Ping’s new custom-fit, custom-built G440 family delivers speed and distance via engineering advancements, which include creating the lowest center of gravity in a driver.
The G440 family consists of three driver and fairway metal models (Max, LST, SFT for both), six hybrid choices (2-7) and an iron set (4-9, PW, UW, 52- and 56-degree wedges). For slower swing speed golfers, all the clubs except the LST driver can be custom built with lighter head weights, the ultralight Ping Alta Quick shaft and a lighter grip as part of the G440 HL (high launch) option.
“Through multiple technologies across all the product categories, the next generation of our G franchise is delivering more speed and more distance while ensuring the forgiveness expected from every Ping club,” said John K. Solheim, Ping CEO and president. “The powerful combination of distance and forgiveness yields maximum performance when golfers are properly fitted. We see that every day in our testing, and we’re excited to get the G440 into the hands of golfers so they can enjoy the same benefits.”
The G440 drivers ($650) achieved the lowest center of gravity in a Ping driver to date through multiple weight-saving advancements. The combination of a shallower face, lightweight carbon crown on all three models and an internal “free hosel” technology helped align the CG closer to the force line for faster ball speed, optimal spin and higher launch. The lower face height results in a hotter, thinner face for more flexing, especially in the high heel region, a common mis-hit location for a lot of golfers.
Mass was removed from the heads and shaft to reduce the overall weight by 10 grams compared to the previous generation while the standard shaft length was increased to 46 (Ping Alta CB Blue) and 45½ inches (Ping Tour 2.0 and stock aftermarket options). The lighter/longer combination delivers more speed while ensuring forgiveness and improving dispersion.
“We know that longer-length clubs allow most golfers to swing faster, so we began measuring the effect of a 46-inch shaft during our fittings,” said Solheim. “The data revealed that most golfers improved their performance, leading to higher-launching, longer drives with tight dispersion.”
The G440 Max (460cc) is the most forgiving model and fits most golfers while the G440 LST (450cc) appeals to players with faster swing speeds, providing lower spin and more control. Golfers in need of slice-correction technology fit best in the 460cc G440 SFT (straight flight), which is designed with a two-position draw bias and is offered in a 9-degree loft.
The G440 fairway metals offer the same range of options as the drivers, with the Max and SFT ($385 each) and LST ($600) models. The fairways' faces are taller for more confidence off the tee while providing a CG location that delivers high-launching performance off the ground. The face thickness is optimized in the heel and toe regions for more consistent performance on off-center strikes. The Max is available in lofts from 15 to 24 degrees; SFT from 16 to 22 degrees; and LST in 15 or 19 degrees.
The G440 hybrids ($325 each) are each engineered to deliver different ball-flight characteristics to help optimize gapping – from the slightly fade-biased 2 hybrid (17 degrees) for off-the-tee performance, the straight ball flight 3 and 4 hybrids and draw-inducing 5, 6 and 7 (34 degrees) hybrids. They all share a new, shallower and thinner face design, which improves face contact for more ball speed and higher-launching shots that hold the green.
The G440 irons ($170 per club with stock steel shaft; $185 graphite) best fit golfers in need of game-improvement technology who prefer the setup view of a players-style shape. Increased ball speed comes from a shallower, thinner face and the low/back CG location, resulting in higher-launching, longer-carrying shots with stopping power.
The G440 HL build is a full-set custom-fitting option – available in G440 Max and SFT drivers and fairway woods, hybrids (3-7) and irons – with the same score-lowering technology of the standard G440 series for golfers who don’t generate sufficient clubhead speed and ball velocity from traditionally weighted clubs.
PHOTOS COURTESY PING