Given the popularity of the Ping G430 fairway wood released a few years ago, the new Ping G440 Max fairway wood must be something pretty special to come in and replace it. But what has Ping has done to improve on an already impressive metalwood offering? I tested it inside on a Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor and out on the golf course using the new 2025 Titleist Pro V1x golf balls to find out.
Before diving into the performance, let’s talk about the looks because I think this club is about to divide opinion. From the address position, I think improvements have been made over the previous model and some of that is down to the Carbonfly Wrap that has been introduced into the whole range this year as opposed to just being featured on the LST from the G430 range.
This carbon shines through nicely in sunlight and gives the club a more modern aesthetic - something you’d expect when you’re paying $385. The same single dot alignment feature carries over, which is small to the eye and would arguably suit the LST model and the players using that specific club more. Many would may well want to see something a little larger on the crown to assist with aim and strike.
It’s the sole where I have a little bit of a problem with the G440. I don’t feel as though Ping has progressed the look of this club. The blue colorway and design remind me of the original Ping G series - a family that was released nine years ago. It’s hard to get too worked up over the sole design of a club as really you only see it for a few seconds when you take the headcover off but for the best part of $400, I would want to love the look of the club from every angle and I don't with this one.
While I don't feel the G440 Max fairway wood is the best-looking club on the market, the most important factor is performance. The G440 Max was similar to the G430 Max in the fact that it didn’t excel in any area but was very solid across the board. One thing I found interesting from analyzing my data was that while the ball speeds remained pretty high and consistent, the carry numbers weren’t as strong as other models I have recently tested and I would guess that is largely due to the combination of a fairly low launch and pretty high spin. On average, I produced 3554 rpm of spin with a launch angle of 11.2°. This resulted in a fairly underwhelming carry average of 249.5 yards and 266 yards total, falling short of competitors like the TaylorMade Qi35 fairway wood and Callaway Elyte fairway wood.
Given the Max is the model suitable for golfers of all abilities and is usually pretty high launching, I was surprised with the low trajectory it produced. When I got onto the golf course, I found this worked in my favor, particularly when teeing the ball up but it did make maximizing carry from the fairway and especially the rough, more challenging. The new-look, deeper face is what probably helped with my confidence when using this club from the tee, although this was designed to lower the CG and promote a higher launch but I found that wasn’t really the case.
One thing that Ping has certainly got right with the G440 Max fairway is the fact it is offered in a 4-wood (17°), a loft that I feel a lot of amateur golfers who struggle with launch and carry could benefit from. Given I’m a fairly fast speed player who doesn’t struggle with hitting a high ball, those that lack confidence in striking the ball from the deck or seek maximum carry should perhaps consider some of the most forgiving fairway wood options instead.
Overall I would say the G440 fairway wood has kept much of the same solid performance benefits that the G430 offered but from my experience hasn’t significantly improved in any area. The Carbonfly Wrap has improved the look at address compared to the previous model but for the price, I would want more from this club as a whole package.
