulator-crowned driver, one GOLF tester called it “wife material” due to its alluring speed and forgiveness. “All my mishits went straight,” another said. Players also found the impact sound to sing a deep, booming note.
The details: By combining tech from previous releases, Ping says it has designed its most forgiving and highest-launching driver. For golfers with a slice, Ping offers the draw-biased G425 SFT with a fixed 23-gram tungsten back weight that moves CG toward the heel; Ping says this design creates approximately 25 yards of draw bias compared to its G425 Max model.
Where to buy it: Click here. Or better yet, get fit for driver by the experts at our sister company, True Spec Golf.
TaylorMade SIM2 Max D
TaylorMade SIM2 Max D
Our take: Asked to describe the look of SIM2, our testers labeled them “futuristic,” “modern” and “fast.” And who can argue when there’s all that new-age carbon on the sole? While the drivers carry on the original SIM (Shape in Motion) name that excelled in 2020, the company has made a few big changes. One initially skeptical GOLF tester took notice of the improvements: “I tried to hit the original SIM last year, but this new one feels a million times more solid.”
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