What Driver to Buy, and How Much to Spend

GT2/GT3 at $449.99; GTS2/3/4 at $699

The best-timed discount in golf. The GTS series launched 11 June 2026 at $699, which pushed the GT range to about $449 while leaving it a current fitting option. GT2 finished 9th of 42 with a 9.4 distance score, and GT3 posted the longest carry in the high-swing-speed test at 280.88 yards. The warranty is the shortest of the majors at one year.

Qi4D and Qi4D LS at $649.99

Won the 2026 test outright at 9.2 with the most even scores in the field, and the LS version placed 6th. Two-year warranty, the longest of the brands compared, but original owner only with proof of purchase, so it is worth nothing to a used buyer. TaylorMade also runs the most visible counterfeit-reporting program, which is a fair signal of how much fake product exists under its name.

Quantum Max $649.99; Triple Diamond $699.99

Four models in the overall top seven and the best result of anyone above 105 mph: 278.24 yards of carry at 160.7 mph and 2,105 rpm. The Quantum models also topped the tester purchase-intent survey, which is the closest thing in this report to a customer-satisfaction measure. Two-year warranty. Callaway also runs its own certified pre-owned channel, which matters if you intend to buy last year's model.

G440 MAX, LST and K

Three models in the top 15 and the best resale in the category: a used-price guide puts PING 15-20% above the average for value retention, and a nine-retailer trade-in comparison used a G440 MAX as its test club, drawing offers from $224 to $294.94. The warranty is the least specific of the majors, handled case by case rather than by a published term.

OPTM Max-K $599.99 and Max-D

Best Accuracy above 105 mph at 278.11 yards of carry, and 15th overall in the general field. The Max-D adds draw bias for a slice. The warranty is the weakest structure of the majors, one year from purchase or two years from the release date, and a used guide notes COBRA depreciates faster than average, which cuts both ways depending on whether you are buying or selling.

ZXi Max $549.99, ZXi $399.99

Won Best Forgiveness in 2026 while listing $100 below the flagship tier, and a review site lists the standard ZXi at $399.99. The 2,752 rpm test average is the high end of this shortlist, which suits moderate speeds and steeper deliveries more than fast ones. Warranty terms were not covered in the brand comparison reviewed, which is itself worth asking a retailer about.

Exotics Max $499; Hot Launch Max cheaper still

Fourth of 42 models, with the highest forgiveness score in the top five, at $150 under the flagship tier, and premium shaft options reported at no upcharge. That last point is worth more than it sounds when the majors charge $200 for the same upgrade. The costs are resale and reach: Tour Edge does not command the trade-in values or the dealer coverage of the majors.

Ben Hogan, Takomo, Vice, Stix

The most interesting result of the 2026 test panel: Ben Hogan's PTx Max drew the third-highest purchase intent of the field, explicitly credited to its lower price, while the PTx LST drew almost the lowest. Vice's two models scored well on distance but poorly on accuracy and forgiveness, and finished bottom for purchase intent. The lesson is that this tier is model-by-model rather than brand-by-brand: some of it is genuinely competitive, some is not, and there is no dealer to try it at first.