The Best Small Head Driver on the Market

Are you struggling to get distance off the tee? If so, then a small head driver is the perfect solution.

Complete with a longer, lighter shaft, it allows for a faster swing resulting in greater energy as you strike the ball. Ultimately, this translates into that greater distance you are searching for.

But you have countless drivers to choose from, so which ones are best? To help, we have compiled a list of small head drivers that will make a real difference to your game.

So, let’s check out these drivers.

Best Budget Option - Ping G400

Ping has formed a habit of producing quality clubs at a lower price, and the G400 is no different, and that’s why we view this as the best budget driver out there. Anything that costs little and makes a huge difference is a winner.

With a head weighing only 206g, this won’t feel heavy or labored in your hands. This reduced weight adds to the swing speed, and then there’s the design of the head itself.

By reducing the thickness of the face, it helps push the head through the air more easily, resulting in greater power and speed when striking the ball. Something as small as a 6% reduction can lead to an increase of 2mph, and that will add some yards.

In addition, the Ping G400 has a thinner shaft while the flexibility is also increased. Once again, this makes a huge difference to your swing speed leading to greater energy at the strike point.

Finally, the MOI here is 20% higher than average for this type of club. This makes the club far more forgiving than it should be, so it should help individuals with a higher handicap. It still has the usual 460cc volume head, but don’t let that put you off.

The Pros and Who Should Use the Club

The Ping G400 is also designed to increase speed while reducing the need for accuracy with your shot. This is quite unique as they have focused on the MOI while acknowledging a reduction in the sweet spot.

We love they have managed to do this. A high handicapper wants to hit the ball as long as possible while still hitting the fairway. We see no reason why this Ping driver cannot help with both of these points.

So, why only 4 out of 5? Well, people state that while they do get greater distances compared to most drivers, this isn’t always the case. However, it does provide that better control over the shot, so all is not lost.

The Conclusion

This driver does a superb job of slightly increasing distance off the tee while it has also managed to avoid sacrificing too much of the sweet spot. That’s why we feel it’s beneficial not only as a budget option but also if you have a high handicap. 

Also, the simplicity of the club, compared to others on the market, means you can simply step up to the tee and avoid any confusion about changing loft angles on a regular basis.

Best Mid-Range Price - TaylorMade Golf Original One Mini Driver

TaylorMade makes a habit of producing quality clubs, and this is another one that performs well for pretty much any golfer. This is still a 460cc driver, but the actual head size is smaller than other TaylorMade models, so that’s how it makes it into this list.

The club consists of titanium, steel, and carbon which gives it something of a unique touch. Golfers state this ‘improved feel’ makes a difference with their shots as it offers greater control. If your golf game is at the stage where your touch is playing a role, this club is perfect.

This control is greatly enhanced with Twist Face technology. This keeps the face straighter, allowing for smoother contact than ever before. This is key since the smaller head means a smaller sweet spot, so anything that reduces the odds of slicing or drawing your shot is welcome.

Once again, this is why you may feel drawn to the club if new to the game. Simply allowing yourself to go out there and seek to produce the cleanest contact possible while the driver does the rest to then release the stress so many new players feel.

With the club head, it blends a carbon crown along with a steel sole plate. This then pushes the center of gravity lower, offering greater swing balance and greater height off the tee. When you combine that with increased speed, you get those longer distances.

This club brings a lot to the table.

The Pros and Who Should Use the Club

This club provides high accuracy and greater control than you expect. Also, with 12 positions and a 4 degree adjustability option, it lets you play around with your shot in accordance with your swing. 

There’s little doubt you will notice a difference in swing speed. Additional technology does provide greater confidence allowing you to input more power through the swing. It’s not uncommon for this driver to add significant yardage to your drives.

So, is a point missing? There are slightly cheaper brands on the market, so that may put some people off checking this out. However, the main issue is the higher spin levels off the tee if you don’t strike the ball cleanly. If you aren’t in control of your shot, then your drives could become slightly wayward.

The Conclusion

This model fits into a sizeable chunk of the market as it will help the average golfer gain better control over their driving while also providing increased distance. We love the balance it offers, the fact it’s easy to adjust, and is more forgiving than other drivers.

Best Mens - Callaway XR

Callaway is a premium brand, and the XR is a showstopper. Filled with technology, this driver will make a significant difference in your driving ability.

To improve accuracy, while also removing the stress of making a clean connection, Callaway has lowered the center of gravity. This provides the club with better balance throughout the swing and strike. This alone will lead to stunning results.

Also included is their latest RMOTO Face Technology, and this is going to add a bit of speed to the ball thanks to the transfer of energy at that connection. They have also reduced the weight of the club on the face, and this increases speed by around 10%, according to Callaway.

But let’s talk about the shaft as this is an area often overlooked. In this instance, we have the Project X LZ shaft, and this is a big deal. This helps deliver the maximum shaft load when striking the ball. Ultimately, it produces more energy leading to greater distances.

Perhaps the only negative is the multiple loft angles as eight are available. If you aren’t experienced in changing these angles, then it could feel like wasted technology. 

The Pros and Who Should Use the Club

This club has so many positives, but the one you should know about is how forgiving it is for a driver. 

Callaway has managed to increase speed, improve flexibility and control, but also keep the sweet spot as large as possible. Dropping the center of gravity giving better balance will increase the chances of you getting a clean connection. All combined, it should mean hitting straighter and longer than ever before.

But, are there any negatives? Not really. Any club that reduces drag while adding greater control and distance on your shots isn’t failing at any point. 

The Conclusion

The Callaway XR brings so many positives to the table that it’s impossible to ignore this driver. Of course, it comes with the Callaway price tag, but it’s perfect for those golfers serious about improving their driving game. This club will never let you down.

Best for Seniors - Big & Tall Integra Slice Killer

If this is a brand that’s not familiar, don’t allow that to put you off checking it out. Instead, this driver keeps things nice and simple while focusing on the basics, and doing them well.

What you get with the driver is a single loft angle of 10.5 degrees, a lightweight graphite shaft, and a 400cc club head. However, this driver focuses primarily on one thing, accuracy.

By lowering the center of gravity, the club is automatically more balanced. As mentioned earlier, this makes a huge difference with the swing and ability to strike the ball head on. This is where the accuracy of the driver comes into play, and that’s the focus of this design.

The Pros and Who Should Use the Driver

Let’s go back to this 10.5 degrees of loft as that’s important. By having this solitary angle, it does mean the club is suitable for most individuals. 

Also, the balance of the club is key. Mixed in with the added soft grip, the ability of the club to turn through the swing is ultimately reduced. This leads to a cleaner strike and the ball, hence the club is also known as the ‘slice killer’. 

This club is often classed as for seniors thanks to its lightweight shaft and improved flexibility. This generates additional distance when power levels may be lower than they used to be. 

Finally, the club is of a slightly longer length, so it’s perfect for taller individuals. The improved length should make the entire swing a lot easier.

The only downside with the club is insufficient feel. Also, some may believe the inability to adjust the loft angle hampers shot selection, but if you are struggling with your handicap, then that’s the sort of thing that will only confuse matters. 

The Conclusion

The Integra Slice Killer is a wonderful driver. Inexpensive, it’s going to add some yardage while also helping keep your drive on the straight and narrow. 

You shouldn’t worry too much about the lack of touch with the club. The fact it helps you get your drives on the fairway and reduce the possibility of that slice should be all you need.

Why Buy a Small Head Driver?

Each driver reviewed above can change your game, but why even bother with a small head driver? To answer that, we need to get into some specifics of the game.

First, these clubs do indeed have a smaller head compared to most drivers. This does create fears of missing the ball as the surface area is also reduced. That’s why most golfers go for drivers with a larger face.

For that reason, they may not be the best option for those starting out in the game.

But here’s why this style of driver could prove beneficial for so many golfers. 

The technology contained within these clubs is immense. We mean technology to provide a cleaner connection. Technology to increase swing speeds and a greater MOI. Technology to help bring your shot back onto the fairway instead of pulling or slicing.

So, why a small head driver compared to others? 

Well, these clubs previously had a lower cc value than other drivers, but that’s not always true. However, the head size us undoubtedly reduced. For some, they feel less cumbersome and bulky. Their compact size is more suitable compared to the sheer size of other drivers.

But how do you even select the correct driver for your needs?

Why Buy a Small Head Driver?

Each driver reviewed above can change your game, but why even bother with a small head driver? To answer that, we need to get into some specifics of the game.

First, these clubs do indeed have a smaller head compared to most drivers. This does create fears of missing the ball as the surface area is also reduced. That’s why most golfers go for drivers with a larger face.

For that reason, they may not be the best option for those starting out in the game.

But here’s why this style of driver could prove beneficial for so many golfers. 

The technology contained within these clubs is immense. We mean technology to provide a cleaner connection. Technology to increase swing speeds and a greater MOI. Technology to help bring your shot back onto the fairway instead of pulling or slicing.

So, why a small head driver compared to others? 

Well, these clubs previously had a lower cc value than other drivers, but that’s not always true. However, the head size us undoubtedly reduced. For some, they feel less cumbersome and bulky. Their compact size is more suitable compared to the sheer size of other drivers.

But how do you even select the correct driver for your needs?

How to Choose the Best Small Head Driver

So, how do you choose the correct driver? Well, you do have a couple of important steps to follow.

First, there’s the budget. That will automatically cut down your options as some drivers can come with a hefty price tag. Look at your price range before narrowing things down even more.

Next, where is your game lacking? Do you struggle with accuracy and hitting the fairway? Do you pull or slice your shot? Is distance an issue?

You must understand your shortcomings with your game to then get the correct driver. If you have an issue with accuracy, then something like the Callaway XR is perfect as it’s more forgiving than other models.

Also, if distance is poor, and you are on a budget, then the Integra Slice Killer can cover almost all the basics without breaking the bank. 

If you are unsure about where your game is lacking, ask the pro at your club for some advice. Then, check out the different options mentioned earlier to determine which club fits your needs perfectly.

What are the Benefits?

This type of driver comes with many benefits with a focus on your ability to gain more control over your shot. 

Also, these clubs have a tendency to come with a longer, thinner shaft. This allows for greater swing speed resulting in more energy at the point of impact. Ultimately, this should launch the ball to greater distances.

Another benefit is the ability to manipulate your swing with this type of driver. You can quickly change the loft angle with these club heads leading to greater accuracy with your shot. However, this does require a firm understanding of the way in which angles change your game.

These drivers can help both high handicappers and those with a greater feel for the game. It makes it easy to find the perfect club no matter your own individual specifications or requirements. 

Are There Any Negatives?

You must consider several potential negatives regarding a small head driver before buying. 

Perhaps the main issue is a smaller sweet spot, but this is no surprise considering the reduced surface area. This, in turn, means these drivers are less forgiving. That may mean the beginner should stay away from this type of driver. The odds of slicing or pulling a shot will increase. If you have trouble hitting the fairway, then try something else.

However, not every small head driver does reduce the sweet spot. Also, they bring in additional technology with the design to make it easier to hit the ball straight in the heart of the club face. 

The only other negative is directly related to the design of the club. Pay attention to the details for each club as some focus on providing additional distance while others are all about keeping the ball straight. 

Don’t fall into the trap of believing each driver is the same. 

What to Look for in a Driver

You have several key points to consider with this type of driver. 

First, don’t always go by the cc number of the head. Now, countless drivers are still 460cc, but the actual dimensions of the head are smaller than other models. Any number over 400cc will still lead to a significant amount of energy generated in each shot.

Next, check what the model says about the center of gravity. With this driver, you want it to be lower than average to provide greater balance. This will increase your accuracy without sacrificing too much in the way of power. 

You also want to have a lightweight shaft. This allows the club to move more swiftly through the air leading to a greater impact upon striking the ball. You must avoid anything that can reduce your swing speed to ultimately achieve greater distances.

As with any club, you want something that feels comfortable in your hand. It should provide you with a smooth swing with no restrictions. It should seem effortless while then generating all that power and energy to drive the ball to improved distances.

However, always remember the need to understand where your game must improve. Go back to the earlier section regarding choosing the driver, and you will undoubtedly see those improvements you desire.

Conclusion

From those listed above, we recommend the Big & Tall Integra Slice Killer as the best, and that’s a surprise. 

We say this because it has a low price point while still providing you with help on distance and accuracy. High handicappers often search for clubs to make a huge difference with their game as they seek to master it. The Integra Slice Killer is such a club.

That aside, we give an honorable mention to the Callaway XR. You always get a solid club from Callaway, and if you want to save some cash, search for a slightly older version of the XR to get the same type of impact from the club.