Longest Golf Drivers 2024: Our Head-to-Head stick-slinging contest reveals the Kings of Distance.
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Looking to maximize distance in 2024? Today’s Golfer crunches the numbers to reveal our shortlist of monsters for players looking to eke out every last yard.
Longest Golf Drivers – Jump To:
If you’re looking for the best golf driver to take your game to the next level we hope that you’re willing to entertain a few other factors than pure distance alone.
One of the biggest challenges associated with making a purchase of equipment today, especially buying a driver to add you some more distance to your game, is just simply the overwhelming choice. With every brand offering not only competing drivers but also multiple drivers within their latest product lines, it can be difficult to get to grips with every option.
Add this to the different explanations for how technology and the benefits therein, it’s always best to seek advice from a trusted source regarding where to begin and what might work out best for you. This could even be the case of replacing a driver model from 2023 that you’ve had custom fitted to your exact needs, and we’d still like to chase down further distance.
That said, we can’t blame you for wanting to extract every last yard from your physical exertions on the tee box. Strokes gained research highlights the importance of a strong performance off-the-tee if you’re to shoot lower scores and distance plays a big role in this, enabling you to play your approach with a more controlled club in hand. And who doesn’t get a psychological boost from bombing a drive 30 yards past your mates…
The longest drivers on the market are typically branded as low-spin (LS) by their manufacturers and are aimed predominantly at high-swing speed players who can consistently find the middle of the club face. This doesn’t mean that LS models are the only way forward for achieving more distance, however. Maximizing yardage depends on how well the launch characteristics of your driver marry up with your swing. It’s highly individualized, and many medium to slower-swing players may hit further with a more forgiving model that’s higher spinning and easier to launch.
While it was no surprise to see the majority of our Test Pro’s longest drives coming from 2024’s best low-spin drivers, he still produced extremely competitive carry distances with models that featured in our most forgiving drivers guide too. It goes to show how the latest technology is helping manufacturers offer highly appealing combinations of distance and forgiveness. For most club golfers, it’s worth asking if this added playability outweighs the odd yard or two up for grabs from perfectly struck low-spin models.
Best At A Glance
Best overall for distance: Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke TD | Buy Now – US | Buy Now – UK
Best for ball speed: TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver | Buy Now – US | Buy Now – UK
Best for distance with forgiveness: Cleveland Launcher XL2 | Buy Now – US | Buy Now – UK
How to choose a driver for maximum distance
If distance is your sole aim for your next purchase, however, we suggest identifying a shortlist of low-spin power machines that fit within your budget and booking a custom fitting session to run the numbers. It’s the only sensible place to start if you want to ensure your setup is optimized to help extract every last yard. So many variables contribute to a successful drive, and blindly trusting the manufacturer’s promise that their latest offering is the longest of them all would be doing your game a disservice.
Only through analyzing launch characteristics such as ball speed and launch angle with a professional club fitter will you be able to objectively identify the club head and setup that will likely help you maximize distance. And just as importantly, if not more, is choosing the best driver shaft to complement the clubhead. The right driver shaft will offer you maximum distance and consistency, while also feeling good and giving you confidence. It’s not until you have all this data in front of you that you’ll find yourself in a position to make the most informed decision.
For more buying advice you can jump down to our buying guide and read through more key considerations before parting with your cash. To give you a headstart on potential options, let’s take a look at which models made our test pro’s longest leaderboard in 2024.
Longest Golf Drivers 2024:
Callaway's smart-faced and low-spinning offering for 2024.
If you do fit the bill and your game is based on consistent hitting at high speeds, we found that our test data highlights the TD as a brilliant performing low spin driver in 2024. At 276 yards carry distance, it was just a single yard back from the very longest and was our test pro’s 2nd longest low-spin driver, posting an overall shot area (593 yds2) just inside our test average. This is a seriously fast, powerful, and strong low-spin driver option, so strong it ranks among our top two performing low-spin drivers of 2024 (alongside the TaylorMade Qi10 LS).
TG Test Pro Data (Denali S shaft – Back Weight):
Ball Speed: 161.9 mph | Backspin: 2099 rpm | Carry: 277 yds | Shot Area: 424.5 yds2
Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond driver review.
Pros
- The new Smart Face concept is a really clever idea to tailor drivers more to your game.
- With four models to choose between, there's a driver solution in the Ai-Smoke family for everyone.
- Expect a good-looking, fast, and lovely-sounding driver.
Cons
- Remember this is the least forgiving driver in the Ai-Smoke family.
| Lofts | 8° / 9° / 10.5° |
| Stock shafts | Project X Cypher 2.0 (high launch), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue (mid launch), Project X Denali Black (low launch). |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360. |
The low launch and low spin weapon of choice of Rory, Tiger, and Scottie.
In our fastest ball speed setting we discovered the LS was just 2 yards back from our test pro's very longest low spin driver, and once dialed into his preferred and more stable Mitsubishi Diamana X flex shaft, the shot area tightened by 84.3% to 179.2 yds2 – the 2nd smallest in our entire test. If you’re a high-speed player I’d advise studying how the LS compares to TaylorMade’s brilliant Qi10 Max driver too. TaylorMade staffer and world number 12 Collin Morikawa has already realized the forgiveness benefits of playing the Max head while giving up very little in terms of ball speed and distance.
TG Test Pro Data (Diamana X shaft):
Ball Speed: 160.4 mph | Backspin: 2260 rpm | Carry: 274 yds | Shot Area: 179.2 yds2
Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver review.
Pros
- I love how the Infinity Edge crown does away with the unforgiving look of the sliver of titanium at the front of the head.
- A great option for high-speed players looking to control spin.
- Long-term TaylorMade fans will love the head shape.
Cons
- A great driver, just be aware it's the least forgiving model in the Qi10 family.
| Lofts | 8° / 9° / 10.5° |
| Stock shafts | Mitsubishi Tensei AV Limited Blue 65 (X/S/R) | Low launch – Mitsubishi Tensei AV Ltd Black 65 (X/S). |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Z-Grip Plus 2. |
An absolute beast of a low spin driver for the best ball strikers.
Best for carry distance
On our spreadsheet the TSR4 posted the 2nd fastest ball speed of our entire 2024 low spin driver test, it was also our test pro’s longest low spin driver of the year. By posting the 3rd lowest backspin number in our entire test, be aware that this is a seriously low-spin option, meaning that we feel it should only ever fall into the hands of very high-speed players. As good as the performance is, if you’re attracted to any Titleist TSR driver in the first half of 2024 I’d recommend holding off to first see what comes down the Titleist pipe next, which should be sometime between high summer and early autumn.
TG Test Pro Data (10°, Tensei Blue shaft):
Ball Speed: 162.4 mph | Backspin: 1921 rpm | Carry: 277 yds | Shot Area: 589.0 yds2
Read our full Titleist TSR4 driver review.
Pros
- A sleek and beautiful-looking driver.
- Excellent ball speeds and carry performance.
- An ultra-low spin driver with low penetrating flights.
Cons
- Only playable for the highest swing speeds and consistent strikers.
| Lofts | 8°, 9°, 10° |
| Stock shafts | HZRDUS Red CB, Tensei AV Blue, HZRDUS Black 4G, Tensei 1K Black. |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride TV 360. |
A sweeter performance no matter where shots hit the face.
At 272 yards the Max was our test pro's longest-carrying forgiving driver of 2024 (with and without a non-stock shaft). Unexpectedly, we liked that this model (with the stock Tensei Blue shaft) also gave our test pro his tightest shot area across two test days. With shots being grouped into an area 37.6% smaller than our second-placed driver (the TaylorMade Qi10 Max) and 61.8% tighter than the test average. Just bear in mind though that dispersion figures usually change from session to session, so we can't say this model will necessarily be more accurate on the golf course over a season than a 10K MOI driver.
TG Test Pro Data (Tensei S shaft):
Ball Speed: 161.5 mph | Backspin: 2212 rpm | Carry: 272 yds | Shot Area: 210.6 yds2
Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Max driver review.
Pros
- The new Smart Face concept is a really clever idea to tailor a driver more to your game.
- With four models to choose between, there's a driver solution in the Ai-Smoke family for everyone.
- These are good-looking, fast, and lovely-sounding drivers.
Cons
- These are some of the most costly drivers on the market.
| Lofts | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts | Project X Cypher 2.0 (high launch), Mitsubishi, Tensei AV Blue (mid launch), Project X Denali Black (low launch). |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360. |
Going against the grain in 2024 by targeting speed and distance.
We found that with 22 yards of carry distance differentiating between our test pro’s longest and shortest shots with the LS, the model produced our 2nd largest shot area of the entire low spin test. The models' offline average was 1089 SQ YDS, which is 494.1 SQ YDS larger than our test average and doesn’t make great reading if you need a degree of forgiveness built into your low-spin driver. My advice would be if forgiving low-spin drivers are what you need take a look at the Ping G430 LST instead. However, by posting a carry distance of 273 yards the LS is no slouch when it comes to power, that’s just 3 yards down on our longest but playable low spin driver this year.
TG Test Pro Data (Lin-Q Blue shaft):
Ball Speed: 159.9 mph | Backspin: 2007 rpm | Carry: 273 yds | Shot Area: 1089.0 yds2
Read our full Cobra Darkspeed LS driver review.
Pros
- Incredibly soft and responsive feel off the face.
- Fantastic workability thanks to MyFly adjustability and interchangeable weights.
- Outstanding aesthetics - looks great in the bag and behind the ball.
- Makes a very sweet sound.
- Quality stock shaft offerings.
Cons
- Not the most forgiving head so might not suit many average golfers.
| Lofts | 8° / 9° / 10.5° |
| Stock shafts | UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X White, Project X HZRDUS Matte Black. |
| Stock grip | Lamkin Crossline. |
Perhaps the best value long-forgiving driver of 2024.
Up there at 272 yards carry distance it’s the longest forgiving driver (tied with the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max) our test pro hit this year, producing the 3rd fastest ball speeds. We liked that the XL2 flighted shots lower and with less spin than our test averages, hitting the ground at a shallower angle and running further. Not bad traits, although average swing-speed players may benefit from more spin to keep the ball in the air longer to help carry.
TG Test Pro Data:
Ball Speed: 162.6 mph | Backspin: 2033 rpm | Carry: 272 yds | Shot Area: 384.0 yds2
Read our full Cleveland Launcher XL2 driver review.
Pros
- Lots of driver for the money.
- Designed for club golfers and very forgiving.
- Great looking head shape.
- It's long!
Cons
- You won't see it played on Tour.
| Lofts | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts | Mitsubishi Tensei AV Series Blue, Aldila Ascent PL 40 (XL2 Draw) |
| Stock grip | Lamkin Crossline 360. |
One of the most accurate low-spin drivers available in 2024.
Best for accuracy
Our test pro racked up a 271-yard average carry distance with the 0311 which wasn’t quite our very longest. But considering the model is at the forgiving end of the low spin driver spectrum, we found it to be very respectable and marks the 0311 GEN6 out as offering a good blend of speed and forgiveness. The one metric that stands out to us is shot area and dispersion. The 0311 GEN6 ranks as our most accurate low-spin driver of 2024. At 147.6 SQ YDS, that’s 75% smaller than our test average which is a seriously impressive performance.
Read our full PXG 0311 GEN6 driver review.
Pros
- Our most accurate driver on test in 2024.
- Good blend of speed and forgiveness.
- Great acoustics and looks.
Cons
- At the forgiving end of the spectrum.
| Lofts | 7.5° / 9° / 10.5° |
| Stock shafts | Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue, Mitsubishi Diamana S+, Aldila Rogue Elite Blue, Project X Cypher, Project X Smoke Blue RDX, EvenFlow Riptide. |
| Stock grip | PXG Z5 Black. |
Ping's G430 MAX 10K pushes driver forgiveness to the absolute limit.
For our test pro Neil Wain the 10K wasn’t quite his fastest or longest driver of 2024, as we’d expect of a super-forgiving driver. But, posting a carry distance just 4 yards back from the very longest (with a stock shaft), whilst being the most forgiving driver on the market (along with the TaylorMade Qi10 MAX) is a truly first-class performance. No matter what level you’re at, if you put a premium on finding the fairway and plan on buying a new driver in 2024, we'd say you’re doing your game a disservice if you don’t at least have this model on your shortlist to try.
TG Test Pro Data (9°):
Ball Speed: 163.1 mph | Backspin: 1993 rpm | Carry: 270 yds | Shot Area: 542.4 yds2
Read our full Ping G430 MAX 10K driver review.
Pros
- You'll struggle to find a more forgiving driver.
- Suited to a wide range of golfers.
- Ping's first proper mass-market carbon crown driver, fill your boots while you can.
Cons
- Some will complain about the louder sound, I say don't let it put you off.
| Lofts | 9° / 10.5° / 12° |
| Stock shafts | PING’s ALTA CB line, Tour 2.0 Chrome, Tour 2.0 Black. <br>Third-party: HRDUS Smoke Red RDX, Mitsubishi Kai’li White. |
| Stock grip | Golf Pride Tour Velvet. |
Longest Golf Drivers 2024: The Data
Below is the data from our independent testing of the longest drivers on test in 2024. Only those drivers that achieved a carry distance from our Test Pro of over 270 yards have been included in the shortlist above, however, you can read about all the other models in our golf club review pages.
| Driver | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Backspin | Height | Descent Angle | Carry Distance | Shot Area |
| Titleist TSR4 (10° – Tensei Blue) | 162.4 MPH | 10.8° | 1921 RPM | 28 YDS | 32.8° | 277 YDS (1) | 589 SQ YDS |
| Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke TD (Denali S – Back Weight) | 161.9 MPH | 11.2° | 2099 RPM | 31 YDS | 36.2° | 276 YDS (2) | 424.5 SQ YDS |
| TaylorMade Qi10 LS (Tensei Blue S) | 163.6 MPH | 10.7° | 2338 RPM | 32 YDS | 37.8° | 275 YDS (T3) | 1148.4 SQ YDS |
| Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (Ventus Blue S) | 161 MPH | 11.9º | 2246 RPM | 34 YDS | 38.6° | 275 YDS (T3) | 406.8 SQYDS |
| Cobra Darkspeed LS (Lin-Q Blue) | 159.9 MPH | 11.8° | 2007 RPM | 31 YDS | 35.7° | 273 YDS | 1089 SQ YDS |
| Cleveland Launcher XL 2 | 162.6 MPH | 9.3º | 2033 RPM | 25 YDS | 31.4º | 272 YDS | 384 SQ YDS |
| PXG 0311 GEN6 (Aldila NV Green) | 161.1 MPH | 10.5° | 2240 RPM | 30 YDS | 36.9° | 271 YDS | 147.6 SQ YDS |
| Ping G430 Max 10K (9º) | 163.1 MPH | 9º | 1993 RPM | 23 YDS | 30.1º | 270 YDS | 542.4 SQ YDS |
*All lofts at 10.5° unless otherwise stated.
How we tested the drivers
We asked the leading brands to send us their 2024 drivers in our Test Pro Neil Wain’s specs.
We created an indoor test lab at Keele Golf Centre to ensure a controlled environment, which meant we could use premium Titleist Pro V1x golf balls and a Foresight GC Quad launch monitor to create the most reliable data possible. We rejected major misses but recorded how shots launched, span, peaked out, and how far they flew in which direction.
See more about how TG tests golf clubs and other equipment.
Longest Golf Drivers: Buying Guide
Upgrading your big stick is a decision worth taking some time over, not just because it’s a substantial investment, but second to your putter, it’s the club you reach to most and it therefore needs to warrant its place in your bag. Here are some key considerations when choosing a new driver to help you maximize distance off-the-tee.
Ball speed
Not surprisingly, ball speed is a key consideration here as this is what ultimately dictates your distance potential. The smaller footprints and aerodynamic designs of low-spin drivers permit higher swing speeds enabling increased energy transfer through the ball, leading to greater carry distances. Having a more aerodynamic design is one thing, but seeing it translate into more ball speed is what matters, which is why we always suggest collecting independent launch monitor data on the range or via a custom fitting session.
Spin rate
RPM stands for ‘revolutions per minute’ and is the measurement used to quantify rotational speed such as how much backspin has been applied to a golf ball immediately after impact. Unlike MOI, spin rate is not fixed and is highly individualized with every player delivering the club differently through the ball. As an example, our test pro didn’t always see a reduced spin or notably higher ball speeds when hitting the TaylorMade Qi10 LS model compared to the Qi10 Max, this going to show why purely going off model names without running your numbers can be a mistake. The average spin rate for drivers on the PGA Tour is in the region of 2700 RPM.
MOI
It’s important to consider if a balance of distance and forgiveness will serve you better than an all-out monster in the distance department. Forgiveness is quantified using MOI (moment of inertia), measured in grams per centimeter squared, and defines how resistant the club face is to twist on impact. Low spin models are the least stable as weight is distributed forward in the clubhead to maximize energy transfer through impact. While you will not find low-spin models with MOIs as high as the forgiving counterparts, they are becoming increasingly competitive, with some models getting close to 8000 g/cm2.
Adjustability
Having the ability to tinker with loft and lie is something that can pay dividends for all levels of golfer when trying to dial in the optimal setup that will maximize distance potential. This adjustability, now commonplace in the latest driver releases, enables you to achieve launch angles and spin rates that best suit how you deliver the club through the ball. Further, drivers with interchangeable weight ports or sliding weight mechanisms are handy for customizing ball flights with a draw or fade bias, straightening up, or accentuating your natural shot shape.
Custom fitting
Dialing in your optimal set-up with a custom fitting session is important for all equipment, but imperative when considering buying a club that you will depend on so heavily across your round. A host of variables, including the driver shaft, contribute to optimizing a driver’s potential, and only through objective measurements on a launch monitor will you understand the setup that will enable you to produce the results you desire.
Confidence
You can’t necessarily put a number on it, but standing over the ball and feeling like you’re going to rip it straight down the middle time after time is massive. If there’s something that doesn’t look or feel right, be it weight distribution or an off-putting crown for example, then factor this into your decision as confidence is king when you’re standing on the first tee.
Budget
As with most things in the golf world, prices for drivers can vary considerably. Value for money is subjective; therefore, you should spend however much you feel comfortable with, be it a premium model or one with a more competitive price point. Powerhouse driver brands such as Ping, TaylorMade, and Callaway will typically be positioned at the top end of the market, however, there is excellent value to be found with other brands such as Cobra, Wilson, and PXG – and you might just find the best cost-per-yard performance where you least expect it.
Longest Golf Drivers: FAQs
Which driver hits the furthest?
The longest driver for one golfer may not be the longest for another, so doing your own testing is always recommended. Today’s Golfer has found the Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond, TaylorMade Qi10 LS, Titleist TSR4, and Cobra Darkspeed LS to be among the longest golf drivers when tested in the hands of a pro.
What does low spin on a driver do?
Low-spin drivers are designed for fast-swinging players who require the ball to penetrate through the air with moderate launch and optimal roll-out. It’s important to ensure you have sufficient ball speed if you are considering a low-spin driver, otherwise, the ball could drop prematurely, resulting in lower carry distances than your swing deserves.
Can a driver be too low spin?
Absolutely. Whilst players with very fast swings normally benefit from reducing spin rates to maximize distance, drives with too little spin tend to fall out of the sky sooner, thus reducing carry distance and total yardage. Depending on your swing speed and ball speed, there will be an ideal launch angle and spin rate that provides the maximum distance for you. This is why getting custom-fitted for a new driver is essential.
What is MOI?
MOI is a term used in physics to objectively describe how much resistance an object has to turn about its axis. It stands for ‘Moment of Inertia’ and is used by golf club manufacturers to measure the resistance a clubhead has to twist throughout impact. The higher the MOI, the more stable the club is deemed to be. Scores in the region of 10,000 g/cm2 provide the very highest levels of stability and are generally better suited to beginners and high-handicappers.
What driver does Rory McIlroy/Tiger Woods use?
Every day golfers like to use the same equipment as the tour pros, which is one of the main reasons manufacturers spend millions of pounds on equipment contracts to secure the game’s biggest names to play their brand. But it’s important to remember that what’s best for Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, or any other elite tour pro, may not necessarily be the best driver for you. Elite tour pros boast swing speeds of over 115mph, which not many club golfers can match.
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About the author
Simon Daddow – Today’s Golfer Equipment Editor
Having tested and played more than 10,000 clubs in his life, what Simon doesn’t know about golf clubs isn’t worth knowing.
He spent a large part of his career as a golf club maker and product development manager, and has worked in the golf industry for more than 30 years. He joined EMAP Active (now Bauer Media) as Equipment Editor in 2006 and has worked for both Today’s Golfer and Golf World.
You can contact Simon via email and follow him on Twitter for loads more golf equipment insight.
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Longest Golf Drivers 2024
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Neil Wain is the Today's Golfer golf test professional.
