Driver Technology Elevates To New Level in 2021

After 2020 saw increasing driver distance dominate the national conversation around professional golf and saw an estimated overall 10% year-over-year increase in national rounds played, the golf equipment industry’s 2021 driver releases have seized the attention of pros and amateurs alike. 

The primary offering of PING’s three 2021 driver releases is the G425 Max. PING engineers restructured their dragonfly crown technology to reduce weight, a change that allowed for the insertion of a new 26-gram tungsten movable weight. 

The tungsten weight optimizes the G425 Max’s center of gravity and can be moved into three different settings: neutral, draw, or fade. PING’s engineering process increased overall MOI by 14%, creating what the manufacturer believes is the most forgiving driver in golf.

To complement the G425 Max in 2021, PING released the G425 LST and G425 SFT, both of which feature similar MOI-increasing features to those found in the G425 Max. The G425 LST (Low Spin Technology) features a pear-shaped, 445cc head and is the lowest-spinning PING driver to date. The G425 SFT (Straight Flight Technology) is engineered with a draw bias and is ideal for those who tend to miss their tee shots to the right. 

TaylorMade’s three driver releases for 2021 are the SIM2, SIM2 Max, and SIM2 Max D. The chief innovation in TaylorMade’s new drivers is the all-new Forged Ring Construction, a technology that, according to the manufacturer, unlocks a new dimension in distance and forgiveness.

TaylorMade’s SIM2 Max will fit the broadest range of golfers relative to the manufacturer’s other releases, as its forgiving, high-launching, mid-spinning properties appear to golfers of all handicaps.

The SIM2 Driver is TaylorMade’s lowest-spinning 2021 driver option and is designed for golfers with high swing speeds. On the other hand, TaylorMade’s SIM2 Max D features a draw bias and high launch capabilities, making it best-suited for golfers with more moderate swing speeds looking to stop missing tee shots out to the right.

Callaway hopes to build off the success of their previous Epic models with their brand new Epic Speed, Epic Max, and Epic Max LS drivers. Using artificial intelligence, the manufacturer created the new Jailbreak Speed Frame, an improvement on previous Jailbreak innovations with stability and ball speed increases across the clubface.

The Epic Speed is the fastest Callaway driver ever and packs plenty of forgiveness in its 460 cc clubhead. This combination allows the Epic Speed to serve a wide range of golfers well, regardless of skill level.

Those seeking an incredibly forgiving driver will appreciate the Epic Max and its low-spinning counterpart, the Epic Max LS. Both drivers feature an adjustable weight that allows golfers to optimize their club’s performance based on personal tendencies.

Armed with a Cobra driver in 2020, Bryson DeChambeau’s long-distance antics captivated the golf world. For 2021, Cobra offers three different new driver options: the RADSPEED, the RADSPEED XB, and the RADSPEED XD. Each release features the manufacturer’s new Radial Weighting technology.

Cobra’s RADSPEED Driver sports a compact head shape and is the manufacturer’s fastest, lowest-spinning, and most workable driver option for 2021. Golfers with more moderate swing speeds should look to Cobra’s XB (XTREME Back) and XD (XTREME Draw) models.

The XB Driver is ideal for high-spin golfers looking to optimize their ball flight by reducing spin, while the XD Driver is best for those looking to correct a slice off the tee.

Both 2021 Srixon drivers, the ZX5 and ZX7, feature strong, lightweight carbon crowns 15% larger than previous generations. This new crown repositions each club’s mass to increase MOI and forgiveness.

The Srixon ZX7 Driver promotes a penetrating ball flight and boasts two adjustable weight ports and an adjustable hosel, making it the preferred Srixon option for lower-handicap golfers. The ZX7 Driver features a large profile and deep face that, along with its low-positioned weight, make it Srixon’s most forgiving driver ever and an excellent weapon for higher-handicappers.

While not available on retail shelves until February 18th, Mizuno’s ST-X and ST-Z drivers have started to receive buzz due to the manufacturer’s belief that it has arrived as a heavyweight in the metal woods category.

To increase ball speed, Mizuno thinned out the second-generation SAT 2041 Beta Titanium face featured on both of their 2021 driver releases. Mizuno also focused on improving the feel and sound of the drivers at impact by reimagining the clubheads’ internal sound ribs.