440cc Vs 460cc Driver

Although skill is important, the type of equipment you use when golfing can affect your performance in many ways. Therefore, it’s important to ensure your golf club’s drivers, shafts, and grips are compatible with your style of play. In this article, I’ll examine how 440cc golf drivers compare to their 460cc counterparts.

440cc golf drivers have relatively smaller clubheads and typically offer higher swing speeds and variable launch conditions—perfect for pros. 460cc drivers, conversely, feature clubheads that offer more forgiveness during play—suitable for amateur golfers.

The rest of this article dives into the differences between these two drivers and highlights the specs that make them unique golfing equipment. Keep reading to learn which best suits your style of play as well as how the volume of your golf driver can impact your performance.

What Does “CC” Mean In Golf?

The “cc” in golf driver terminology refers to the driver’s volume and is short for “cubic centimeters.” This single feature affects the performance of the equipment you use when playing golf and also dictates the size of the club head.

This measurement is straightforward and directly translates to the size of the driver in question.

Therefore, a 440cc driver has a volume of 440 cubic centimeters (26.8 cubic inches), and a 460cc driver has a volume of 460 cubic centimeters (28.1 cubic inches).

Hence, the higher the value, the more space the clubhead occupies.

The “cc” measurement also directly influences every characteristic of the club head, including ball launch conditions and spin. However, the size of the driver can also impact more technical features of the equipment, like launch angle and moment of inertia.

440cc Golf Driver Features

440cc drivers are designed with higher swing speeds in mind. Therefore, they allow players to hit the ball long distances off the tee while ensuring variable launch conditions. These drivers are perfect for pros since they typically have smaller sweet spots and require some skill to get the most out of them.

Still, they can serve almost any golfer—provided your swing characteristics and preferences match the equipment’s design.

440cc drivers come in all shapes and sizes, and you’ll find many brands offering wide varieties. However, they all feature the same basic specs.

For example, 440cc drivers typically have loft angles ranging between 8 and 12 degrees—depending on your model. However, the driver also features a low center of gravity that maximizes distance and lets players launch the ball with much control.

Therefore, the driver’s launch angle usually varies between 10 and 18 degrees, depending on equipment and player characteristics.

460cc Golf Driver Features

460cc golf drivers are the most popular model on the market today. These large club heads are the maximum sizes allowed by USGA standards and are famous with amateurs as well as many pros.

They’re known for their larger sweet spots that allow more forgiveness and enable players to mitigate the effects of bad swings. They’re also similar to 440cc drivers in many ways, but the larger heads provide more room for error during play.

However, 460cc drivers usually don’t result in long-distance plays since there’s a higher likelihood of missing the sweet spot.

Generally, 460cc drivers have a loft angle between 9.5 and 11 degrees but a launch angle of 12 to 15 degrees.

The driver’s center of gravity is similar to that of a 440cc driver and also features a low center of gravity that allows some distance maximization, albeit with minimal launch control.

The Verdict

Both 440cc and 460cc drivers are impressive equipment, regardless of your skill level. However, the 460cc is more suitable for beginner golfers since it allows more room for error thanks to its larger size.

Still, better-skilled players would get more out of the 440cc driver since its design allows for better ball control, higher swing speeds, and better adjustments to your game.