Driver Vs Mini-Driver Vs 3 Wood – Which To Carry & When To Use Each

Driver Vs Mini-Driver Vs 3 Wood – Which To Carry & When To Use Each

 

Driver Vs Mini-Driver Vs 3 Wood

Whilst at the golf club last weekend I was complaining to my local professional that I can hit my 3 wood like a dream and wished that if only I could hit my driver as consistently as this club.

To my surprise, he suggested that a mini-driver could be the answer to my golfing concerns. I had not heard much about this type of club before so spent some time researching. They have a very similar make-up to a 3-wood but can offer you more distance from the tee, with more accuracy.

If you’ve not heard of a mini-driver before continue reading and I’ll share everything learned about this club, including whether it could help to improve your golf. 

 

What is a Mini-Driver?

A mini driver is a club which is in between a standard-sized driver, and a 3 wood. They are shorter in length, have a smaller-sized clubhead, and are easier to hit from the fairway. 

 

When is the best time to use a mini driver?

The best time to hit a mini driver is if you are looking for greater control with your shot, and are happy to compromise on less distance. They are easier to hit with accuracy due to the shorter shaft length and can be controlled better on tight golf courses.

They are also easier to hit from the fairway due to the smaller clubhead size and are a great alternative when you have a long shot into a par 5 hole. 

 

Benefits Of Mini Drivers 

Mini drivers can be useful for many golfers as they share similar attributes of a driver and 3-wood. Some players find it difficult to make solid contact with the driver because of its clubhead size and shaft length.

Mini drivers have smaller clubheads and shorter shaft lengths. They offer better control over the shot and ball flight. Although a few yards are lost from the tee, you’ll find it has far better accuracy when you might require it most. 

 

What are the differences: Driver Vs Mini Driver

Drivers have longer shafts and larger clubheads. Mini drivers have considerably shorter shafts and small clubheads. Drivers have a loft size between 8-11 degrees.

Mini drivers have loft degrees between 11.5-13.5. Some players find it difficult to make solid contact with the driver because of its larger size, they use mini drivers for accuracy and precision in shots and ball flights. 

 

Who Should Use Each

Most PGA professionals use normal drivers with a clubhead size of around 460cc. Drivers cover longer distances off the tee and are helpful to get close to the green for your second shot. This will suit better golfers who have high swing speeds and greater shot accuracy.

However, the mini driver could benefit players who struggle to make solid contact with conventional drivers because of their size. Golfers who have a lower shot accuracy and often hit hooks or slices should use mini drivers to have precision and better shot distance. 

 

When To Use Each

Mini drivers are great as they share the best attributes of a driver and a 3-wood. Drivers cover longer distances off the tee, so should be used on longer holes where distance is important. Golfers who have high swing speeds and better shot accuracy should use standard drivers.

However, Mini drivers have smaller clubheads and shorter shaft lengths so they offer better control over the shot and ball flight and can be beneficial too. Although when tested there were only marginal distance differences between the driver and the mini driver, they do offer different outcomes when hit. 

 

Mini Driver Vs 3 Wood

A mini driver has shaft length and clubhead size slightly bigger than 3 wood. If a player struggles with 3-wood, he can use a 275-300 cc mini driver to find more fairways in regulations.

Mini driver’s shots hit a slightly farther distance as compared to 3-wood. The mini driver has a lower loft; thus, its trajectory is also somewhat lower than 3-wood but still much easier to hit from the deck. The debate between golfers as to which of these clubs is fierce and can provoke much debate. 

 

Should I use a mini driver or 3 wood?

Mini drivers are a newer technology, Phil Mickelson was said to have inspired TaylorMade to design the club in a quest for better accuracy from the tee, a mini driver has shaft length and clubhead size slightly bigger than 3 wood.

Mini drivers offer better shot precision and flight as compared to 3-woods. Mini driver’s shots cover a slightly farther distance. Mini drivers are better than 3-woods from a distance perspective, but it is up to the player’s preference and playing style to choose among the two.

My choice would be a 3 wood as I hit this well but if I can gain better accuracy from the tee with a mini driver this will help my game. 

 

Which is Better For Distance – Driver vs Mini Driver vs 3 Wood?

A top golfer when hitting these clubs can produce excellent results. The average distance of a driver tee shot is between 280-320 yards.

Mini drivers have a similar shot distance that averages between 280-300 yards, given that it is hit properly. 3-woods have an average shot distance of 235-255 yards. All these distances include ball carry and roll. 

 

Which One Is The Easiest To Hit

If you are a mid-handicap golfer, a mini driver could be the easiest to hit because of its club configuration (length, flex, material, and weight) and controlled ball flight. 

Most PGA professionals use standard drivers off the tee with a 460cc size clubhead. During tours and tournaments, the fairways are long. An added 20 yards from the tee box can make a considerable difference to a golfer’s score. However, a 3-wood is also a good choice if the par 4’s is short, but if you hit them well the mini drivers do give you a good option off the deck.

 

Can I Hit a Mini Driver from the Fairway?

Mini drivers are the best and most forgiving to hit off the deck in comparison to a standard 460cc clubhead-sized driver. A mini driver has a better club set up for this type of shot as it is shorter and has a smaller clubface.

Therefore, allowing a more controlled ball flight. Their smaller clubhead size also provides solid contact with the ball and longer distances if you connect with the sweet spot of the clubface. 

 

Do Any Pros Use Mini Drivers

A few PGA professionals use mini drivers. Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson have been seen to use mini drivers. Interestingly Mickelson was key in helping to test and design the TaylorMade 300 series which is now one of the most used mini drivers on tours and tournaments. 

 

Should Mid To Low Handicappers Use Mini Drivers?

Anybody can use a mini driver. It is entirely up to the player’s preference and playing style. If PGA professionals like Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson use mini drivers. Mini drivers because of their accurate and forgiving benefits – it’s probably very useful for lower handicap golfers as well. 

 

What About High Handicappers & Beginners

Whereas if a high handicapper struggles with the normal driver, they might not necessarily be able to hit the mini-driver. It is not just about their handicap but also about what they are looking for when using the club.

The majority of golfers will not need to use a mini-driver, if they struggle with a driver, like me, they will probably get on much better with a standard 3 wood from the tee.

They will be able to hit this with confidence due to the size and make-up of the club. It will also be less punishing on the bad shots, as it will not travel so far off-target. 

 

What are the 3 Best Mini Drivers 2022

Following are the 3 best mini drivers of 2022

• TaylorMade Original One Mini Driver – with a slightly larger face than standard for a mini-driver, this club offers excellent forgiveness through its ‘twist face’ technology, meaning that off-center shots will still generate the required ball speed. Also, with its shorter shaft length, it can give golfers who hit their 3 wood well a real confidence boost. 
• TaylorMade 300 Mini Driver – A mini-driver that has been used by Phil Mickelson this offers golfers an excellent option from the fairway. Its design in the smaller head size and shorter shaft length at only 43.7” makes it very easy to hit. When tested by golf monthly it didn’t give much more distance vs a 3 wood but it does provide more roll on the fairway due to the lower flight trajectory.
• Callaway Rogue Mini Driver – This is another forgiving driver which doesn’t compromise on ball speed, and therefore is good for distance. This club will suit a high handicapper as the Callaway jailbreak technology helps provide forgiveness even for off-center shots. 

 

Conclusion

So, if you’re like me and struggling to hit your driver as well as your 3 wood the mini driver might be the best option for you to improve your golf. A mini driver can give you the distance of a standard driver with the feel of using a 3 wood.

This is due to its shorter shaft length it gives you better control of the ball, allowing for amazing accuracy from the tee. It is also excellent to use from the fairway, helping you reach those long par 5’ in two.

Your golf game will improve in no time at all! If you’re looking to further improve your golf why not have a look at our other article on whether a low spin golf ball can help your game.