What's the best mini driver on the market in 2026? This video features a comparison of four mini drivers available in 2026, including the Titleist GT280, TaylorMade r7 Quad, Cobra KING Tec MD, and Callaway Elyte Mini. Over the last couple of years, the mini driver has become more popular due to its playability for both fast-swinging golfers and moderate swing speed players seeking a driver replacement.
0:00 Intro
2:57 Testing – Callaway Elyte Mini
7:04 Testing – TaylorMade r7 Quad
10:26 Testing – Titleist GT280
13:43 Testing – Titleist GT280 (Off Deck)
16:54 Testing – Cobra KING Tec MD
20:45 Testing – Cobra KING Tec MD (Off Deck)
22:04 Data & Conclusions
In this video, 2nd Swing's Harrison Arnold is joined by master club fitter Kevin Kraft to test and review four mini driver models on the market in 2026, including the Titleist GT280, TaylorMade r7 Quad, Cobra KING Tec MD, and Callaway Elyte Mini.
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Looks like I need to check into a GT280
That spins seems too low for everyone but the Cobra. Slicers/hookers with a more tilted spin axis are going to have big banana balls with low spin like that. Even people with just less ballspeed are going to have trouble keeping some of those backspin numbers airborne.
All these 2nd Swing videos sound like you're saying mostly positive things and glossing over concerning things. If spin is too low, just say it. These videos come off as disingenuous imo at best. It is lying by omission at worst. You reflect 2nd Swing, so I assume your fittings are no different.
Was waiting for so long for the Cobra mini driver. Then it didn't release left handed. I was devastated.
Iām hoping the next mini driver for Taylormade to be either the RBZ or SLDR
Love my Elyte Mini Night Edition. I don't use it off the deck and it's perfect off the tee.
I'm really struggling with which mini to pick. I have my 2ndswing trade in credit burning a hole in my pocket! The GT280 really looked the best at address, but there is a reason they make a larger one for the tour guys. If you are going to go mini, I don't see going for the smallest version. My gut tells me to go with the R7 15.5 turned down to 14. I want the mini to set up slightly open to square, and I don't want to go too low loft and start running into my driver. But I could also go R7 13.5 turned down to 12.75 or go to the Cobra.
I use the Titleist GT280 and love it.
I bought a King Tec MD and I absolutely love it! Could be my favourite club I've ever bought. What a fun club to use.
Honma TW777 360 Ti…
The new guy talks too much
Were the shaft lengths and lofts all similar ? Without a 1/4 inch and 1/2 degree?
Kevin you just crushed the mini drivers.
Just need a mini off the deck as I would NEVER let it replace my driver. Makes no sense. Therefore, the GT 280 is the easy winner!
Titleist GT280 is indeed a beast. However, unless one is a great ball striker like Krafty, it's not so easy to hit off the deck even though it's smaller than the others.
I am falling back in love with my GT280 after failing to find a 3 wood to reliably carry 260 for me. I never used to hit it off the deck, so it would only come with me to long narrow courses where I didn't trust driver.
Holy crap this thing is amazing off the ground. Not only am I getting 260 carry consistently off the deck, its rolling to 275-280 as well. I use it on more than half of Par 5s now (I often have poor tee shots with my driver that end up around the 250 mark due to 3400 spin but that is another story).
We need Kevin to use his Cobra connections to sweet talk them into a lefty option.
Callaways new mini driver isnt out yet
Shorter shaft correct?
I hated my Elyte mini spin like crazy and too big. Finally broke down got a 11.5Ā° R7 quad, cut it short to 42.5" playing with the Diamana WB63x and holy Ball speed! For me I swing it 108-111 and get just upper 158-163bs so I rarely even play driver as this thing finds more fairways and 250-260y carry is plenty over 275 off in the rough or OB! š