VALUE DRIVERS
BENROSS DELTA X ◆ Lofts 10.5°/12° ◆ Stock shaft Fujikura Ventus
VERDICT Benross are now owned by American Golf, which means there’s no margin for a manufacturer and bigger savings for the consumer. There’s no covering up how all our value drivers gave up ball speed and carry on the premium priced competition – we’re talking 16 yards for the Delta X against our very longest. But it’s important to remember that at more average speeds, those gaps will narrow. The Delta X is a pretty good looking driver. We like how the crown indentation focuses attention on the impact zone and how the head has a really friendly look at address. For its intended audience it will do a decent job. It’s worth noting that the Fujikura Ventus stock shaft is not the same as the model some brands sell as a an expensive upgrade… MD GOLF STR30 ◆ Lofts 10.5° ◆ Stock shaft Apollo Balistik VERDICT MD Golf used to be major players in really solid, value for money golf equipment – Seve was even their ambassador for a while – but the brand has changed dramatically over the last five years. The owners are now golf retailers and MD Golf equipment is their margin maker, so there’s no middleman between them and the consumers. If value is a consideration, the STR30 is a pretty good option. As has always been the case with MD equipment, the STR30 sits really nicely. We like the head shape and the matt-black finish, but with only one loft and just a regular flex shaft available, it’s not going to be a brilliant fit for all golfers. LYNX PREDATOR ◆ Lofts 9°-12° ◆ Stock shaft Lynx Predator graphite
VERDICT Lynx offers a very solid line-up of equipment that includes this great value driver. Lynx are a long way on from the days when Fred Couples and Ernie Els were winning Majors with their clubs, but thanks to a direct-to-consumer website they’re offering golfers a very affordable mid-priced option. Where our other two budget driver options have fixed hosels, the Predator is adjustable. It’s not the longest driver we’ve tested in 2021, but it’s 66% cheaper than the longest driver we’ve tested in 2021; and for a lot of golfers, that’s enough.