Find your next driver head: a guide to distance and control

A driver head is the heart of your golf driver. It determines how far and how straight you hit it. But there are big differences between heads. Loft, weight, material and size all play a part. 

What is a driver head and why does it matter so much?

In simple terms, the driver head is the part you hit the ball with. It typically consists of:

• Face (the striking surface): affects ball speed and spin.
• Crown: the top of the head, where manufacturers often save weight with carbon.
• Sole: the bottom, where weights are typically placed to adjust the center of gravity.
• Hosel: the connection to the shaft (the shaft can often be replaced and adjusted).

Most modern driver heads are between 440 and 460cc in volume, the upper limit being set by the USGA. A larger head (460cc) gives more forgiveness, meaning less penalty for off-center hits. Smaller heads (for example 440cc) often feel more controlled and are aimed at better players.

Pro tip: do you want the most forgiving option? Go for 460cc with a high MOI (moment of inertia, the resistance to twisting on off-center hits).

See our selection of driver heads above

Materials: titanium or carbon?

The two most used materials are titanium and carbon. Both have advantages, but they behave differently.

Carbon heads make it easier to create a lower center of gravity (CG), which helps the ball up in the air with low spin. Titanium feels more “solid” and can give a slightly sharper sound.

A small pro tip: you can clearly hear the difference. Carbon is more muted, titanium has more “ping”. It’s not just sound, but a matter of taste.

Loft, swing speed and spin, and how to find the balance

The loft (the angle of the face) primarily controls how high you hit the ball, and how much spin you get.

Low loft (8-9°) gives a low ball flight and less spin, best for players with a high swing speed.
High loft (10.5°+) helps the ball up for players with lower speed.

Forget the myth that low loft always goes furthest. For many players, 10.5° gives a longer carry and better control.

Unsure? Choose an adjustable driver, where you can change the loft a few degrees up or down.

See our driver shafts if you want to further customize the feel.

MOI, CG, and “forgiveness” explained simply

Three abbreviations that most golfers encounter but rarely get explained:

MOI (Moment of Inertia):
Tells you how much the head resists twisting on off-center hits. The higher the MOI, the more forgiving the driver.

CG (Center of Gravity):
The placement of weight in the head.

• Low and back: high launch and more forgiveness.
• Forward: lower launch and less spin, typically suits advanced players.

Forgiveness:
The practical effect of the two above. A head with a high MOI and a low CG gives a lot of forgiveness. That means your shots from both heel and toe still fly fairly straight.

A small example: Ping’s G430 series ranks at the top in MOI tests (over 10,000 g·cm²), which is why many amateurs love that particular head.

Used or new driver head?

New driver heads cost on average 2,500-5,000 DKK, while used ones often range between 700-2,500 DKK, and the performance difference is far less than many think.

We check all equipment by hand. We check:

• Face (cracks, wear)
• Hosel (intact threads)
• Surface and weight plates

The condition is described as it is: Like new, Good, Okay, or Worn. You see pictures of the exact product you are buying.

A used top brand (for example a Titleist GT or TaylorMade Stealth) often performs better than a new budget head. It’s “premium equipment without the premium price”.

See our current selection of used driver heads here on the page

Who should choose which driver head?

Beginners and high handicappers:

• Go for 460cc, high MOI, 10.5-12°.
• Look for words like Max or High Launch.
• Example: Ping G430 Max or TaylorMade Qi35 High Launch.

Mid-handicappers:

• 9.5-10.5° loft and adjustable weight.
• Allows for fine-tuning of draw/fade.
• Example: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke or Cobra DarkSpeed X.

Low handicappers / fast swings:

• 8.5-9.5° loft and forward CG.
• Gives lower spin and a flat ball flight.
• Example: Titleist GT2 LS or Callaway Triple Diamond.

If in doubt, start at the forgiving end. A more stable head gives you more confidence, and that rubs off on your shots.

When buying used: three things to check

1. Hosel compatibility: not all heads fit all shafts. Ask us if you are in doubt, we are happy to match shaft and head.
2. Condition: assess face and screws (small cosmetic marks are normal).
3. Model year: technology develops, but the gain from year to year is often 1-2 meters, not 20.

Want to compare options? Also check out:

• Fairway Wood heads
• Hybrid heads
• Iron sets

All checked, and “described exactly as they are”.

When is it smart to buy?

The best time is shortly after new models are launched, typically in spring. Last year’s models then drop 20-40% in price. You get almost the same performance for half the price.

A used head also holds its value better. If you switch again in a year, you rarely lose more than a couple of hundred DKK.

Do you want to sell your old equipment first? You can do that here.

How to choose: in short

1. Know your swing speed (ask the club's pro or use a launch monitor).
2. Choose loft accordingly: low speed = higher loft.
3. Decide whether you want maximum forgiveness (460cc) or more control (440cc).
4. Consider material: carbon for lightness, titanium for a classic feel.
5. Buy used if you want top quality at half the price, and make sure there is an honest condition description.

Would you like help finding the right match?

We are happy to go through your needs step by step.
See the selection of driver heads here on the page or write to us.

At WePlayAgain, it’s about peace of mind: the right equipment, good prices, and honest advice.
Premium equipment without the premium price, and with a 14-day trial period, so you can feel the difference yourself.