The Best Game Improvement Drivers for 2023
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to make a fearless assessment of your game to see where you can improve.
If you have come to the conclusion that some of your biggest challenges are coming up on the tee, don’t worry because you’re in luck. T
oday we will be talking about some of the best game improvement drivers of the year.
The Merits of Game Improvement Drivers
While drivers in the distance/game improvement category won’t appeal much to low handicappers, they have a lot of advantages for beginners and high handicappers.
Forgiveness and distance tend to be the main points of emphasis for game improvement drivers.
The biggest advantage they give players is the ability to start off every hole on the right foot.
They can also help you land on the fairway without so much of a struggle.
How can Game Improvement Drivers Help?
Another major focus for game improvement drivers is straight shots.
A good game improvement driver will either have draw bias to fix your slice or a face geometry that promotes straighter shots.
Again, the point is to increase distance and accuracy by helping you launch the ball straighter.
Who Needs Game Improvement Drivers?
Game improvement drivers can be used by almost any kind of player effectively but they would benefit mid to high handicappers the most.
Basically, if you want more distance on your drives, you may want to pick up a good game-improvement driver.
Game improvement drivers would also be great for anyone with a slow swing speed (in the 75-90 MPH range).
What are We Looking for in A Quality Game Improvement Driver?
You should be able to tell that you are playing a game improvement driver just by looking down at point of address.
That’s because the hallmarks of a good game improvement driver are visibly noticeable. They will probably have pronounced offset so that it’s easier to square up to the ball.
If you’re not square at impact then you have very little chance of hitting the ball straight.
You will probably also notice a large head size. Game improvement drivers tend to have 460CC heads which is the max size allowable in tournament play.
The Low Down
For those of you pressed for time, our top three picks are the Callaway Big Bertha B21, the Taylormade SIM2 Max D, and the Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Draw Type.
Best Choice – Callaway Big Bertha B21
The main feature here is incredible distance. The Big Bertha is packed with technology that will help fix your slice and hit the ball further. The easiest driver to hit straigth in the game.
Selling Points:
- Built-in draw bias
- Easy to achieve straight shots
- High launch
Overall Score: 98/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Best Premium – Taylormade SIM2 Max D
In case you were wondering, the D stands for draw bias. This driver also has built-in draw bias to help you hit straighter shots.
Selling Points:
- Inertia generator oriented towards the heel
- Incredible forgiveness
- Advanced features
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Best Budget Option – Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Draw Type
Yet another driver with natural draw bias, the Cleveland Launcher HB is a steal at it’s price point.
Selling Points:
- Internal draw bias
- Good flex across the face
- Good ball speed
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Callaway Big Bertha B21 – Best Choice
Very straight shots
Strategic ball placement
Exceptional distance
#1 – Callaway Big Bertha B21 – Best Choice
Selling Points:
- Low CGve
- Easy to swing
- Pronounced offset
Key Features:
The Big Bertha B21 will be a high handicappers best friend because it’s ridiculously easy to hit long and straight shots with it.
On average, we were getting drives of 281 yards with this thing. The Flash Face SS21 feels nice at point of impact and a forged aluminum body ring helps keep this giant head stable on impact. Launch is also effortless with this driver.
Lofts Available: 9, 10.5, 12.5
Adjustable Weight: No
Shaft Type & Grips: RCH 45, Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Performance & Accuracy:
• Very straight shots
• Strategic ball placement
• Exceptional distance
Who Should Buy
The Big Bertha B21 would be great for anyone struggling with a slice
But perhaps the best thing about this driver is that it’s a ton of fun no matter what skill-level you’re at.
Pros:
- Latest Big Bertha model
- Adjustable hosel
- Great carry
- Expansive sweet spot
Cons:
- Not very workable
Overall Rating: 98/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#2 – Taylormade SIM2 Max D – Best Premium
Selling Points:
- Inertia generator
- Extreme rear weighting
- Speed Pocket
Key Features:
The SIM 2 MAX D has some classic Taylormade driver elements with a surprise twist.
The twist is the inertia generator that is moved slightly towards the heel to produce a draw bias. None of the other SIM2 drivers have this feature and it makes a noticeable difference.
Lofts Available: 9, 10.5, 12
Adjustable Weighting: No
Shaft Type & Grips: Z grip, Fujikura Air Speeder
Performance & Accuracy:
- Good ball speed
- Very forgiving
- Straight shots
Who Should Buy
The SIM2 Max D would be great for anyone in need of more distance
This would be a great choice for anyone looking for a game improvement driver that also has premium features.
Pros:
- Very durable
- Lightweight
- Forgiving
Cons:
- A bit pricey
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#3 – Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Draw – Best Budget Option
Selling Points:
- Low CG
- Hi Bore crown
- Light hosel
Key Features:
The Launcher HB Turbo Draw is all about weight savings so that the majority of the weight can be placed in the back and down low in the head. This makes for a much more comfortable swing and incredibly high launch.
Lofts Available: 9, 10.5, 12
Adjustable Weighting: No
Shaft Type & Grips: Miyazaki graphite
Performance & Accuracy:
- High launch
- Straight shots
- Lightweight
Who Should Buy
The Launcher HB Turbo draw is another good choice for anyone struggling with a slice.
This driver would also be a great choice for anyone looking to improve their swing speed.
Pros:
- Very low CG
- Comfortable to swing
- Feels wieldy in the hands
Cons:
- Flex is lacking
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#4 – Titleist TS2 – Best Titleist Game Improvement
Selling Points:
- Sleek design
- Adjustable hosel
- Versatility
Key Features:
The TS2 is one of Titleist’s most forgiving drivers.
The TS2 features an incredibly thin face which is great for the sweet spot but it also helps with flex around the perimeter. We noticed that ball speed was still pretty high on shots we hit closer to the toe or heel.
Lofts Available: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5
Adjustable Weighting: No
Shaft Type & Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet, Project X, Mitsubishi shafts
Performance & Accuracy:
- Very forgiving
- Good ball speed
- Workable
Who Should Buy
This would be a great choice for mid handicappers.
That’s because it allows for a surprising amount of workability off the tee.
Pros:
- Premium feel
- Many shaft options
- Looks amazing
Cons:
- Launch is lacking
Overall Rating: 89/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#5 – Cobra King Radspeed XB
Selling Points:
- Milled face
- Carbon crown
- Split weighting
Key Features:
The Radspeed XB is packed with premium features that you don’t normally see in game improvement drivers.
The milled face alone makes it worth the price. This driver feels amazing and the forged portion of the face stretches out near the toe, heel, crown and sole. The sole is also made of carbon fiber to keep the driver nice and light.
Lofts Available: 9, 10.5
Adjustable Weighting: Yes
Shaft Type & Grips: Project X, Fujikura Motore
Performance & Accuracy:
- Low spin
- Radial weighting
- Forgiving
Who Should Buy
The Radspeed XB is a solid choice both for beginners and low handicappers.
The adjustable weight and fixed rear weight make it versatile with options for very low spin.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Good distance
Cons:
- Expensive
Overall Rating: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#6 – Taylormade SIM Max
Selling Points:
- Inertia generator
- Rear weighting
- Adjustable loft
Key Features:
The original SIM Max perfectly combines distance with versatility from the tee.
The loft can be adjusted 2 degrees up or down thanks to the adjustable hosel which gives beginners the room to stretch and figure out what works for them. The extreme rear weighting spreads the impact energy to more portions of the face as well.
Lofts Available: 9, 10.5, 12
Adjustable weighting: No
Shaft Type & Grips: Fujikura shafts
Performance & Accuracy
- Workable
- Forgiving
- Distance
Who Should Buy
This driver will be right up your ally if you need an instant distance boost.
Our testers were logging distance increases to their average drive distances of about 8 yards on average.
Pros:
- Corrective face angles
- Straight shots
- Carbon body
Cons:
- A bit unwieldy
Overall Rating: 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#7 – Ping G425 SFT
Selling Points:
- Draw bias
- Forged face
- Internal bracing
Key Features:
The Ping G425 driver’s main feature is a draw-biased 23-gram tungsten weight in the back of the head.
As you can probably guess, this was designed to help correct slices and help you hit the ball straighter. The G425 SFT also features a titanium face that feels amazing on impact.
Lofts Available: 10.5
Adjustable Weighting: No
Shaft Type & Grips: Mitsubishi, Aldila, Ping shafts, Arccos, Golf Pride grips
Performance & Accuracy:
- Draw bias
- Slice stopper
- Great feedback
Who Should Buy
If you have the money to spend, this would be a great driver.
That’s because the Ping G425 will still be useful to you as your game improves so it’s a great investment.
Pros:
- Premium features
- Great for all skill levels
- Good shaft options
Cons:
- No adjustable loft
Overall Rating: 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#8 – Callaway Epic Max
Selling Points:
- A.I. face design
- Jailbreak bars
- Carbon crown
Key Features:
One of the main points of emphasis with this driver is lightweight performance.
The triaxial carbon crown covers more of the crown than normal which means major weight savings. There is also a sliding 17 gram weight so no matter what your shot bias is, this driver will be able to accommodate.
Lofts Available: 9, 10.5, 12
Adjustable Weighting: Yes
Shaft Type & Grips: Cypher 40, IM10 50, IM10 60
Performance & Accuracy:
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Distance
Who Should Buy
The Epic Max is a solid choice for players with a slow swing speed.
The weight savings and adjustable hosel will please pretty much any type of high handicap player.
Pros:
- Adjustable hosel
- High flex
- Flash Face
Cons:
- Spin rate is high
Overall Rating: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#9 – Cobra F-Max Superlite
Selling Points:
- Great for slow swing speeds
- Carbon fiber crown
- Heel weighting
Key Features:
The F-Max superlite was designed to be light and straight.”
It certainly achieves both of those goals with a carbon fiber crown and heel-biased weighting.
However, the F-Max superlite has minimal offset so it doesn’t look as pleasing at point of address as some other drivers on our list.
Lofts Available: 10.5
Adjustable Weighting: No
Shaft Type & Grips: Graphite shafts
Performance & Accuracy
- Heel bias
- Straight shots
- Lightweight performance
Who Should Buy
The F-Max Superlite would be a great choice for seniors
That’s because the shafts flex to a high degree and the lightweight design will help with swing speed.
Pros:
- Easy to swing
- Feels good at impact
- Good price
Cons:
- Not the most forgiving
Overall Rating: 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#10 – Mavrik Max
Selling Points:
- Titanium face
- Jailbreak bars
- A.I. face design
Key Features:
The Mavrik Max was made to go long and be more forgiving.
In fact, it’s the most forgiving driver in the Max series thanks in part to the large footprint and seemingly endless sweet spot. There are also two interchangeable weights that can help alter the bias.
Lofts Available: 9, 10.5, 12
Adjustable Weighting: Interchangeable weights
Shaft Type & Grips: Project X Evenflow, UST Helium
Performance & Accuracy:
- Versatile
- Distance
- Good ball speed
Who Should Buy
The Mavrik Max is for anyone seeking more distance off the tee.
It is one of the purest game improvement/distance drivers you are likely to come across.
Pros:
- Effortlessly long
- Large footprint
- Looks great at address
Cons:
- Dings easily
Overall Rating: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Conclusion
If you want to perform your best from the tee then take a good look at the drivers here on our list. They will be able to help a wide variety of players play their best rounds.
Hi, I am Matthew, a mid handicap golfer who likes to play as much as possible. I love trying out new gear and this blog is where you can find all the gear I have tested over the years!
