2018 Official Forum Member Review - PING G400 Drivers

[PAgolfer2017]

It's a great shaft - I'd love to know who made it for Ping. Like I've written I can't miss the sweet spot with that shaft.

 

 

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Don't quote me on this, but I think UST Mamiya makes the tour shafts for Ping.

[PAgolfer2017]

New G400 head is on it's way, so for my round today I had to play with another driver I had, and man did I miss my G400. Despite shooting a personal best, the G400 just instills confidence when I'm standing over it. It's as close to a point and shoot driver as I've ever had. Paired with the HZRDUS Yellow 75 shaft, it's an absolute blast to game. Hard to believe a few years ago I hated hitting a driver.

[dhartmann34]

My G400 and I have been fighting... Not because of it, but because I'm a mental midget. Got back to shortening my swing today and hit some solid ones... But I've got some work to to. Man is this thing good high off the face!

 

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[Chadvb]

Previously playing: Ping G10 - 9 deg - Grafalloy Prolaunch Red 

Now playing: G400 Max - 9 deg (tuned to 8 degree) - Kugo Kage 60g S 

 

Over the past 3-4 years I have demo'd drivers looking for something that outperformed my G10 on the course, I was fitted for the G10 and am a high spin player and basically I found nothing until... the G400. Swing 1 with the G400 and I was sold, I mishit it pretty bad (heel) and felt the ball come off like a rocket down to where I would hit a solid shot with my G10. I inquired about the G400 after the round and my pro (and Ping rep) told me to hold on as there was an LST model coming in a few months and since we played some golf together he knew my high spin woes.

 

I continued to demo the G400 whenever I could and waited and waited for the LST. I live in Calgary, AB, Canada so our golf season ends basically Late Sept early Oct and kicks off typically in Late April/Early May, both of these time frames coming in not optimal golf conditions, June through August however is generally quite perfect (weather and course conditions).

 

And then the day came, September 20th and .... I became a father!!! and for the purposes of a golf forum, my driver hunt for the year was over. haha.

 

Slide forward to June this year and the G400 Max was all the rage and I got my hands on it, and immediately booked a fitting. I found the fitting process very fun and launch monitor (I believe it was flightscope) cool to use. I tried all models of the G400 with all standard shafts until we dialed in the right specs.

 

Not to get to into it all but here are the details I recall the most:

• Swing speed - averaged around 105 mph
• G10  average Carry - 270-275
• G400 Max average carry - 290-295 (1 was over 300!)
• Spin - (can't recall the numbers) - but down 400 RPM (I would imagine due to a degree loft off the driver)
• Dispersion - No significant difference (which is fine, my strength is accuracy)
• Summary - 20 more yards carry, lower spin and more role

On the course - I have only had the driver for 2 rounds after waiting for it to arrive and a 2 week holiday where is sat in the shop but I have started working the ball both ways which is fairly new. I actually have trouble hitting it straight which was the strength of the G10 but find I can hit a 10 yard draw or fade quite nicely. The draw seems to really bring in some new spots on the course and I really see that extra 20 yards. The fade as expected is shorter but seems to be where a solid straight ball with the G10 was and I can play that shot with less fear, a fade is my go to which I somewhat lost with the G10. The biggest factor on the course is the mishits, this is a step up from the G10 for sure in terms of carry. We have a couple risk and reward tee shots at my club and now I have nothing to worry about with the carry on a mishit. 

 

Overall, extremely happy with the switch, driving is a strength of my game and look forward to taking advantage of hitting it both ways (knock on wood) and seeing some shorter approaches in on a couple Par 5's and long par 4's.

 

I typically play a ProV1 but look forward to trying a couple new balls with the G400 Max as well. Got a sleeve of Tp5x's at a tournament recently and they will be in play tonight!

[Golfspy_CG2]

Previously playing: Ping G10 - 9 deg - Grafalloy Prolaunch Red 

Now playing: G400 Max - 9 deg (tuned to 8 degree) - Kugo Kage 60g S 

 

Over the past 3-4 years I have demo'd drivers looking for something that outperformed my G10 on the course, I was fitted for the G10 and am a high spin player and basically I found nothing until... the G400. Swing 1 with the G400 and I was sold, I mishit it pretty bad (heel) and felt the ball come off like a rocket down to where I would hit a solid shot with my G10. I inquired about the G400 after the round and my pro (and Ping rep) told me to hold on as there was an LST model coming in a few months and since we played some golf together he knew my high spin woes.

 

I continued to demo the G400 whenever I could and waited and waited for the LST. I live in Calgary, AB, Canada so our golf season ends basically Late Sept early Oct and kicks off typically in Late April/Early May, both of these time frames coming in not optimal golf conditions, June through August however is generally quite perfect (weather and course conditions).

 

And then the day came, September 20th and .... I became a father!!! and for the purposes of a golf forum, my driver hunt for the year was over. haha.

 

Slide forward to June this year and the G400 Max was all the rage and I got my hands on it, and immediately booked a fitting. I found the fitting process very fun and launch monitor (I believe it was flightscope) cool to use. I tried all models of the G400 with all standard shafts until we dialed in the right specs.

 

Not to get to into it all but here are the details I recall the most:

• Swing speed - averaged around 105 mph
• G10  average Carry - 270-275
• G400 Max average carry - 290-295 (1 was over 300!)
• Spin - (can't recall the numbers) - but down 400 RPM (I would imagine due to a degree loft off the driver)
• Dispersion - No significant difference (which is fine, my strength is accuracy)
• Summary - 20 more yards carry, lower spin and more role

On the course - I have only had the driver for 2 rounds after waiting for it to arrive and a 2 week holiday where is sat in the shop but I have started working the ball both ways which is fairly new. I actually have trouble hitting it straight which was the strength of the G10 but find I can hit a 10 yard draw or fade quite nicely. The draw seems to really bring in some new spots on the course and I really see that extra 20 yards. The fade as expected is shorter but seems to be where a solid straight ball with the G10 was and I can play that shot with less fear, a fade is my go to which I somewhat lost with the G10. The biggest factor on the course is the mishits, this is a step up from the G10 for sure in terms of carry. We have a couple risk and reward tee shots at my club and now I have nothing to worry about with the carry on a mishit. 

 

Overall, extremely happy with the switch, driving is a strength of my game and look forward to taking advantage of hitting it both ways (knock on wood) and seeing some shorter approaches in on a couple Par 5's and long par 4's.

 

I typically play a ProV1 but look forward to trying a couple new balls with the G400 Max as well. Got a sleeve of Tp5x's at a tournament recently and they will be in play tonight!

Great to hear of your success with it, thanks for posting your thoughts here! 

[Sluggo42]

My LST has just been smoking them lately like 10-20+ yards. I mean I'm hitting shorter irons in quite often. And the temp isn't quite as hot as it was last month so I'm ruling the heat out.

 

What I'm thinking is that the club is getting fully broken in after a thousand or so hits.

My buddy's Rogue used to always have a few more yards, but now I'm out in front now and then.

 

Is this possible?

[Nunfa0]

My LST has just been smoking them lately like 10-20+ yards. I mean I'm hitting shorter irons in quite often. And the temp isn't quite as hot as it was last month so I'm ruling the heat out.

 

What I'm thinking is that the club is getting fully broken in after a thousand or so hits.

My buddy's Rogue used to always have a few more yards, but now I'm out in front now and then.

 

Is this possible?

Intriguing question, it's not just dryer conditions?

[Jon Brittan]

My LST has just been smoking them lately like 10-20+ yards. I mean I'm hitting shorter irons in quite often. And the temp isn't quite as hot as it was last month so I'm ruling the heat out.

 

What I'm thinking is that the club is getting fully broken in after a thousand or so hits.

My buddy's Rogue used to always have a few more yards, but now I'm out in front now and then.

 

Is this possible?

Technically, I believe so, yes, but I'd be amazed if you saw any effect yet.

In theory a driver face is at its hottest shortly before it eventually caves in from wear, because the more you use it the more material you slowly remove from it, the thinner and springier it gets.

 

In theory...

 

That should be after forever though

[ole gray]

I have the Tour 80 in mine - it's a great shaft for me - it's actually 67 grams in an R flex.

 

Stock is 45.25 which is what I'm playing it at - it's what I was fit for. I can't miss the sweet spot with that shaft in my LST.

 

 

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I've had the Tour 80 for a while now and I am absolutely loving it!  

[revkev]

Just a little bump here.  Adam and Tony were both talking about next year being a banner one for drivers with all the OEMs releasing new ones.

I'm curious of any of the G400 devotees are interesting to switching away from their driver?  I played yesterday and was hitting it well past a friend who was hitting it 20 yards farther than me at this time last year - he has the G30 LST.  He hit my G400 LST a few times yesterday and picked up 5 yards plus over his old one. 

Mind you I'm doing the Superspeed test so that's where a lot of my yardage gain is coming from but I'm struggling to imagine that I would get much additional yardage or accuracy out of a new driver at this point.  I will check to see if I have the ideal shaft for my swing in the Spring (once my swing speed test is done) - I'm guessing not but we'll see.

[GolfSpy_APH]

I can't see myself changing away from mine. It's been the first driver that I have had full confidence in. Good yardage and I am able to find lots of fairways. Definitely going to be curious to see what's coming out, but doubtful I'll make a switch.

[RickyBobby_PR]

5 minutes ago, revkev said:

Just a little bump here.  Adam and Tony were both talking about next year being a banner one for drivers with all the OEMs releasing new ones.

I'm curious of any of the G400 devotees are interesting to switching away from their driver?  I played yesterday and was hitting it well past a friend who was hitting it 20 yards farther than me at this time last year - he has the G30 LST.  He hit my G400 LST a few times yesterday and picked up 5 yards plus over his old one. 

Mind you I'm doing the Superspeed test so that's where a lot of my yardage gain is coming from but I'm struggling to imagine that I would get much additional yardage or accuracy out of a new driver at this point.  I will check to see if I have the ideal shaft for my swing in the Spring (once my swing speed test is done) - I'm guessing not but we'll see.

Not one of the testers but having had a G400 in the bag since early summer I wasn’t planning to switch but the rumors of what the g410 is going to bring I’m definitely going to test it out. It will need to really outperform the G400 to get in the bag

[cnosil]

Just a little bump here.  Adam and Tony were both talking about next year being a banner one for drivers with all the OEMs releasing new ones.
I'm curious of any of the G400 devotees are interesting to switching away from their driver?  I played yesterday and was hitting it well past a friend who was hitting it 20 yards farther than me at this time last year - he has the G30 LST.  He hit my G400 LST a few times yesterday and picked up 5 yards plus over his old one. 
Mind you I'm doing the Superspeed test so that's where a lot of my yardage gain is coming from but I'm struggling to imagine that I would get much additional yardage or accuracy out of a new driver at this point.  I will check to see if I have the ideal shaft for my swing in the Spring (once my swing speed test is done) - I'm guessing not but we'll see.

I have a g400 Max in my bag and I don’t see it getting replaced in the near future. I am slow to replace clubs and since the g400 is providing good results no reason to really look.

[Golfspy_CG2]

Well, since I just sold the G400 MAX this week, I'll definitely be trying the G410 upon it's release or at the PGA Show.

[cnosil]

Well, since I just sold the G400 MAX this week, I'll definitely be trying the G410 upon it's release or at the PGA Show.

You really didn’t have to answer every club in your bag is a candidate for replacement at a moments notice. Maybe you need to show your clubs some more love.

[Golfspy_CG2]

Just now, cnosil said:

 

I have a g400 Max in my bag and I don’t see it getting replaced in the near future. I am slow to replace clubs and since the g400 is providing good results no reason to really look.

 

You move at about this speed replacing clubs.......but that's ok, someone has to balance me out 

 

1 minute ago, cnosil said:

 

You really didn’t have to answer every club in your bag is a candidate for replacement at a moments notice. Maybe you need to show your clubs some more love.

 

Oh I show them love, I just tell them not to make their self at home.   Except these Srixon 585's  I think they will be around for a while!

[GolfSpy MPR]

5 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Except these Srixon 585's  I think they will be around for a while!

One day, a major OEM is going to run this ad: "Our clubs stayed in Rob's bag for 3 months. Enough said."

[Rickp]

One day, a major OEM is going to run this ad: "Our clubs stayed in Rob's bag for 3 months. Enough said."

Actually that could happen and be right


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Oh I show them love, I just tell them not to make their self at home.   Except these Srixon 585's  I think they will be around for a while!

Right


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[PING Apologist #9]

3 hours ago, revkev said:

Just a little bump here.  Adam and Tony were both talking about next year being a banner one for drivers with all the OEMs releasing new ones.

I'm curious of any of the G400 devotees are interesting to switching away from their driver?  I played yesterday and was hitting it well past a friend who was hitting it 20 yards farther than me at this time last year - he has the G30 LST.  He hit my G400 LST a few times yesterday and picked up 5 yards plus over his old one. 

Mind you I'm doing the Superspeed test so that's where a lot of my yardage gain is coming from but I'm struggling to imagine that I would get much additional yardage or accuracy out of a new driver at this point.  I will check to see if I have the ideal shaft for my swing in the Spring (once my swing speed test is done) - I'm guessing not but we'll see.

I won't be looking any time soon either. My SFT has been a remarkable club so far and I cannot see it being replaced until the face turns to dust. I am thinking of trying some other shafts just to keep my tinker bug satisfied, like the Hzrdus Yellow lots of folks really dig, but overall I'm just happy, happy, happy. Irons? That's a different story. First $12-1500 bucks to land near my wallet, and I'll be in someone's bay getting fitted...

[Golfspy_CG2]

1 hour ago, mpatrickriley said:

One day, a major OEM is going to run this ad: "Our clubs stayed in Rob's bag for 3 months. Enough said."

Now, that's funny right there!! 

[PING Apologist #9]

12 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Now, that's funny right there!! 

I literally did a "spit-take" when I read it too! Good job mpat!

[PMookie]

Just a little bump here.  Adam and Tony were both talking about next year being a banner one for drivers with all the OEMs releasing new ones.
I'm curious of any of the G400 devotees are interesting to switching away from their driver?  I played yesterday and was hitting it well past a friend who was hitting it 20 yards farther than me at this time last year - he has the G30 LST.  He hit my G400 LST a few times yesterday and picked up 5 yards plus over his old one. 
Mind you I'm doing the Superspeed test so that's where a lot of my yardage gain is coming from but I'm struggling to imagine that I would get much additional yardage or accuracy out of a new driver at this point.  I will check to see if I have the ideal shaft for my swing in the Spring (once my swing speed test is done) - I'm guessing not but we'll see.

I have my G400 Max on a Veylix Rome 688 X shaft and it’s doing well, but I do want to try other shafts to see if I can lower spin a tad, but keep the accuracy. As far as replacing it when new ones are out? Driver is the LEAST safe club in my bag every single year. I do want to give the Max a good run, though, since I didn’t have it when the fairways were their fastest.


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[MaxEntropy]

One day, a major OEM is going to run this ad: "Our clubs stayed in Rob's bag for 3 months. Enough said."

Here I thought the Bridgestones would be in his bag awhile... I guess they were in Rob's longer than most - 3 whole months!

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[GB13]

3 hours ago, mpatrickriley said:

One day, a major OEM is going to run this ad: "Our clubs stayed in Rob's bag for 3 months. Enough said."

And one day, maybe, one of them will be able to... 

Edited December 5, 2018 by GB13

[Golfspy_CG2]

Here I thought the Bridgestones would be in his bag awhile... I guess they were in Rob's longer than most - 3 whole months!

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Well after my fitting this summer the Srixons were destined to return to the bag. I had no expectations that the HF2 would be sooo good. But when time came for the Srixons, they have the right to earn the starting job. Just a shame it's basically the end of the season and any golf days between now and late March will be purely bonus.


Bridgestone Tour B JGR Driver and HF2 irons Pre Release Testing

[Mr_Theoo]

1 hour ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Well after my fitting this summer the Srixons were destined to return to the bag. I had no expectations that the HF2 would be sooo good. But when time came for the Srixons, they have the right to earn the starting job. Just a shame it's basically the end of the season and any golf days between now and late March will be purely bonus.


Bridgestone Tour B JGR Driver and HF2 irons Pre Release Testing

If the Bridgestones don’t make the cut you know my address

[MaxEntropy]

Well after my fitting this summer the Srixons were destined to return to the bag. I had no expectations that the HF2 would be sooo good. But when time came for the Srixons, they have the right to earn the starting job. Just a shame it's basically the end of the season and any golf days between now and late March will be purely bonus.


Bridgestone Tour B JGR Driver and HF2 irons Pre Release Testing

I had actually forgotten about the results of your TXG fitting. Makes sense that you would put them back in your bag at some point.

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[Mr. 82]

I got my G400 as a birthday present from the wife a year ago September. 15 months and going strong. And considering I had my G5 driver in the bag for 15 years I still have a good decade or more before even considering a new driver again. I mean, I’m not made of money, and at $400, I’m going to get my moneys worth on this great club.


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[PlaidJacket]

I'm actually giving some serious thought to a new driver this coming spring. Maybe. I've been playing my 2014 SLDR since it debuted. It will be a hard task for any "newbie" to oust the SLDR from my bag;  but I'm still going to make my old pal earn his keep and the newcomers work for it.

I'm certainly going to consider a G400 of some flavor.... LST? Max?  I'll also look at other brands and models. (I'll want to try the Cortex and the new F9) 

[PING Apologist #9]

41 minutes ago, PlaidJacket said:

I'm actually giving some serious thought to a new driver this coming spring. Maybe. I've been playing my 2014 SLDR since it debuted. It will be a hard task for any "newbie" to oust the SLDR from my bag;  but I'm still going to make my old pal earn his keep and the newcomers work for it.

I'm certainly going to consider a G400 of some flavor.... LST? Max?  I'll also look at other brands and models. (I'll want to try the Cortex and the new F9) 

Keep us posted on your journey for sure. The way you've talked up that SLDR over the past several months (or longer), I'd be real interested to see if anything you test gives it a run. Have fun!