Rick Shiels tested all the NEW 2026 drivers… but there was one thing missing 👀
In his video, Rick tested the latest drivers from TaylorMade, Callaway, Cobra, Ping, and Mizuno — and crowned his winners for distance, looks, sound, and overall performance.
But what about forgiveness?
Let’s be honest… most of us don’t hit the center of the face every swing.
So we took the same 2026 drivers and ran a different kind of test — one built for real golfers.
Off-center hits. Toe strikes. Heel misses. The shots we actually hit on the course.
Our goal: find the most forgiving driver of 2026.
Because if a driver only performs on perfect swings… does it really matter?
Drivers tested:
TaylorMade Qi4D Max
Callaway Quantum Max
Ping G440 K
Cobra OPTM Max-K
Mizuno JPX One
If you’re an average golfer trying to hit more fairways and keep the ball in play, this is the test that actually matters.
Let us know in the comments:
👉 Which driver would YOU put in the bag for 2026?
Subscribe for more real-world golf tests, gear reviews, and on-course challenges
Follow us on social media!
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@embersgolf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmbersGolf/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embersgolf/
https://embersgolf.com
Embers Golf
7705 W 108th Ave
Westminster, CO 80021
#golf #golfdriver #golfgear

22 Comments
Here for the golf content, but stay around for the food convos!
GOTTA IMMEDIATE video like at @6:15.
& Trev looking good 👏🏽, guys down a few lbs.
You guys have been my favorite club testing channel for awhile now…would love more on course content
Ok…
Ok, watching your content from week to week, looks like a gdam disco when Trev is up there swinging. Your feet MOVE SO MUCH. I'm old and was taught by (older) PGA (instructor). But still my feet and Tytes feet, – quite. Trev you ever think about pointing your left foot a bit more to the left? It looks like it points directly straight in front of you at address. You ever been told to turn that to the left a little bit? It will do 2 things, increase the coil tension in your back swing, and make it easier for your body to release that coil build up. Just thoughts
A couple things that Rick forgot about that video, which you guys did too.. was to include the PXG 10k, Tour Edge Max, and the Wilson Max Plus. I think more viewers would tune-in more if vloggers included all eligible clubs.
The biggest insult from Ping is that they are advertising during your video! hahaha
I don’t need a new driver but that ping is calling my name
I may not like Ping, but they are kings of the Max K Driver world.
Yall should do subscriber fitting videos!
Love Rick Shiels but I felt the same way. He is to good, but was glad he liked the Cobra the best
I would really like to see an average 18-20hcp golfer use these drivers. It’s better than a good golfer trying to miss hit a driver. Just saying that the clubs that are to be a forgiving driver, you need an actual golfer who will benefit from the forgiveness.
You should compare the the DS ADAPT MAX VS THE OPTM MAX. Nobody has a video on it!?
Surprised no one is mentioning this. Trev still isn't using the Jumbomax grips? His dispersion was by far tighter with them, what gives?
I really hate that PING treats yall that way because you guys are one of my favorite channels on YouTube for equipment and I am a PING guy but it really makes me think if they would even want a scrub like me using their equipment
Ping G440 K was also the only one with the stock shaft, you throw the Ventus with Velacore shaft in there and you’re adding more stability plus extra distance. G440 K is the driver of the year.
“Diffelentialation”
“That’s not how that words pronounced”
💀☠️💀☠️💀☠️☠️💀☠️☠️
Mizuno is too much in the middle of forgiveness and performance. It's like an inbetweener of a core model and a max driver. They need a LS model and a MAX model.
dont care about these drivers. Im here just for the sandwich talk
I tried the 440k, a couple others and, for me; 67 yr old, 6’1”, 212lb, 94-98mph swing speed, hdcp @ 16-18; The Qi4d stiff-5 shaft was longer with a tighter dispersion than anything else I tried.
Not everyone swings the same, … if I still had 115+ mph swing speed, perhaps I’d be fitted differently.
Bottom line, go in unbiased and get properly fitted!!
Dang PXG lightning 10k getting no love
The only valid testing technique is to use the robot. Subjective testing is useless.
My bag is Ping from driver to lob wedge. I shipped the irons to the factory to have them change lie angle. Customer service was accommodating. Management may be hostile to small retailers but for individual owners they are fine. Oh, a sandwich is not dinner. If someone asks "What did you have for dinner last night?" The answer is "I didn't have dinner, just a sandwich. Was too tired to make a real meal".