There is no single new club category that has golfers talking more than mini drivers, and whether it’s at the professional level or with recreational players — mini drivers are helping golfers find new options off the tee to gain accuracy and lower scores.
Here’s what you should know about them.
What is a mini driver?
Just as the name suggests, a mini driver is a category that sits between a standard full-size (460cc) driver and a traditional 3-wood. They are designed to be used mostly off the tee and offer an alternative to a smaller and less forgiving 3-wood by being between 300-340cc in size.
To put that size into perspective, most traditional 3-woods range from 165-180cc in volume and max out around 200cc for some of the largest models on the market. The extra size built into the mini driver adds additional face height, making it a much easier-to-hit option off a tee.
Important mini driver features
The biggest benefit of a mini driver is its size. The smaller head (compared to a standard driver) and shorter shaft length make it easier to control and more forgiving.
More control also comes from the fact that mini drivers are offered in lofts greater than most drivers — between 11.5 and 13.5 degrees but less loft than most 3-woods. These lofts help to add spin compared to a driver but reduce it compared to a 3-wood, with the result being a club that generally goes longer and straighter.
Just like most drivers on the market now, the two most popular options — the TaylorMade BRNR Mini and the Callaway Ai Smoke 340 Mini driver — have adjustable hosels that allow for fine tuning of loft so golfers can dial in their ideal launch window.
Who are mini-drivers designed for?
This is where it gets interesting because for highly skilled players with faster club head speeds who aren’t concerned with extra forgiveness, mini drivers are used to gain control on tight driving holes or where fairways start to narrow. (Adam Scott has used a mini driver since the middle of 2023.)
On the other end of the spectrum, for less skilled golfers with average to moderate club head speeds, the extra size of a mini driver helps to offer a lot more forgiveness than their typical 3-wood off the tee, while still allowing them to keep that club in the bag for shots off the fairway.
So if you’re in the market for a secondary option off the tee and struggle with a traditional 3-wood, or are a longer player looking to hit a few more fairways, a mini driver could be the club that helps you gain control and distance.
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