Ping G440 fairway woods: Full reviews, player testing, photos and more
HIGHLIGHTS
Three fairway wood models
Growing Taller
New loft options WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
With Ping G440 fairway woods, there are three models (MAX, LST and SFT) to complement the driver family.
This year, Ping is adding more lofts to give players more options, starting with bringing back a 17-degree 4-wood to the MAX lineup. To create space in the lineup, Ping added a degree of loft back to the MAX 5-wood, brining it to 19 degrees to better segment the clubs.
“We think it’s going to be a really good fit for the majority of the fitting market,” said Travis Milleman, Ping’s design engineering manager. “If we looked at our internal fitting data, someone who swings the driver at 85 mph — which is roughly in the center of the bell curve for club head speed — they’re gonna be really well fit, statically, right into a 4-wood.”
The MAX fairway wood line will now have loft options ranging from a 15-degree 3-wood to a 24-degree 9-wood.
Ping G440 drivers, fairway woods and hybrids: 7 things to know
Meanwhile, in the LST family, which has a new HST 220 (High Strength Titanium) face, there will also be a 19-degree 5-wood. The previous generation only offered a 3-wood.
Ping looked at data from its relationship with Arccos that showed players who hit the ball 250 yards off the tee with a driver have about a 50/50 split in fairway wood usage from the tee and off the deck.
Ping fairway woods have always been successful at helping golfers launch the ball off the deck thanks to their shallow profiles.
“The one complaint we have heard is, ‘I wish it was just a little taller. I want to hit it off the tee,’” Milleman said.
The issue was making a taller-faced fairway wood while still keeping the CG low to increase launch, which was difficult to do from an engineering standpoint.
But just as the drivers were able to move weight back from the new Free Hosel design, Milleman said they used the weight saved in the fairway woods to grow the face at a one-for-one ratio.
Club Comparison
Ping G440 fairway woods
PLAYER TESTING TAKEAWAYS
“I would switch today if it was out now. Knew from first swing. Felt free and easy hitting it, meant to be! Also had the farthest distance. Love matte finish. Fabulous feel. Mishits didn’t even feel like it. Yardage gains and trajectory with low spin. Trifecta! I’m buying!” – Joe Kowalski (10.6-handicap) on the Ping G440 Max fairway wood
“Felt really good in hands and I liked the way it got up. Distance was very good. Felt responsive to my swing. Liked head shape.” – Jeff Smith (12-handicap) on the Ping G440 LST fairway wood
“Excellent club and a worthy upgrade.” – Dr. Paul McCombs (11.2-handicap) on the Ping G440 SFT fairway wood
