AskMyGolfSpy Vol. 43 – Most Wanted Driver 2024

AskMyGolfSpy is an opportunity for you to submit your questions to our experts here at MGS.

You can pass along your questions or thoughts to the team on  Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or right here in the comments section below! 

Normally we cover a variety of topics in AskMyGolfSpy. However, today we are focusing on Most Wanted Testing. Specifically, our Most Wanted Drivers 2024. Let’s dive into some of your questions.

Q. Why didn’t you test PXG 0311 Black OPS or 0311 Black OPS Tour drivers?

We did everything we could to include them in testing. However, PXG declined to submit samples in time for testing so we opted to include the PXG 0311 and 0311 XF GEN6 drivers. Neither was tested in 2023 and each one is available at retail. Both were exceptional and the best PXG drivers we have tested to date. We are encouraged and excited about how the Black OPS lineup will perform in our next Most Wanted Test.

Q. Will you be releasing swing speed articles this year?

Yes! We are thrilled with the new additions to our scoring methodologies and with these changes we will be able to execute swing speed articles for Most Wanted Driver 2024. These articles will be broken down by low, mid and high swing speeds. Stay tuned for these because they are more applicable to golfers.

Q. If these tests are accurate, why has the TaylorMade Qi10 won a majority of the tournaments this year?

First, a “majority” of tournaments is a stretch. Scottie Scheffler and Nick Dunlap are the only two winners on the PGA Tour this year who play a TaylorMade Qi10 driver. PING has multiple winners. Callaway has multiple winners. Titleist has multiple winners. Shoot, Srixon and Mizuno have winners. To assume a driver is good simply because a touring professional is winning tournaments with it is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Playing professionals have access to golf equipment in a way the rest of us do not. For example, we test drivers utilizing an “off-the-rack” approach. This means we only test stock shaft offerings, not premium, aftermarket driver shafts. Most playing professionals are not playing “off-the-rack” driver shafts. They’re playing aftermarket offerings, which you and I are paying a premium price for, and may have limited access to. These aftermarket driver shafts are leaps and bounds better than most “off-the-rack” or even “made for” driver shafts.

This isn’t to say TaylorMade Qi10 isn’t good. TaylorMade Qi10 LS was in the top 10 for our distance efficiency metrics (carry yards and total distance). Overall, it placed sixth with an MGS Score of 8.9. In our test this year, there are simply other drivers that performed more efficiently for a majority of our testers versus the TaylorMade Qi10 lineup.

Q. For testing, which OEMs have the best “off-the-rack” shaft offerings?

This one is simple – Titleist, Mizuno, PING, PXG, and COBRA.

The first three are notorious for having a plethora of stock shaft offerings available to us for testing. For example, Titleist has 4 different stock shaft offerings and each have 2-3 weight specifications available. It is extensive. If you follow PING closely, they always have a new proprietary offering (PING Alta CB Black 55 for the G430 lineup) in addition to a handful of other offerings. Mizuno continues to provide a stout and diverse selection of stock shaft options.

PXG and COBRA are the sleepers, with the latter continually enhancing their offerings over the past few years.

You just had to go there, didn’t you? An argument can be made for both sides of this conversation.

We specialize in independent testing. Over the years, we’ve seen that it takes three to five years for manufacturers to create drivers that are appreciably better than newer models which is why we always ask, “Is newer better?”. If you are not seeing performance benefits that are appreciably BETTER than your current driver, why switch? Save the $600 and invest it elsewhere. Maybe lessons?

The other side of this conversation is intriguing. If you are seeing better performance, especially in terms of distance, then yes, $600 is worth it. Here is why: five to 10 yards is a game changer. It means you might be hitting one or two clubs less than you were. Combine extra distance with accuracy and it is a no-brainer.

In the end, are you seeing benefits that justify spending $600 on a new driver? Only you can answer this question.