How does the Ping G400 SFT compare to the G400 Max?
Our Ping G400 SFT vs Ping G400 Max driver test took place at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach.
We used Trackman 4 to gather the data and hit premium range balls.
Ping G400 SFT vs Ping G400 Max – The methodology
I was fitted into the Ping G400 SFT last summer and used it out on the course at the back end of the 2017 season.
It produced great numbers for me in my initial review but I did struggle with it a bit out on the course as I was missing fairways to the left 90 percent of the time.
That’s as much to do with my technique but the SFT technology – a tungsten weight in the heel was perhaps closing the face a bit quickly on me and contributing to that tuggy, hooky left miss.
Another thing I found was the slightly smaller 445cc head didn’t fill me with as much confidence as the TaylorMade M2 which I used for the most of the 2017 season.
But I loved the feel off the face and was getting superb ball speed numbers from the G400 SFT.
I was all ears when Ping introduced the G400 Max as it seemed to be ticking all of the boxes I was looking for in a driver.
[skylab_video id=”136901″]Ping G400 MAX YT[/skylab_video]
So we thought to would be good to put both drivers head to head with the exact same shaft to see which produced the best results.
From my initial review of the G400 Max, I had a good idea of the way this was going to go…
Ping G400 SFT vs Ping G400 Max – The technology
One of the reasons both the G400 driver have such a good sound and feel is the forged face.
It’s also a lighter, faster and thinner face to get those great ball speed numbers.
We’ve got Turbalator technology on the crowns of these clubs to help them move faster through the air.
[skylab_video id=”123381″]
Ping G400 SFT Driver review – mid-handicap
The main difference between the G400 SFT and the G400 Max is the former has a tungsten weight in the heel and the Max has a tungsten weight right at the back of the club.
This helps improve the MOI and the forgiveness.
Ping G400 SFT vs Ping G400 Max – The results
As you can see here with the G400 SFT the good shots are really good but there was a bit of a drop off in ball speed when I missed the middle.
With the G400 Max it just seemed like there was barely any drop-off at all.
If you really want to pick the bones out of the numbers you’ll struggle to make a case to say one is better than the other though.
Ping G400 SFT vs Ping G400 Max – NCG verdict
Some people will no doubt prefer the more compact shape of the G400 drivers.
But for me I think the Max is ticking all the boxes.
Why wouldn’t you want maximum forgiveness and stability?
Maybe you want to shape the ball a bit more and might find the G400 head a bit easier to do that with?
Either way, it’s the G400 Max all day long for me and it’s the driver I will be using at the start of the 2018 season.
It’s not always about the numbers, it’s about feeling happy when stood over the ball as that’s when I know I’m far more likely to hit a good drive.
More information can be found on the Ping website.
Who is the biggest underachiever in golf?
Slow play and what actually happens on the European Tour
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
