Ping G400 MAX

£389 www.ping.com

◆ Lofts: 9° / 10.5 °

◆ Shafts: Ping Alta CB, Ping Tour 65 / 75, Alta Distanza

◆ Adjustable hosel: Yes

◆ Loft change: +/-1°

TECH: All the same aerodynamics, acoustic, fast face and dragonfly crown tech as the standard G400s, but with a 460cc head to improve forgiveness. Tungsten weighting is wrapped from the sole on to the back skirt, raising MOI 700 points higher then the standard G400.

WE SAY: MAX is a really interesting addition to the G400 family. Whereas the other heads are 445cc, Ping has taken MAX to the 460cc limit. You may lose a little club speed thanks to the extra size, but whatever’s lost is more than made up for in forgiveness. It’s particularly useful for golfers who spray shots around the face. For our erratic editor, MAX was a revelation, posting his fastest average ball speed (142mph) along with his longest individual shot carry distance (249 yards). Simply put, you can’t buy a G400 driver in 2018 without looking at MAX, too. Like the other G400 models it sits beautifully behind the ball, and Ping says its massive MOI makes it the most forgiving driver on the market.

TOP GEAR VERDICT

MAX isn’t just for hackers – Tony Finau, one of the tour’s biggest hitters, has one in his bag. If you want help deciding between the pair, think about your normal driving game. If you miss lots of fairways the MAX is a great shout. But if your game would benefit from all the speed you can get, a standard G400 could be the better option. Get fitted.