Most Forgiving Driver in the Past 5 Years?

[DoubleDrops]

I'm considering upgrading my driver.  I'm looking for something that is long but ultimately my priority is to find one that is forgiving.  Just based on the market's offerings in the past 5 years, which driver would you recommend?

[03trdblack]

Ping g425 or g430 Max. Close thread 

[bmbsawy]

2 minutes ago, 03trdblack said:

Ping g425 or g430 Max. Close thread 

This is the correct answer

[aquapig]

Nothing I've tried in the last few years has been as forgiving as my ST190. Sure some might give me a few more yards on center strikes, but the reason the ST190 stays in my bag is it's a fairway finder. 

[jeppy64]

May not be the most popular opinion, but for me, the Cleveland HB Turbo has never let me down and will be in the bag until something else beats its' performance, looks and price combo.

 

Here's a write up of it if your curious: https://pluggedingolf.com/cleveland-launcher-hb-turbo-driver-review/

[puresurfr]

8 minutes ago, bmbsawy said:

This is the correct answer

 

 

+1

[03trdblack]

9 minutes ago, jeppy64 said:

May not be the most popular opinion, but for me, the Cleveland HB Turbo has never let me down and will be in the bag until something else beats its' performance, looks and price combo.

 

Here's a write up of it if your curious: https://pluggedingolf.com/cleveland-launcher-hb-turbo-driver-review/

 

If they had made this club adjustable, I would have given it more of a look. Face was too closed and bonded hosels need to just ride off into the sunset. 

[DixieD]

Cobra Speedzone xtreme, a better sounding ping max.

[Booker]

Any of the max series from ping is your best bet for forgiveness. 

Ts 1 and tsi 1 would be in the conversation as well. 

Most of the other manufacturers first priority is hp. 

[Dabetic]

I am sure there are other good options as I don't tool around much w new clubs, but I have been shocked w recent purchase of the Paradym Triple Diamond. Man I've hit that thing all over the face and can't believe how far some of them have gone - in hindsight, I came from a relatively unforgiving driver previously, Callaway XR Pro - so probably came in w low expectations, but again if in the market for a new forgiving driver I recommend trying out the Paradym. It's hot

[msg]

Ping G400, 425, 430 MAX.

 

Tour Edge has one and I forgot the model. Same with Mizuno. 

 

Or basically anything that has the weight pulled way back of the driver sole / head. 

Edited April 26, 2023 by msg

[IC3BURGH]

Ping G4XX

[Ghostwedge]

2 hours ago, 03trdblack said:

Ping g425 or g430 Max. Close thread 

This^ ^ ^ 

G400 - G430, this is your list.

[leftycoast]

Just moved into Ping G425 max, dispersion was my issue, and its frustrating because now I'm having to learn an entire new game.

 

Its different having a clear shot into greens on 2nd shot AND I have to learn how to hit off of fairways. This is new, its gunna take a while, but I keep finding myself on short grass. I don't know how many strokes its saving me but so far I've dropped an average of 12 .....minutes cleaning my shoes at end of round.

[ShortSticks]

16 minutes ago, Ghostwedge said:

This^ ^ ^ 

G400 - G430, this is your list.

 Ditto

[Binson]

I keep finding drivers I'm slightly longer with (mostly due to lower launch and higher swing speed/ballspeed). But, then I hit a few squirrelies into trouble or OB and I'm back to my G400 Max. 

 

I have literally hit the G400 Max multiple times so poorly that only half the ball hit the toe of the head and somehow I'm in play.  

[ShortSticks]

24 minutes ago, Binson said:

I keep finding drivers I'm slightly longer with (mostly due to lower launch and higher swing speed/ballspeed). But, then I hit a few squirrelies into trouble or OB and I'm back to my G400 Max. 

 

I have literally hit the G400 Max multiple times so poorly that only half the ball hit the toe of the head and somehow I'm in play.  

Same here.

 

I foolishly sold my original G400 MAX when the G425 MAX came out. The G425 MAX was a great driver, but it set up a little odd for me and I struggled mightily with a bad case of the lefts. Tried countless shafts, weights, lengths, set-ups etc before finally giving up on it a year later.

 

A Callaway Rouge ST MAX was next promising similar forgiveness and more distance. It delivered the distance part, but not the same forgiveness. It also set up odd to me and the draw bias meant more left of lefts.

 

I finally came to my senses and found a practically new G400 MAX at 2nd Swing Golf and I found NIRVANA again. It looks great at address and I hit it dead straight almost every time. Are there longer drivers out there, sure, but I am convinced there are none as straight as the GOAT.

[phizzy30]

8 hours ago, 03trdblack said:

Ping g425 or g430 Max. Close thread 

Agree 100%.  I tested the G430, MAX and LST.  They are all forgiving to a certain degree, but the MAX was the most forgiving in terms of dispersion.  Has to be the super high MOI.  Not the longest/fastest but consistent ball speed retention across the face. 

Edited April 27, 2023 by phizzy30

[JetSpeed79]

PXG Gen 5

 

Never more than one fairway over from the fairway I was actually aiming at. Remarkable. 

[muniman]

I agree with everybody that has suggested Ping Max series drivers, but...don't sleep on the Mizuno ST-Z, or ST-X series. I find them to be a very forgiving driver.

Edited April 26, 2023 by muniman

[AdExec]

I just played my 2nd round with a TSR2 and I think it’s worth a mention. It’s fast off the face. Spins less than some of the other forgiving models and has already made me saw wow at how some mishits have turned out. 

[PureStrikes54]

Ping will always be the MOI goat but the Sim 2 Max for a slight increase in ball speed with great forgiveness is a contender.

[dmgiffen]

Radspeed Extreme and G425 Max were the two most forgiving I have played. 

[97nismo]

Surprisingly I think the TM m3 is easy to hit but I may be in small group that feels this way

[Buschlight]

Tsr2 you can make a real hacker-scoop swing with it and still be in the first cut.

[PureStrikes54]

2 hours ago, 97nismo said:

Surprisingly I think the TM m3 is easy to hit but I may be in small group that feels this way

 

Agree, but for me both weights had to be all the way back in the fade and draw settings. Gotta bump the MOI up a ton. 

[zjory]

Another vote for the G425. This club picks up ball marks very clearly so I can see where I’m hitting it on the face. And it’s all over. Imprint shows a lot of balls missing center face, yet I don’t often miss the fairway. 

[lambo428]

I've owned the G400 Max, G410+, G425 Max, G430 LST and of these the G400 Max was the best all-around driver with better distance. I've also owned Titleist TS2 and TSi3 and they're a no-go; XXIO 10,PXG 0211, Mizuno: nah; Callaway Rogue ST Max D - inconsistent, on and on.  

 

But the Cobra LTDx series and Radspeed series with the proper shaft will out duel all comers and give you longer distance too.  I like the Cobra LTDx LS because I am able to dial in my shot shape with the weight movement and adapter settings better than the others.

[97nismo]

Only issue I have with ping and titleist drivers is while it’s forgiving the all black driver heads seem be tough to hit center each time and I found myself missing more.

 

For that reason it was unforgiving to me…

[Goober8]

19 hours ago, leftycoast said:

Just moved into Ping G425 max, dispersion was my issue, and its frustrating because now I'm having to learn an entire new game.

 

Its different having a clear shot into greens on 2nd shot AND I have to learn how to hit off of fairways. This is new, its gunna take a while, but I keep finding myself on short grass. I don't know how many strokes its saving me but so far I've dropped an average of 12 .....minutes cleaning my shoes at end of round.

I’ve got a fitting scheduled tomorrow for the 425 / 430. I just came back to the game and ima have to quit soon if I keep losing balls lol. Looking to upgrading from the Rbz stage 2 tour. I’m expecting a bit difference.