What is the Best Driver in Golf? (2025)

What is the best driver in golf? That’s exactly what YouTuber and golf creator Andrew Jensen set out to answer when he polled his audience across YouTube and Instagram. The results? A surprising amount of love for older models—with the 2016 TaylorMade M2 and the Ping G425 topping the charts.

But how do these drivers actually stack up in today’s game?

To find out, Jensen sourced both clubs from NextRound Golf, strapped in a consistent Ventus Black shaft, and ran a no-nonsense test focusing on ball speed, spin, carry distance, and forgiveness. No editing. No cherry-picked shots. Just raw numbers.

The Contenders: Best Drivers of the Last 20 Years?

Based on audience feedback and performance potential, Jensen tested:

• TaylorMade M2 (2016)
• Ping G425 (2021)
• Cobra DS Adapt (2025) – A wildcard to represent the latest driver tech

Each club was tested under identical conditions, with the same shaft (minus one short-shaft trial with the Ping G425) to keep the data clean and fair.

TaylorMade M2 (2016): Still a Speed Demon

The fan favorite from the poll, the 2016 M2, showed why it’s still in the conversation nearly a decade later:

Pros:

• Explosive ball speed—almost matching modern drivers
• Huge distance potential—some shots carried over 310 yards
• At just $125 on NextRound, it's incredible value

Cons:

• Inconsistent spin and forgiveness
• Mishits led to major drops in carry (as low as 276 yards)
• Not as predictable—distance and ball flight varied shot to shot

“This club still GOES... but only when you catch it clean,” Jensen notes.

Ping G425 (2021): Built for Forgiveness

A more recent model, the Ping G425 is known for being ultra-forgiving, and it proved that in this test.

Pros:

• Great on mishits
• Solid dispersion and spin control
• Perfect for golfers who prioritize consistency over distance

Cons:

• Slightly slower ball speed than the M2 or DS Adapt
• Spin was a bit higher, limiting carry for faster swingers
• At $280 used, it’s not quite a bargain compared to older models

“It’s not the longest, but it’s the most predictable,” Jensen says.

Cobra DS Adapt (2025): Modern Tech on Full Display

The DS Adapt is a newer release—and it showed off everything modern driver tech is capable of.

Pros:

• Most consistent spin and dispersion
• Tightest shot grouping
• Fastest average ball speed of the bunch

Cons:

• Higher price point (retail)
• Lacks the nostalgia factor of the M2

“It’s not about being perfect every swing—it’s about limiting your worst ones. That’s what the DS Adapt did best,” Jensen explains.

What’s the Verdict? The Best Driver Depends on Your Priorities

So, what is the best driver in golf? According to Jensen’s real-world test:

• If you’re chasing raw distance and ball speed on a budget, the TaylorMade M2 is still elite.
• If you want maximum forgiveness, the Ping G425 delivers with consistency.
• If you’re ready to upgrade to the latest tech, the Cobra DS Adapt gives you the best overall performance.

"Do you need a new driver every year? No. But if you're 5+ years behind, there are meaningful upgrades to be had." – Andrew Jensen

Where to Buy the Best Golf Drivers

Looking to get your hands on one of the top drivers from this test? We’ve got you covered. Two of the clubs featured in Andrew Jensen’s review—including the fan-favorite 2016 M2—came straight from our collection.

Whether you're hunting for a budget-friendly bomber or the latest tech in driver design, explore our curated selection of used golf drivers. Each club is inspected for quality and priced to help you upgrade without overpaying.

Browse Used Drivers Now – from classics to current releases.