Best Budget Golf Drivers 2023

Best Budget Golf Drivers

It’s no secret that buying a new driver has become even more expensive over the past decade or so. As manufacturers have started to invest more into new technology, new materials and all-out marketing strategies, golfers have seen the average price of the best golf drivers (opens in new tab) begin to reach the heights of $600.

For some golfers, this investment is well worth it as the new technology allows them to get the best out of their long game on course. It must also be said, that recent testing of the best new drivers has shown increases in performance every three or four years.

For others, however, these higher prices are too much money to invest in one club in the bag. However, having a driver that works well for your swing is essential to playing your best golf, so an investment needs to be made somewhere. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of the best budget golf drivers on the market right now. Our aim in this guide is to collate a group high-performing, new drivers that won’t break the bank.

For this list of the best budget golf drivers, we’ve set ourselves the challenge of finding the drivers that represent excellent value for money. All of these drivers are brand new, so no searching through eBay or any other second-hand retailers. Although, if you want to do that, we have also created a best used golf drivers (opens in new tab) guide for you here.

A crucial tip is to keep an eye out for some models that are one or two years old, as these have come down drastically in price and are still packed with modern technology. There’s plenty of other equipment from 2021 and 2022 that has gone down in price in 2023, so be sure to grab yourself a bargain!

Alternatively, check out our guides on the best drivers for slicers (opens in new tab), best drivers for beginners (opens in new tab) or best drivers for seniors (opens in new tab) if you’re after something even more specific for your game.

Best Budget Golf Drivers

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Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

PXG 0211 2022 Driver Review

(Image credit: Future)

PXG 0211 2022 Driver

Our expert review:

Specifications

Lofts :

9°, 10.5° & 12°

Adjustable Hosel:

Yes

Stock Shaft:

Multiple

Left Handed Option:

Yes, in all available lofts

Today’s Best Deals

Check Amazon

Reasons to buy

Simple but attractive aesthetics

Improved acoustics and distance

Excellent value

Reasons to avoid

–

Limited adjustability

You might be as surprised as we are that a PXG driver has made our best budget list. Despite PXG’s notoriously premium prices when it comes to its product line, the 0211 2022 driver is available at a fairly compelling price which makes it easily one of the best budget drivers on the market right now.

There are countless shaft options, in five different flexes, as well as three stock loft options for both right and left handers. However, just because this driver has a cut price, doesn’t mean you lose out on any performance.

The aesthetics of the driver have been refined from the previous model, and there is no doubt this is an aspirational, inviting-looking driver. In testing, it was also keeping up with premium models that cost $300 more! Along with the distance, there is also a huge amount of control to be had, with the strong flight excelling in windy conditions.

Read our full PXG 0211 2022 Driver Review
(opens in new tab)

The Yonex Ezone GS i-Tech Driver

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

Yonex EZone GS I-Tech Driver

Specifications

Lofts:

9° & 10.5°

Adjustable Hosel:

Yes

Stock Shaft:

EX-G02 Graphite Shaft (Other options available)

Left Handed Option:

N/A

Today’s Best Deals

Check Amazon

Reasons to buy

Excellent all round performance

Superb stability through impact

Good value

Reasons to avoid

–

Closed face at address will put some off

This was one of the surprise packages from our 2023 driver testing. Given how the price point sits well below those at the top of the market, the performance would suggest this offers excellent value for money. During our testing, the head-shaft combination created a very stable feel through impact.

The matte black crown is smart and modern and allows for a generous head size without it looking too big and cumbersome. It is worth saying the face sits a fraction closed at address which may not be for everyone but is likely to suit those whose most common miss is a slice.

Through impact, the sound/feel is louder and, we thought, slightly hotter than you will find elsewhere on the driver market this year. This should suit moderate and slower swingers (opens in new tab) in search of an ‘easy-to-hit’ feel through the strike. Overall, the performance was hugely impressive striking a superb balance between distance and accuracy.

Tour Edge C522 Driver

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

Tour Edge C522 Driver

Our expert review:

Specifications

Lofts:

9.5°, 10.5° & 12°

Adjustable Hosel:

Stock Shaft:

Mitsubishi Fubuki HL

Left Handed Option:

Today’s Best Deals

Check Amazon

Visit Site

Reasons to buy

Highly forgiving on mis-hits

Longer than expected in testing

Reasons to avoid

–

Limited stock shaft options

The Tour Edge (opens in new tab) C522 driver has been one of the biggest surprises when it was released. It’s available at an incredibly competitive price point while delivering performance on par with what golfers would expect from far more expensive drivers. In our testing, the C522 proved to be highly forgiving on mis-hits but also quite long and very consistent in terms of the ball flight it delivered.

The C522 also looks good at address. It has a larger profile that inspires confidence without sacrificing the traditional, rounded shape that most golfers like. Its aesthetics also offer a premium look that one might not expect at this cost. It is worth noting that the C522’s impact sound is a bit on the louder side but in an explosive way as opposed to being distracting or bothersome.

Additionally, the C522 does not have an adjustable hosel and is only offered with one stock shaft choice but, for around the $200 – $250 range, that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The C522 won’t fit everyone for those reasons, but it will fit the vast majority of golfers just fine, and at its price it should be a consideration for any golfer who’s looking for a solid all-around driver without having to break the bank.

Read our full Tour Edge C522 Driver Review
(opens in new tab)

TaylorMade SIM2 Driver

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TaylorMade SIM2 Driver

Our expert review:

Specifications

Lofts:

8°, 9° & 10.5°

Adjustable Hosel:

Yes

Stock Shaft:

Tensei AV Raw Blue 60, HZRDUS Smoke RDX Black 70

Left Handed Option:

Yes, available in all lofts

Today’s Best Deals

View at Scottsdale Golf

View at Amazon

Reasons to buy

Very easy to align to your target

Highly competitive distance

Reasons to avoid

–

Performance gains over SIM very marginal (player dependent)

One of the best TaylorMade drivers (opens in new tab) on the market, the SIM2 is still used on the professional circuit despite being released in 2021. Carrying over the Asymmetric Inertia generator and Speed Injected Twist Face, it can still rival some of the more recent models when it comes to speed.

The SIM2 features in multiple options, so there will be something for everyone, with the driver great for finding fairways without giving up distance. This is thanks to the enhanced alignment, bigger face and greater stability on off-centre hits.

Read our full TaylorMade SIM2 Driver Review
(opens in new tab)

Wilson Launch Pad 2022 Driver Review

(Image credit: Future)

The Wilson Launch Pad 2022 offers superb value for money at under $300, with it not only being one of the most forgiving drivers (opens in new tab) on the market, but also one of the best drivers for slow swing speeds (opens in new tab).

As you can probably guess, it is designed to be an all-out game-improvement offering, and it has been developed much further compared to the previous generation. One of the main aspects is the face design. Through research, Wilson says that average handicap players hit 68% of their shots out of the toe half of the face. So, in the Launch Pad, they’ve introduced their PKR face geometry that actually makes the striking area 5% bigger than the previous Launch Pad.

Along with the technology, it also has a very appealing aesthetic. It has a mid-sized profile down behind the ball and, whilst we personally weren’t too keen on the off-set look, there will be plenty of golfers who will benefit from the confidence this inspires.

Read our full Wilson Launch Pad 2022 Driver Review
(opens in new tab)

Cobra Radspeed XB Driver

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

Cobra Radspeed Driver

Our expert review:

Specifications

Lofts:

9° & 10.5°

Adjustable Hosel:

Yes

Stock Shaft:

Fujikura Motore X F3 (2 other options available)

Left Handed Option:

Yes, available in all lofts

Today’s Best Deals

View at American Golf

View at Amazon

Reasons to buy

Excellent feel

Cutting-edge visuals

Impressive all round performance

Three models to cater for every player type

Reasons to avoid

–

Minimal gains over previous model

–

Not everyone will experience gains in distance with accuracy through lower spin

When it was released in 2021, the Cobra Radspeed was already a superb value-for-money option. Now, just a few years later, it offers even better value at under $250, with three options – standard Radspeed, the Radspeed XB and Radspeed XD – allowing for plenty of adaptability.

The name Radspeed comes from the Radial weighting, whereby the distance between the front and back weights has been increased to create a more optimum blend of faster ball speed with low spin and forgiveness to maximize performance for all player types.

It also has forward-biased weighting with 28g positioned in the front, (16g fixed, 12g adjustable) and 10g in the back (8g fixed, 2g adjustable). The two adjustable weights can be interchanged to fine-tune the desired launch and spin performance which is why this can suit golfers who are after forgiveness or low spin qualities. It is worth noting that the model which replaced the Radspeed, the LTDx (opens in new tab), is $350, if you are willing to spend a little bit more cash.

Read our full Cobra Radspeed Driver Review
(opens in new tab)

Callaway Epic Speed Driver

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

Like other drivers mentioned in this post, the Epic 21 range from Callaway includes a number of different models and, when it was released, it featured a whole range of technology that puts it amongst the best Callaway drivers (opens in new tab) on the market.

The models on offer will likely suit faster swing players with low handicaps, with the Epic Speed slightly more compact at address. It’s worth noting that visually, when behind the ball, the three models look very different. However, all three are easy to align and undoubtedly strike an ideal balance of catching your eye without looking cheap or gimmicky.

Read our full Callaway Epic Speed Driver Review
(opens in new tab)

Mizuno ST-Z 220 Driver Review

(Image credit: Future)

Mizuno ST-Z 220 Driver

Our expert review:

Specifications

Lofts:

9.5° & 10.5°

Adjustable Hosel:

Yes

Stock Shaft:

23 options in custom fit

Left Handed Option:

Yes, only in 9.5°

Today’s Best Deals

View at Golfsupport

Check Amazon

Reasons to buy

Easy to launch

Stable ball flight

Good value

Reasons to avoid

–

Minimal difference on the previous generation

Released in 2022, the ST-Z 220 driver sits alongside the ST-X 220 (opens in new tab). The Z is the lower spinning model that should blend power and forgiveness and, as such, is aimed at the largest cross-section of golfers. It’s worth noting that both come under the $300 mark.

During our testing, we found the ball speed is up there with the likes of Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping and Titleist and, with a good fitting, we think this driver should help most golfers find some extra yardage, making it one of the best golf drivers (opens in new tab) on the market.

Featuring a mid-profile shape down behind the ball, it is confidence-inspiring without looking too big. The view of the carbon composite crown also still looks modern, premium and sleek.

Read our full Mizuno ST-Z 220 Driver Review
(opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Future)

We believe this is one of the best golf drivers for mid handicappers (opens in new tab) as the Launcher XL benefits from a larger driver head and an incredibly confidence- inspiring look at address. The length of the head from front to back has increased by 6% and the contrasting crown and face finishes mean you can see all of the loft from address.

Performance wise, the Launcher XL gave solid carry distance on an easy swing. For the wide range of players this driver is aimed at, the spin rates created with this driver will help keep the ball in the air and provide good carry distance. What’s more, its RRP sits well below the offerings from brands like Callaway or TaylorMade.

Read our full Cleveland Launcher XL Driver Review
(opens in new tab)

The Ping G410 Plus Driver

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

Ping G410 Plus Driver

Our expert review:

Specifications

Lofts:

9.0°, 10.5°, 12°

Adjustable Hosel:

Yes

Stock Shaft:

Ping Alta CB 55 Red (Multiple options available)

Left Handed Option:

Yes, available in all lofts

Today’s Best Deals

View at American Golf

Check Amazon

Reasons to buy

Great distance

Strong, powerful feel

Easy to launch with low centre of gravity

Reasons to avoid

–

Aesthetics may not suit everyone

–

Gathers tee marks on sole easily

Ping are known for making some of the most forgiving drivers (opens in new tab) money can buy, with the G410 Plus cleverly positioning the weight at the very back of the driver, maintaining low CG while also adjusting shot shape.

It has since been replaced by the G425 (opens in new tab) and the G430 range (opens in new tab), with the brand still keeping up its reputation of playability and adaptability. What’s more, you can grab the G410 Plus for under $300, which is an absolute bargain for a club that has shown great distance and forgiveness.

Read our full Ping G410 Plus Driver Review
(opens in new tab)

Tour Edge E522 Driver

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

Tour Edge E522 Driver

Our expert review:

Specifications

Lofts:

10.5°, 12° & 15°

Adjustable Hosel:

Stock Shaft:

Mitsubishi Fubuki HL

Left Handed Option:

Yes, in 10.5°

Today’s Best Deals

Check Amazon

Reasons to buy

Slice-fighting technology that works

Highly forgiving on off-center strikes

Reasons to avoid

–

No adjustability

The Tour Edge E522 driver was designed specifically to combat a slice. To do that, it has an offset hosel design, an upright lie angle, and internal weighting that has been moved toward the heel to help golfers square the clubface more easily at impact. In our testing sessions, those technological features delivered in an impressive way, as we found it difficult to hit shots that moved significantly from left to right no matter how hard we tried.

We also found the E522 to be extremely forgiving on off-center strikes in terms of dispersion and it provided naturally high launch conditions. It also has a sharp, classic look in the bag and at address in spite of the offset it presents. The impact sound that the E522 offers is on the louder, high-pitched side, which might not appeal to some golfers, and it does not have an adjustable hosel. But for players who consistently slice the ball, the E522 is certainly worth consideration, especially for those who are shopping on a tight budget.

Read our full Tour Edge E522 Driver Review
(opens in new tab)

MacGregor V Foil Speed Driver

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

Sporting a stylish matte black 460cc full titanium head with elegant lines, the V Foil Speed sits perfectly behind the ball, inspiring confidence at address. The ultra-thin face delivers significant ball speed and distance gains while the expanded sweet spot, bespoke premium lightweight graphite shaft and high MOI design add in the perfect combination of distance, control and forgiveness off the tee.

Finished off with a soft compound MacGregor grip that has been designed to provide the perfect combination of comfort and secure connection to the club, the V Foil Speed driver is packed with performance features perfectly suited to the high handicap golfer.

Read our full MacGregor V Foil Speed Driver Review

How We Test Drivers

The first thing we should mention is our overall testing ethos (opens in new tab) at Golf Monthly which is to put all products through a rigorous testing procedure to give you crucial insights into how they perform, how they compare to their predecessors and where they stack up in relation to the competition. As such we regularly attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology.

Then the first port of call to test golf clubs is usually the indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, where the team can test in a controlled environment using premium balls and the GCQuad launch monitor. We then do outdoor testing mainly at West Hill Golf Club, a course in Surrey with excellent practice facilities.

Getting more specific, our equipment specialists have hit most drivers out on the market, in testing, practice and competition play, and deduced the above models are our top picks for budget models.

What To Consider When Buying A Budget Driver

When it comes to making sure you get the right driver for your game, there are several factors to consider, chief among which is the size.

Size – The larger the clubhead, the more forgiving it tends to be. When hitting, try and take note of where you are striking the golf ball with the face of the club and see if there is any performance drops. Many drivers these days are designed to perform regardless of where you strike them off the face and you being able to see and understand that in person will help you be more confident with one model over another.

The other thing to acknowledge when looking at the size is also the looks. It is important you get a driver that suits your eye especially when it is down behind the golf ball. If it is too big, that may put you off, but if it is too small this may dampen confidence.

Draw-biased? – If you are a slicer of the golf ball then a forgiving, draw-biased driver could be the way to go to eradicate the big slices. These types of drivers won’t all of a sudden have you hitting roping draws down the fairway, but they’ll do a lot to encourage a draw shape or at least a little but less slice.

Weight – Weight has become a big factor when it comes to drivers, with most brands making models that have a weight towards the back of the head to aid forgiveness and launch. When it comes to whether you want a forgiving driver, it is worth acknowledging whether this is important to you because if not then manufacturers usually make a model without a weight there.

Adjustability – Often, the weights in drivers are moveable and adjustability of drivers has become a huge part of modern golf. Being able to tinker and change loft, lie, and many other factors, has become all the rage and if you like to try new things then a model with adjustability is worth considering.

Shaft – Some shafts have been designed to help players get as much distance as possible so it is worth thinking about which models will help you achieve those extra yards. Also check out our guide on the best driver shafts too.

Budget – Price is obviously an important factor and thankfully there are lots of drivers coming in at different price points. As you have seen in this piece, there are some great drivers out there for well under $300.

If you want to invest in the best drivers (opens in new tab) from 2022 though, you’ll be looking at around 450-500 units of your local currency. There are benefits to be had from investing this extra cash, but setting yourself an initial budget will make the search much easier.

FAQs

What is a good cheap driver?

A good cheap driver should cost you no more than $300. For this price you can still get high quality performance and a high quality look and feel. All the drivers in our guide should cross each of those factors off.