The best Titleist driver in years — and surprisingly, one of the more forgiving ‘4’ models they’ve ever made. Stunning at address, brilliant sound, and now with more adjustability than the GT range offered. The price jump to £629 stings, and high-handicappers will struggle to launch it, but for competent ball-strikers this is the one to beat in the second half of 2026.

At £479, the Cobra Optm LS punches well above its price bracket. Solid ball speed, good forgiveness for a low-spin head, and a sound and feel that belies the price tag. It won’t pull in golfers who bought the DS-Adapt last year thanks to its similar looks — but if you’re after a low-spin 2026 driver without spending £600+, this should be at the top of your testing list.

All-new face technology and impressive forgiveness across the face make the Quantum Max a genuine option for mid-handicappers. The carry distance didn’t quite match last year’s Elyte in our testing, and £599 is steep for what you get, but the feel and sound at impact are excellent and it’s the most forgiving driver in a strong Callaway line-up.

Mizuno’s new JPX One family marks a serious statement from a brand better known for its irons, and the Select model impresses with a combination of feel and performance that few can match at this price. A strong showing that signals Mizuno is more than a footnote in the metalwoods conversation.

Already making waves on Tour — Titleist are the most popular driver brand among professionals and the GTS range has continued that trend. The GTS2 is the sweet spot of the family for mid-handicappers: more forgiving than the GTS4 but without sacrificing the sleek Titleist look at address.

Ping’s 10K entry launches high and straight — if those are your priorities, few drivers in 2026 will deliver more consistently. The catch is the £649 price, which makes it the most expensive driver on this list. You’re paying a significant premium for that high-MOI technology, and not everyone will feel the performance difference justifies the cost.

Wilson have joined the 10K driver party at a significantly lower price than Ping, and the Dynapwr Max+ is a solid performer for the money. It won’t trouble the top of this list on raw performance metrics, but at £399 it’s the most accessible new driver of 2026 — and more than capable for the majority of club golfers.