Best Drivers Under $200 2023 – Top Class Performance For Less

#1 – TaylorMade 2017 M2 Driver – Best Choice

Selling Points:

• 4 degree loft sleeve
• Aerodynamic head shape
• Speed Pocket

Key Features:

This is a used version of the 2017 M2 but it’s still in great condition. It comes in a 9.5 degree loft version with a Kuro Kage 60 graphite shaft. Still a very competitive Taylormade driver with any competitor in the market today.

The M2 plays very hot with an advanced Speed Pocket that helps the face flex more to push the ball off the tee.

The titanium body and the carbon crown also help to keep the overall weight down. This allows more precision weighting to draw the CG down.

This particular driver does not have an adjustable weight but you do get an adjustable hosel for loft and lie customization.

This is a great driver for anyone looking for a good combination of versatility and ball speed.

While it may not do much to cure your slice, mid handicappers should be able to get incredible distance and feel from it.

Pros:

• Hot face
• Distance And Feel
• Exception Price
• Great sound
• Limited spin

Cons:

• Not Made Primarily For Forgiveness

Overall Rating: 94/100

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#2 – Callaway X HOT Driver – Best Premium

Selling Points:

• Oversized head
• X Hot face
• Graphite shaft

Key Features:

The Callaway X Hot driver was designed to deliver maximum speed off the tee. The ultra-thin X Hot face sees to that.

You get an incredible amount of face flex from this driver which, should help mid to high handicappers start more holes off on the right foot.

The X Hot driver also features Callaway’s renowned variable face thickness technology. The VFT design  places more face material near the center while thinning it out around the edges.

This means more oomph on dead-center shots and straighter fight on hits around the crown or sole. Overall this is a great driver if you are in need of forgiveness and distance.

There is no adjustable weight but once again you get an adjustable loft sleeve.

This particular version of the driver comes with a Project X graphite shaft and is available in 10.5 degrees of loft.

Pros:

• Great for beginners
• Low CG
• Very forgiving

Cons:

• Limited shot shaping
• Head cover fits loose
• Costs slightly more than $200

Overall Score: 93/100

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#3 – Taylormade RBZ Stage 2 Driver – Best Budget Option

 

Selling Points:

• Flat trajectory
• Large face
• Multi-thickness crown

Key Features:

With the RBZ Stage 2 driver, Taylormade was aiming for faster ball speeds. They certainly achieved it by lowering the CG and placing it forward in the head.

As a result, you don’t get the launch angles that you would with other drivers; but the Stage 2 driver produces a low, piercing shot trajectory.

This would be a great buy for anyone who likes to keep the ball low off the tee. The Stage 2 even sports a larger face than the Stage 1 model which, makes it more forgiving.

This is not the same RBZ that you normally see on tour but the Stage 2 offers more for mid to high handicappers.

The RBZ Stage 2 driver is available with a Fuji RocketFuel 50 graphite edge and you can snag a used version in 9.5 degrees of loft.

Pros:

• Adjustable hosel
• Low spin rate
• Easy to adjust
• Massive Sweet Spot

Cons:

• Not Much Feel
• Low launch angles

Overall Score: 93/100

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#4 – Tour Edge Hot Launch C521 Driver

Selling Points:

• 460CC head
• Cup Face technology
• Rear sole weighting

Key Features:

The Tour Edge Hot Launch E521 is a truly unique driver. It features 39 diamond patterns on the face that vary in thickness. This promotes more ball speed on center shots while preserving ball speed on hits near the crown, sole and toe.

If you have been struggling with forgiveness from the tee, this may be the driver for you. The Tour Edge Hot Launch driver is available in 9.5, 10.5 or 12 degrees of loft. The stock shaft is an Aldila Rogue graphite 50.

Pros:

• Power Channel
• Good face flex
• High MOI

Cons:

• Not very durable
• No adjustable weight

Overall Rating: 89/100

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#5 – MAZEL Titanium Golf Drivers for Men

Selling Points:

• Titanium face
• Speed Channel
• Cup face architecture

Key Features:

What Mazel calls the Speed Channel Taylormade calls the Speed Pocket. It is essentially the same thing: a channel bored behind the face to allow it to hinge.

The only thing is you will spend a lot less for the Speed Channel than you will the Speed Pocket.

In fact, Mazel does a good job of emulating the technology of much more expensive drivers.

The cup face architecture increases forgiveness by expanding the sweet spot out towards the toe, crown and sole.

It’s available in 9.5 or 10.5 degrees of loft and comes with a graphite shaft.

This would be a great driver for anyone looking for a more affordable alternative to Taylormade or Callaway.

Pros:

• Good forgiveness
• Attractive design
• Great value

Cons:

• No-name shaft
• Only available in right-handed

Overall Rating: 90/100

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#6 – Pinemeadow Golf Realtree Driver

Selling Points:

• Titanium head
• Camo graphics
• 460CC head

Key Features:

If you like to head to the range and let off some steam with your driver, this would be a great fit for you. The Pinemeadow Realtree driver doesn’t have a lot in the way of fancy features; but it gets the job done in terms of distance.

It features a lightweight titanium head which, provides a good amount of stability while at the same time making it an easier driver to swing. The oversized head is a good fit for high handicappers looking for more confidence and forgiveness.

The Pinemeadow Realtree driver is available with a graphite shaft and is set to 10 degrees of loft. There is no adjustable weight but it does come with a matching head cover.

Pros:

• Very lightweight
• Easy to swing
• Produces straight shots

Cons:

• Camo color scheme isn’t the most attractive
• Not very forgiving

Overall Rating: 90/100

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#7 – Tour Edge Golf- Bazooka 470 Black Driver

Selling Points:

• Titanium head
• Sole weighting
• 460CC head

Key Features:

The rear sole weighting of the Bazooka 470 Black driver really packs a punch even if you are a beginner. This thing is incredibly easy and fun to swing.

The rear sole weight is fixed so you can’t adjust it; but it should still work well for players with a slight draw bias.

Like the previous Tour Edge driver on our list, the Bazooka features variable face thickness to promote forgiveness and ball speed. The face is also set deeper in the head to straighten out strikes made near the toe or crown.

The Tour Edge Bazooka 470 Black is available in 10.5 degrees of loft and comes with a matching head cover. It also comes stock with a premium lightweight graphite shaft.

Pros:

• Promotes good swing mechanics
• Forgiving
• Straight ball flight

Cons:

• Not very workable
• Dents easily

Overall Rating: 93/100

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#8 – TaylorMade Golf M5 Driver

 

Selling Points:

• Twist face technology
• Adjustable weights
• Hinging face

Key Features:

The Taylormade M5 driver is one of the highest-performing drivers currently on the market. It features Twist Face technology which, is essentially a curvature in the face that helps correct side spin and promotes straighter shots.

There are also weights that slide in a “T” shape on top of the head that allows adjusting between high and low bias or right to left bias. Each weight is 10 grams. While a new M5 will cost you about $400, you can get a used M5 9.0 degree head for $150.

Pros:

• High degree of shot shaping
• Very forgiving
• Adjustable weights

Cons:

• Used version only includes the head
• Not the longest driver

Overall Rating: 94/100

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#9 – Cleveland Golf Launcher Turbo Driver

 

Selling Points:

• High CG
• Low weight pad
• Cup face architecture

Key Features:

The Clevelend Launcher Turbo driver features variable face thickness to promote forgiveness all around the face. It performs well on dead-center shots – producing ball speeds and distances comparable to popular Taylormade and Callaway models.

The best thing about this driver though is the way it feels. The HiBore crown coupled with the CG that was placed higher in the hosel give this driver a unique but comfortable balance.

It would be a good choice for anyone who prefers an easy, flowing swing motion.

You can get this driver in 9, 10.5 or 12 degrees of loft with a Miyazaki C. Kua graphite shaft and Lamkin 360 grip.

Pros:

• Fun to swing
• Sleek design
• Titanium head

Cons:

• A bit heavy
• Not very long

Overall Rating: 92/100

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#10 – Callaway Rogue Driver

 

Selling Points:

• VFT Technology
• Jailbreak bars
• Carbon crown

Key Features:

The Callaway Rogue driver is the perfect balance between stability, distance and forgiveness.

The variable face thickness preserves ball speed on mis-hit, the jailbreak bars stabilize the head and face as it flexes and the triaxial carbon crown allows more weight to be placed for optimal distance.

This is a great driver for anyone looking for maximum performance from the tee – whether you are a low, mid or high handicapper. You can get a used version of the Callaway Rogue driver in 10.5 degrees of loft with varying shaft options.

While there is no adjustable weights on the Callaway Rogue, most players find they don’t need it as the VFT helps to correct biases on a wide variety of swings.

Pros:

• Forgiving
• Great distance
• Awesome feel

Cons:

• Sound isn’t great
• Limited loft options (used)

Overall Rating: 93/100

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Final Thoughts

The drivers on our list represent the needs of a wide variety of players. We wanted to show golfers of all skill levels that they don’t have to spend a bundle to get the performance they need.

Whether you are a weekend golfers just looking to have some fun or are really trying to improve your handicap, you will find the perfect driver on our list. All you have to do is assess the needs of your game. Once you’ve done that, take a look at the quality drivers on our list!

The Best Budget Driver For Your Game

As always, self-awareness will be your best guide when selecting a driver under $200. The needs of your game will surely tell you what features you need and which ones you don’t.