In the ever-evolving world of golf equipment, new trends and innovations are constantly emerging, promising to improve our game and lower our scores. One such trend that has been gaining significant traction in recent years - both in the amateur game and tour-level - is the rise of the mini-driver.
Sitting somewhere between a traditional driver and a 3-wood, the mini-driver offers a unique blend of distance, control and versatility. However, there has been some confusion among players as to why they would use a mini-driver or what it might replace in their bag, so let’s explore the three compelling reasons why you might want to consider adding one to your arsenal.
1. Enhanced Accuracy and Control
One of the major benefits of using a mini-driver is the potential increased accuracy and control it offers many players from the tee compared to a standard driver. The shorter shaft length and smaller head size of a mini-driver can make it easier for many players to manage and swing than a modern 45.5”, 460cc driver, leading them to more consistent contact and straighter shots. For players who often struggle with driver accuracy, particularly on tight courses, a mini-driver can be a game-changer.
As a PGA Professional who plays a lot of Pro-Am events, I see a lot of players who quite frankly don’t find the center of the face on their driver enough to justify carrying one. While they may be able to create more club head speed due to the length of the shaft, that swing speed is largely useless if it doesn’t translate into ball speed through a quality connection. In my experience, shortening the shaft length allows certain players to consistently improve their centeredness of strike which often results in higher ball speeds, even from lower club speed. For the right player, a mini-driver can dramatically improve the efficiency of the relationship between club and ball speeds meaning more output from less input.
2. Added Versatility from the Tee and Fairway
Mini-drivers bridge the gap between drivers and 3-woods, and can also offer exceptional versatility from both the tee and the fairway. While primarily intended for tee shots, many mini-driver models can also be effectively used off the deck which is particularly useful for players who struggle with their 3-wood but still need extra distance on longer par 5s or into the wind. A lot of players find the extra head size of a mini driver over a 3-wood inspires a lot more confidence in the address position and as such I have seen many players using it as a direct 3-wood replacement that has a little more yardage in the tank.
Interestingly, in my testing, I have found the dual use of the mini driver as both a tool from the tee and the ground to be incredibly effective based on their inherent CG location. With the CG being a touch higher than a standard 3-wood due to the deeper face, strikes off the fairway to impact lower on the face (relative to that CG location), and as such I have found a very healthy amount of spin on those shots helping to stabilize the ball flight and keep the ball in the air longer. This coupled with the additional hitting area of the larger head has made it a very user-friendly option for me from the fairway.
Conversely from the tee, due to the lower profile nature of the head than a standard 460cc driver, the CG is comparatively low, and as such I have found my strike location to be pretty high relative to the CG. Impacting above the CG is a surefire way to fast-track yourself to optimal high launch and low spin ball flights resulting in some tremendous distance output from the tee. This combination of high spinning from the ground and low spinning from the tee is a valuable asset of the mini-driver.
3. A More Aggressive Strategy
Depending on your level of play and distance output, there may well be some holes where you play your golf when the driver is simply too much club to hit off certain tees. This may be down to a well-placed ditch or bunker, or simply a tightening of the fairway at your driver distance. As such, dropping down to your fairway wood may be your only prudent option. However, this may be costing you shots…
Modern statistics tell us that simply being further down the hole from the tee has a direct correlation with improved proximity to the hole, and as such lower scores, so laying back too far can impact negatively on your scoring. This is where the mini driver can step in and help out, and is precisely why PGA Tour winner Adam Scott has been a prolific user;
“It’s unbelievable, because so many holes pinch, turn, end at 310 (yards) and 320 now because they’ve geared the courses for us. And that’s right where the driver is. It’s tight. If you go back to 3-wood, you’re at 270 yards, you’re a ways back. But the Mini goes 300 and still in the wide part on a lot of the courses we play. That’s what I look for.”
Now, while your numbers may be different than Scott’s, the principle is the same. Allowing you to creep slightly further up the hole when being forced to hit less than driver could well facilitate some lower scores.
In conclusion, a mini-driver like the new TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini is more than just a passing fad; it’s a legitimate and valuable addition to many golfers’ bags. With its enhanced accuracy, versatility, distance-bridging capabilities, and strategic advantages, the mini-driver is a tool that can genuinely enhance your game. If you are very clear on what you want from it and get it set up accordingly, then you will have a serious weapon on your hands. So, if you’re looking to improve your tee shots, find more fairways, and lower your scores, it might be time to give a mini-driver a try.
