Hi, mid handicappers! This article is for you. I originally wrote it in 2018 but needed to refresh it with the new top-rated golf drivers available on the market. Here’s the updated version featuring the best mid handicap drivers in 2019 and 2020. Ready? Let’s do it.
In a hurry? The best drivers for mid handicappers are the TaylorMade M6 D-Type and the King Cobra F9 Speedback.
If you want to take another step towards lowering your scores then you might want to invest in a rangefinder. It doesn’t have to break the bank – read our budget rangefinders article to see what are the best affordable rangefinders on the market.
Best Mid Handicap Driver: Quick Comparison
Winner  |
Taylor Made M6 D-Type
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Longest Driver  |
King Cobra F6 Speedback
|
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| Best for Confidence |
Callaway Mavrik MAX
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Most Forgiving  |
TaylorMade Sim MAX
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Budget Option  |
Pinemeadow Golf PGX Offset
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Best Golf Drivers For Mid Handicappers
2018, 2019 & 2020: Reviews
1. TaylorMade M6 D-Type
Best Overall Mid Handicap Driver
Firstly, there is the revolutionary Twistface technology that corrects off-center strikes more efficiently than other drivers.
It does this by shaping the face in a somewhat twisted (but legal) way so that shots hit out of the heel are given more height, and drivers that catch the toe are impacted with draw spin to counteract the fade flight common with that strike.
Clever stuff indeed.
Additionally, each and every clubhead is speed tested and tuned accordingly with a special resin that is injected into the clubhead.
This maximizes the Coefficient of Restitution (COR) which means that every drive will have optimum speed at impact.
As is standard with TaylorMade woods there is the “Speed Pocket” which reduces weight and increases forgiveness, and the Carbon Fiber sole is attractive and increases the Inertia, which means that the clubhead will not be moved as much by off-center strikes.
The 460cc clubhead is set with a draw-bias, which is perfect for mid handicappers as the common shot shape is a fade, or even worse.
The way this driver sits encourages the player to close the clubface at address so the ball will fly straighter on impact all things being equal.
The TaylorMade M6 D-Type is both long, forgiving, and attractive, and as such, it is the best overall driver for mid handicappers.
Pros
- Long
- Forgiving
- Full of technology
Cons
- Expensive
- Standard Ball Flight
2. Cobra Golf 2019 F9 Speedback
Longest Driver
The clubhead uses racing car style aerodynamics to create both speed and stability, which enables higher clubhead speeds and more central strikes.
The Center of Gravity (CoG) is placed much lower than in previous designs, which enables the ball to be hit into the air more easily.
Also, as it is placed further back than before, it adds stability on impact, which means the clubface will not be affected by off-center strikes as greatly.
Both of these features mean the driving is more forgiving than before, so you will hit more fairways.
Its face is CNC Milled, so it is thinner than other brands, which helps generate feel and also correct off-center strikes.
Added to the high flight this feature means that the King Cobra F9 Speedback is as forgiving as it is long, and a great driver for any mid handicapper.
Pros
- Long
- Very Forgiving
- Good feel
Cons
- Modern design may put some off
3. Callaway Mavrik Max Driver
Best for Confidence
The Callway Mavrik MAX is a more playable version of the standard Callaway Mavrik driver which is very prominent on the PGA Tour.
It is more playable as it features a large clubface which makes you feel that you cannot miss. This enlarged clubface features a large sweet spot with high swing speeds and distances gained from strikes across the clubface.
As with all Callaway drivers, it is long, with a number of Callaway only technologies adding to the length of the drives.
The Mavrik MAX features Flash Face technology as well as the Face Cup 360 which enhances the speed of the clubhead.
Also, it has Jailbreak technology that connects the sole to the crown which increases the speed as well as adding forgiveness.
Finally, the Callaway Mavrik MAX 2020 has removed the problems with previous version in terms of sound, and this driver sounds as it should.
Overall this is a fantastic option for mid handicappers to feel confident as you stand over the ball.
Pros
- Confidence building
- Very forgiving
- Nice sound
Cons
- Not adjustable
4. TaylorMade Sim MAX Driver
Most Forgiving Driver for Mid Handicappers
The futuristic design adds to the inertia generated on impact which means that off-center strikes have little effect.
This is enhanced by the Twistface technology which has used statistical evidence to make the clubface more efficient in correcting off-center strikes.
As with all TaylorMade drivers, it provides a long and pleasing ball flight, with the Speed Pocket reducing weight as well as adding forgiveness.
It is also manufactured out of a number of strong but lightweight materials that reduce the weight, therefore, increasing the speed.
The most unique factor in the TaylorMade Sim MAX is the loft adjustment sleeve which allows individual tailoring for each user.
You can change the loft by 2 degrees to optimize flight and suit your swing.
Pros
- Adjustable loft
- Very forgiving
- Long
Cons
- Futuristic design
- Very Expensive
5. Pinemeadow PGX Offset Driver
Budget Mid Handicap Golf Driver
This driver has been going strong for years – it was the best budget driver for mid handicappers back in the day when the article was published in 2018.
The offset head helps to reduce that annoying slice that so many of us struggle to eliminate from our swing and the large sweet spot helps with forgiveness.
Pros
- Forgiving club at an affordable price
- Offset head helps to reduce slice
- Sleek design especially for a budget driver
Cons
- We noticed that the club face didn’t hold up well after a couple of buckets of balls an there were a few noticeable paint chippings, making durability questionable feature
You mau also like TaylorMade M2 vs Callaway GBB Epic Driver and Ping G vs. Taylormade M2 Driver
What should a Mid Handicapper look for in a driver?
There are many golf drivers for sale in the market which can make it an overwhelming experience when the time comes to make a choice and spend your hard earned money, especially when you’re new to the sport.
When shopping around for the right choice keep these characteristics in mind:
The material used
The most common shaft materials are steel, graphite and composite. You can almost always choose which material you’d like fitted.
Pick up a few different clubs and see which one you like the most.
Shape and volume
The volume of driver heads is usually in the range of 350-460cc.
At the moment larger volume heads are by far the most popular however you may prefer a different size.
Loft
The clubs loft, or the angle at which the club face lies when placed on the ground, is a major factor when it comes to the trajectory of the ball off of the tee box.
Besides your putter the driver has the least amount of loft of any club meaning it will achieve the most distance. This low amount of loft also makes the driver the hardest club to hit since there is less loft to get the ball off of the ground and into the air.
Drivers do come with as little as 4⸰ however most drivers come off the shelf fitted with 8.5⸰-13.5⸰ of loft.
Many clubs do offer adjustable loft settings so that is another option to consider as well.
Related: best golf drivers for beginners (high handicappers) and best drivers for senior golfers
You may also like: Callaway Supersoft vs Titleist Pro V1 (the result will surprise you)
Conclusion
And the Best Driver for Mid Handicappers in 2018 / 2019 / 2020 is…
All drivers reviewed here have great features, however I kept in mind which would be best for a mid handicap golfer.
You might consider the price as a deciding factor.
Keep in mind how frequently you plan to play and if you see yourself still playing in five years time. If you think you’ll still be heading to the links for years to come it may not be such a bad idea to spend a little more money since it will end up being a long term investment.
Modern drivers are far longer and more forgiving than drivers in the past.
Among all the golf drivers reviewed in this article, the
The established brands offer the best drivers for mid handicap players, and the TaylorMade M6 D-Type and Cobra F6 Speedback are the best drivers for mid handicappers due to their extreme forgiveness and long-distance.
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