In the ever-evolving landscape of golf equipment, few clubs have experienced such a fascinating resurgence as the mini driver. Sitting somewhere between a compact driver and an oversized fairway wood, these versatile alternatives have seen their count of available options already quintuple in 2025 (although, admittedly, that’s not saying much).
Whether you’re looking for more accuracy off the tee, have no particular use for a 3-wood or are just curious about this growing category, this comparison guide will help you navigate the world of mini drivers with the ease of a tap-in putt.
What exactly is a mini driver?
A mini driver is a bit of a cross between a conventional driver and a fairway wood. Small driver? Big fairway? I suppose either description is appropriate depending on the specific model in question.
The hook is that, for many (if not most), minis will prove more accurate than a driver and longer (and also likely more accurate) than a fairway wood. While you’re almost certainly going to give up some distance stepping down from a full-sized driver, the likelihood is you’ll be better positioned to navigate shorter par-4s and any situation where the white stakes are uncomfortably close to the fairway.
And while, by the numbers, a full-sized driver is going to offer higher MOI, a mini will exceed the MOI numbers of a fairway wood and in terms of practical forgiveness (straighter shots, tighter dispersion), the mini might be the best option of the three.
Who should consider a mini?
The mini driver makes particular sense for several types of players.
Golfers who don’t hit 3-wood anywhere but off the tee. The decline in 3-wood use on the PGA Tour, for example, is likely the most significant reason why minis are growing in popularity.
Long hitters looking for an option that won’t outkick their coverage.
Players looking for a situational club that can be swapped in when course conditions demand it.
Anyone who consistently struggles to stay out of trouble with their driver.
On paper, most use cases trend towards better players but I’ve met a few higher-handicap golfers who have embraced mini drivers and swear by them.
I’m coming off a long winter. I’m rusty, sore and borderline broken. I’ve found that a mini driver keeps the ball between the lines and hits more fairways.
For sure, it’s costing me some yards. Best to best, there’s about a 20-yard difference but, worst to worst, the results are significantly better with the mini.
As the season ramps up, I’ll need to figure out if a mini replaces the driver, the 3-wood or something else. It could very well prove to be situational but I think there’s a place for it in my bag and I suspect that as more golfers try minis, they’ll reach the same conclusion.
I suppose there are similar questions to be asked about PING’s Thriver and while I’ll briefly mention it again in a bit, it’s outside the scope of what we’re here to talk about today.
Mini driver tale of the tape
ClubMore InfoSize (cc)LoftStock LengthMovable WeightsStock ShaftStock GripRetail PriceGet Yours
TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini30511.5° (RH, LH), 13.5° (RH ONLY)43.75(4) – 2x4g, 2x12g (High, Low, Draw, Fade)Fujikura Speeder MDGolf Pride Z-Grip$479.99See the Best Price!
Titleist GT28028013° (RH, LH)43.5(2) – 11g, 3g (High, Low)Mitubishi Tensei 1k Blue, Mitsubishi Tensei 1K BlackTitleist Universal 360$499.99See the Best Price!
Krank Formula Fire Mini30511.5° (RH ONLY)44naFujikura Speeder X Tour, Fujikura Speeder X LiteKrank Tour Wrap$499.99See the Best Price!
Callaway Elyte Mini34011.5° (RH, LH), 13.5° (LH, RH)43.75(1) – 12g (Draw, Neutral, Fade)Project X Denali CharcoalGolf Pride Tour Velvet 360$449.99See the Best Price!
PXG Secret Weapon30012 (RH, LH)43.75(4) – 2x2g, 2x15g (High, Low, Draw, Fade)Project X Denali BluePXG Z5 Black$449.99See the Best Price!
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Features to consider
Head size and shape
It’s important to differentiate between size and shape when evaluating mini drivers. While smaller head volume generally suggests easier playability, the profile (tall versus flat) can make a smaller volume harder to hit or a larger one easier than the numbers might indicate.
If you’re using your mini driver exclusively off the tee, there’s a case to be made for the higher MOI of a bigger head. This explains why PING offers a “Thriver” build—essentially a full-sized G440 (typically the MAX model) built to mini driver length with added hot melt to achieve normal swing weight.
Shaft options
For off-the-rack buyers, stock shaft options vary significantly between manufacturers. While custom upgrades are always available (some free, some matching the typical $350 driver upgrade charge), stock options aren’t necessarily inferior—just different.
In my opinion, Titleist offers the best stock options (Tensei 1K Black or Blue), followed by PXG and Callaway (both offering flavors of Project X Denali).
For the DIY crowd, mini drivers are typically built to 3-wood specifications, with whatever shaft you choose tipped half an inch. Titleist uses a fairway wood adapter and has designed the GT280 to work seamlessly with a 3-wood shaft. Callaway uses a driver adapter while TaylorMade and PXG use the same adapter for both drivers and fairway woods. This effectively means that 3-wood shafts you might already have for TMaG and PXG will fit (though length might be off) while Callaway requires a more custom approach, leveraging fairway-spec shafts with a driver tip.
Adjustability
All mini drivers on this list offer some form of hosel adjustability although the range differs by manufacturer. With the exception of Krank, each also features movable weights.
The Titleist GT280 offers front-to-back weight positioning similar to the GT4. Callaway’s system mirrors the Elyte series. PXG and TaylorMade both employ four-weight systems that provide both trajectory control (high/low) and left-to-right shot shape correction.
One important note: With the smaller footprint of the mini driver heads, weight is consolidated in a more compact area, meaning adjustments will have less impact on ball flight than they would in a full-sized driver head. I’m not suggesting the adjustments are ineffective, just that they don’t work to the same degree as in larger heads.
Loft options
Nominal lofts for mini drivers range from 11.5 to 13.5 degrees. Both TaylorMade and Callaway offer 11.5 and 13.5 models. Logically, the 11.5 version works more as a direct driver replacement while the 13.5 should be more playable from the fairway.
PXG and the GT280 are available in 13 degrees only while the Krank comes in 11.5.
While there are differences between adapter systems, every mini driver discussed here is adjustable by 1.5-2 degrees in either direction.
Which mini driver is right for you?
MyGolfSpy testing is ongoing but the clearest answers emerge at the extremes of use cases.
If you’re never going to hit it off the fairway, start with the 11.5-degree Callaway Elyte.
If you need your mini to be as much like a 3-wood as possible, the GT280’s more compact and fairway-friendly design would be my starting point.
My strongest recommendation? Get fitted and demo off grass if possible. Even at the extremes, you’ll likely find you can hit the GT280 effectively off the tee and many players can hit the Elyte off the fairway. They just happen to be better suited to certain aspects of play than others.
With that in mind, the PXG Secret Weapon and TaylorMade R7 Quad could be considered the most versatile options. Frankly, despite some variety in footprint, much like the driver category in general, the designs are similar. Differences likely come down to fitting the individual golfer and price point although I wouldn’t sweat the $30 difference if it means better performance for you.
I don’t have any hands-on experience with the Krank model so I’m hesitant to make specific recommendations.
Final thoughts
Mini drivers aren’t new but the 2025 category has expanded dramatically with expectations of more options on the way. There’s plenty of curiosity and lingering questions about where mini drivers fit and how golfers might benefit from playing them.
This guide serves as an introduction to what’s currently on the market. If you happen to already have a mini in your bag, let us know which one you’re playing, how it’s working out and what club you sacrificed to make room for it.
The post The Mini Driver Matrix: A Comprehensive Comparison For Every Golfer appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
