My Journey with the Eleven Mini Driver: Finding the Sweet Spot Between Driver and Fairway Wood
Another Trip to Hereford HQ
As one of the newest additions to the Eleven lineup, I've had the opportunity to experience their Mini Driver firsthand. My journey began with another visit to the Eleven headquarters in Hereford for testing and fitting, where I walked away with an 11-degree Mini Driver that would challenge my preconceptions about what belongs in a golf bag.
First Impressions: Size Matters
First impressions of this Mini Driver reveal something quite intriguing from a profile perspective. It's certainly smaller than what you'd see from a normal driver, but equally, it's notably larger than what you'd find in a modern 3-wood or fairway wood. This unique positioning creates an interesting dilemma for golfers trying to categorise exactly what this club represents.
The Eleven Mini Driver is designed to serve two distinct purposes. For golfers who struggle off the tee with their driver, this could be the confidence-boosting replacement they need. Alternatively, for players who generate more power and speed, this Mini Driver might replace a fairway wood, specifically a 3-wood in their bag setup.
Tour Influence and Adjustability
Seeing so many more mini drivers appearing in tour professionals' bags around the world certainly turns heads when it comes to recreational golfers wanting to add this weapon to their arsenal. The trend is undeniable, and Eleven has positioned themselves well within this growing market segment.
The Mini Driver comes standard at 11 degrees, but I can adjust the loft up or down by one or two degrees depending on the ball flight I'm seeking. This adjustability provides excellent versatility for fine-tuning performance to match playing conditions or personal preferences.
Specifications and Setup
The shaft length sits just about an inch longer than what you'd typically see on a 3-wood, yet noticeably shorter than a standard driver shaft. This compromise length is probably what gives many golfers increased confidence, especially when replacing a full-sized driver that might feel unwieldy.
The look down at the ball presents a really classy, glossy appearance with no markings on top of the head, keeping things simple. It blends into a nice matt black face, featuring subtle groove markings that help frame the ball at address rather than affect spin characteristics.
KBS Partnership Excellence
Eleven's collaboration with KBS, one of the leading shaft brands in golf ensures the Mini Driver benefits from premium shaft technology. Having a KBS shaft integrated into this Mini Driver definitely enhances both the profile and performance characteristics of the club.
Personal Performance Experience
Personally, I struggled when using the Mini Driver, particularly hitting it off the ground. I don't feel I generate sufficient speed to make it perform exactly as needed from fairway lies. If you're a player lacking swing speed, you might find better results using this club primarily from the tee box.
When I caught it well off the tee, I achieved good yardage, not quite matching my driver distance, but certainly respectable. For golfers struggling with their driver, this represents a genuine alternative worth considering. That extra loft compared to a driver promotes higher launch characteristics that can definitely improve your game.
Hot Melt Customisation
The weighting system offers interesting customisation through hot melt treatment rather than traditional removable weights. For example, placing hot melt material towards the face drops spin for a more penetrating ball flight. Alternatively, positioning it in the heel slows that side down, quickens the toe, and helps prevent slice shots. All of this work is done by hand and HQ and would need to be ordered when making a purchase.
This hot melt approach saves weight compared to mechanical weight systems, requiring just one simple weight at the back to access the port for customisation.
Value and Verdict
At £239, the Eleven Mini Driver represents extremely competitive pricing for the technology and customisation options provided. It's certainly something most golfers should consider when looking to replace either a problematic driver or an underperforming fairway wood.
The Mini Driver succeeds in filling that gap between driver confidence and fairway wood versatility, offering a compelling solution for golfers seeking easier tee shots without sacrificing too much distance.
Key Specifications:
- Price: £239
- Standard Loft: 11 degrees (adjustable ±1-2 degrees)
- Length: 43.75 inches standard
- Head Size: 310cc forged titanium
- Shaft: Premium KBS options (Max or TD)
- Customisation: Hot melt weighting system available
- Target: Golfers seeking driver alternative or 3-wood replacement
Dan Hendriksen, PGA Professional