Why Ping are breaking their own rules with the Ping G440 drivers

From the tech to the specs, we’ve left no stone unturned to bring you every detail about the Ping G440 Max, G440 LST, and G440 SFT drivers for 2025.

When you’ve released one of the best drivers golf has ever seen the previous year, launching a new family of big sticks 12 months later comes with significant pressure. But Ping believe they’ve taken things to the next level with the Ping G440 drivers for 2025. 

JUMP TO:

• Ping G440 drivers – the key technology
• Ping G440 Max driver
• Ping G440 LST driver
• Ping G440 SFT driver

Ping are one of the few brands who don’t traditionally launch new drivers every year, but they broke tradition by adding the G430 Max 10k driver in 2024, just a year after the rest of the G430 range. It drew universal praise (we called it “the king of forgiveness”), won countless awards, and will remain in the line-up for 2025, despite the rest of the Ping G430 drivers being superseded by the new G440 range.  

But 2025’s focus will be on the new G440 family, with Ping seemingly discovering even more ways to elevate and refine their woods. 

While Callaway have changed up their product names for 2025 with Elyte, and TaylorMade have entered what we assume will be the final year of Qi with Qi35, Ping have stuck with the ‘G’ format that has been around since the Ping G2 launched way back in 2004. Like a comfortable pair of slippers, there’s no need to get rid of something if it works. 

Rather than spending months working on a new name or a revolutionary-looking driver, they’ve focused on improving and perfecting what made the G430 so successful. After visiting Ping HQ in Scottsdale for the G440 media reveal late last year, it was clear this desire permeates the engineering team. Their approach is not to start from scratch but to ensure that each year’s product builds on the strengths of its predecessor. The Ping G440 is effectively a refined evolution of the excellent G430. 

The Ping G440 driver family includes three models, each designed for different players’ needs. Lefties will be pleased to see that Ping are one of the very few brands to offer all their big stick options in both right- and left-handed specs.

The Ping G440 Max will be the biggest seller and is the most forgiving option, with the G440 LST providing lower spin for players with faster swing speeds. Then there’s the Ping G440 SFT, which will be the model of choice for the thousands of golfers fighting a slice, with everything set up to encourage a draw. 

The Ping G440 family also includes fairway woods, hybrids, and irons, which you can read about at the links below. 

• Everything you need to know about the Ping G440 fairway woods 
• Everything you need to know about the Ping G440 hybrids 
• Everything you need to know about the Ping G440 irons 

The new Ping G440 driver range aims to redefine performance by blending cutting-edge advancements with Ping’s trademark forgiveness, enabling golfers to achieve exceptional results. This new generation of drivers is engineered to produce greater ball speed through key innovations, including Ping’s deepest center of gravity (CG) in a driver and a redesigned shallower and thinner face. Together, these enhancements are designed to maximize energy transfer, stability, and playability on every swing. 

Each model in the Ping G440 lineup is meticulously crafted to suit specific player profiles. Whether you’re looking for optimized launch conditions, tailored spin rates, or precise control, the distinct head profiles are designed to match your swing style perfectly. 

The overall head weight has been reduced by 10 grams compared to the previous model, allowing for faster clubhead speeds without sacrificing control. Additionally, the standard shaft length has been increased by ¼”, promoting higher launch angles and longer drives for players looking to push their limits. Complementing these innovations is the driver’s slightly muted sound, which Ping say will deliver a satisfying sensory experience on every strike. 

Ping continues to advance its technology from model to model, exemplified by “Spinsistency,” a term coined to describe the consistent spin performance across the clubface. This innovation optimizes the face design, grooves, and materials to minimize spin drop-off when the ball is struck away from the center. Spinsistency ensures predictable and reliable spin, leading to more consistent ball flight, control, and accuracy, regardless of contact point or playing conditions. 

Year after year, brands try to justify their incremental improvements in distance or control. With the G440, Ping keeps it simple. Thanks to a 10-gram weight reduction, they’ve been able to lower and reposition the CG, yielding remarkable results. The Ping G440 driver delivers less loft than its predecessors while maintaining similar launch properties. Players can achieve greater clubhead speed due to the lighter head and longer shaft. Additionally, the Ping G440 boasts increased ball speed, thanks to its thinner and shallower face compared to the G430, particularly in strikes lower on the face. It’s these details that make the brand believe G440 will be the best Ping drivers ever made.  

But how did these innovative changes come about? “We rely heavily on feedback from Tour players and consumers, alongside rigorous internal testing, to help better our product,” Travis Milleman, Ping’s Design Engineering Manager, told me. 

That attitude is evident in Ping’s design process and product refinement. Their commitment to meticulous testing and design is central to their success. 

Ping’s design team seems to operate several steps ahead of the competition. Many of the Ping engineers I spoke to had to refer back to their notes on the G440 because its design was finalized in the summer of 2023. “We’re working 18-24 months ahead on product cycles, with some innovations planned up to five years out,” Milleman noted. This forward-thinking approach allows Ping to make incremental improvements from one product to the next while already developing future innovations. 

One of the biggest surprises to me was the level of expertize in Ping’s design team. Many members are qualified mechanical engineers who play golf at a scratch level or better. For example, Cory Bacon, who led the Ping G440 driver design, plays off a +2 handicap. After playing 18 holes with him, I can confirm that handicap is accurate!

Let’s dive into the tech and find out why Ping believe they have created not only their best drivers, but some of the longest drivers and most forgiving drivers in the game. 

Ping G440 drivers: Key technology 

The Ping G440 Max, G440 LST, and G440 SFT drivers are packed with technology designed to improve performance from the heads. Let’s take a look at what Ping’s R&D whizzes have come up with for 2025. 

Free-Hosel Design 

The standout innovation in the Ping G440 driver lineup is Free-Hosel Design. It’s a simple concept and almost surprising that it hasn’t been thought of before. But it’s incredibly effective. 

Ping have removed weight from a section of the hosel and relocated it to push mass lower and farther back in the clubhead. This engineering breakthrough has enabled Ping to create their deepest center of gravity (CG) ever in a driver. By aligning the weight closer to the force line, the Ping G440 achieves faster ball speeds, optimal spin rates, and higher launch angles – resulting in longer, straighter drives. 

This Free-Hosel Design features across the Ping G440 drivers, fairways, and hybrids. To ensure durability with the new hosel, Ping have redesigned the loft sleeve with a more pronounced angle than the square-shaped adapter used previously. While you can still use your Ping G430 shaft or adapter with the G440 head, the updated adapter has been crafted to withstand the forces generated during play. 

As illustrated in the image above, the difference between the Ping G440 hosel design and the previous G430 model is substantial. By removing a small amount of material from the hosel – material that previously encased the loft sleeve – Ping have managed to save a total of five grams. It may not sound a lot, especially when we’re all trying to shift some Christmas weight, but this reduction enhances performance and allows for increased heel-side face flexing, resulting in greater consistency across the face. The heel now delivers ball speeds that closely match the rest of the face, which is a significant improvement on previous generations where ball speed drop-off was noticeable on less-than-perfect strikes. 

Even Hotter Face 

One of the standout benefits of the Ping G440 is its shallower and thinner T9S+ titanium face, which has been meticulously engineered to flex more effectively and deliver faster ball speeds. “We shortened the face height, and that looks better and helps boost ball speed,” said Milleman. This thinner, “hotter” face should not only increase ball speed but ensure greater consistency, particularly in the high-heel area, which traditionally sees more variability. 

Compared to the G430, Ping say the G440 showcases noticeable improvements in ball speed, especially on low-face strikes, which are common among amateur golfers, without compromising performance on high-face hits. Additionally, the new hosel system, helps optimize energy transfer, particularly on heel strikes.  

The face is also pushing the limits of Characteristic Time. What the hell is that, I hear you cry? It’s the measurement the R&A and USGA use when checking if a driver conforms to legal limits on “spring-like effect” and shows how long the clubface and the ball are in contact at the moment of impact. 

Then there’s Ping’s Spinsistency technology, featuring a variable roll radius design, aims to optimize spin across the entire face to help you gain distance and consistent performance from every swing. 

CarbonFly Wrap Crown 

What was once exclusive to the Ping G430 LST and Max 10k models is now a standard feature across all three versions of the G440 driver lineup, and, given its previous success, it is not a surprise. The CarbonFly Wrap saves five grams in weight from the crown, which has been reallocated lower and farther back to achieve a deeper center of gravity (CG). Ping say this design enhancement boosts ball speed, increases moment of inertia (MOI), effectively improving stability, distance and forgiveness. It’s a simple yet effective approach: take weight from where it’s not needed and place it where it makes the biggest difference. 

Ping say CarbonFly Wrap also contributes to a more muted, pleasing sound at impact. While the brand are famed for the sound their drivers make, it always proves divisive, so they’ve worked hard to address that. 

Heavier Adjustable Back Weight 

With weight savings achieved elsewhere in the clubhead, Ping have been able to increase the mass of the adjustable backweight to 29 grams in the MAX and LST models, which they say has enhanced the moment of inertia (MOI) to deliver even greater forgiveness. As in previous models, the backweight remains adjustable in three positions – draw, fade, or neutral – to help players fine-tune their shot shape and trajectory. 

The consistent theme of the Ping G440 lineup is weight optimization, and this heavier back weight is a perfect example. The new 29g weight represents a significant leap forward from the previous generation’s 24-gram weight. By redistributing every saved gram to the rear of the clubhead, Ping have targeted supreme forgiveness and stability. 

Ping’s design priority is clear: every gram matters. With each incremental weight saving, they’ve managed to increase forgiveness and MOI, as they try to give the Ping G440 a performance edge over its competitors and its predecessors. 

Lighter Club = Longer Shaft Length 

The Ping G440’s total club weight has been reduced by 10 grams, and the standard length of the proprietary ALTA CB Blue shaft has been extended to 46 inches—a ¼-inch increase compared to the previous model. This weight reduction and slight length increase allow golfers to swing faster and generate more speed while maintaining a tight dispersion pattern for improved accuracy. 

It was evident during my time at Ping HQ that the design team’s dedication to achieving even the smallest performance gains drives them every day. With strict regulations set by the R&A and USGA, engineers must innovate within incredibly tight tolerances so every gram can have a significant impact on performance. 

The 10g Ping have managed to save through the Free-Hosel Design and CarbonFly Wrap can roughly translate to an additional one mph of ball speed, which should equate to a couple of yards extra carry. Though the shaft length increase to 46 inches may seem minor, it has led to tangible gains: approximately 0.2 mph in ball speed and 0.4 mph in clubhead speed (CHS). 

Ping G440 Drivers: How the models differ and their specs 

Ping G440 Max driver 

Price $650 / £575 
Launched January 14, 2025 | On sale Jan 30, 2025 
Lofts 9º, 10.5º, 12.5º 
Stock shafts Ping Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 55 (SR, R, S); Ping Alta Quick 35/45 (HL build only) 
Optional stock shafts Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X); PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X); Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65 (S, X); PRJX Denali Red 50 (5.5, 6.0); PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5); PRJX Denali Red 70 (6.0, 6.5) 
Stock grips Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16”; Red -1/32”; Aqua -1/64”; White-Std, Gold +1/32”; Orange +1/16”) 
Product specs 

Who is the Ping G440 Max driver for and how does the tech differ? 

The Ping G440 Max is the most forgiving and versatile driver in the lineup, offering 9,528 MOI, making it suitable for a broader range of golfers. Available in 9°, 10.5°, and 12° lofts, this model delivers exceptional stability alongside the high MOI, and customizable shot-shaping via its three-position adjustable back weight. 

Read my full Ping G440 Max Driver review.  

Ping G440 LST driver 

Price $650 / £575 
Launched January 14, 2025 | On sale Jan 30, 2025 
Lofts 9º, 10.5º 
Stock shafts Ping Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 55 (SR, R, S); Ping Alta Quick 35/45 (HL build only) 
Optional stock shafts Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X); PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X); Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65 (S, X); PRJX Denali Red 50 (5.5, 6.0); PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5); PRJX Denali Red 70 (6.0, 6.5) 
Stock grips Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16”; Red -1/32”; Aqua -1/64”; White-Std, Gold +1/32”; Orange +1/16”) 

Product specs 

Who is the Ping G440 LST driver for and how does the tech differ? 

The Ping G440 LST (Low Spin Technology) continues Ping’s decade-long legacy of low-spin designs. Built for faster-swing players, this model features a compact 450cc head and delivers lower spin for greater control. Offered in 9° and 10.5° lofts, it also includes the three-position adjustable back weight to dial in draw, fade, or neutral settings. 

Ping G440 SFT driver 

Price $650 / £575 
Launched January 14, 2025 | On sale Jan 30, 2025 
Lofts 9º, 10.5º 
Stock shafts Ping Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 55 (SR, R, S); Ping Alta Quick 35/45 (HL build only) 
Optional stock shafts Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X); PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X); Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65 (S, X); PRJX Denali Red 50 (5.5, 6.0); PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5); PRJX Denali Red 70 (6.0, 6.5) 
Stock grips Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16”; Red -1/32”; Aqua -1/64”; White-Std, Gold +1/32”; Orange +1/16”) 
Product specs 

Who is the Ping G440 SFT driver for and how does the tech differ? 

The Ping G440 SFT (Straight Flight Technology) is purpose-built for golfers who struggle with slices or excessive fades. Featuring a slightly lighter 23-gram back weight, this model has Draw and Draw+ settings, creating a 13-yard draw bias and 20-yard draw bias respectively. Available in 9° and 10.5° lofts, its forgiving design is perfect for players looking for straighter shots. 

• Check out the most forgiving drivers in golf