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Monday morning, the yet-to-be-released Ping G440 Max, G440 LST, and G440 SFT drivers were added to the United States Golf Association’s Conforming Driver List, making them legal for play in tournaments. The company has not released any official information about the clubs or stated when they might be made available at retail.
Last year, Ping extended its G430 driver family by adding the G430 Max 10K to a group of drivers released in 2023 that included the G430 Max, G430 LST, and G430 SFT. The club added to the USGA’s driver list on Monday is the first G440.
The Names: Max, LST, SFT
The names Ping assigns to its drivers often provide clues about the clubs’ intended audience and performance characteristics. Max drivers typically balance distance and forgiveness, making them versatile for a wide range of players. In Ping terminology, LST stands for “low-spin technology,” which is designed for fast-swinging players seeking lower spin and launch angles. SFT, or “straight-flight technology,” is geared toward golfers aiming to correct a slice.
Movable Weight
The G440 Max and G440 LST appear to feature a movable weight at the back of the sole labeled “tungsten,” with three adjustable positions. Placing the weight toward the heel creates a draw bias, while positioning it toward the toe promotes a fade. Historically, Ping positions these weights far back on the sole to optimize the center of gravity (CG) and elevate higher moment of inertia (MOI) and stability in every setting. Meanwhile, the G440 SFT appears to have a two-position weight in the back with a “Draw+” setting visible.
CarbonFly Wrap
All three G440 drivers display the words “CarbonFly Wrap” on the sole, indicating they may feature a carbon fiber crown. Previous Ping drivers with CarbonFly Wrap crowns incorporated a lightweight carbon fiber top extending toward the toe, heel, and sole. This design reduces weight in the crown, lowers the CG, and redistributes weight to enhance performance.
Forged Face
The words “Forged Face” are printed near the leading edge of all three drivers, suggesting they feature a forged titanium face.
Adjustable Hosel
An adjustable hosel is visible in the USGA images. Adjustable hosels are now standard in most drivers, and Ping’s G430 lineup included the eight-position Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel, which allowed players to alter loft by up to 1.5 degrees in either a neutral or flat lie angle. It’s likely the G440 series will incorporate similar adjustability.
Stay tuned for more details as Ping releases official information about these new drivers.
