Ping G400 driver review – The technology
As with the G30 and G drivers, Ping have focussed on getting the club’s centre of gravity low and deep. This is the key to high MOI (resistance to twisting) and forgiveness.
Putting weight forwards can lead to more distance but as the expense of some forgiveness – something which Ping won’t do.
The G400 has an emphasis on being light and incredibly aerodynamic to gain more speed on the downswing which will lead to more ball speed.
The G400 has Ping’s lightest-ever crown, while a new forged face is also thinner and lighter. Ping say they have also improved the sound and feel – one criticism of the G drivers.
All in all these improvements should result in about five yards of distance on G which should be about 10 yards more than G30.
[skylab_video id=”123410″]Ping G400 driver review[/skylab_video]
Ping G400 driver review – The results
I was fitted into the G400 SFT model to help eliminate my miss to the right.
To me, this driver looks classier and sleeker both on the shelf and at address. It was ticking a lot of boxes for me before I even hit a shot.
When I started hitting, the sound and feel were both a massive improvement on the G drivers. It has a soft and sweet feel off the face compared to quite a high pitched, harsh feel on the G.
With this driver I was getting the numbers I would expect on a good shot but most what pleased me the most was the fact they were all going left of target.
I’m used to aiming left and letting the ball fade back to the right. With this driver they were starting left and finishing left. So going where I was aiming. Wouldn’t it be great if I could actually start aiming to where I want the ball to finish?
Another thing which is hugely impressive about this driver is the forgiveness. I hit a couple of really bad shots here and the worst one carried 200 yards and would have finished in the middle of the fairway. It was such a bad strike, I barely made contact with the ball.
So on Trackman I was seeing a lot of things which I liked.
Out on the course, I was missing every fairway to the left but was getting really good carry and a nice strong ball flight.
I just need to put my faith in this driver and start aiming more to the right.
Ping G400 driver review – NCG verdict
This is the most excited I have been about a new driver.
I really feel like I can trust the technology and the engineering which has gone into it. It does exactly what it is supposed to do.
You can say that about previous Ping drivers but I often found myself a bit underwhelmed with the overall package which includes looks, sound and feel.
This driver offers the complete package in my point of view. The performance, looks, sound and feel are fantastic.
I’m looking forward to using this driver more out on the course as with a bit of technique and alignment work, I’m certain it can help me shoot lower scores.
Details
SRP: £389
Lofts: 8.5˚, 10˚ (Regular, LST); 10˚, 12˚ (SFT)
Stock shafts: Alta CB (SR, R, S, X), Tour 65, 75 (R, S, X)
After market shafts: (+£60)
Kuru Kage 60, Hzrdus Yellow 75, X-torsion
For more information visit the Ping website
