Top Five Best Drivers for Seniors

PING G400 Driver

OUR Choice

Callaway Rogue Driver

Cobra King F8 Driver

Callaway GBB Epic Driver

Choosing the best drivers for Seniors to use

There are some major considerations that should be taken into account before purchasing a driver.

What to Look for in getting the Best Drivers for Seniors

While the basic rules involving choosing golf drivers still apply, we first need to remember that seniors may be dealing with other physical challenges besides the lay and mechanics of the green. Arthritis, reduced mobility and vision issues are three common situations. Although we are by no means stating that the older generation needs to be provided with an entirely different design, the fact of the matter is that some variables tend to be more important than others. So, where do we begin?

DEALING WITH THE LAUNCH ANGLE

This is arguably the most confusing aspect to deal with when choosing a driver for seniors, as launch angle can sometimes be overlooked. First and foremost, launch angle is defined as the angle at which the ball leaves the face of the club as soon as it is hit. It only makes sense that higher loft angles tend to lead to greater distances. However, let's also remember that speed often influences this very same angle. It is a good idea to break this notion down into an easy-to-interpret chart:

Angles between 13 and 15 degrees: Swings between 70 and 80 miles per hour.

Angles between 12 and 14 degrees: Swings between 70 and 80 miles per hour.

Angles between 11 and 13 degrees: Swings between 80 and 90 miles per hour.

Angles between 10 and 12 degrees: Swings between 90 and 100 miles per hour.

Angles between 9 and 11 degrees: Swings over 100 miles per hour.

It is therefore a good idea to choose a driver with a higher loft angle in order to maximise the distance that can be covered on the green.

Lightweight and Yet Flexible

This next suggestion involves more common sense and yet, it should still be mentioned. Lightweight drivers are easier to manipulate and they can also help to address issues such as arthritis in the fingers or wrists. Still, purchasing a club with a moderately flexible shaft will add to your yardage due to the responsiveness of the head upon impact. Experiment with different flex/weight ratios in order to determine which combination best suits your requirements. This video helps to explain more about how shaft stiffness can affect your shots.

Shaft Length

It is a well-known fact within golfing circles that longer shafts tend to produce longer drives due to the excess levels of momentum that they produce during a swing. While there is no doubt that longer shafts directly equate to swing speeds, might they also impact your accuracy? If you find that you are in the rough more than should be expected, the chances are that you are utilising a driver with a shaft that is too long.

There are several advantages of shorter shafts for senior golfers. The most obvious is that shorter shafts will help to produce compact and tighter swings. Also, a decreased length helps to reduce heel shots while simultaneously enabling you to find the centre of the club face and the coveted sweet spot. Not only is this critical if you hope to reduce your handicap and remain outside of the rough, but increased visual acuity is also ideally suited for those who might have vision issues.

Larger Club Faces

Accuracy is always the name of the game in golf and the same holds true for seniors. This is why many experts recommend choosing a club with a larger face (anywhere over 450 millimetres). This will provide you with a more reliable source of contact; even when hitting at unusual angles. Let us also keep in mind that larger club faces will always equate to more forgiving sweet spots (3). If you notice that you are frequently heeling the ball or otherwise making poor contact, the chances are high that this has something to do with the dimensions of the club face.

Weight Distribution

As we have already seen, weight is a key component when choosing the best drivers for seniors to use. While a lightweight club and a flexible shaft are always important, the distribution of the mass also needs to be closely examined. Most seniors prefer clubs that have been engineered to have the weight focused towards the grip as opposed to the club head itself. This arises from the fact that both distance and accuracy can be increased without sacrificing comfort. To put it simply, it wise to choose a model with a heavier grip in favour of one with a more robust club head.

The Grip of the Driver

This is one of the most overlooked aspects of senior golf clubs and ironically, it is also one of the most important. The type and length of grip will directly impact the "feel" of the club and as a result, your levels of overall accuracy. From a general point of view, men with average-sized hands should choose a grip length between seven and eight inches. Women will normally feel comfortable with grips between six and seven inches (although these could naturally vary depending upon the size of your hands).

Customised Loft Angles

We have already mentioned loft angles earlier in this article. While the previous section was meant to provide general guidelines, what if you need to adjust this angle? Many modern drivers are fitted with customised mechanics that can be adjusted based upon your specific needs (3). This is also great if you cannot afford purchasing multiple drivers of different angles. Some of the top names in the business produce high-quality drivers that can be modified when needed. While the face angle will affect the loft, other features such as the weight of the club head might also be able to be modified. This brings us to the next major section.

Callaway Rogue Driver

Callaway has always enjoyed top marks within the golfing community and the Rogue certainly fits the bill. Not only is this new model faster and more forgiving, but a handful of other undeniable benefits include:

PROS

Patented "jailbreak" bars between the sole and the crown
A design that is 25 per cent lighter
A more streamlined club face to increase driving distances
A low CG and a high MOI

CONS

One of the most expensive drivers on the market
Internal weights cannot be adjusted

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PING G400 Driver

This is another model which emphasises the unique combination of aesthetics and a lightweight design. The PING G400 employs a massively lowered centre of gravity and "Dragonfly" technology to decrease the weight of the club even further. Some other interesting points to mention include:

PROS

Superior levels of forgiveness
A solid feel throughout the entire swing
A fully adjustable hosel
An aerodynamic appearance

CONS

Another very hefty price tag
Some feel that the size of the head may detract from their field of vision when lining up for a shot

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Cobra King F8 Driver

After nearly three years in development, the successor to the wildly popular F7 has finally hit the markets. This version is all about accuracy, so it could be a great choice if you have been struggling with consistency in the past. Some key improvements include:

PROS

A CNC-milled face
An incredible amount of forgiveness
Adjustable weight systems found within the sole
A grip sensor that can be paired with a smartphone app

CONS

Balls that are mishit might not travel as far when compared to other models
Not the most aesthetically pleasing design on the market

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Callaway GBB Epic Driver

"Epic" is certainly a word which can be used to describe this driver. The Callaway GBB was one of the best-selling models in the 2018 market and it could very well be slated for the same status in the coming year. Studies have found that the GBB provides an increase in drive distances by an average of 9.2 metres; an excellent benefit for those who are struggling with their long game. Let's take a quick look at some core benefits of this model:

PROS

Mishits are known to travel quite far
Shafts ranging in weight from between 40 and 80 grams
Massive acoustic improvements when the ball impacts the club face

CONS

The club face is not as springy when compared to other designs
Its 3G titanium bar has been known to dull responsiveness upon impact

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Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Driver

The Callaway Big Bertha also deserves a spot within this list due to its nearly universal popularity. This very well could a great model if you have been looking for an adjustable driver in order to suit personal preferences. While the red-and-silver design of the club head will certainly turn heads on the course, the real advantages are in its finer points:

PROS

Perhaps one of the best drivers for beginners due to its forgiveness
A solid feel immediately upon impact
The presence of triaxial carbon and an "Exo Cage" design both help to increase the MOI associated with this model
Boeing designers were included when envisioning this club

CONS

The Big Bertha driver might fall slightly short in terms of distance
One of the largest club heads; perhaps not the best for those who are looking for a more compact model

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And our Winner is ...

Callaway Rogue Driver

While each of the models certainly deserves praise for innovation and design, the Callaway Rogue driver is best suited for senior players. This is essentially due to the variety of shafts and club heads that are offered. Flexibility and a lightweight edge are therefore both possibilities. As opposed to providing a single design, the malleable configurations of this club are certainly worth a closer look. When we also consider the fact that the Callaway Rogue is competitively priced when compared to some of its contemporaries, the choice becomes quite clear.

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