The current crop of drivers have something for everyone but it’s clear that forgiveness is an overarching theme in the class of ‘24.
Many 2024 drivers boast record-breaking levels of MOI and stability, which should, in theory, straighten things up off the tee for everybody this year.
So, which drivers should you road test this year? Find out below and make up your own mind…
NEW DRIVERS IN 2024
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke
TaylorMade Qi10
Cobra Darkspeed
PING Max 10K
Mizuno ST-Max
Cleveland Launcher XL2
XXIO 13
CALLAWAY PARADYM Ai SMOKE
A follow-up to last year’s Paradym but the addition of Ai Smoke makes it feel fresh. Callaway fed tens of thousands of data points extracted from real golfers into their supercomputer to create their most advanced driver face yet: the Ai Smart Face.
What’s new?
A.I. Smart Face.
What’s returning?
Carbon chassis.
The models
Ai Smoke Max: modern head shape for max forgiveness and adjustable perimeter weighting for up to 19 yards of correction
Ai Smoke Max D: draw-biased driver with stretched head shape that will cancel out a slice
Ai Smoke Max Fast: lightweight, easy-to-swing driver with stretched head profile. The most forgiving Ai Smoke driver.
Ai Smoke Triple Diamond: compact head shape designed for workability off the tee and a low-spinning, low-launching ball flight.
Who’s using it
Rahm, Schauffele, Min Woo and Minjee Lee.
The inside word
All that artificial intelligence and machine learning has positioned “micro deflections” all over the Ai Smoke’s face, which provides extra pop and forgiveness where golfers actually need it. The carbon chassis is now lighter and stronger (although it now includes some aluminium for extra support) and the weight savings have been redirected low into the club head to improve launch and forgiveness. Ai Smoke is a great name and it'll attract plenty of attention.
TAYLORMADE Qi10
The significance of 10K will probably be lost on many but TaylorMade are making a big deal of their record-breaking MOI. The Qi10 (Quest for Inertia 10K) represents a not-so-subtle shift for TaylorMade, with forgiveness the focus rather than the traditional speed-dominated offerings.
What’s new?
Infinity crown. 10K MOI (Max model).
What’s returning?
Carbon fibre twist face.
The models
Qi10: clean head shape produces a mid-high launch, mid-low spin ball flight and an even blend of distance and forgiveness
Qi10 LS: low-launch, low spin ball flight creates a penetrating trajectory for fast swing speeds. Compact head shape promotes workability and adjustable sole weighting offers ball flight tuning.
Qi10 Max: stretched front-to-back head profile offers maximum forgiveness (10K) and mid-high launch and mid spin characteristics
Who’s using it
Rory, Scottie, Tiger, Tommy Fleetwood.
The inside word
It’s a little confusing but the Max model is the only Qi10 driver that exceeds 10K MOI. The Max has an enormous head profile that will probably be too much for some but that’s how TaylorMade have engineered stability and forgiveness into the driver. Kudos to TaylorMade for the new adjustable weighting system on the LS model, which is surely is the most svelte example of its kind, but the standard Qi10 model does seem a little lost in the scheme of things. The carbon fibre face returns, this time with some extra support. The Qi10’s blue colour scheme should be far less polarising than the red Stealth era and that alone could make the Qi10 one of TaylorMade’s most popular drivers.
COBRA DARKSPEED
It’s the most aerodynamically efficient driver in Cobra’s history and that helps the Darkspeed excel in the speed and distance departments. It’s also had the A.I. treatment, with a redesigned PWR-Bridge that improves ball speed.
What’s new?
Aero head shape, PWR-Bridge weighting
What’s returning?
PWRSHELL and H.O.T. Face.
The models
Darkspeed LS: designed for fast swing speeds and workability. Offers low-spin/low launching ball flight and compact head shape.
Darkspeed X: Traditional sized head shape offers speed and forgiveness. Back weighted design offers mid spin/low launch ball flight.
Darkspeed Max: The most forgiving Darkspeed driver. Oversized head profile creates high launch and draw bias cancels out a slice.
Who’s using it
Rickie, Gary Woodland
The inside word
The Darkspeed offers a brooding aesthetic and turns up the temperature with ball speed and launch improvements. Reduced aerodynamic drag is the message but Cobra’s revised H.O.T. Face also does some great work within the context of higher club head speeds. As you’d expect, the Darkspeed Max is the most forgiving model but feels lost amid all the hyperventilating around 10K offerings from TaylorMade and PING. The Max also offers a strong draw bias that will straighten up a slice, perhaps the most of the Big 5 draw-biased offerings. The X model has excellent dispersion for higher swing speeds, which leaves the LS as the low-spin bomber. The Darkspeed teases with its looks, and its performance moves the needle. It should shake the perception of Cobra being a “third wheel” in driver testing.
PING G430 MAX 10K
Although it’s outside of PING’s two-yearly release schedule, the Max 10K is an interesting addition to the G430 driver line-up. Was it solely to counter TaylorMade’s claim as their Qi10 Max being the only 10K MOI driver in the game? It does seem suspicious, but the truth is no-one does forgiveness like PING.
What’s new?
CarbonFly wrap Crown. Fixed rear weight.
What’s returning?
Spinsistency Face.
The models
PING G430 Max 10K: PING's most forgiving driver ever. Huge fixed back weight pushes mass low and rearward in a stretched head profile to create speed, forgiveness and accuracy all over the face.
Who’s using it
Cameron Champ
The inside word
It would be easy to dismiss the Max 10K as a rushed job to counter TaylorMade’s Qi10 10K claims but PING’s ethos is to never release anything until its performance has been extensively validated. Forgiveness has always been front and centre in PING drivers so is the Max 10K is just giving PING fans more of what they want? Absolutely! The massive fixed rear weight is calling all the shots in the 10K race. If you’re going to road test the TaylorMade Qi10 Max, trying out the PING Max 10K at the same time is a must.
MIZUNO ST-MAX 230
Mizuno launch their own high MOI model in 2024, with the Max model joining the ST-230 line-up. It’s a competitive space but Mizuno are offering something slightly different, although it’s not quite 10K; ST-Max 9K doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.
What’s new?
Stronger and faster titanium face. 54g back weight. Longer stock shaft.
What’s returning?
CORTECH Chamber.
The models
Mizuno ST-Max 230: Wide and low profile head shape is confidence boosting while 54g back weight does the heavy lifting. It's the most forgiving and stable Mizuno driver ever.
The inside word
Mizuno's extended product cycles means the ST-Max is a new addition to the ST-230 driver line-up, rather than a replacement. It joins the ST-X, ST-Z and ST-G and like most drivers featuring the Max postscript it’s got a huge head profile. However, Mizuno have done an excellent job in with the ST-Max’s optics because it looks more like a classic driver compared to other Max models. The trade-off, however, is Mizuno’s Max doesn’t quite measure up in MOI, otherwise it would’ve been called the ST-Max 10K. While it’s less Max-like, the ST-Max has the advantage of being an accessible head shape for many players.
CLEVELAND LAUNCHER XL2
Packed with technology, Cleveland’s Launcher XL2 driver might be the driver that puts Cleveland back on the metalwoods map. It looks a bit squashed and there’s not an ounce of carbon fibre to be seen, but Cleveland have borrowed the Srixon Mainframe design to expand forgiveness in the areas that will actually help players hit it closer to the centre line.
What’s new?
Larger face profile. A.I. Mainframe. Hosel adjustability.
What’s returning?
Counterbalanced grip.
The models
Launcher XL2: Designed for moderate to fast swing speeds, the XL2 offers high launch/mid spin flight off the tee. Impressive forgiveness and adjustable hosel allows ball flight tuning.
Launcher XL2 Draw: Aimed at beginners and high handicappers, the XL2 Draw is draw biased. It'll stop a slice and adjustable hosel can further tune ball flights.
The inside word:
When a driver includes XL in the title, the expectation is of a game improvement bonanza. Yes, the Launcher XL2’s target market is probably higher handicaps and recreational players. But the driver gets much of the same technology used in Srixon ZX and XXIO drivers thanks to Cleveland’s IP sharing agreement. The Launcher XL2’s main concern is to help players find the fairway off the tee, with the XL2 suited to fast-to-medium swing speeds and the XL2 Draw aimed at medium-to-slow swing speeds (with a hint of draw thrown in). It’s a cheaper option than any of the Big 5 driver offerings but can the Launcher XL2 compete against those carbon fibre laden, A.I, designed drivers? For some players, it might be closer than you think.
XXIO 13
Japanese brand XXIO has often been viewed as a luxury golfing brand. But the truth is, XXIO follows a tried-and-tested formula of lightweight, brilliantly engineered drivers for slow-to-medium swing speeds.
What’s new?
Bi-Flex Face.
What’s returning?
ActivWing. Rebound Frame.
The models
XXIO 13: Lightweight driver designed for slow swing speeds.
XXIO X: XXIO's driver for fast-to-moderate swing speeds.
The inside word
If you’re not already in the segment of golfers the XXIO 13 drivers are aimed at, the undeniable truth is you will be one day. Lightweight performance is the signature of the new XXIO 13 driver, designed for swing speeds under 90mph. For anyone who isn’t a retiree, the XXIO X is your driver. Both drivers share the Srixon/Cleveland Rebound Frame but XXIO have tweaked it to suit their needs and called it BiFlex. It’s a progressive version of the Rebound Frame that maximises ball speed from toe and heel strikes. The XXIO 13’s soft, buttery feel is hard to ignore while the X model opens up the XXIO brand to more golfers. Is it worth the premium price? To be honest, all the mainstream brands seemed to have caught up with XXIO so it’s not really an issue anymore.