The 5 most consistent drivers of 2023, according to robot testing

Paradym X driver callaway

Callaway's Paradym X produced impressive carry numbers, regardless of where the ball impacted the face.

Jonathan Wall/GOLF

Everyone needs a driver they can rely on. What that looks like depends entirely on the wants and needs of the golfer wielding the club. For some, that could mean less spin and a lower launch. Others might need one that can hit a fade on command.

If there’s one thing all golfers crave, it’s a driver that doesn’t penalize the big miss. Over the last few years, we’ve seen several drivers ace the robotic portion of ClubTest with designs that all but allow you to hit it almost anywhere and not sweat a massive drop in distance.

Based on what we saw during the latest round of robotic testing, the 2023 crop features several drivers with carry distance consistency. With the help of Golf Laboratories’ swing-robot, we tested 2023 driver models at 95 mph and recorded how they performed from nine different locations on the face.

We then compared the geometric center carry distance to the other eight mishit locations on the face to determine distance loss. Below are the five models with the smallest carry distance delta.

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1. Callaway Paradym X (6.6 yards of distance dropoff between geometric center and other 8 strike locations)

Callaway Paradym X Custom Driver

$499.99
To create a new paradigm for golfers, we’ve reimagined how a driver is built from the ground up. This is a complete shift in performance, with a design that radically breaks the tradeoff between incredible distance and exceptional forgiveness. The Paradym Shift Construction features an industry-first 360 Carbon Chassis that eliminates titanium from the body, so we can push weight and stability to the limit.Paradym X model is built for a high launch with high MOI, along with a generously stretched profile at address. This model is best suited for golfers seeking extreme forgiveness and a slight draw bias from their driver. A PARADYM SHIFT IN DISTANCE FROM AN INDUSTRY-FIRST 360° CARBON CHASSIS 360° Carbon Chassis promotes unprecedented weight redistribution for maximized distance. The Triaxial Carbon crown and Forged Carbon sole is 44% lighter than a titanium chassis. This massive weight savings is repositioned both forward to enhance ball speed, and toward the back of the clubhead for increased forgiveness. SPEED & STABILITY FROM NEW JAILBREAK A.I. Our new A.I. designed Jailbreak system provides stability in both the horizontal and torsional direction. Now with a 33% lighter weight design, we’ve enhanced stability for faster ball speeds from our industry-leading COR. NEW A.I DESIGNED FACE OPTIMIZED FOR DOWNRANGE DISPERSION An all-new A.I. face optimization enhances speed, launch and spin, and now downrange dispersion. This is the world’s most advanced driver face designed by artificial intelligence. INDUSTRY-LEADING FACE CUP AND FORGED TITANIUM FACE FOR FAST BALL SPEEDS Paradym is the first driver to utilize Callaway’s industry-leading face cup technology. We’ve paired the face cup with a powerful, forged titanium face, a combination that provides higher energy transfer to the ball than a standard driver face insert. HIGH LAUNCH & LOW SPIN FROM A FORGIVING SHAPE Paradym X is built for a high launch with high MOI, along with a generously stretched profile at address. This model is best suited for golfers seeking extreme forgiveness and a slight draw bias from their driver. 5g of rear weight is positioned to increase launch and lower spin for maximum carry distance.
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2. Ping G430 Max (8.3 yards)

Ping G430 Max Custom Driver

$549.99
The PING G430 Max Driver remains the most forgiving and fits the widest range of golfers. A 25-gram, high-density tungsten moveable backweight influences shot shape +/- 10 yards between the Draw, Neutral and Fade settings. Available in 9°, 10.5° and 12° lofts. Loft is adjustable +/- 1.5° and lie up to 3° flat from standard using the 8-setting Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel. THE DISTANCE DIFFERENCE. MORE BALL SPEED. A shallower, variable-thickness face is thinner to create more face deflection for generating faster ball speed for our biggest distance gains to date. THE SOUND SOLUTION A new integral rib structure and increased curvature of the crown, skirt and sole fine tunes clubhead frequencies to produce a desirable sound and impact experience. SPINSISTENCY A variable roll radius, with less loft low on the face, enhances spin consistency and carry distance. MOVEABLE BACK WEIGHT A 25-gram, high-density tungsten moveable backweight influences shot shape +/-10 yards between the Draw, Neutral and Fade settings.
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3. TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD (9.6 yards)

TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD Custom Driver

$499.99
  NEW 60X CARBON TWIST FACE Building on the speed producing success of the original 60X Carbon Twist Face that optimized energy transfer for fast ball speeds, the new face design in Stealth 2 features an advanced version of Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) to help maintain ball speed on off center strikes and increase forgiveness. It weighs 24g (2g lighter than the original Stealth face) and is designed to have an expanded COR area for a larger sweet spot and boosted performance across the entire face. CARBON REINFORCED COMPOSITE RING The Carbon Reinforced Composite Ring unites the driver head into a singular force and frees up additional mass that has been strategically placed to deliver more forgiveness. HIGH DRAW DESIGN WITH FORGIVENESS Standard draw bias designs promote a corrective flight at the expense of forgiveness, utilizing the weight savings from the full-body carbon construction and shifting the Inertia Generator closer to the heel, we’re able to maintain draw-bias while creating the highest MOI in the Stealth 2 family of drivers. NANOTEXTURE COVER The 60X Carbon Twist Face is encased by a polyurethane cover, featuring a revolutionary nanotexture technology. The nanotexture cover is used to fine tune launch and spin to optimize total distance regardless of playing conditions. ASYMMETRIC INERTIA GENERATOR The Inertia Generator remains the foundational source of refined aerodynamic properties. The result is a slippery-fast head shape that aids in swing speed generation on the downswing for golfers at every level. It is outfitted with a 15g rear weight to optimize MOI and forgiveness. THRU-SLOT SPEED POCKET Our flexible Speed Pocket™ design is engineered to maximize ball speeds and produce additional forgiveness on low-face strikes.
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4. Ping G430 LST (9.7 yards)

Ping G430 LST Custom Driver

$579.99
The PING G430 LST Driver features an exclusive Low Spin Technology (LST) Carbonfly Wrap, a lightweight composite that covers the crown and wraps into the heel/toe sections of the skirt to save weight and lower the CG for more ball speed, less spin and higher MOI. The 8-layer, one-piece composite saves four grams and weighs 11.5g fully installed. A moveable 22-gram, high-density tungsten backweight influences shot shape ±7 yards between the Draw, Neutral and Fade settings. At 440cc, the smaller tour-style LST is available in 9° and 10.5° lofts (adjustable +/-1.5° and lie up to 3° flat from standard) and best fits faster swing speeds. THE DISTANCE DIFFERENCE. MORE BALL SPEED. A shallower, variable-thickness face is thinner to create more face deflection for generating faster ball speed for our biggest distance gains to date. THE SOUND SOLUTION A new integral rib structure and increased curvature of the crown, skirt and sole fine tunes clubhead frequencies to produce a desirable sound and impact experience. SPINSISTENCY A variable roll radius, with less loft low on the face, enhances spin consistency and carry distance. CARBONFLY WRAP Lightweight composite crown wraps into the heel and toe of the skirt to save weight and lower the CG for more ball speed with higher MOI. MOVEABLE BACK WEIGHT A 25-gram, high-density tungsten moveable backweight influences shot shape +/-10 yards between the Draw, Neutral and Fade settings.
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5. Titleist TSR4 (10 yards)

Titleist TSR4 Custom Driver

$599
If excess spin is the enemy, Titleist TSR4 is the answer. It offers two different spin reduction settings, improved aerodynamics and our new Multi-Plateau VFT face construction – all housed in a compact, 430cc player-preferred shape. Benefits Dual CG Design Piercing Trajectories Compact, Player-Preferred Shaping Features Multi-Plateau VFT (Variable Face Thickness) Design Adjustable Spin Control Aerospace Grade Titanium Improved Aerodynamics SureFit Adjustability
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JWall

Jonathan Wall

Golf.com Editor

Jonathan Wall is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Equipment. Prior to joining the staff at the end of 2018, he spent 6 years covering equipment for the PGA Tour. He can be reached at jonathan.wall@golf.com.