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Ping have launched the G410 driver. But how does it compare to equipment editor James Savage’s beloved G400 Max?
Our Ping G410 driver vs. G400 Max took place at Moor Allerton in Leeds. We hit both drivers on the course and using the Flightscope launch monitor in their indoor studio.
I decided to put the G410 driver up against the G400 Max as that is the model I used out on the course in 2018.
What a tough act to follow the G400 range is going to be. It has been winning driver counts on tours all over the world and has found it’s way into the hands of dozens of free agents.
Patrick Reed was not contracted to use the G400 LST with which he won the Masters. There has also been recent success for Eddie Pepperell and Russell Knox.
Contracted players such as Bubba Watson, Tony Finau, Cameron Champ, Louis Oosthuizen, Tyrrell Hatton and Lee Westwood have all won with the G400.
So what can we expect from the G410 models?
We now have a G410 plus and a draw-biased G410 SFT. There is no Ping G410 LST model but we suspect their will be at a later date.
Same goes for the G410 Max. We have to remember that the G400 Max was released after the original G400 models so has not been on the shelves for two years yet.
So the G410 plus is effectively a replacement for the regular G400.
One thing to notice is that the size of the G410 plus is 455cc so it’s a bit bigger than the 445cc G400 but slightly smaller than the 460cc G400 Max.
But the biggest talking point is the fact Ping have added adjustability at the rear of the G410 plus driver.
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They told me this has been added as they felt for the first time it could be included without sacrificing on MOI, forgiveness or ball speed.
Ping G410 driver vs. G400 Max: The technology
Ping say the G410 driver will be better than its predecessors through four ‘Fs’.
It’s faster, more forgiving, has a better feel and can be fitted better.
They’ve been able to drag the weight right to the perimeter to keep the MOI (resistance to twisting) as high, if not higher, than anything else on the market.
The forged face offers fantastic feel but the overall design of this driver has paid close attention to acoustics to get the right sound.
So the adjustability comes in the form of a 16-gram tungsten weight – 8% of the total head weight.
Rather than being on the sole, this weight is on the outer perimeter to keep the CG low and back for forgiveness and optimal launch.
And it’s a fixed weight which can be put in three positions – draw, fade neutral – rather than a sliding weight.
Ping say moving the weight offers 10 yards of draw or fade.
The G410 SFT has a fixed weight in the heel to help players who struggle with a slice.
Better fitting is also possible through the loft sleeve which has eight positions with +/- 1.5˚.
The G410 is available in 9˚, 10.5˚ and 12˚ heads.
Oh, and let’s not forget the headcover which is 20% heavier to make sure it doesn’t blow away in the wind.
Ping really do think of everything when it comes to improving their products.
That’s how the technology stacks up, but how does the G410 compare to the G400 Max? Find out on the next page…
Ping G410 driver vs. G400 Max: The results
Let’s start with the on-course testing.
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Now you might think this is bonkers but the G400 Max still fills me with more confidence.
I’m sure sure you can really tell the difference between a 455cc and a 460cc head but the G400 Max to me, seems to look like it’s going to be harder to miss with.
But I do think the G410 actually frames the ball better.
When I first hit the G410, I thought it sounded very similar to the G400 Max, but after hitting both together the G410 is clearly a little bit higher pitched and sweeter. The G410 is a more pleasing driver to hit for this reason.
In terms of the performance, I’d be hard pushed to say the G410 was going any further or flying stronger through the air.
And after gathering some launch monitor numbers it’s quite hard to split the two.
So it’s hard for me to say that the G410 is offering me better results.
But I would say that the G410 is a significant improvement on the G400 Max for numerous reasons.
Find out why our gear guru thinks the G410 is a triumph of engineering on the next page…
Ping G410 driver vs. G400 Max: NCG verdict
So despite offering very similar numbers and on-course performance why is the G410 better?
Well, because it has improved on the previous product in every way that Ping said it was going to.
It sounds and feels better – something which is really important as distance gains really start to tighten up.
It looks better by the way it frames the ball and sits in between the G400 and G400 Max models.
Any players who found the G400 too small or the G400 Max too big will have no issues with the G410.
The biggest achievement though is the fact Ping have been able to add adjustability without sacrificing anything.
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I left the G410 in the neutral position and found the performance to be just as good at the G400 Max.
But for many players, the ability to put weight in the heel or toe is only going to strengthen the performance of the G410.
It will allow golfers to go through an even more rigorous fitting process to get properly dialled in.
So I’m saying to Ping that they have done a fantastic job of improving a product which was already fantastic.
I’m not saying that anyone who owns a G400 Max needs to go and replace it – you can see from the results that the performance is pretty much neck and neck.
But if you’re in a three- or four-year-old product and are ready for an upgrade then the G410 simply has to be on your list.
Ping G410 driver details (Plus and SFT)
SRP: £450
Lofts: 9˚, 10.5˚ 12˚
Stock shaft: Alta CB Red (No upcharge for Ping Tour 65/75 shafts)
After market: Tensei CK Orange 60/70, Even Flow Black 75 (No upcharge but custom-fitted only)
