How Much Does a NEW Driver Impact Yardage off the Tee? We Ran A Test to Find Out

While most golfers tend to use the same equipment for a few years, we probably all have some buddies who can't help but buy the latest and greatest golf equipment, with many splurging on the newest golf driver that promises more distance and better control.

Problem is, just because you drop $600 on a new driver doesn't mean you know how to actually use the darn thing, but, nonetheless, the technology is so advanced these days that it often makes a positive impact on your ball-striking.

But how much difference does a new golf driver really make on the average golfer's game? We at Rainmakers Golf ran a test to get some answers, with the results shown in the video below.

Does a New Golf Driver Really Make a Difference?

https://youtube.com/shorts/dN_-1z877Tc?si=fHQ53_kRBHnN4_IG

In the video, Rainmakers' content creator, Nick Peres, has a daunting task: Show amateur and beginner golfers why new golf drivers outperform old ones.

"In the next 25 seconds, I'm going to show you why you need a new driver," Peres says.

How? And why? Because Peres then walks through a fun (and very unscientific swing test) to explain the differences between a driver released in 2005 versus a driver from 2020 - which is still six years old!

"I took 20 shots with my current driver [a 2020 Titleist TSi2], and then the same with my old one [a 2005 TaylorMade R5] to test the difference in yardage - and the results were crazy," Peres explains.

Which Driver Performed Better?

So how far has golf technology come in two decades? According to Peres' results, quite a bit!

"After taking the average of the five best shots from each driver, the new driver outgained the old driver by 10 yards [253 .4 to 243.5]," Peres shares. "And my new driver [is still six years old already], so imagine what the new ones do now."

This golf driver test might be a small sample size, but considering the results between the newer driver versus the older one, it might be time to pull the trigger and upgrade your clubs if you're using dated equipment - because you're holding yourself back from bombing tee shots!

Craving more golf swing tips and golf instruction? Be sure to subscribe to Rainmakers Golf on YouTube for more relatable swing advice to help your game improve.

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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 2:21 PM.