PING G400 Drivers, Fairways and Hybrids

Distance and Forgiveness

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Late last year, PING introduced the G400 line of drivers, woods, hybrids and irons and all indications are that with this new lineup PING has really upped their game. We had the opportunity to test a new G400 driver, fairway and hybrid.

G400 Driver

The more streamlined shape is a big step forward in stability and aerodynamics. More pronounced turbulators increase air flow efficiency which creates more club head speed and the new “infinity edge crown” gives the driver a cleaner look at address.

The 17-4 SS crown uses Dragonfly Technology and is cast ultra-thin for weight savings which allows PING to optimize the center of gravity location and dramatically increase MOI for full-face forgiveness. In addition, PING’s Vortec Technology reduces drag by 15%, which also increases clubhead speed and ball velocity.

The forged T9S+ face is thinner and far more flexible than previous PING drivers and produces hotter ball speeds that enable you to launch drives farther, higher, and straighter. A higher-density tungsten back weight generates greater MOI, producing more forgiveness and accuracy while allowing you to customize your swing weight and fine-tune your launch conditions. The internal rib structure of the G400 head rewards you with a rich, full sound at impact.

The G400 driver is available with an Alta CB Premium shaft. The counter-balanced design allows for more mass in the head, producing more energy transfer. Thanks to color-shifting technology, the vibrant copper shaft changes to an almost black color at address and eliminates distraction. PING also offers a couple of other stock shafts and custom shafts are also available for an upcharge. The best way to find out the shaft that best fits your game is to go through a club fitting with a PING Certified Club Fitter. You’ll get the most out of your new G400 with a shaft that optimizes your launch angle and spin rate.

The PING G400 driver comes in a standard head as well as an LS Tec (Low Spin) and an SF Tec (Straight Flight, designed to subdue a slice) model. The G400 standard head driver is available in two lofts: 9° and 10.5°. Lofts can be adjusted +/-1°.  The SF Tec is available in lofts of 10° and 12° and usually produces 12 yards of draw bias over the standard model.  The LS Tec driver is available in lofts of 8.5° and 10° and typically lowers spin by about 400rpm. Again, check with a PING Certified Club Fitter to determine which model best suites your game.

G400 Fairways

It used to be that a player who wanted consistency and a player who wanted shot control would require different clubs, especially when it came to fairway woods. After all, most fairway woods are either easy to hit or high on “performance.”

But with the introduction of the PING G400, there is one club that appeases both groups. The G400 fairway has tons of forgiveness and, at the same time, offers full control of both trajectory and shot shape.

PING’s new G400 fairway woods use a Maraging Steel face which is stronger and lighter, allowing for a face that is 28% thinner with 30% more flex. PING also saved weight in the crown by using 17-4 stainless steel and allowed them to move weight lower and back in order to improve the MOI and CG location.

The Turbulators are slightly larger than on the G series fairway woods, but because of the head size, are more beneficial as an alignment aid. The sole is slightly flatter, particularly towards the toe area. This gives the G400 a very low profile and sitting close to the ground helps a golfer believe – and rightfully so – he/she can get the ball up in the air quickly, especially from tight lies.

Interestingly enough, the grooves on the 3-wood are painted on, allowing the face to be as thin as possible. Higher lofted woods have real grooves, because they are likely going to be used from thicker lies where grooves are necessary.

The matte black finish on the G400 fairway woods may not make it the most eye-popping fairway wood on the market, but the results speak for themselves. You’ll be smiling when you’re on the green of that par 5 in two, while your buddies are chipping up. Even shots that are hit a little thin get up in the air and sacrifice little distance, partly because they produce very little spin. These woods are the real deal!

The G400 fairway wood is available in several lofts including a 3, 5 and 7-wood. There’s also a 13° Stretch 3-wood with a slightly larger head, and a 23.5° 9-wood. The stock shaft is PING’s Alta CB 55 shaft which is available in regular, stiff and extra stiff flexes. Several other shafts are available with an upcharge including PING Tour 65 and 75, ALTA Distanza, Aldila X-Torsion Copper, Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver Dual-Core TiNi and Project X HZRDUS Yellow. Recently, an SF Tec head was introduced and offers fairway faders more of a straight flight. An adjustable hosel lets you to change the loft by +/1°. Retail price for the G400 fairway wood is $279.00.

G400 Hybrid

After hitting the G400 driver and fairway wood, you can clearly see that the hybrid is a close member of the family and is a definite upgrade from the previous G series. The head is a little more pear-shaped than the G hybrid and although there is no aerodynamic benefit in a head this small, the Turbulators have been made larger on the crown. Since there are no aiming marks on the matte black crown, the Turbulators serve this purpose well.

These hybrids are extremely easy to hit and get the ball up in the air quickly, whether you hit it dead on or a little thin. The 17° and 19° models have added weight in the toe which slows the toe down and stops the club from going left. It’s designed with better players in mind who want a straighter hybrid.

It’s a forgone conclusion that, when it comes to a hybrid, most golfers are looking for forgiveness over distance. With the G400 hybrid, they get both. An 11% thinner maraging face makes the G400 PING’s longest hybrid ever and with 14% tighter dispersion, it’s also more forgiving. You’ll also find it holds the green quite well.

The G400 hybrid is a great addition to any golf bag and easily bridges the gap between fairway woods and irons. The sound is in the middle too, right between the typical tinny, metallic sound of a fairway wood and the solid smack of an iron.

PING’s G400 hybrid is available in several lofts: 17°, 19°, 22°, 26° and 30°, with 2 choices in shafts: either the PING Alta CB 70 or PING Tour 85 graphite. Retail price is $229.

The new G400 line of drivers, fairways and hybrids bring everything PING knows about distance and forgiveness into a single package that has a better look, feel and sound. In fact, these may well be the most forgiving drivers, fairways and hybrids in golf. You can see them for yourself at most major golf retailers or visit the PING website at www.ping.com.

David Theoret

David Theoret has been in the golf and golf travel industry for over 12 years, primarily selling online advertising. For the past seven years, he has also been a golf writer, reviewing golf courses, resorts, destinations, equipment, golf apparel, and training aids – the latter of which never seems to help. What started as a dream years ago, by God’s grace, became a reality in 2015 when The Golfin’ Guy editorial marketing company was founded. Working together with golf course designer Ron Garl; David’s articles and reviews have been posted on many golf travel, equipment, and apparel websites.

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