2nd Swing Golf
Master fitters, Trackman-heavy testing
“G440 Max in general though has been fantastic.”
Fitters-choice winner in the core category: fantastic, very forgiving, versatile to fit, with almost robotically consistent spin in testing.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Voted core-driver winner by Second Swing's fitters for early 2026
- +Absurdly consistent spin on camera (2591, 2547, 2573 rpm across three swings)
- +Very forgiving with higher launch, fits the widest range of golfers
- −Not as quick off the face as the Titleist GT3 (1.48 vs 1.49 smash), carried a bit shorter
For: The widest range of golfers who want forgiveness with dialed-in dispersion, spin, and launch
“There is not another driver I would have wanted in my hand”
A hugely forgiving, spin-consistent core driver that protected even his worst swings and lived up to its billing as one to beat in 2025.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Exceptional forgiveness and tight dispersion, kept terrible swings just off the fairway edge
- +Spin consistency across the face protects low and off-center strikes
- +Solid, rewarding traditional sound and feel
- −Spins too much for faster, low-spin players, who should look at the LST instead
- −Not the fastest core-model driver this year
- −Looks are traditional rather than exciting; turbulators still divide opinion
For: The large group of golfers who actually need spin and stability from their driver, not a low-spin core model
James Robinson Golf
Mid-handicap everyman reviews
“a phenomenal driver and easily one of, if not the best of 2025”
His number one forgiving driver of 2025 — a step on from the G430 Max 10K and, to him, the best feeling, sounding and looking driver of the year.
+ the facts · 4 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Astonishing forgiveness — he can't work out how Ping packed so much MOI in
- +Best feeling, best sounding and best looking driver of the year for him
- +Carbonfly wrap crown frees discretionary weight; big rear weight plus draw/fade adjustability
- −Turbulators on the crown are not his thing
For: Mid-to-high handicappers who want the most forgiving premium driver of 2025
Mark Crossfield
Coach, famously hard to impress
“you're not going to go too wrong with ping”
His pick of the three G440 heads: super stable with consistently high smash factor and retained ball speed, even if it barely changes from prior Pings.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Feels the most stable of the three and delivers consistent carry
- +Smash factor always right up there; you get out what you put in
- +165-166 mph ball speed averages, right in the pack of the best drivers
- −Doesn't feel like a real change from previous generations; not worth upgrading from one or two Pings back
- −New free hosel tech feels like a tiny shift, not exciting
- −Expensive, like all top-brand drivers
For: Anyone wanting maximum forgiveness in a stable driver, tour player to beginner alike
Golf Monthly
UK magazine, season-long testing
“that sort of gobbled up that predominant miss that I get”
An excellent driver that won the sound, feel and forgiveness battles, especially flattering his low-heel miss, but lost on distance due to higher spin.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Lively, zingy acoustic he preferred
- +Exceptionally receptive on low and heel strikes, better than the G430
- +Carbonfly Wrap crown now across the Max range looks more premium and cohesive
- −Spun over 3,100 rpm for him, ballooning flight and costing roll-out
- −Chrome-and-blue sole looks less sophisticated than the TaylorMade
- −Only a sliding rear weight for fade/draw bias versus the Qi35's split weights
For: Players whose miss is low or heel-side, or who need more spin to launch it
“I probably would still chose last year's model over the g440”
Delivers the promised ball speed jump and a look he much prefers, but the drop in forgiveness versus last year's G430 Max 10K means he'd still choose the older model.
+ the facts · 5 pros · 4 cons− the facts
- +Real ball speed increase, averaging 136 mph, 2-3 mph above his norm
- +Much nicer color scheme and G30-throwback design than last year
- +Compact look at address for a Ping driver
- −Noticeable drop in forgiveness versus the G430 Max 10K, harder to hit well consistently
- −Carry and total were a little down, 216 carry and 234 total, speed didn't convert to distance
- −Low-face strikes feel clunky and thuddy
For: Golfers chasing more ball speed over maximum forgiveness
“I just don't think Ping's for me”
Felt too hollow and spinny for him and Ping's looks have never won him over, but he acknowledges Ping's forgiveness is up there and hugely popular for a reason.
+ the facts · 1 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Renowned forgiveness that suits a lot of golfers
- −Felt hollow and spinny to him
- −Big PING crown logo and overall looks not to their taste
For: Golfers who prioritise forgiveness over feel and looks