Is it worth getting a new driver?
James Craig
Published Jan 08, 2026
The new driver has to be better weighting, higher ball speed, and an overall better fit. Some people will go to a fitting for a new driver they have their heart set on and find they don't hit the ball as far as their current club. This has everything to do with shaft weighting, flexibility, torque, and kick point.
Is it worth it to buy a new driver?
The quick answer is, Yes. A new/better driver can help any player, but it isn't a magic wand and may not be worth that size investment. Nothing replaces good old-fashioned practice. There are several things to consider before you spend a small mortgage payment on a new club.
Will a new driver help my slice?
A new driver on its own may not completely cure your slice, but the correct driver sure will keep your shots far straighter and on the fairway. As a golf pro, I have taught many golfers who do not have the right equipment for their golf swing – hopefully, this article will help you avoid such mistakes.
How long will a new driver last?
How Long Do Golf Drivers Last? A driver has about a five-year lifespan. For those who play golf often, drivers will likely have less than a five-year lifespan.
Do drivers lose distance over time?
Unless the club head has been damaged, golf drivers are unlikely to lose distance over time. The club would need to be used thousands and thousands of times before it began to suffer from metal fatigue, which, even for professional players, is rare.
23 related questions foundDo new drivers hit the ball further?
Newer drivers have newer technology that helps give golfers more distance but it depends on the year it was made in terms of drastic differences in length. A 20 year-old driver will have less distance than a new driver. Ball speed and driver faces are two factors that have changed over time.
How can I tell my swing speed?
Divide the average yardage by 2.3. This number represents your average club head speed in miles per hour, according to the book "Science and Golf III." If 195 is your average drive distance yardage, 84.7 mph is your approximate swing speed.
Does a stiffer shaft reduce slice?
If your club shafts are too stiff, you'll have trouble loading them properly during your downswing. When the clubhead gets to the ball, the shaft won't unload properly and the face will remain slightly open, causing a slice.
What is the best driver to stop a slice?
Best Drivers For Slicers - Best Anti Slice Drivers
- Ping G425 SFT Driver. Most Forgiving Anti-Slice Driver. ...
- Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver. ...
- TaylorMade Stealth HD Driver. ...
- Honma T//World GS Driver. ...
- Callaway Epic Max Driver. ...
- Cobra LTDx Max Driver. ...
- Titleist TSi1 Driver. ...
- Tour Edge Hot Launch E521 Driver.
Should I replace my 7 year old driver?
Keep in mind that 3 to 5 years of use is a general guideline and differs for all golfers. If you play 30 to 40 rounds per year then based on normal wear and tear you should consider getting a new driver every 5 years. If you play less than that, then you could wait for 5 to 7 years.
How often should I replace my driver?
For most golfers, you'll want to replace your driver every five years. Golf drivers do not wear out as easily as they did even 15 years ago. If you treat your driver well, there's no reason it cannot last multiple seasons. And yes, that even goes for golfers that play frequently.
Are more expensive drivers better?
As a rule, expensive drivers are of a higher quality than cheaper drivers and will likely improve your game.
Does lower loft driver go further?
Lower lofts can provide more energy transfer at impact because there's less of an oblique angle. It's why your 7-iron flies farther than your 8-iron. In our test, drivers with less loft consistently produced more ball speed, even for low swing-speed golfers (3.2 mph more compared to the 10.5 and 12-degree drivers).
What happens when you change loft on driver?
Here's what you need to understand: adjusting the loft means changing the face angle and vice versa. This is counterintuitive, but if you experiment with your own adjustable driver you'll see that it's correct. Set the driver to the highest loft and you'll see a closed face.
Does lowering driver loft open the face?
When you reduce your club's loft, you're also decreasing the angle of your clubface. On the other hand, if you increase your loft, the face angle will be open. This rule is true for loft adjustments on the irons, driver, and hybrids.
What happens if my iron shaft is too flexible?
A golfer using a shaft that is too flexible may experience a ball flight that is too high, a ball that spins too much, or a shot pattern that has inconsistent dispersion.
What happens if my iron shafts are too light?
Too light of a shaft encourages an early unhinging of the wrists in the downswing, a swing flaw shown here with an iron known as casting that robs you of speed. Mucklow's data also shows that a heavier shaft improves your swing path.
When should I switch from stiff to regular?
If you're between 97 and 104 mph with the driver, you need a stiff flex. Regular – Now we are getting into the range where a majority of recreational golfers fall, and also where many LPGA pros fall. If you're between 84 and 96 mph, regular is going to be best for you.
What is a good swing speed for a 7 iron?
An average golfer will swing a seven iron about 75 mph. This number can change based on the weight of the club and if it is steel or graphite. The faster you swing a seven iron, the further it will go. If you can swing at about 85 mph, you will see distances closer to 165 yards.
What loft is best for a driver?
The ideal driver loft depends on your swing speed and the attack angle. Average players that swing the club less than 95 MPH will likely find that a 10.5-degree driver performs the best. Better players who can control their drives and want the most distance will lean more towards a 9-degree driver.
Are new drivers more forgiving?
This has resulted in golf clubs having more forgiveness in the lower heel and upper toe of the clubface. If you are playing with an older driver and tend to miss in either of these two areas, a new driver may help you improve your game.
Are 20 year old golf clubs any good?
There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.
How much difference does a good driver make?
As a general rule, expensive drivers are of high quality than cheaper drivers and can add distance and provide a better connection with the ball, but they may not make a huge difference to your game. They often come with adjustable weight settings that help add a natural draw or fade to your shots.
Is it harder to hit a 9-degree driver?
Is A 9-Degree Driver Harder To Hit. Golfers with slower swing speeds may find the 9-degree driver too difficult to hit consistently and achieve maximum distance. However, golfers with high swing speed will benefit from the lower loft.