Average Golfer Tests the 2026 Drivers
Ben’s back at the 2026 PGA Show, and this time he’s diving into the brand-new drivers. 🚀
From the latest releases by the big manufacturers to some surprising newcomers, Ben (H.I.T Channel Manager) puts the new 2026 big sticks to the test on the range to see what really performs and what’s just hype.
Ball speed, forgiveness, looks and sound – which driver would you put in your bag? Let us know in the comments 👇
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45 Comments
Great insight Ben, more average than perhaps Rick for sure. I'm a 20HC and swing driver 118-120, but driver is my worst club even though its my biggest strength from a distance stand point.
Lots of comments around how 9HC isn't average, but its much closer than most other channels who are providing reviews / insights on the clubs. USGA states the average male golfer is 14.2 for men, so whilst the 5.2 strokes will put Ben in a smaller pool than the average we don't know his SG by Drive, Approach, Short Game and Putting vs his HC.
For starters, swing and ball speed with your numbers are way above average. The average golfer also doesn't carry close to 275 or get over 300 total. I would have liked to see your numbers hitting the same ball with each driver to get a more accurate idea. For all of the rest of us, (average golfers) the main thing would be to get fit with a club that puts the ball in play consistently, and then practice a lot.
Flexing the travis Scott's
323 yard drive. Average golfer?????? Er………..no !!!
average golfer's club head speed can't be more than 100 mph…
Really!
Maybe average looking, not average playing…
The outdoor fittings looked good, thought it was good of the Mizuno guy to also mention the ball being used and what he would of got you hitting, that little bit of detail really helps I reckon. Great job Ben
A 15 handicap and above is below average, just get better.
Ive got the cobra ds max k and its the best ive been hitting
Kind of makes me not want to even try the ping since they juiced their numbers. Wonder if all their fitters are as dishonest?
stay behind the camera – leave this to the pros ..😉
Great to see a different approach to testing 😊 great review of the drivers&very honest 👍 9 ain't a average golfer but who cares 😊 it's the honest content to the testing that matters,well done Ben .
All Rick Shields videos should have Rick only. Nobody wants to see this guy or anyone else but Rick. 🙂
An average golfer with a 9 handicap is actually laughable.
Closer to 20 would be considered average of people who play and care about playing well, it would probably go to 30 when you start to include the really casual players who only get out a couple of times a year.
I wish I was an Average Golfer with Handycap 9….😊😊😊
That’s some impressive driver numbers for a 9 handicap when you just pick the driver up and it’s not fully custom fitted Ben. Going to take Ricks job swinging like that. Nice clean straight up review. Good work sir!
15hdc – i tried the cobra, ping and Callaway. Ping was shorter than callaway for me (I don't hit it 300+I'm at 250). Ping was shorter, cobra was not forgiving enough, callaway is pre ordered. 👍
Not so much about h/c but a more average driver distance would be 220 not 280 !!!
Seriously we're calling a 9.handicap that carries the ball 280yds – come on??! Thats not average!!! That is longer than most single figure hamdicap golfers at any club i know!!!
9 hcp hitting 300 yards …the games gone 😂
Although my 9 hcp drives are usually into wind and rain in the North West
I’m an average 22hcp
Average golfer probably hits it about 240 and has a clubhead speed of around 90 mph is my guess. It seems like all these guys that hit it 300 yards hit every driver within a couple yards of each other. It just comes down to which one looks and feels the best to you.
Ben’s got average craic, but a decent handicap
The guy from Mizuno,….I was expecting a giant roaring burp out of him. If you know what I’m talking about, you know what I mean. If you don’t……well, oh well.
I worked at the PGA superstore for about a year in the fitting department and I watched one of the fitters actually set the computer monitor at +25 miles an hour down wind on drivers that had the biggest commission and then when they put other drivers against them they would put it at 10 mile an hour against wind so of course it be manipulated to sell the most amount of clubs with the highest commission. I saw this first hand. Monitors can be manipulated in many different ways.
Disappointed to not see PXG tested, even though they were at the show 🙁 heard their driver is a must hit in 2026. Seems up there in other reviews too.
Handicap doesn't matter if you are just driving. You could be 2 handicap but suck at putting and chipping so you become a 9. Or same scenario but you suck at irons but awesome at putting. Handicap don't mean shit if you aren't playing full rounds
Hi, I'm a 21 handicap player, currently using a Callaway Xr, hitting about 170 in the air. What driver would you recommend I look at as I'm looking for a new one, Cheers Denis
I’m cutting you 4 shots on this performance with Ping alone.
All those numbers seem pretty boosted. Juice up.
Rick have you got any information if Titleist is coming out with a new driver soon. There website in the states has all the GT driver line priced $150 off. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Everyone really got creative with their comments😏 AVERAGE GOLFER, ARRGGHHHHH!
Funny how people always hit their longest at fittings
Where'd you get the adidas shirt with the kookaburra? I like it!
Ping guy was a really good fitter. Knows his stuff.
281 carry 312 distance. Yep…definitely and “average” golfer. SMH.
The most likely handicap of an average golfer is over 18 not 9! An average golfer doesn’t use an X shaft either
Aussie Aussie Aussie! Great stuff Ben!
Rick and the H.I.T team, are we going to get a review of the new Wilson driver?
My WHS hovers around between 12.9 and 15.4. I am 70 playing a very hilly windy course in Sussex. My average drive is 200 yards, sometimes in favourable conditions I get my drives out there around 250 yards. Would love to see guys of my vintage having a go in these videos.
Sorry,…NOT an average golfer..
£630!!!!!!!!!!
Bro: 300 carry 🤣🤣🤣
Average golfer 💀💀💀
Good video though. Testing clubs with players more towards average than RS is a good idea 👍🏻
Why did Calloway go from blue to black? The paradym is such a gorgeous driver