How does a driver work?

What materials and sizes?

A driver is the large club you use to hit off the tee on the long holes. The size of the head is measured in volume in cubic centimeters, with 460cc being the maximum allowed. The aim of a driver is usually to hit the ball as far as possible – and preferably to hit the fairway. Hitting the ball into the trees won't help your score or impress your friends.

Almost all modern drivers have heads made of titanium and/or carbon fiber – materials that are significantly lighter than steel and allow manufacturers to design a head with a large sweet spot. The drivers also have thin impact surfaces, which upon contact with the ball create a "trampoline effect". This happens when the face gives slightly at impact for a brief moment and then straightens up, sending the ball off with more power and increasing distance.

An important note is that some drivers after January 2008 are considered either legal or illegal in club competitions. The technical term for the trampoline effect is the Coefficient of Restitution (CoR), and the permissible limit is 0.83. In short, this means that if you hit a golf ball at 100 mph, it must rebound at a maximum of 83 mph. If it does it faster, the club is considered illegal.

Many models to choose from?

It's no surprise that manufacturers claim their drivers are the longest and most forgiving. The truth is that modern drivers from leading brands such as Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping, Titleist and Mizuno are all excellent pieces of equipment. The choice therefore depends on a combination of design, feel, budget and any preference for a particular brand (which is not necessary to have). In addition to the standard models offered, there are now also drivers with 'Offset', 'Draw' or 'Neutral' settings. Let's see why…

Most players slice the ball (right-handed players hit the ball to the right when not wanted). This happens because the clubhead is too 'open' (pointing to the right) at impact, which is often caused by the player's hands being behind the ball at impact instead of in front where they should be on a good swing.

Manufacturers compensate for this in two ways. They place weight inside the club head (typically heavy material like tungsten) in a way that helps close the club head at impact. A 'draw' is a slight right-to-left swing of the ball, which is the opposite of a slice and far more desirable (for some) - which is why there are drivers optimized for draw shots.

Some manufacturers offer models where you can adjust the weight distribution in the club yourself. This allows players to adjust the weight to their preference, taking customization a step further than the fixed weight clubs. Although you are not allowed to change the setup during a round, with an adjustable driver you can adapt it to different courses – one week it suits a fade and the next week a draw. You thus get a driver that can function as both draw, fade and neutral – all without changing your swing or grip.

A more radical solution for those who often slice are drivers with a small 'offset', where the head is positioned slightly behind the shaft. This helps close the clubhead slightly at impact. 'Offset' drivers are particularly useful for players with slower swing speeds, such as seniors.

Which ceiling should you choose?

Loft refers to the angle of the club head in relation to the vertical plane, and drivers are typically available with loft between 8 and 13 degrees.

In short, lower ceiling means the ball's trajectory is flatter, but in the hands of a skilled player, the ball can fly further. However, for regular players who cannot generate the necessary clubhead speed, low loft drivers will result in shorter shots, typically due to a lack of spin. Drivers with a higher loft, like 12-13 degrees, are best for slower swing speed players who need help getting the ball in the air – often seniors, juniors or women's players.

Loft between 9 and 11 degrees suits the vast majority of us (90% or more) who have neither extremely fast nor slow turns. Almost all modern drivers fall within this range, and whatever your handicap, you can't go wrong with a driver in this ceiling range.

Which flex is best in shafts?

Today, all drivers with shafts are made of graphite and not steel like most irons. A stiff shaft provides better accuracy for high swing speed players, but can reduce distance for slower speed players. A slightly flexible shaft, on the other hand, is ideal for players with slower swings, such as seniors, juniors or women's players. Regular flex shafts suit the majority of players as they provide a good balance between control and distance.

See our used drivers

Check out our selection of used drivers here: Driver

Also check out our stand system so you know how the stand is on our used golf clubs: Stand system