A beginners golf swing is different than one that has been fine-tuned through the help of time, instructors and technology. A lack of confidence and awkwardness in the golf swing is especially noticed with the driver, as it has the longest shaft (and clubhead) in the bag. It is also usually the club which can make, or break, the score for a beginner so it is important that you have the right driver in your bag.
When I first considered which golf drivers are best for beginners in 2013, I selected a few which offered game-improvement technology. Updates to my golf blog in 2015 made sure to list drivers with 460 cc heads and adjustable weight and loft technology.
But, do golf beginners really need all of the bells and whistles in order to get the ball airborne and safely onto the fairway? Do they need something as technical as the Wilson Staff Triton, which won Golf Channel's Driver-vs-Driver competition? Probably not.
Yes, distance matters but accuracy and consistency in your golf game matters more. There is no better feeling than to walk to your golf ball which has landed safely in the fairway, hole after hole! (Okay, distance really DOES matter!)
Technology also matters if it helps create golf clubs which make it easier to get the ball airborne or to, almost effortlessly, get the ball lofted off of the clubface and fly straighter down the fairway.
Here are three golf drivers with new technology, selected to give newbies (and players who need more consistency) a head start on their 2017 golf game.
1. Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Driver: Forgiveness for both men and women is the keyword for this driver. The club designers positioned substantially more weight in the perimeter and far back from the face, resulting in a dramatically higher level of forgiveness.
The new titanium Exocage and shape cuts through the air lightly and with "an especially satisfying sound and feel", says Callaway. I love the sound my Callaway X2 Hot driver makes as it connects with the sweet spot of the ball, so I know this club manufacturer understands the value in that aspect for beginners!
2. Ping G Series Drivers: My favorite set of Ping Karsten irons has prompted me to look into Ping drivers as I hit those irons like a champ (most of the time, otherwise, I would be on Tour!)
Ah dragonfly, are you the reason that Ping redesigned their popular line of drivers?
According to Ping, the wing pattern of this insect helped in the design of the crown sections to improve the MOI (moment of inertia) and CG (center of gravity) with biomimicry in mind. According to a Golf.com review of the Ping G Driver, there are many pros to using this club including a high level of accuracy and forgiveness with "point-and-shoot" playability.
3. Cobra King F7 Driver: Golf World testers landed this driver in the gold medal position along with the Callaway we placed on this list.
The new Cobra Connect Powered by Arccos system in the grip could be one reason as you receive instant feedback of distance and accuracy with every swing directed to your smartphone.
A carbon fiber crown redistributes the weight in the clubhead and the E9 face offers distance even if you mis-hit the ball.
Might be just a little bit too much for the first-time beginner but, for someone who is in that second stage of learning and ready to try something a little bit different (because we're always learning), get over to your local retailer and take a few swings to see if this driver is right for your next stage of development.
Editor's note: Before purchasing any new golf driver, make sure you visit an authorized retailer with custom club fitting capabilities. A purchase as important as this one, which inspires confidence off the tee, should never be left to chance.
Have you tried any of the above golf drivers? Leave your comments below in our golf blog and share with us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.
Golf Magazine
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