
As much as we hate to admit it, the older we get, the more likely we are to lose distance.
Getting older means less muscle, less speed, and generally, less distance. While aging is part of life, the good news is that golf club companies can help solve part of the problem.
In fact, switching to the right driver might do wonders for your game. If Phil Mickelson can win the PGA Championship at 50 (while hitting 300+ yard bombs), I’m confident you can minimize the loss of distance too.
Keep reading to find the best new gear for your game.
To keep your distance up, regardless of age, you need to remember a few things:
We’re confident that these drivers will help you hit it long and straight off the tee… even if you are playing up a tee box. Here are our best picks:
Cleveland has a winner in 2022 with the Launcher XL series. The best driver for seniors is the XL Lite Draw model as it has a massive sweet spot and is incredibly lightweight.
The “Lite” version of the Launcher drivers are 12 grams lighter than the normal version, which helps increase swing speed. Not only is it lighter, it’s also slightly longer (.25 inches), which also directly correlates to more distance off the tee. The built-in draw bias will help straighten out your ball flight which will also help increase distance.
While there is no adjustability with this driver, it’s already engineered perfectly for most golfers. If you don’t need help with your draw, you can always buy the normal “Lite” model instead. This club comes with a super lightweight, high launch/high spin shaft that also promotes distance too.
The TaylorMade Stealth HD driver is a great fit for senior golfers, thanks to its hot clubface and built-in draw bias. Plus, it’s one of the best looking clubs on the market and easy to see why it’s been such an early success for TaylorMade.
This driver is one of the best looking on our list with its black and red clubhead design. It’s also shaped for speed.
As TaylorMade said on their website, “The Asymmetric Inertia Generator creates advanced aerodynamics at the most critical phase of the swing – the moment right before impact.” This leads to more speed, higher MOI, and extra forgiveness.
While there are three options available, the HD is best for senior players. It has a light Fujikura Air Speeder 45 gram shaft with regular or senior flex shaft options. Plus, you can get the 12 degree loft which will also help get the ball launching higher and faster.
Callaway has had a ton of drivers in the past few years, but one stands out for seniors above the rest – the Epic Max Star. While the Epic Max and Rogue ST Max are great clubs, they’re much heavier than the Epic Max Star.
In fact, it’s the lightest club they have ever designed and is 52 grams lighter than the Epic Max! Aside from being lightweight, it still has A.I. Flash Face technology which leads to more distance and their Jailbreak Frame which helps with better accuracy.
The club is also great looking with its black and gold design. You’ll notice on the top of the club it also comes with a sliding weight track, which is rare in lightweight clubs.
One of the ways manufacturers make them so much lighter is by reducing adjustability, but Callaway found a way to keep it. Which is great because you can adjust it to a fade, neutral, or draw setting by sliding the weight. It’s nice to see a club with adjustability and a beautiful, lightweight design.
Finally, it comes with the lightest shaft we’ve seen – the UST Mamiya Speed Series. This shaft is only 30 grams and available in light, regular, or stiff flex. It’s low kick point means high launch and more distance.
The new Cobra drivers are engineered for distance above all else. Of the three models, the LTDx Max is the best fit for seniors.
The LTDx Max is a low-mid spin driver with high launch and is the most forgiving of the three new drivers in 2022. What’s great about this club is the insane amounts of adjustability. You can adjust the weights in the back or heel of the club to get up to 18 yards to draw!
Plus, using PWR-COR technology, it minimizes spin, which also helps improve distance. The best part is the aftermarket shafts that come stock with this driver. Choose from a huge selection of shaft flexes and weight options that will compliment your golf swing.
You can also choose from two colors; black/yellow or navy/red for your clubhead. This driver combines extreme forgiveness with a heel weight to straighten out that slice.
The final driver that is a great fit for seniors (and high handicappers) is the Titleist TSi1. Titleist offers four different models, but this is the most forgiving of the bunch. While it’s wildly forgiving and easy to hit, it still looks like a player’s club too.
The TSi1 has an all black, 460CC clubhead that prioritizes distance and forgiveness above all else. Titleist describes this club, “For players with moderate swing speeds seeking an ultra-lightweight configuration to help maximize distance. Features super-lightweight components and a deep, face-centered CG for increased launch and exceptional ball speed.”
Everything about that club is engineered for a lightweight design – from the grip and even the metals in the clubhead. Like Callaway, they kept adjustability with the adjustable sleeve to shape your ball flight and trajectory. This driver also comes with a lightweight, Aldila Ascent UL shaft in 35 or 40 gram models. If you aren’t sure if you should get the TSi1 or a different model, make sure to watch this one-minute YouTube video
While using the right driver is important, there are other things you can do to minimize distance loss as you get older. Here are four ways to keep hitting it long, regardless of age:
While distance is important, don’t forget Bobby Jones’ famous quote, “Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course – the distance between your ears.” Sure, distance is important and it’s fun to hit it long, don’t forget it’s not everything.
After you buy one of these drivers, make sure to keep the rest of your game sharp too. Specifically, your short game, so you can save strokes around the greens.
Even as you get older, make sure to keep swinging and having fun on the golf course. It’s one of the few sports you can play the rest of your life.
What do you think is the best driver for senior golfers? Did we miss one from our list?
Make sure to let us know in the comments below!