Best drivers for speed | ClubTest 2025

    Are you a speed demon off the tee? You’ve come to the right place. As part of ClubTest 2025, we gathered players of varied handicaps to test the newest clubs at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz. With their help, we identified the best drivers for speed among the newest clubs from the top manufacturers.

    But why would a golfer want speed with their driver? It’s simple. Speed equals power. If you want to hit the ball a long way, you need to have a fast swing. But if you are among the fast swingers out there, you need a driver that will help you control your long balls from going all over the place. If that sounds like you, below you’ll find eight great new drivers to maximum the benefits of your fast swing while helping avoid the negatives.

    See something you like? Click through and buy your new driver on Fairway Jockey today. For additional exclusive insights on new drivers from leading brands, join InsideGOLF for only $40/year. Want to overhaul your bag for 2025? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. 

    BY CATEGORY: BEST DRIVERS FOR FORGIVENESS | BEST DRIVERS FOR SHOT CORRECTION | BEST DRIVERS FOR SLOWER SWING SPEEDS | BEST LOW SPIN DRIVERS

    TaylorMade Qi35

    *TaylorMade’s Qi35 driver was awarded 2025 ClubTest Game Changer status for its outstanding performance in the best drivers for speed category.

    TaylorMade Qi35 Custom Driver

    $599.99
     
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    THE BASICS: To design the Qi35 drivers, TaylorMade designers started with what’s called a “mood board” of images they wanted to shape the look of the new line. For Qi35, the mood board included an F-22 Fighter Jet, an exotic yacht, a Lamborghini and several examples of “point to” features — and all of these ideas culminated in specific features of the Qi35 drivers. The standard Qi35 is designed to suit the widest range of golfers in the line.

    READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TAYLORMADE Qi35 DRIVERS

    PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Straight, straight, straight. Very consistent and good distance with mishits. Would purchase. Like the look and weight. Maintained distance on heel hits. Dispersion was great. Straightness is greatness. Would buy.” – Greg Caster (15.1-handicap) on the TaylorMade Qi35 driver

    Cobra DS-Adapt X

    Cobra DS-Adapt X Custom Driver

    $549
    NEW FUTUREFIT33 ADJUSTABLE HOSEL The FutureFit33 system features 33 unique loft & lie settings to unlock more customization options than ever before. For the first time, loft & lie can be adjusted +/- 2 degrees independently from each other, allowing for more fine-tuned fitting customization. The innovative SMARTPAD design enables the face angle to remain square regardless of the setting. MORE EXTREME AERO DESIG An improved aero shape features a higher crown peak, and a more streamlined shape with smoother curvatures for further drag reduction and maximized speed. TOUR INSPIRED SHAPING A refined clubhead shape features an elevated look at address that promotes workability and control with added forgiveness. NEW INTERNAL ADAPTIVE WEIGHTING SYSTEM A re-engineered PWR-BRIDGE weight (in the 9.0 driver) is shaped with a slight curvature to position the CG lower and more forward to reduce spin for increased speed creation. LARGER H.O.T. FACE INSERT A larger forged face insert with H.O.T. face technology delivers improved face flex for more robust distance and ball speeds.  BLEND OF FORGIVENESS & SPIN CONTROL A back weight is accompanied by a second forward weight, allowing for additional spin-tuning control.
     
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    THE BASICS: Each DS-Adapt model features Cobra’s innovative FUTUREFIT33 adjustable hosel system, offering 33 unique loft and lie settings that can now be adjusted independently for the first time in a Cobra driver, providing golfers with a huge range of fitting options on the fly. The DS-Adapt X is designed to suit players of all skill levels and offers an ideal blend of power and forgiveness for the recreational player.

    READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF COBRA’S DS-ADAPT DRIVERS

    PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Would like a more prominent alignment aid. Solid feel without being clicky. Distance was great.” – Jeff Smith (12-handicap) on the Cobra DS-Adapt X driver

    Mizuno ST-Z 230

    Mizuno ST-Z 230 Custom Driver

    $499.99
    STRAIGHT, STABLE AND LOW SPINNING A straight bias driver with excellent stability from off centre hits. Similar in look and character to the previous ST-Z. Boosted by the CORTECH Chamber to be faster from the face, spin less and deliver an incredible, solid sensation at impact.“Tour tests for the ST-Z 230 have all been very consistent – firstly, an appreciation that the look is familiar at address. Then satisfaction at how much better it feels off the face. Ball speeds are up on average 1-3mph with spin rates dropping around 200 rpm.” CHRIS VOSHALL CORTECH CHAMBER – THE MISSING PIECE Mizuno’s CORTECH Chamber encases a dense stainless steel weight with elastomeric TPU – taking stress from the clubface and creating an additional energy source. At the same time locating weight closer to the clubface to reduce spin rates. While contributing to a more solid, powerful sensation at impact. FORGED SAT 2041 BETA TI FACE More resilient than commonly used 6-4 Ti, with more complex multi-thickness design – made possible by Mizuno’s CORTECH Chamber. UNIFIED SOLE COMPOSITE Carbon sole plate now a single piece to allow weight to be pushed to the extremes for overall stability. STRAIGHT FLIGHT BIAS Mass spread evenly to encourage a highly stable, straight ball flight. MODERN PLAYERS PROFILE Pushed lower to the ground for low / mid spin performance and aligns square to open. QUICK SWITCH HOSEL 4 degrees of adjustability.
     
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    THE BASICS: The ST-Z is all about stable low spin. The driver combines a forged SAT 2041 Beta Ti face for greater elasticity, with carbon fiber sole and crown plates to help position more mass around the perimeter for enhanced MOI, while remaining a neutral ball flight driver. The ST-Z is built in a modern player’s profile to inspire confidence and also features a quick switch hosel to allow a full 4 degrees of loft adjustment (2 degrees up and down in loft).The ST-Z is best suited for better players who want a stable, low-spin driver with a neutral bias.

    READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF MIZUNO’S ST DRIVERS

    Ping G440 LST

    PING G440 LST Custom Driver

    $599
    The G440 driver family (MAX, LST, SFT) is optimized to deliver more ball speed through multiple advancements, including PING’s deepest CG in a driver to date and a shallower, thinner face, while continuing to ensure the game-changing forgiveness expected from a PING driver. The G440 LST (Low Spin) design appeals to players with faster swing speeds, providing lower spin and more control in 9° and 10.5° lofts with the three-position back weight. HIGHLY FORGIVING Lighter head weight allows for heavier back weight.  FASTER FACE  Shallow, thinner, face increases ball speed for more distance, higher launch.  SOUND DESIGN New shaping, carbon crown and internal ribs produce muted impact experience.  FREE-HOSEL DESIGN Saves weight to lower CG, increase forgiveness. Allows for more heel-side face flexing for consistent ball speed across face. 
     
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    THE BASICS: The G440 LST (Low Spin Technology) comes in a slightly smaller package (450 cc) and is a Tour-inspired model for high-speed players seeking to lower spin. Like the G440 Max, the LST also features the three-position adjustable backweight to adjust horizontal CG location. CG was also lowered through the use of a new internal technology called Free Hosel, which freed up 5g of weight in the high heel section of the driver.

    READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PING’S G440 DRIVERS

    PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Like the finish. Looks rich. Feels firm and solid. Pretty good forgiveness. Mishits were still good.” – Chris Storbeck (13.3-handicap) on the Ping G440 LST driver

    PXG 0311 Black Ops

    PXG 0311 Black Ops Custom Driver

    $599.99
    AMF Face Technology PXG 0311 Black Ops Drivers deliver big distance gains using a propriety high strength, and more flexible, Titanium Alloy face material thatsupports increased face deflection during impact. High Strength Composite Contruction Lightweight crown and sole inserts, made from high-grade carbon fiber using advanced compression molding, enable optimal weight distribution in the clubhead. This enhances the moment of inertia (MOI), shifts the center of gravity (CG) lower and farther back, resulting in improved distance and forgiveness. Non-Uniform Buldge and Roll Face The face design supports enhanced forgiveness and improves overall performance by optimizing the club’s reaction to off-center hits.
     
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    THE BASICS: The standard Black Ops offers a large front-to-back profile, and the largest heel-to-toe measurement allowed under the Rules of Golf to maximize MOI. With the larger shape, the crown is more aggressively angled to allow the face to be larger to boost up and down and side to side MOI, which gets very close to the 10K g-cm2 total MOI in the standard weight configuration. Add a few grams of weight to the rear weight port and the Black Ops easily surpasses the 10k g-cm2 number currently being touted by other OEMs.

    READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF PXG BLACK OPS DRIVERS

    PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Numbers tell the story — this driver was the best for me. Solid feel, neutral sound. All swings produced good results.” – Julie Loughman (TK-handicap) on the PXG 0311 Black Ops driver

    “PXG wins for look and feel in a close race with other top performers in this category. Like the simple look and X on crown. Mishits were good, good feedback too.” – Mike Klanoski (9.8-handicap) on the PXG 0311 Black Ops driver

    Srixon ZXi

    Srixon ZXi Custom Driver

    $549.99
     
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    THE BASICS: The lineup of ZXi drivers share a newfound face technology called i-FLEX, which is a face thickness pattern that has a thinner center area with thicker heel and toe regions, resulting in greater energy transfer for longer shots. The standard ZXi driver is a high-MOI driver that produces a mid-high launch angle with a mid-low spin rate. It comes with a Ti72S face and two adjustable weights in the heel and toe for further shot pattern refinements.

    READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF SRIXON ZXi DRIVERS

    PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS: “Clean, like the look at address. It had a loud sound at impact that I did not like. Also a left miss.” – Bryan Wiborg (3.4-handicap) on the Srixon ZXi driver

    Titleist GT3

    Titleist GT3 Custom Driver

    $649
    GT3 – Speed-Tuned Distance & Control GT3 offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization. With a speed-tuned design that allows you to precisely match performance to your most frequent contact location, you can make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping. For players with a relatively consistent impact location, GT3 offers a precisely adjustable CG Track to max out distance and directional control. Seamless Thermoform Crown A reimagined ultra-lightweight design, born from a new Proprietary Matrix Polymer. The tunable acoustic properties of this unique composite allow Titleist engineers to realize new material gains while maintaining our signature sound and feel. All wrapped in a clean look that inspires total confidence. Split Mass Construction A breakthrough in internal weighting unlocks longer drives and enhanced directional control in GT3. The Adjustable CG Track now sits closer to the face for more dynamic CG control, while additional discretionary mass is pushed to the back of the club to maintain optimal stability through impact. Advanced Aerodynamics GT3 features a new raised tail contour that represents a dramatic shift in driver aerodynamics. Previously impossible to execute due to design constraints, this advanced shaping results in a driver that swings faster while still providing optimal CG control.
     
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    THE BASICS: The repositioned Adjustable CG Track in GT3 (8, 9, 10, 11 degrees) features five possible weight locations (H2, H1, N, T1, T2) that get the CG closer in line to the golfer’s strike location tendencies. The profile appears more compact and pear-shaped with a face that sits taller than its predecessor. That makes GT3 the ideal Titleist GT model for better golfers who want to dial in strike location tendencies.

    READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TITLEIST’S GT DRIVERS

    Wilson Dynapwr Carbon

    Wilson 2025 Dynapwr Carbon Custom Driver

    $549.99
    DYNAPWR. Same Name. New Era. Wilson drivers have evolved. Each engineering advancement igniting the next catalyst for change. This season, the legendary dynasty of distance and power enters their most formidable era. PKR-360 Our AI driven PKR-360 has an increased number of optimizable face and body locations unique to each driver design to create a larger sweet spot and drive higher ball speeds everywhere across the face. OPEN HOSEL CONSTRUCTION Removing inefficient material from the hosel infrastructure allows the face to flex more resulting in a larger sweet spot, higher ball speeds and more forgiveness. POWERFUL SOUND Precision rib placement throughout the body of the clubhead guarantees a powerful, appealing sound.
     
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    THE BASICS: The club is Wilson’s new line designed to fit the greatest number of golfers is the Dynapwr Carbon driver, which blends forgiveness and workability. The shape was designed in consultation with Wilson’s Tour staff to give the driver a more compact look while boosting forgiveness. The Carbon also has swappable front (3g) and back weights (9g) weights, similar to the LS.

    READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF WILSON’S DYNAPWR DRIVERS

    The post Best drivers for speed | ClubTest 2025 appeared first on Golf.

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