Find your next driver head – guide to length and control

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

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 (face) – 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 range between 440–460cc in volume, which is the limit set by the USGA. A larger head (460cc) provides more forgiveness – meaning less penalty for off-center hits. Smaller heads (e.g., 440cc) often feel more controlled and cater to better players.

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

See our selection of driver heads above

Materials – titanium or carbon?

The two most commonly 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 get up in the air with low spin. Titanium feels more "solid" and can produce 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°) provides low ball flight and less spin – best for players with high swing speed.
High loft (10.5°+) helps the ball get up for players with lower speeds.

Forget the myth that low loft always hits the longest. For many, 10.5° provides longer carry and better control.

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

Check out 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 how much the head resists twisting on off-center hits. The higher the MOI, the more forgiving 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 suited for advanced players.

Forgiveness:
The practical effect of the two above. A head with high MOI and low CG provides a lot of forgiveness. This means that your shots from both the heel and toe still fly somewhat 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 manually inspect all equipment. 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 (e.g. Titleist GT or TaylorMade Stealth) often performs better than a new budget head. It’s “premium gear without the premium price.”

Check out our current selection of used driver heads here on the page

Who should choose which driver head?

Beginners and high handicap:

• 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 handicap:

• 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 handicap / fast swing:

• 8.5–9.5° loft and forward CG.
• Provides lower spin and flatter ball flight.
• Example: Titleist GT2 LS or Callaway Triple Diamond.

If in doubt, it’s better to start on the forgiving end. A more stable head gives better confidence and that reflects in the 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 evolves, 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 in used condition – “described exactly as they are.”

When is it smart to buy?

The best time is shortly after new models are launched – typically in spring. Here, the price of last year's models drops by 20–40%. You can get almost the same performance for half the price.

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

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 for half the price – and ensure an honest condition description.

Do you need 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.