What’s new? How much does it cost? And, how can it improve your driving? Max McVittie brings you the lowdown on the Ping G440 Drivers.
Ping seems to always make an appearance in our best of drivers and now their new G440 line-up is designed to deliver even more ball speed. These drivers include Ping’s deepest Centre of Gravity yet to help throw the ball up in the air.
The brand have released and designed a model to fit all types of players, with each one different to the other. Each driver head profile is constructed to to provide launch conditions to work best with their swing type, as well as helping golfers swing faster to get further down the fairway off the tee.
There is certainly something for everyone in the Ping G440 range, but which driver suits your game best? Let’s take a look…
The Technology
Following on from the previous generation of Ping drivers, the G430 range, the brand have made some improvements to the construction of the big sticks. They have made the face faster and hotter to increase distances along with higher launches.
To achieve this Ping have lowered the face height which has allowed them to make it thinner for more ball speed and a consistent performance across the face. Off-centred strikes, such as toe and heel strikes, still have strong performance benefits, even off high in the heel.
Ping have also incorporated a free-hosel design into the G440 drivers. This has helped create their deepest CG yet in their drivers as the weight removed from the section of the hosel is and moved to help push the mass lower.
Ultimately, a deeper CG allows the drivers to deliver faster ball speeds, a more optimal spin rate and a higher launch to help carry the ball further. These are all positives in helping club golfers hit their drives straighter and longer on a more consistent basis.
Additionally, a lightweight 8-position hosel, the Trajectory Tuning 2.0 Adjustable Hosel, helps increase the adjustability of the drivers. Golfers are able to tweak the loft by 1.5° and lie angle by up to 3° flatter than that of a standard driver. Players of all abilities can really hone in achieving the right ball flight for them in maximising performance.
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Golfers being able to swing the club faster are also aided by a lighter, longer shaft length. A 10g reduction in the total weight and the standard shaft length being upped to 46 inches, helps to turn up the swing speed whilst maintaining a tight dispersion so you aren’t hitting it all over the course.
The CarbonFly Wrap crown is used as standard across the range and is a lighter club head than previous generations. Ping say it has a more muted and pleasing sound at impact.
Shot shape is always key for a driver and is something may club golfers struggle to control. To counter any slices or big draws the MAX and LS models have a 29-gram back weight which can favour a draw, fade or neutral shot shape.
Ping G440 Drivers: The Line-up
The Ping G440 driver range features three models: Ping G440 MAX driver, Ping G440 LST driver and the Ping G440 SFT driver.
Ping G440 MAX Driver
Looks: Has a larger driver head, more oversized than the LST model as it has a head volume of 460cc.
Main Attributes: Designed to be the most forgiving driver head.
Who is it for?: A driver that can be utilised by all club golfers.
Ping G440 LST Driver
Looks: A slightly smaller driver head, with a head volume of 450cc.
Main Attributes: Designed to provide a low spin rate for more enhanced distances off the tee and a more penetrating ball flight. Offers more control in the 9° and 10.5° lofts with the three-position back weight.
Who is it for?: For players with faster swing speeds as it has a heavier head than the other two drivers.
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Ping G440 SFT Driver
Looks: The lightest driver head but the same size as the Ping G440 MAX driver.
Main Attributes: Designed to favour a draw ball flight due to its two-position, adjustable 23-gram back weight.
Who is it for?: For those who require more assistance in hitting a straighter ball flight, more specifically correcting a slice.
