As a beginner golfer, you may find yourself wondering what loft driver to buy.
The driver is a really important part of any golfer’s set up because not only does it introduce a lot more speed into your swing but also gives you much more distance per stroke as well.
But you need to be careful with this one- if you don’t have enough control over its trajectory then things can get ugly really quickly and find themselves heading straight for an out-of-bounds area where they won’t count
Drivers are the longest, least versatile and least forgiving club in the bag and can only be used, by most players, off the tee.
Because the driver has less loft, compared to irons, it creates more side spin on less than perfect hits, which can be destructive to your score, especially if you are subsequently chipping out sideways on your next shot.
The driver is definitely the hardest club to hit and often takes the most practice to master.
The driver has lower amounts of loft, compared to irons, and it creates the most ball speed. These two aspects combined make the club the hardest to hit accurately. Shots that are hit with the driver have a higher chance of straying off course than other clubs.
Find out Why The Driver Is The Hardest To Hit and discover some great tips that will help you become a much better player when hitting Driver
What Loft Driver Should I Buy?
Most Drivers come in 9.5º, 10.5º and 12° options with each option suited to different swing speeds or shot shapes depending on the loft of your clubface at impact (higher lofts will create higher launch angles).
If you’re a beginner golfer looking get started then I would recommend either starting out with at least a 10.5º Driver which is more controllable than its less-lofted alternatives but still has enough backspin to make it straight when using right-to-left shots;
If you struggle hitting your driver more than 200 yards or if you don’t hit the ball high off of the tee, then you should consider testing out a 12º driver.
Additional loft adds more backspin to your shots and will keep your shots straighter, which means that it will be easier to use and will offer better accuracy without sacrificing too much distance.
When you are just starting out it is important to get good swings on the golf ball, so drivers with more loft might be better for you.
Loft also helps to reduce side spin, which can cause your ball to curve or hook off of your line (which will make shots harder because the shots won’t come back toward your target).
What Should I Look For When Buying A Driver?
In general, there are three main things that you want to look for when buying a new driver
1. Head and Shaft Fit (make sure they fit your body size and type)
2. Look and Feel (look at the drivers that interest you and then go out and hit them with the shaft that they come with, if you don’t like the looks or feel then put it down)
3. Price (you get what you pay for in most cases)
Many of the better golf companies like Taylor Made, Nike, Callaway, Titleist and Mizuno will also offer custom fitting services (which is when they test your swing to see what specifications you need in a new driver).
If you are serious about getting the most out of your game then you should strongly consider investing in these type of fitting services.
Check out my article: Should You Buy Custom Fit Golf Clubs
What Shaft Do I Need In My Driver?
Several factors go into choosing the right shaft for you.
You need to consider the level of shaft flex, which is right for you, which helps you to hit the ball straighter and with tighter dispersion.
The speed of your golf swing will have a big say in the shaft you use; and then you need to consider the weight and the length of the shaft and whether it is a good match for your height and playing style.
It is important to find a driver that has the correct shaft weight and flex for your swing speed.
The best way to find out which golf shaft is ideal for you is to have a custom fit with a trained professional.
The best golf driver for you will be the one that has been fitted to match your swing speed, swing characteristics and shot shape.
Most drivers now come with either an S or R (or Stiff or Regular) flex, which is determined by testing done by the manufacturer.
It is also important to make sure that you are getting the best possible fit between your body type and the club itself.
For More Info Check Out My Article How To Choose The Best Golf Shaft For You
Do I Need To Buy An Adjustable Driver?
Drivers with adjustable lofts do give slightly more flexibility to tweak settings as you progress but they won’t be the secret sauce to you becoming a scratch golfer.
Beginner golfers should not worry about buying drivers with adjustable lofts.
A 10.5º or 12º loft will work best for most beginners, and they can tweak their driver settings as they progress if necessary.
The worst mistake beginner golfers can make is to buy a club that has too low of a loft which makes the game more challenging than it needs to be. Use what works and not what looks good for your ego
Conclusion
When you are just starting out it is important to get good swings on the golf ball, so drivers with more loft might be better for you.
Loft also helps to reduce side spin, which can cause your ball to curve or hook off of your line (which will make shots harder because the shots won’t come back toward your target).
As a beginner golfer, I would recommend getting at least a 10.5º driver because it can help with both accuracy and distance if you struggle to hit your drives over 200 yards.
If you have trouble hitting drivers 200+ yards or are unsure of what loft is best for you, opt for 12° since this will be easier to use at first and I would recommend getting a second hand one to start off with.
To read more about buying a Driver, check out the survey I conducted: Best Driver For Beginner Golfers
