The Best Golf Drivers for Seniors and Slower Swing Speeds

Maybe you’ve found yourself with some free time and plan to begin picking up the game, or you may have already been playing for years.

Finding the best driver for seniors presents it’s own unique set of challenges: what types of materials and specs to target, and what your best bet is to get the most improvement out of your choice.

We’ll break down the best picks to improve your game with choices for every budget.

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Our Picks for the Best Drivers for Seniors

Our Top Overall Pick for Best Senior DriverTaylorMade RBZ Driver
Best Premium Senior DriverCobra King F8 Driver
Most Forgiving Senior DriverCallaway Big Bertha V Series Driver
Best Senior Driver With a Huge Sweet SpotTaylorMade Aeroburner Driver
Best Upper-Mid Budget Senior DriverCleveland Launcher HB Turbo Driver
Best Senior Driver for Fixing SliceCallaway Epic Flash Driver
Best Senior Driver for Advanced PlayersTaylorMade M6 Driver
Best Senior Driver for High HandicappersCallaway Mavrik Max Driver
Best Senior Driver for SpeedCobra King Speedzone Xtreme Driver
Best Senior Driver for Mid HandicappersTaylorMade M4 Driver
Best Budget Senior DriverPinemeadow Golf PGX Offset Driver
The Best Senior Drivers of 2020

Taylormade RBZ Driver

Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12° 

Head Size: 460 cc

The TaylorMade RBZ is regarded as one of the best and most forgiving drivers on the market for many reasons: it reduces spin, has a huge sweet spot, and offers great control.  What’s not to like, right?

The loft sleeve and sliding split-weights offer extra adjustability, which are really nice features in a driver that’s priced at under $200.  

If reducing spin and increasing forgiveness are on your list (and they should be), then the TaylorMade RBZ is an excellent and affordable choice.

Pros:

  • Packed with forgiveness-promoting tech and features
  • Adjustability options for loft and draw/fade bias
  • Affordable price point at under $200

Cons:

  • A little stiffer than other drivers on this list
  • No wrench included for making adjustments

Cobra King F8 Driver

Lofts: 9°, 9.5°, 9.5° (Draw), 10.5°, 10.5° (Draw), 11.5°, 11.5° (Draw), 12° 

Head Size: 460 cc

The King F8 Driver is Cobra’s answer for handicappers in the 5 to 25 range, and is also a great option for seniors.  This club was made with forgiveness and a wide variety of playing abilities in mind, making it a good choice for a driver you can hang on to for a while.

The King F8 has a super-thin face, promoting faster ball speeds, and dual roll technology that helps for mishits that are higher or lower than the club face target.

There’s also adjustable back and heel settings, allowing you to tune trajectory and spin in order to maximize distance, along with 8 easily adjustable loft settings for fine-tuning your launch.

For golfers who can afford it, this driver is a powerhouse that you won’t want to give up any time soon.

Pros:

  • Adjustable weight and loft options allow you to dial in performance
  • Great driving ability with some serious long-term value

Cons:

  • Some users have reported that the screws holding in the weights can snap off occasionally

Callaway Big Bertha V Series Driver

Lofts: 9.5°, 10.5°, 12°

Head Size: 460 cc

Callaway’s Big Bertha line inspired an entire generation of drivers and ushered in a new era of design when it was first introduced.  Although it’s not easily found today, the Big Bertha V Series Driver brings some of the best-working tech back into the design to offer a driver that is a favorite of nearly all golfers who’ve swung it.

The “V” stands for velocity, and Callaway delivers on that promise with this driver.  Using the Warbird contoured sole and pairing it with slots on the side of the club face, this driver definitely feels fast.  That speed is then transferred to their Hyper Speed Face, which is a fast and reactive club face design that will help you really launch the ball.

In addition, the Big Bertha V Series Driver has a huge sweet spot and satisfying feel, and offers adjustability through the OptiFit Hosel to change lofts by -1°, +1° or 2°, as well as the ability to modify face angle adjustments of neutral or draw.

If you can find it, the Big Bertha V Series Driver is an excellent club to have in your bag and has staying power as a piece you’ll continue to enjoy for a long time.

Pros:

  • Supreme feel, performance, and sound
  • High speed and forgiveness
  • Adjustability options make this driver you won’t outgrow

Cons:

  • No longer made, so it’s tough to find

TaylorMade Aeroburner Driver

Lofts: 9.5°, 10.5°, 12°

Head Size: 460 cc

Simply put, the TaylorMade Aeroburner is a lightweight and simple aerodynamic driver that will help you drive the ball consistently.  TaylorMade decided to remove adjustability in favor of a straightforward experience, and it works very well.

The speed pockets are enlarged, offering extra ball speed on off-center hits, and the light weight of this club makes it really easy to swing.  The club even sounds nice, offering a nice crack when hit.

Bottom line, the Aeroburner is an awesome driver at a reasonable price point that you can pick up and play with, especially for seniors with swing speeds under 100 mph.

Pros:

  • Very approachable (just grip it and rip it!)
  • No need to mess around with adjustability
  • Excellent feel, performance, and distance

Cons:

  • Not recommended for players who swing faster than 100 mph

Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Driver

Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 10.5° (Draw Bias), 12°

Head Size: 460 cc

Cleveland’s Launcher HB Turbo driver may look a bit basic, but don’t let this fool you: this driver packs some great technology and performance.

The HB stands for HiBore Crown technology, which moves the weight lower and further back on the club head, allowing the driver’s crown to flex more at impact which increases ball speed and improves launch, all while keeping spin low.  These are all key characteristics we’re recommending you seek out in a senior driver, and the HB Turbo really is the complete package.

The Cup Face of the driver offers a large sweet spot, and the Flex-Fin sole makes sure your mishits stay in play.  Both of these result in a very forgiving driver that lets you drive the ball further and minimizes shanking – all at an affordable price point.

Pros:

  • Competitive price point
  • Understated design will suit most players
  • Huge sweet spot and overall forgiveness

Cons:

  • Lacks adjustability options

Callaway Epic Flash Driver

Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°

Head Size: 460 cc

Callaway went high-tech when creating the Epic Flash, using AI and machine learning to create a new and unique club face design that enhances ball speed.  They then paired this with their other ball speed enhancing jailbreak technology to create a club whose performance is one to seriously be reckoned with.

The Epic Flash isn’t just about speed, though.  This senior driver has plenty of forgiveness, is lightweight, and has some adjustability features to promote draws or fades as well.

The end result is a really solid driver that you won’t outgrow as your swing speeds and skills improve, making it a top contender for high handicappers best drivers.

Pros:

  • Top-rated player and critic favorite from a trusted brand in golf
  • Excellent performance and ball speed
  • Adjustability and versatility in a single club that won’t be easily outgrown

Cons:

  • A bit pricier at the mid-upper range of drivers on this list (under $350)

TaylorMade M6 Driver

Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12° 

Head Size: 460 cc

TaylorMade set out to push the limits when they created the M6No, reallythey calibrate each driver to make sure it’s as close to the game’s legal limits as possible!

TaylorMade’s Speed Injection process maximizes the M6’s delivery on ball speed and distance, while Twist Face technology provides better forgiveness on off-center hits, reducing side spin.

The slot on the bottom of the club, dubbed Hammerhead 2.0, helps to deliver a larger sweet spot and bring even more forgiveness to the table.  Loft and lie can be adjusted into 12 different positions as well.

Tests have shown that the M6 is consistent at being one of the longest drivers in golf – while still offering a great amount of forgiveness – making it a great choice for any senior golfer.

Pros:

  • Large sweet spot
  • Better spin correction on mishits
  • Engineered for long shots 

Cons:

  • Limited adjustability options

Callaway Mavrik Max Driver

Lofts: 9° (Adjustable 8°-11°), 10.5° (Adjustable 9.5°-12.5°), 12° (Adjustable 11°-14°)

Head Size: 460 cc

The Callaway Mavrik Max is bar none the best driver for high handicappers out there.  This driver combines incredible forgiveness and a solid feel, with great shot-shaping options and strong distance, then goes the extra mile and wraps it up in a great-looking package.

This long senior driver features interchangeable weights, an ultra-thin and large club face for a larger sweet spot, and slice-reducing capabilities.

Don’t just take our word for it: over 98% of people who bought the Mavrik Max recommend it, too.

Pros:

  • Great feel and incredible Distance
  • Max forgiveness
  • Adjustability options are available without getting too complex

Cons:

  • High price point
  • Priced higher than other drivers in our top picks

Cobra King Speedzone Xtreme Driver

Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12° 

Head Size: 460 cc

As its name suggests, the Speedzone Xtreme was designed for extreme forgiveness, speed, and distance – and this driver delivers on all three.

There’s a huge club face on this driver, making mishits less likely.  The design of this club makes it easier to control, gives you better acceleration power, and the ability to achieve higher launches with low spin.

An interchangeable weight on the sole of the driver also allows you to dial in performance.

Pros:

  • Interchangeable weights offer adjustability options
  • Lightweight, high-performing driver with a lot of forgiveness
  • Huge club face = huge sweet spot

Cons:

  • Price point may not be within the reach of all golfers (upper range)

TaylorMade M4 Driver

Lofts: 9.5°, 10.5°

Head Size: 460 cc

While not the newest driver on the block, the TaylorMade M4 features great looks and a ton of forgiveness for a solid, reliable club that just works.  TaylorMade’s twist-face technology works to straighten your ball flight and increase ball speed, making drives more consistent and increasing game enjoyment.

One beautiful thing about this driver is the simplicity: no adjustments, just great performance and forgiveness.  If you can find an M4, be sure to snag it!

Pros:

  • No-frills performance and a ton of forgiveness
  • Great-looking driver from a trusted name

Cons:

  • Can be a little harder to find
  • Upper-mid range pricing

Pinemeadow Golf PGX Offset Driver

Loft: 10.5°

Head Size: 460 cc

Pinemeadow is slowly climbing the ranks as a respected golf equipment brand, and entries like the PGX Offset Driver only helps bolster that reputation.

This simple yet sleek driver has a great feel to it and has an enlarged sweet spot on the club face, making it a highly forgiving driver suitable for most beginners and high handicappers.

Pinemeadow even offers some adjustability features not often seen in offset drivers, such as an adjustable hosel and additional weights that can be added to the club head to suit each player’s preference.  The PGX Offset Driver is also really great for fighting slices, so be sure to pick this up if that’s something you’re trying to correct.

Did we mention the price?  This thing is an absolute steal at under $75, making the Pinemeadow PGX Offset Driver our top budget pick, and is a great driver for most beginners looking to get some enhanced performance above and beyond their standard set of clubs.

Pros:

  • Crazy affordable price point at under $75
  • Extra adjustability options in an offset driver
  • Huge sweet spot & highly forgiving driver
  • Lightweight and approachable

Cons:

  • The weights can be complicated to adjust

What Problems Do Senior Drivers Solve?

Senior golfers are dealing with a different set of challenges than other golfers, so the best golf drivers for seniors have specific characteristics to help overcome these issues.

Slower Swing Speeds

As players age, they’ll typically experience loss of muscle mass and flexibility, which results in decreased swing speeds.

Less Precision

As stamina and strength lessens over time, senior players may find that club control is more difficult particularly with heavy clubs, impacting their shot precision.

Lower Launch Height

Reduced strength and flexibility and the results those have on your swing and follow-through can impact your ability to get the ball higher in the air.


How Senior Clubs Can Help Your Game

There are a four key characteristics that make certain drivers better for others for seniors which we’ll outline below. 

Lightweight

The best drivers for seniors are lighter than regular drivers, which helps to keep swing speed high and increase club control.

Flexible Shafts

Senior drivers use a specific Senior Flex and also incorporate graphite shafts to help with that flex, assisting with increased distance and helping to overcome slower swing speeds.

Higher Lofts

Higher lofts in a senior driver help keep shot distance as high as possible by increasing the launch angle.

Larger Sweet Spots

Senior drivers feature larger sweet spots to offer additional forgiveness on mishits that may result from reduced club control or accuracy.


Best Drivers for Seniors: Buyers Guide

Now that we’ve covered the key characteristics of senior golf drivers and what issues they aim to fix, let’s dive deeper into what you need to know before making a final decision.

What to Consider When Buying a Senior Golf Club Set

There are a few personal aspects of your game that are going to be extremely helpful as you narrow down your choices and help you find the best senior golf driver for your situation.  Read on to see what you’ll need to be familiar with.

Your Swing Speed

One of the biggest issues senior clubs aim to help with is to make up for the loss of swing speed as senior players continue to age.

If you’re not sure of your swing speed, there’s a simple way to determine your swing speed.  Use the following formula:

Find your average driving distance by adding your drive totals together (typically 20 or more drives is recommended) and dividing by the total number of drives

Subtract a “roll factor” of 5% of the drive average by multiplying your average driving distance by .95 (average driving distance x .095).

Divide your average driving distance minus roll factor by 1.75, which will determine your ball speed at impact.

Divide your ball speed at impact number by 1.5 to calculate your estimated swing speed.

If that all seems too complicated, you can use the ranges below to categorize the speed of your swing:

  • Average Swing Speed: Average drive of 220 yards or less
  • Medium Swing Speed: Average drive between 220-260 yards
  • High Swing Speed: Average drive 260 yards or more

Your Average Distance

The best senior golf drivers are designed to help you increase your distance by offering larger sweet spots and lighter club weights.  

Consider your average driving distance and how that compares to your past distance – if you’ve seen a dropoff despite consistent play and practice, it may be time to consider a senior set of clubs.

Your Budget

It’s important to have a clear amount in mind when looking at new drivers in order to make sure you can get the best club for your price range.  

You’ll see that senior drivers are slightly pricier than standard ones – this is due to the fact that most senior golf clubs feature all-graphite shafts, which cost more to produce than steel shafts.

Club Length

All of the best drivers for seniors that we’ve reviewed offer standard length shafts.  

If your current set is steel-shafted, you’ll notice that the graphite shafts in all drivers measure about ¼” longer than their steel counterparts, but feel and play just like a steel driver.

If you’re above 6’1”, shorter than 5’6”, or are experiencing physical issues that limit your posture, definitely consider a modified club length to fit your frame and abilities, as this can have a huge impact on the playability of your clubs and overall enjoyment of the game.

Forgiveness

Consider your current game and if you have any issues that need correcting, such as slices, draws, or accuracy issues.  

Many of the best drivers for seniors have increased forgiveness and additional features that will help correct these issues and improve your performance.

Things to Look for In Senior Golf Drivers

So far, we’ve covered what problems the best senior drivers aim to fix, how they fix them, and what you should know about your personal game before deciding on your next set.

Now, we’ll walk through what specifics to look for to make sure you find the perfect set of senior clubs. 

Shaft Weight

The weight of your shaft plays a large role in your swing performance.  Aim for a shaft that weighs 60 grams or less, as you’ll benefit from the easier handling and increased swing speed that a lighter shaft will offer.

Shaft Design

The design of the shaft can help make some great improvements, specifically in weight distribution and shaft length.  

Look for clubs that increase weight toward the grip of the shaft which can help improve accuracy. 

Also look for clubs with extended shafts, as that will assist with increasing your swing power and speed.

Offset Club Head Design

An offset club head simply means that the face of the club is set on the back of the hosel, which helps minimize spin and decrease slice.  

Slice often becomes an issue with senior players as their grip strength starts to decrease – both an offset club head as well as larger grips can help to mitigate this issue.

Shaft Flex

Increasing the flex of your shaft can make a huge improvement to your power.  

Although some senior golfers may prefer a stiff shaft due to the feedback it offers, there is a big tradeoff in power and distance.

Look for a club featuring a senior flex – nearly all of the best golf clubs for seniors we’ve reviewed here feature a senior flex.

Loft

The loft angle of your club head directly impacts the distance of your drive by affecting the ball’s launch angle at impact.  The higher the loft, the higher your launch angle.

Look for clubs that feature lofts of up to 15 degrees to get improvement in your game, especially if you’re experiencing less distance or overall slower swing speeds.

Club Face and Club Head Design

It’s critical to hit the ball in the sweet spot in order to get the best performance and accuracy from your shot.

If you’re experiencing any issues with accuracy, look for clubs with a larger face and perimeter weighting that will offer more forgiveness on mishits. 

Grip

If your grip is too stiff, it can cause issues with accuracy and swing performance.  Adding thicker and/or softer grips can help with your club control.  

Some sets of clubs may also offer these as part of the existing setup.

Consider A Hybrid Club

Hybrid clubs combine the shaft lengths of irons with the forgiveness of woods to bring an unmatched ease of use and playability to your bag.  

Some of the sets we’ve reviewed in this guide offer hybrid clubs, and you should consider them if you’re looking for more game improvement.


Best Golf Clubs for Seniors: Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is Considered a Senior Golfer?

According to the rules of golf and many golf tournaments, golfers 50 and over are considered senior players.  This is regardless of their handicap.

Why Do Seniors Benefit From These Specific Drivers?

The best drivers for seniors are specifically designed to address common issues among golfers later in life, which are reduced swing speed, decreases in strength, and lower ball trajectory.

Having clubs that assist in these three key areas will improve your score and continue to make playing golf more enjoyable.

How Much Should I Expect To Pay For A Senior Driver?

You should be prepared to spend at least $100 at a minimum and an average of about $250 for a new senior driver.

Do I Need A Senior Flex Shaft?

Most senior golfers will see benefits and great results from using a senior flex shaft.

To be sure, you should consider the following key characteristics of your game and play style:

  • If you can hit farther than 230 yards with your current clubs, you most likely will not need Senior Flex shafts (although a senior flex may still benefit you).
  • If you’re struggling with slicing the ball, a senior flex may help you. 

What Loft Angle Do I Need For A Senior Driver?

To figure out which loft angle is best, you’ll first need to find your swing speed (reference our guide above on how to do that easily).

Once you’ve got your swing speed calculated, use the following method to determine your recommended loft angle:

  • Swing Speed = 100mph or more: 9 to 11 degrees of loft
  • Swing Speed = 90mph-100mph: 11 to 13 degrees of loft
  • Swing Speed = 80mph-90mph: 13 to 15 degrees of loft
  • Swing Speed = lower than 80mph: 15 degrees of loft and higher

How Can I Increase My Swing Speed As A Senior?

Although there are many factors that influence your swing speed, there are three core functions that play the biggest roles: 

  1. Precision – hitting the ball in the center of the club face (sweet spot)
  2. Launch Angle – minimizes spin
  3. Speed – the speed of your clubhead

Precision is affected by your swing stance and accuracy.  Although there’s no magic wand to make this easier, having a club that offers more forgiveness will help you in a big way, since having a forgiving club that offers a larger sweet spot will help take better care of you on mishits.

There’s a common misconception about speed we want to clear up: commonly, golfers tend to think that swinging harder at the ball will increase speed.  

While this is technically true, many golfers tend to sacrifice balance, accuracy, and stability for that speed, and the tradeoff results in a lack of precision, making it just not “worth it”.

The lighter club weights and senior flex in the best senior golf clubs will help you maintain (or increase) your swing speed without trading off your accuracy, stability, and balance.

One of the toughest parts for most golfers is striking the balance between launch angle and spin.

Most modern sets of clubs (including those designed for seniors) have technology built in that works to reduce spin, as do some models of modern golf balls.

Which Launch Angle Should I Aim For As A Senior?

The rule of thumb here is that the lower your swing speed is, the higher of a launch angle you want to aim for.

Assuming that most players will have a swing speed of 105mph or lower, the ideal launch angle is 14.5 degrees with a spin rate of 2,800 rpm.

Do I Need A Club Fitting For A Senior Driver?

This really depends on two key factors: your budget and your skill level.

A club fitting is a great idea if you’re an experienced player looking for an expert opinion, or if you may need longer or shorter clubs rather than standard.

If you’re a new player, we don’t recommend a club fitting – instead, you should opt for lessons or more time at the driving range in place of what you’d spend on a custom fitting.

If you’d like to learn more, see our guide to the club fitting process so you’ll know exactly what to expect and to get the most value from your experience.

How Can I Find Out My Swing Speed As A Senior?

If you’re not sure of your swing speed, there’s a simple way to determine your swing speed.  Use the following formula:

  1. Find your average driving distance by adding your drive totals together (typically 20 or more drives is recommended) and dividing by the total number of drives
  2. Subtract a “roll factor” of 5% of the drive average by multiplying your average driving distance by .95 (average driving distance x .095).
  3. Divide your average driving distance minus roll factor by 1.75, which will determine your ball speed at impact.
  4. Divide your ball speed at impact number by 1.5 to calculate your estimated swing speed.

If that all seems too complicated, you can use the ranges below to categorize the speed of your swing:

  • Average Swing Speed: Average drive of 220 yards or less
  • Medium Swing Speed: Average drive between 220-260 yards
  • High Swing Speed: Average drive 260 yards or more

What Are The Best Golf Balls for Seniors?

The best golf balls for seniors work to minimize spin while promoting mid-to-high flight.  Take a look at our reviews of the best golf balls for seniors and our golf ball selector guide to help you find your best match.


Conclusion

We hope you’ve learned a thing or two about how to choose the best seniors set of clubs from this guide.  Again, our top pick is the TaylorMade RBZ Driver due to its huge sweet spot, spin reduction, and ease of control, which makes it an excellent driver for seniors at a very reasonable price point.

Regardless of whether you go with our top pick or not, just be sure to keep all of this information in this guide in mind during your search and you’ll be guaranteed to choose the best set of beginners clubs for your specific needs.

If you’re looking for an entire new set of clubs, be sure to check out our guide to the best golf clubs for seniors, and if you’ve got a little room left in your budget, we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best golf rangefinders for you as well.

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