Should You Add a Mini Driver to Your Bag This Year?

Rapidly Growing Adoption Among Tour Professionals
A Weapon for Both Distance and Accuracy
Ideal for Tackling Narrow Fairways and Short Par-4 Holes

This year, mini drivers are once again in the spotlight, having established themselves as the secret weapon of tour professionals. At the DP World Tour India Championship in October last year, 16% of the participants used a mini driver. At the DP World Tour BMW PGA Championship in September last year, one out of every four players equipped a mini driver. As more tour professionals adopt mini drivers, amateur golfers are also starting to wonder whether they should add this club to their own bags.

The number of players using mini drivers on tour is rapidly increasing. This includes World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (USA), No. 2 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Tour Championship winner Tommy Fleetwood, FedEx St. Jude Championship winner Justin Rose, Marco Penge-who claimed three victories on the European stage last year (all from England)-LIV Golf Hong Kong champion Sergio Garcia (Spain), and RSM Classic winner Sami Valimaki (Finland). All of these players are known for favoring this club on tour.

Justin Rose won the FedEx St. Jude Championship equipped with a mini driver. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The mini driver has now become a trend, with nearly every equipment manufacturer releasing their own version. A mini driver is a smaller version of a driver, roughly one-third the size. It sits between a standard driver and a 3-wood in terms of club characteristics. The head is smaller, the loft angle is higher, and the shaft is shorter.

Among equipment brands, TaylorMade is the leading name, having introduced the first mini driver in 2014. TaylorMade recently launched the R7 Quad Mini Driver and the BRNR Mini Driver. Scheffler tested a TaylorMade mini driver model at the RBC Heritage in April last year. The tournament venue, Hilton Head, is considered one of the most challenging courses by PGA Tour players. Professionals typically use this club on courses with narrow fairways.

For weekend golfers who struggle with tee shot accuracy, choosing a mini driver can be a good option. It is also suitable for those who find fairway woods difficult to hit. The mini driver is a weapon that can satisfy both distance and accuracy. With its shorter shaft, it is easier to strike the center of the clubface. The head is larger than that of a wood, providing a comfortable look at address and making tee shots easier. As a result, fairway hit rates naturally increase.

Since 2014, TaylorMade has been producing mini drivers and recently introduced the R7 Quad Mini Driver. Photo by TaylorMade

Compared to a standard driver, the distance loss is not significant-only about 15 to 20 yards. However, the mini driver excels in consistency and straightness. It helps prevent tee shots from landing in the rough and requiring a layup. Over the course of a round, it can contribute to a lower overall score. The mini driver is also an essential piece of equipment for narrow or short par-4 holes. Equipment managers at major brands predict that mini drivers will continue to enjoy popularity this year.