Ping G400 Max Driver Review: Ultimate Forgiveness Tested!

[@CraigPuzzleBooks]

I like the testing that you conducted on the G400 Max! I bought it and now rarely miss fairways, like I did with my Callaway Epic. I think I would like to try the lower spinning G400 Max if it ever came out. Thank you again for the video.

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi there, I have it on good authority that they aren't going to make a low spin version. The sole reason for the Max is to push Forgiveness to the absolute extreme of today's abilities. Maybe in the future they will be able to produce a lower spinning head yet retain the forgiveness amount, but not as of today's tech. I'm having great success within fittings when testing the G400 Max. It may not be the absolute longest driver of the market but it sure is keeping the ball in play more for the handicapped golfer. Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍

[@MarkJohnson-bs4hp]

I tested this and the G400 last week and found it to be very consistent and easy to hit. The G400 was good but just not as easy to be consistent. The fitter found 9 deg better for me, which I was surprised at as I normally hit a 10.5 deg driver, and still managed a good trajectory and distance (for me). I will be trying it on the course this week , and hopefully, it will perform well.

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi Mark, apologies for the late reply. How did the on course testing go? The possible reason as to why the G400 Max suited you at 9 degrees is the even lower and further back CG causing an artificial increase in vertical launch. You are not alone as in my fittings for the G400 Max I to have seen clients going into a degree or so less loft than what they have commonly believed to be correct. Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@MarkJohnson-bs4hp]

On course testing was good. The first shot I hit was out of the heel but flew straight and was still a bit longer than my normal tee shot. After that, I only missed two fairways over two rounds and they were when I hit through doglegs. My average distance was approx 15 yards longer than normal and that included a couple of shots that I hit a bit higher and lost distance. It is an excellent club that can only help many golfers. I have also seen spin data for my testing indoors and found that my spin dropped to 2100 to 2200 from 3500 with my own driver

[@robshorter]

Tested the Ping G400 max very impressive got fitted and its in my bag

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi Rob, glad you had a positive experience during your fitting and am happy with your initial performance. Just interested to see if you have had chance to play with it on the course and if you personally have any specific feedback actually using it. Thanks for the comment and for watching

[@jamiebreslin3242]

Hi, how are you finding it?

[@dmalesky]

Fine review, Jay. Off to the store to test this one in the next week. Seems to be a club designed for me. We shall see!

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi David. Let me know how you get on. Don't forget to try it in different lengths of shaft too to see if the strike tenancies change. 👍

[@dmalesky]

I will definitely try different shaft lengths. Thanks for the advice.

[@dalecollins5795]

Love your work Jay, well done again.

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi Dale, sorry for the late reply and thank you for your kind words. I'm looking into ways to streamline my content that allow me to still give you all the data you information about the products but in a more condensed format. I'm not settled on one yet so I'm releasing a video tomorrow discussing this topic and I would look forward to your input. Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@MrOwens123]

Best you tube reviewer going 👍

[@AskGolfNut]

That's very kind Andy, and of course I agree 😉😉 What exactly is it about my content or type of content that stands out for you?

[@MrOwens123]

the in depth content that covers all aspects of the clubs being reviewed, your own personality comes through well with the openness and honesty.... I think the other guys are also good, ie rick s, pete f, and crossfield, perhaps you could do a few on course tests, they show hitting real world shots as opposed to tracked shots that don't show the actual results... i'm sure you get my drift.... anyway, good luck and keep up the great content, i'm sure you will go from strength to strength!

[@georgesmith4639]

Great review. Why cant manufacturers ever make GI clubs for those of us that hook it left? I'm sick of looking at GI irons with huge offsets and drivers with the toe stuck up in the air. Not everyone slices the ball.

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi George. Unfortunately manufacturers work on the basis of making equipment for the masses. Most amateur golfers play an uncontrolled fade (slice) so having these features is most. You're in the same boat as left handers i.e not catered for. It's a sad truth that we alienate certain demographics on the basis of profit margins

[@CR-yx5we]

Why don't you go and get lessons and actually improve your swing than wait for the next wonderclub to try and fix i your poor swings for you...

[@georgesmith4639]

Micah, I've taken plenty of lessons but you wouldn't know that because you like to mouth off like an arrogant know-it-all before asking. Some of us simply lack the eye hand coordination and athletic talent to middle an iron consistently. Who the hell are you to be judging who needs new clubs and who doesn't?

[@gregburgin1210]

Micah, Well I guess YOUR lessons haven't made you a better ball striker or you wouldn't be here discussing a review of a super game improvement iron.

[@CR-yx5we]

Haha you mad bro???!!!!

[@DunnGolfing]

Should have a Mad Max 400 driver I feel Ping get it on 👍👍

[@rptucker3871]

I too hit the G30 and have for 4 years. I'm not that long of a driver but I hit the G30 really straight. I am curious why every review I've seen on the G400 max shows much lower spin numbers than you did. And the reviewers found the G400max had a really nice increase in yardage. There is also a G30 tec vs G400max and the max was comparable to the tec and the max had better distance. The reviewer had less swing speed as you. Guys with high sp seem to hit the 400max more left. I don't like the fact that the toe is up in the air with the upright lie you say it has. I will be trying the max and I'm hoping when you change the loft that it changes the lie a little.

[@russellfothergill9082]

What range balls do you use at your range Jay? Can see the drop in ballspeeds versus premium.

[@davidw9997]

Great info! I would also be interested to see the results from slower swing speed in the range of 85 or so. Thanks!

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi David, glad you enjoyed the video. From experience the difference from a slower swing speed will obviously mean less distance but fit correctly (launch and spin) there is no reason why this wouldn't work for any swing speed. Apart from the real fast swing speed players that require more specialist low spin heads. The forgiveness alone will ensure that its a definite option for testing fro any golfer looking to change their big stick. Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍

[@davidw9997]

Good to know. I will definitely get properly fitted. I did get fitted for the Ping 400 Driver and 400 irons recently prior to the Rogue launch. I want to try the Pings/Rogues outside when my season starts before finalizing a decision. I am a senior, mid 70mph driver swing, looking to get my handicap below 20 this year. I have had my current TM's for 10+ yrs and my driver for 4 yrs. Excited to move up and see how it might support my goal. I am a short hitter but do value tighter dispersion over distance which I experienced with the Ping irons on the monitor vs Steelheads. Appreciate any advice you may have on these brands. Thanks for the reviews!!

[@jonathanlynch8372]

Very comprehensive.

[@malmac711]

Great review was going to try a g400 but will try this as well cheers mal

[@AskGolfNut]

I'm not sure anyone will now buy the standard G400 unless they prefer the slightly smaller footprint and they don't necessarily need the added forgiveness. Let me know how you find them both 👍

[@malmac711]

Thanks for getting back to me..did you find any difference in distance between the 400 and the max? Cheers mal

[@AskGolfNut]

Absolutely none to be honest. Just found the Max nicer to hit with the more pleasing acoustics and the large confident footprint.

[@malmac711]

Sounds amazing I've just started getting back into golf after 4 yrs out and just rejoined my local club...been struggling off tee with an old ben sayer 😐can't wait to try this thanks

[@AskGolfNut]

You're very welcome 👍

[@stephendibari7704]

Excellent review Jay! Glad to see I didn’t get the G400Max with its slightly draw biased. I’m waiting for the G400 LST, should be here in 2 days. (Like to see you do a review of the LST) I originally planned on cutting the Ping Tour 65 Stiff flex down .75 inches from the butt end to get it down to 44.5 inches playing length. Ping Tour shaft comes at 45.25 in. Playing length You mentioned to get it tipped 1 inch which will make it play like more like an X flex. I’ll have to bring it to the pga superstore for this to have them tip it .75 inches I don’t have the tools to remove the adapter and replace it. Kinda on the fence about tipping it. How much stiffer will it play compared to cutting .75 inches off the butt end? I know cutting off the butt affects the Swing weight My club head speed is 104-108 mph which Is Really not into an X flex shaft. Assuming tipping lowers the ball flight, spin and gives you tighter dispersion?

[@AskGolfNut]

HI Stephen, apologies for the late reply. I personally liked the X feel of the S Tour shaft once tipped 1 inch, also for the benefit for my strike by having a shorter length driver. Tipping it also doesn't effect Swing Weight in the same way that butt trimming does. As you say you would have to get your local pro shop to do the work. Have you thought about buying a spare shaft to do the work on and if you like it you can keep it and sell the old shaft, or you could just re sell the adjusted shaft if the experiment doesn't live up to your expectations. Remember Stephen that speed is a component of what people see as Flex, which is properly known as Bend Profile. How you load and in what axis coupled with the speed you produce creates a measured bend profile that suits you to a certain manufacturers shaft spec. Mizuno Swing DNA have been measuring and fitting to exacting bend profile for years now. Hope this goes some of the way to point you in a direction to resolving the driver shaft query. Thanks as always for your participation.

[@stephendibari7704]

AskGolfNut awesome response Jay. I’m going To get an extra shaft and get it Tipped 3/4 inch. To get it too 44.5 inches playing length I’ll keep you posted in the weeks to come. The Ping Tour 65S shafts are not too hard too find on eBay. Generally $75-85 per shaft with the tip installed I just bought 3 Ping Tour 75S fairway shafts, cut them all down 0.50 inches from the butt end and installed Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 grips. The beauty of Ping is that you can buy different weighted “weights” for the sole. Golfworks here in the US sells 7,10,13, 16 and 18 gram weights. The standard weight is 10 grams By cutting of 1/2 inch from the butt lowers the swingweight by 1 point which is 2 grams.so I’ll be buying 13 gram weights Bought a Ping G400 3 Wood (Head only) on eBay for $150. Next up I’m Buying Ping G400 5 & 7 Woods also Never had a 7 wood and I’m excited about putting this in play this year. Will tipping 3/4 inch make the shaft play mid-way in-between a Stiff and an X-Stiff or closer to an X-Stiff? Of course the best way would be to compare the tipped shaft head to head to the butt trimmed shaft on a GC Quad Last time I was at the PGA superstore they didn’t have one. If nothing else I can compare on their simulators to get an idea of ball speed, back spin and flight. It’ll be an interesting comparison.

[@grousgrek6560]

Just got this driver, has anyone put a lighter weight in the back ? If so how were your results.

[@Kenbur]

great review!! finally got to see it. gives me great additional info as to whether or not to try out the G400 or G400Max or stick with my G. thanks

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi Ken, it's a definite option for sure. The G400 Max may not be the absolute longest dog out there but its forgiveness is just crazy good. For the general golfer out there that hits his best delivery and contact once in a blue moon the extra help will make his poor drives straighter and longer 👍

[@williamrussell9114]

Great review. How would you rate this vs Rogue SZ or M3?

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi William, the Rogue SZ and M3 are drivers that are quite focused in there design prefernce, with the winner of adjustability going to Taylormade with its sliding weights. Exactly how much difference the sliding weights make is very arguable. The Mizuno ST180 would be the one I would look to compare against the above. With the G400 Max sitting in a really nice group on its own as a Super Game Improvement driver yet performs well enough for most golfers. I really do like how well this club performs from off centre strikes. If you are someone that tends to leak the odd strike then this is a great option to try. Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@station2station544]

Interesting. I thought the previous G30/G drivers were annoyingly shrill sounding. I actually sent mine into PING to have it HotMelted. I felt the G400 "Normal" was a great sounding driver but we're all different in what we like to hear. Can you compare the G400 Max sound to the blue G30/G series? Is it THAT loud, or somewhere in between? Thank you. (Let me also say that if you set PING drivers to the smaller hosel setting, either + or -, it makes the lie angle flat. The larger insignia does not do this, just the smaller. And either one, it doesn't matter +/-. PING will confirm this)

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi Station2Station. I have a G30 but it's of the LSTec variety which will mess up the figures between that of the G400 Max but if it's sound you wanted to compare it shouldn't make too much difference 👍

[@denmark39]

im 50 with a 4,5 hcp and hit pretty long but I hit down on the ball what driver should I get ? Low spin or this ?

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi denmark39, have you got any of your delivery information. No one can really say with any certainty without knowing a bit more about how you deliver the club face to the ball at impact. Happy to answer, just need a touch more info. Thanks for the comment and for watching and don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already 👍

[@lawbinson]

I wonder, what driver did you end up with?

[@scottchalk7808]

Jay couldn't you put a low spin shaft in to bring it down

[@MrAshtute]

The science of "turbulators" is factual...what's debateable is would any human make a reasonable gain as at the speeds we swing a club u might be gaining 0.2 mph if ur lucky...bubba reckoned he gained 1.3mph but that was also with a different shaped head to his old driver. Still a good driver though 👍

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi Adam, you're knowledge is always welcome as you are normally well informed with regards to club design etc, and in this instance I again would agree. The Turbulators are there to disrupt the air flow over the top of the crown and encourage the more efficient flow thus allowing the whole mass to move faster. Club manufacturers have been at the limits for Co-efficient of Restitution for some time now so they are restricted by how to make new equipment better than the last model. Even at Bubba's speed gaining a 1mph club head speed advantage is too small not to be discounted as human intervened. Say something is going to do something to someone and thats what they sometimes make happen as thats what they are expecting to happen. Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@martmanize]

Hi Jay, posted this after watching your video on golf club distance gains, would you mind giving me your opinion on the following; Went to the range last night and ended up comparing my clubs with the new Taylor made P790. Spec's on my seven iron are mizuno Mp H-5 @ 34 degrees of loftThe Taylor made 7 iron has a loft of 30.5. Mizuno Average carry was 152Average back spin was 4750Average peak height was 26 yardsAverage decent angle was 39 degrees Tailor-made Average carry was 165Average back spin was 5400average peak height was 31 yardsAverage decent angle was 46 degrees These were taken on a flightscope system, using range balls on a cold night. (only 10 balls with each) My original theory was to find a club that would help me hold the greens better, the sales person was trying to push the Taylormade, and saying look how far they go, but I new the low loft was the factor, but could not deny that the spin, peak height and decent were good. So if i were to play into a 150 yard green (P790) I would probably then use an 8 iron instead?Does this make club gapping at the bottom of my bag more difficult when I get into the wedges? bit of a dilemma, any thoughts. Thanks for you video's, really enjoy them Martyn.

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi Martyn. Great question and thanks for the information. My concern about parts of your description mainly come from the "sales person" (I should steer clear of places that push or necessarily steer the conversation towards a profit margin. Yes I know that's not necessarily easy but people should be confident to let the equipment sell itself, it's not the responsibility of the person to persuade you with loaded comments). Also the fact that the whole process (of only 10 balls each) was done on Flightscope. The software on Launch Monitors can be altered within the test to artificially increase distance. The numbers given to you by Flightscope show either a huge striking issue or massive dynamic loft issue to create such low spin (could also be massively worn faces, but in happy to guess that they aren't that bad), low peak height from 34 degrees of static. Yes the brand new Taylormade irons may spin better like for like because they are brand new but the figures you were given are so far apart from possible I am seriously doubting the validity of the test. I would want to see you hit the same H4 7 iron on something like GC2 HMT or GCQuad that physically measures exactly what the ball is doing rather than calculated data from Flightscope. It would make more sense to see the numbers you described but the other way round. The CG of the 790 will make a difference to peak height yes but not as much as the difference that you have been told especially from a club nearly 4 degrees stronger than your H4s. I'm finding myself reading your comment over and over again and shaking my head more each time. Something is definitely not right some where. The only way you can be spinning the 790s more with lower static loft is the new friction of the face (not really that much of a factor), your spin loft has grown measurably (again very much doubt by the levels it would have needed to be) or the information you received has either been adjusted by the sales person during testing or Flightscope has measured (calculated) incorrectly. Hmmmmmmmm.........

[@martmanize]

AskGolfNut Many thanks Jay for your prompt reply, I was confused by the numbers, I suppose I’m going through what most people do when looking to change clubs, blade’y type irons of cavity types, so much confusing information out there, looking forward to your human experiment with the cf16’s, thanks again, Martyn.

[@raginasianinvasion]

Excellent review as always!

[@AskGolfNut]

Thanks Mike, glad you liked it 👍

[@SearchBucket2]

It'll be in a second hand rack for around a tenth of its current retail price inside 10 years, and what replaces it will be no better. Driver technology has plateuxed long ago . .. 460 cc head, graphite shaft, titanium/composite clubhead, max COR. .... Nowt else to legally do. Weight and shaft swapping novellties compromise ideal weight distribution so are performance degrading additions. However, they are marketing gimmicks, which is what most are about anyway. Now, what happened to those square heads, the one's people were equally duped into thinking were "the bomb"? 🤔 Bye-bye turbulators.

[@Struieboy]

Search Bucket. I have turbulators on my golf sweater sleeves and I now carry my drives 350 yards. I’m definitely going to break 100 in the next 5 years.

[@NovaScene]

Ur smash factor is pretty bad, I have 10mph less clubhead speed, and have a better ballspeed. I game a G400 SFT in an AD DI shaft..

[@AskGolfNut]

Hi Novascene. I'm assuming from the terminology that you are using (smash factor) that you have been measured on trackman. Trackman and Foresight systems measure data from slightly different points which has an impact on efficiency. 1.5 ish I readily attainable with Trackman where on Foresight systems 1.42 is around max. Also bear in mind that for this review /test 8 was hitting around the face evaluating its forgiveness. This also contributed to lower efficiency. Being honest I was really quite surprised as to how well it did considering the tested strike locations. Thanks for the comment and for watching 👍

[@normandgravel5894]

Hi, When you don't hit the sweet spot your smash factor is going to be very pretty bad ( he is missing the sweet spot on purpose.) Don't look just at the numbers, you can listen carefully at what he's saying too

[@NovaScene]

normand gravel I know, but he's Smash factor is really bad on all hes driver videos..

[@NovaScene]

AskGolfNut Interesting, have to try that next time I'm on Foresight's radar. I was using Trackman4.

[@AskGolfNut]

Again, Foresight Launch monitor systems read head speed the moment just before contact. Trackman is captured during impact. Similar ball speeds different head speeds equals differing efficiency 👍

[@GRIFF22]

Love the reviews.....but can you please, please, please skip the range balls....and go straight to premium.

[@AskGolfNut]

THE GRIFF Hi Griff, its a hard one this as I'm getting as many asking to keep them in as asking for it to be removed. I've got a few more videos where the range balls are in (M3 already uploaded, M4 to come, G700 Iron) and after I have a compare between the G700 iron and the Rogue X where I haven't done any. I think until then I should put a note on the screen giving a time stamp to skip the initial part of the review ☺️. It's always tough to try and keep everyone happy as there are always as many people wanting more than less. Sometimes I think it would be easier to make 2 separate reviews......... Wait for the compare and let me know if you think that format works better or worse 👍