Should I Add a Mini Driver to my Bag?

Thanks to players like Tommy Fleetwood, the mini driver has suddenly catapulted into the golf spotlight (just behind the 7-wood, of course). Promises of straighter shots, added control off the tee and a confidence boost for those tricky driving holes might have you wondering, Should I add a mini driver to my bag?

And honestly, it’s a fair question. After all, who wouldn’t want to be a little more like Tommy?

But here’s the thing: Mini drivers, while they definitely have their merits, are not for everyone. Here are a few questions to run through before jumping the gun and dropping a pretty penny on the new club.

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Does it fit my gapping?

Before adding any new club, think about how it fits into your current bag. Your bag works best when each club has a distinct, usable distance.

• The mini driver typically sits between a driver and a 3-wood, but depending on your swing speed and launch conditions, it can overlap with one or the other.
  
• If your mini driver only flies 10 yards shorter than your driver — or only 5 yards longer than your 3-wood — you’re essentially carrying two clubs for the same shot.
  
• Look at your launch monitor numbers or on-course results: Does it fill a meaningful gap, or is it just a novelty?
  
  

A smart fit will make it a strategic weapon for specific holes, not just a duplicate of something you already hit well.

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Have I tested it against my current clubs?

Don’t rely on assumptions – get fit for the club at your local GOLFTEC or test it on a SKYTRAK launch monitor. Compare not just distance but accuracy, dispersion, and confidence level. If it’s not clearly outperforming one of your current clubs in certain situations, it might not be worth the switch.

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Do I have the right swing for it?

Mini drivers are more forgiving than a fairway wood but still benefit players with a decent strike.

If you have a lower swing speed or struggle with launch, you might not see the same benefits as someone who can hit it high with enough spin. Consider getting fit to see if the specs match your swing.

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What problem am I actually trying to solve?

Ask yourself why you’re looking at a mini driver in the first place.

Is it because your driver feels wild? Because you never use your 3-wood? Or because you saw a pro using one?

If you can’t clearly define the performance gap you want to fill, you might just be chasing the latest trend.

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Am I prepared to adjust my bag setup?

Adding a mini driver isn’t just about finding room in your heart for a new club. It’s about finding room in your bag while staying within the 14-club limit. That usually means something has to go.

Before making the leap, take a hard look at your current setup:

• Which club would you remove? If it’s a fairway wood, will the mini driver truly cover those shots from the turf or will you miss that option?
  
  
• How will this change your yardage coverage? If you drop a hybrid or long iron, will that leave a big gap between your approach distances?
  
  
• Do you play courses where the dropped club is actually more useful than a mini driver? For example, if you often need a high, soft landing shot from 230 yards, losing your 5-wood might hurt you more than the mini driver helps.
  
  

Think about your most common on-course scenarios over a few recent rounds. If the mini driver will replace a club you rarely pull out, the transition could be seamless. But if you’re sacrificing a go-to club, you might end up with a shiny new toy that creates more problems than it solves.

Learn more about the technology behind SKYTRAK and see how it can help improve your game!

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