The best drivers for slicers category is a competitive one, with most top manufacturers offering something to tackle the most predominant bad shot in golf. Ping has traditionally always done so with its SFT model, and 2025 sees the launch of the latest iteration the G440 SFT. I have been putting it through its paces to see what is on offer…
WATCH - Joe Ferguson puts the Ping G440 Max driver up against the TaylorMade Qi35!
In terms of the tech, like many manufacturers this year the story is CG related. Through a combination of a shallower face, lightweight carbon crown, and a technology Ping is referring to as Free Hosel design, Ping has managed to move CG closer to what it calls the force line to improve launch conditions. Much like with the TaylorMade Qi35 range, engineers have decided that striking on or above the CG is key for maximizing distance and optimizing launch and spin.
Any golfers in need of slice-correction technology will likely fit best into this model of the G440 range which has been designed with a two-position (Draw and Draw+), adjustable 23-gram back weight. As with the G440 Max and G440 LST, it features Ping’s 8-setting Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel (+ or - 1.5° loft adjustment and up to 3° flat from standard).
Looks-wise, as I have mentioned in my reviews of the other two drivers in the range, the new (or old if you remember the original G range) color scheme isn’t to my taste, and the overall look of the sole of the G440 range could be better. However, the most important and looked at angle is the playing position and Ping has absolutely elevated this from the G430 SFT. The addition of the Carbonfly Wrap crown is long overdue and looks fantastic, elevating the look-at address to a whole new level.
On to the performance and this is going to be a real favorite among the slicers of the world in 2025! First and foremost the back weight settings offer strong adjustability to create significant draw bias, but something else seems to have happened to this head, quite honestly, I just couldn’t stop this thing from going left which will be music to the ears of any excessive faders (polite term for slicers!).
To be frank when I was reading about the Free Hosel Design technology (whereby weight has been stripped from the hosel/heel side, I had major concerns for this model in particular as draw bias drivers rely heavily on heel weighting generally speaking. How wrong I was! I honestly couldn’t give you the reasoning behind it but it feels to me at least that the draw bias has gone up at least 15-20% from G430 SFT to me. It is not excessive in any way, the face just seems to want to shut down very organically through impact and obviously this is a significant help in mitigating any cut or fade spin. Very impressive and will be a savior to many.
The feel has also been upped a notch for me with less vibration at impact apparent from the G430 SFT which I very much like as that was my only real criticism of the G430 range, and players that miss low on the face will appreciate the new lower CG positioning.
Overall, I thought this was a fantastic driver that achieves its brief admirably. I fully expect this to be the standout product of its category this season.
Head weight: 199g
Lofts(adjustable +-1.5°): (9°, 10.5°)
Stock shafts: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 55 (SR, R, S), PING Alta Quick 35/45 (HLbuild 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 grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes
RRP: $650 each with stock shaft
