Not everyone wants (or needs) to spend hundreds of dollars each year on the latest and greatest driver. I’m sure you know all about brands claiming this year’s release is longer, straighter, and will magically fix your game overnight.
Sadly, it’s just not true. If you slice the ball with a $100 driver, you’ll slice the ball with a $500 driver. The good news, though, is that drivers really haven’t changed that much over the past 5 years. Sure, there are minor tweaks, but for the average golfer, you likely won’t notice much of a difference.
What I wanted to do was figure out what people’s favorite drivers have been over the past 5-10 years. I ran a poll and looked online to see what people’s favorite drivers of all time are. What’s cool is that a lot of them can be purchased for less than $200 USD.
Here are the best budget drivers that can be purchased for $200:
- Taylormade SIM2 Max (25+ Votes)
- Taylormade M2 (25+ Votes)
- Ping G400 (25+ Votes)
- Callaway Paradym X (25+ Votes)
- Callaway Rogue ST Max (25+ Votes)
- Titleist TSi2 & TSi3 (25+ Votes)
- Cobra LTDx (15+ Votes)
- Cobra Aerojet LS (15+ Votes)
- Callaway Mavrik (10+ Votes)
Keep in mind that you’ll need to buy these drivers USED to get them for around $200. I buy almost all of my clubs used, and there are several trusted places to get them (I’ll link below). You might also have to wait for a sale, but I’ve seen each of them available for $200 or less.
Let’s hear from you – If you had $200 to spend on a driver, which one would you pick and why? Let me know in the comments below.
Taylormade SIM2 Max
If you’re looking for a forgiving driver, this is one to consider. Over 25 different people said it was their favorite driver of all time, and it is still in a lot of people’s golf bags.
The original SIM came out in 2020 and was pretty successful. In 2021, they released the SIM2, and for most people, it was longer and more forgiving.
The Max version is the core model and is people’s favorite. The standard SIM2 will have less spin and a more neutral face at address. The Max-D is the “game-improvement” model and has a more closed face at address.
Check Price On Global Golf or Golf Avenue
Taylormade M2
Rory McIlroy (and 25+ others) have said that this is his favorite driver of all time. I’ve used it myself and when it comes to looks, sound, and performance, I can see why he thinks that.
The original M2 came out in 2016 (above), and then they released an updated version in 2017 (neon green). They’re slightly different, but both solid drivers.
The 2017 M2 seems to be a bit more forgiving. Not much, but I’d give it the slight edge. Most people prefer the way the 2016 version looks and sounds.
In my experience, it’s not the most forgiving driver, but when you find the center, the ball explodes off the face. I also like the way it feels and sounds.
Check Price On Global Golf or Golf Avenue
Ping G400
This driver is loved so much that you’ll still find it in some pros bags. There are 4 models in the series, the LST, Max, SFT, and standard G400. The 2 most popular are the LST and Max models.
The LST model is if you want lower spin off the tee. It’s usually designed for better players with faster swing speeds. The Max model is built for the mid/high handicapper who wants more forgiveness.
The standard G400 is between the LST and Max, but most people prefer to lean one way or the other. The SFT model has a more closed face at address, which can help people who slice the ball.
Note: The newer G410 and G425 also received 25+ votes. As of right now, they’re over $200. When prices come down in the future, you could also look into those.
Check Price On Global Golf or Golf Avenue
Callaway Paradym X
This is another driver that 25+ people said was their favorite of all time. There are 3 models in the series, the standard Paradym, Paradym X, and Paradym Triple Diamond.
The most popular one is the Paradym X, which is designed for accuracy and forgiveness. This makes it a very good choice for mid to high handicappers.
The Triple Diamond is the low spinning/launching model and is best for better players with a faster swing speed. The standard Paradym is between the Triple Diamond and X model.
Check Price On Global Golf or Golf Avenue
Callaway Rogue ST Max
This is another option that over 25 people have said is their favorite of all time. Along with the M2, this is a driver I’ve played myself, and I can see why people love it.
If you’re a fan of Callaway or you want a forgiving driver, this is one to consider. I feel like you could hit the ball anywhere on the face and it’ll give you decent results.
There are 4 models in the series, this being the core model. The Max D is draw-biased, and the Triple Diamond is low launching/spinning. The LS model is between the Triple Diamond and Max.
One thing to note is that I wouldn’t recommend the “Rogue ST 24” model. It came out a couple of years after the original, but it doesn’t perform nearly as well.
- Full Review: Callaway Rogue ST Max Driver
- Check Price On Global Golf or Golf Avenue
Titleist TSi2 & TSi3
Titleist is the most used brand of driver on tour. Part of the reason is that they’re paid to, but that said, people won’t use them if they don’t perform well enough.
The TSi series came out in 2020, and I feel like it brought a lot of hype back to Titleist. There are 4 models in the series, but most people will choose the TSi2 or TSi3. Each of them got over 25 votes for best driver of all time.
The TSi2 is the more forgiving model and would fit the majority of mid-high handicappers. The TSi3 is lower spinning and is for better players with faster swing speeds.
In my experience, Titleist has made big leaps in the driver/wood market, starting with the TSi series. They both have a good balance of looks, feel, sound, and performance.
Note: The newer TSr2/3 also received 25+ votes. As of right now, they’re priced over $200. As prices come down, it might be worth looking into them.
Check Price On Global Golf or Golf Avenue
Cobra LTDx
Cobra is a bit of an overlooked brand, but I’ve used a few of them over the years, and really like them. This model had 15+ votes saying it was their favorite driver.
There are 2 models to consider, the standard LTDx and the LTDx LS. The core model will be quite a bit more forgiving and will be better for mid-high handicappers. The LS model isn’t super forgiving, but when you find the center, it’s one of the longest drivers out there.
What I like about Cobra is that they’re some of the most discounted clubs after a year or two. This means you can usually find one in super good condition, for not that much.
Check Price On Global Golf or Golf Avenue
Cobra Aerojet LS
If you need a low spinning driver and want max distance, this is one worth trying. It’s one of the longest drivers I’ve hit (when hit pure), and you can usually find them for pretty cheap.
I wouldn’t recommend this driver to the average golfer because it’s not forgiving. There is the standard and Max version of the Aerojet, but I think there are better options.
Just like with the LTDx driver, 15+ people said this was their favorite driver. It’s not right for everyone, but for certain people, it’s one of the best values out there.
Check Price On Global Golf or Golf Avenue
Callaway Mavrik
If you want a solid blend of distance and forgiveness, this is one to look at. Over 10 people said this was their favorite driver over the past 10 years.
There are 3 models in the series, the standard Mavrik, the Mavrik Max, and the Mavrik Sub Zero. From what I’ve seen, the standard model is the most popular.
If you need a bit more forgiveness, you could go with the Max version. If you want lower spin off the tee, you could go with the Sub Zero model.
In my experience, the Mavrik isn’t quite as forgiving as the newer Rogue ST Max, but when it comes to distance, the standard Mavrik was just as long (longer on a few shots).
Check Price On Global Golf or Golf Avenue
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