Choosing the Right Golf Driver

When you choose the right golf driver, you can increase the distance of your swing for 10 to 20 yards, improving your golf game. Though there are many factors to finding the perfect driver, the work is well worth it when you find your game improving on the course. Although golf drivers vary in price, brand and design, you don’t have to break the bank to find the right one.

When you’re golfing with a driver, the flex of the club’s shaft affects both the feel of the club and the speed at which you can hit the ball. The flex you choose depends on the speed of your swing. For instance, if you can swing at about 60 miles per hour, you’d do well to choose a driver with a Ladies Flex shaft flex. Senior or A Flex drivers are good for swing speeds between 60 and 75 miles per hour while a Regular Flex shaft is tailor made for those with a speed between 75 and 84 miles per hour. Faster speeds need stiffer driver shafts. A Stiff Flex driver works well for golfers with a speed between 84 and 93 miles per hour, and an X-Stiff Flex is adequate for anyone that can swing their driver faster than 93 miles per hour, which is usually reserved for professional, championship-level golfers.

Driver lengths vary based on the gender and height of the golfer. Since small differences in club length doesn’t seem to affect a player’s golf game, it’s best to stay at the standard shaft length. Men should choose a driver of 43.5 inches for a steel shaft and 44 inches for a graphite shaft. Women often feel more comfortable with a steel shaft of 42.5 inches or a graphite shaft of 43 inches. If you find it uncomfortable to use a standard length golf driver, choose a driver with a length a few inches longer or shorter to accommodate this.

The loft of a golf driver affects the angle of the ball as it’s propelled through the air. The loft of the club you choose should depend on your golfing experience. Those that are new to the game should choose a driver with a loft of 11 or 12 degrees, which will increase the chance of keeping the ball in the air. Those with more experience playing golf should choose a driver with a loft from 8 to 10.5 degrees. Professional golfers who have a lot of control over their swing can get away with using a driver that has a loft of 6 or 7 degrees.