Delivering more speed and distance through engineering advancements, including its lowest CG ever in a driver, PING have launched the G440 family around the world. Golf News firstly takes at look at their new DRIVER
THE DRIVER
The new custom-fit, custom-built G440 family consists of three driver models (MAX, LST, SFT).
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 High Launch (HL) option.
“Our pursuit of helping golfers play better and enjoy the game more advances to an even higher level with the introduction of the G440 family,” said John K. Solheim, PING CEO & President.
“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.
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 tour adoption of the drivers and fairways woods has been exceptional,” Solheim said. “The G440 LST driver was used to win its first official week on tour and we’re seeing more in play around the world every week.
Our tour players appreciate the added ball speeds and continually comment on the great sound and look. Like all golfers, they are in search of more speed, and optimised launch conditions, and they are happy to find it in new equipment.”
Lowest CG Ever in a PING Driver
In the new drivers, the engineering team achieved the lowest centre of gravity in a PING driver to date, leading to distance-adding ball speed and higher launch across the face through multiple weight-saving advancements, including applying Carbonfly Wrap crown technology to all three models.
The combination of a shallower face, lightweight carbon crown and an internal technology called Free Hosel design, help save significant weight and 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.
The Free Hosel saved four grams from the hosel region inside the head and played a key role in optimising the CG location.
“Our engineers more than met the challenge in the G440 drivers,” Solheim said. “As with all our designs, it’s never just one thing that leads to performance improvements.
They did an excellent job of identifying weight savings with advancements like the Free Hosel to achieve our all-time lowest CG position while optimising the face structure to produce more consistent ball speed results across the face.
Golfers can expect to hit straighter drives with the G440 drivers and with the higher launch they can also play less loft and enjoy faster ball speeds.”
Lighter Overall, Longer Shaft
Knowing a properly designed, lighter system weight leads to faster swing speeds and distance gains, mass was removed from the heads and shaft to reduce the overall weight by 10 grams compared to the previous generation.
In doing so, the standard shaft length was increased ¼” to 46” in the PING ALTA CB Blue and 45.5” in the PING Tour 2.0 and stock aftermarket options, a combination that is delivering more speed while ensuring forgiveness and improving dispersion.
“Our decision to go longer in length is backed by discoveries made here at the PING Proving Grounds, inspired by the game-changing forgiveness of PING drivers,” Solheim said.
“We know that longer length clubs allow most golfers to swing faster, so we began measuring the effect of a 46” shaft during our fittings. The data revealed that most golfers improved their performance, leading to higher launching, longer drives with tight dispersion”
Three Models Optimised to Fit Every Golfer
The G440 MAX (460cc) is the most forgiving model and fits most golfers. It is engineered with a 29 gram, three-position adjustable back weight for added shot control.
The G440 LST (Low Spin) is a 450cc design that also features the 29-gram back weight while appealing 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 and Draw+), adjustable 23-gram back weight.
All three models feature the 8-setting Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel (+-1.5° loft adjustment and up lie to 3° flat from standard).
“One of the key design themes throughout the G440 driver family is ‘optimisation,’” Solheim said. “
That includes everything from the head size and shape to ensuring each model fits a specific player profile.
Our team took a measured approach to ensure each model provides a fitting solution for every golfer.
The MAX fits every skill level, from tour players to higher handicaps, whereas the SFT and LST allow fitters to further dial in a result that best fits a golfer’s needs.
It’s an exciting opportunity for golfers to hit longer and straighter drives and we look forward to putting the G440 drivers to the test in the fitting environment.
We’re confident they will win a lot of the head-to-head comparisons.”
New 9° Loft in SFT for Faster Swing Speeds
The SFT (Straight Flight Technology) model, which positions the CG to deliver right-to-left shot bend, is being offered in a 9° loft to fill a growing need among new golfers.
“Through our extensive fitting research, we’ve identified a category of golfers who are new to the game, very athletic and swing extremely fast but need the slice correction of the SFT model,” Solheim said.
“The addition of a 9 degree allows them to take advantage of their athleticism while keeping their ball in the fairway. It’s a perfect example of our constant pursuit of bringing golfers fitting solutions to improve their performance.”
G440 Driver Specifications
Head weights: 205g (LST), 203g (MAX), 199g (SFT)
Lofts (adjustable +-1.5°): MAX (9°, 10.5°, 12°), LST (9°, 10.5°), SFT (9°, 10.5°)
Swing weights: D3 (MAX), D4 (LST), D0 (SFT)
Std. length: 46″ (Alta CB Blue 50; 45 1/2″ (PING Tour 2.0 Chrome/Black and optional stock)
Stock shafts: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 50 (SR, R, S), PING Alta Quick 35/45 (HL build)
Optional stock shafts: PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X), PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X), Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65/75 (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 grip: 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”)
UK RRP: £575 each with stock shaft
