This is Golfer Geeks’ PING G440 Max driver vs
I’ve had both of these drivers on the range and on the course and I’m a fan of both.
Summary: Both drivers are seriously long, seriously forgiving, launch the ball high, and have premium sound and feel.
I will pick nits to differentiate:
- I prefer the the G440 Max because I love the profile and cosmetics, I like having an adjustable sole weight, and it’s plenty hot and forgiving enough for me.
- The Qi35 Max takes 2nd place because I do not like the head shape and graphics. Though, it does have slightly better sound and feel.
I told you I’d pick nits.
Other than that, this is a toss up.
Consider: The G440 Max is about $50 more than the Qi35 Max.
|
More Distance
|
Better Sound & Feel
|
|
Primary Rating:
4.6
|
Primary Rating:
4.5
|
|
~$599 New
|
~$569 New
|
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
- Loads of Forgiveness & Distance
- Great Sound & Feel
- Attractive
- Adjustable sole weight
- Nada
- Great Sound & Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- High Launch & Peak Height
- Mediocre cosmetics
- Not a major improvement over the Qi10
Now let’s dive deeper and see how these two drivers compare across key categories like bag appeal, sound & feel, distance, forgiveness, and more.
Ping G440 Max Driver
4.6 Overall Score
Score | Category | Score | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | Bag Appeal | 5 | Distance |
4 | Sound & Feel | 5 | Ball Flight |
5 | Forgiveness |
Best For
Any golfer that wants less headaches off the tee. It’s long, forgiving, and helps plenty with launch and carry.
Considerations
Elite drivers may want a driver with lower spin and lower launch.
Verdict
One of the most consistently long and forgiving drivers available. Delivers on distance promises while staying remarkably playable across the face.
Where To Get Yours
- Loads of Forgiveness & Distance
- Great Sound & Feel
- Attractive
- Adjustable sole weight
- Nada
The G440 Max is Ping’s most forgiving driver in the G440 series.
It’s made for mid to high launch, has a shallow face, and adjustable sole weight, and increased distance across the face.
Though it’s meant as more of a game improvement driver, I think it will work for any golfer, regardless of handicap, who is just looking for more playable drives.
Available Loft Options
| Loft Setting |
| 9.0° |
| 10.5° |
| 12.0° |
Performance & Testing Summary
Loft: 10.5°
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Blue 60g 6.0 Stiff
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height | Spin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
103 mph | 152yds | 252 yds | 11* | 83 ft | 3154 |
I could put the G440 Max in play today.
It checks every box I look for in a driver. Solid cosmetics. Great profile. Works to keep me playable. Plenty of distance away from the sweet spot. Premium sound and feel.
Customer Reviews
There are currently 16 reviews with an average rating of 4.8/5 with 80% recommending the G440 Max (seems low). (1)
As you’d think, reviewers rave about the G440s distance and forgiveness.
Taylormade Qi35 Max Driver
4.5 Overall Score
Score | Category | Score | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
3 | Bag Appeal | 5 | Distance |
4.5 | Sound & Feel | 5 | Ball Flight |
4 | Forgiveness |
Best For
Golfers who are just looking for more playable drives. Nothing fancy.
Considerations
Cosmetics are a step down from the Qi10 series. Not a dramatic improvement over the previous Qi10 model’s performance.
Verdict
Great sound and feel as well as ample forgiveness, help with launch, and help with distance.
This is a low stress driver. It works to keep you playable. It’s got explosive distance when you catch it and good distance when you don’t.
You’ll love the Qi35 Max if you don’t mind the cosmetics and can swing the price.
Where To Get Yours
- Great Sound & Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- High Launch & Peak Height
- Mediocre cosmetics
- Not a major improvement over the Qi10
The Qi35 Max is
It’s a mid spin and mid-high launch configuration. I’m not a fan of the way it looks, but it’s hard to argue with the results.
I think it appeals most to mid and higher handicaps.
You’ll love it if you’re ok with it’s cosmetics.
Available Loft Options
| Loft Setting |
|---|
| 9.0° |
| 10.5° |
| 12.0° |
Performance & Testing Summary
Loft: 10.0°
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Blue 60g 6.0 Stiff
- Range balls for used launch monitor testing.
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height | Spin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
99 mph | 154 mph | 255 yds | 12* | 109 ft | 3768 |
Customer Reviews
There are currently 268 reviews with an average rating of 4.8/5 with 95% recommending the G440 Max (seems low). (1)
Customers consistently rave about the Qi35 Max’s exceptional forgiveness and distance gains, with many reporting 20-50 yard improvements and significantly straighter drives compared to their previous drivers.
The Gist:
- Forgiveness is the standout feature – Multiple buyers specifically mention “crazy forgiveness” and how it fixes slices, with one noting “if you hit it on the heel it will go straight, and if you hit it on the toe it will go straight”
- Significant distance gains reported – Customers claiming 20-50 yard improvements over previous drivers, with one 69-year-old gaining 30 yards, and another seeing 5% increases in clubhead and ball speed vs the Qi10
- Confidence-inspiring for struggling drivers – Several high-handicappers mention it “changed my entire golf game” and “cured my slice,” with one saying they “used to run around the course with irons” because they couldn’t hit driver
- Sound and feel get high marks – Described as having a “subtle, confident, strong sound” that lets you know you hit it well, with the impact feeling “smooth” and “like the ball explodes off the club”
- Clear upgrade over previous TM models – Many specifically mention it outperforms the Qi10, Stealth 2, and older drivers, with one calling it “Best Driver TM has made since M2”
G440 Max vs Qi35 Max Driver – Key Differences
Launch Monitor Data: G440 Max vs Qi35 Max
These numbers are remarkably similar to every driver I’ve tested over the last year or so when testing at the range using range balls. My driving is occasionally good, but never great on the range.
Note: I hit the Qi35 more solid in range testing (and the G440 more solid on the course), thus the couple extra yards of distance. (It’s often not about swing speed)
G440 Max | Qi35 max | |
|---|---|---|
Club Speed (mph) | 103 | 99 |
Ball Speed (mph) | 152 | 154 |
Carry Distance (yds) | 252 | 255 |
Vertical Launch (°) | 11 | 12 |
Peak Height (ft) | 83 | 109 |
Spin | 3154 | 3768 |
Side-by-Side Comparison Table: G440 Max vs Qi35 Max
G440 Max | Qi35 Max | |
|---|---|---|
Bag Appeal | 4 | 3 |
Sound & Feel | 4 | 4.5 |
Distance | 5 | 5 |
Forgiveness | 5 | 4 |
Ball Flight | 5 | 5 |
Bag Appeal – G440 Max
The G440 Max hands down. Not close.
Sound & Feel – Qi35 Max
Both offer premium sound and feel, but the Qi35 Max feels a touch more solid.
Distance – Draw…most likely
There may be a small difference based on launch monitor numbers in the Qi35 Max’s favor, but that didn’t show during my round.
I would bet a small difference is all you would see, if even that with similar contact.
Forgiveness – G440 Max
The G440 Max went straighter for me on the range and on the course. It could be a visual thing because I prefer looking down at the G440 Max.
Ball Flight – Draw
The Qi35 went higher on the range for me, but I hit a bunch of slices, though well struck. That adds significant height. Well struck non-slice drives had similar launch and trajectory.
Final Verdict
I think the G440 Max is the more easily playable driver, at least for me. I hit it straighter and I hit it farther on the course. I hit it straighter and pretty much the same distance on the driving range.
Choose the G440 Max if:
- You prefer a more refined head shape and profile.
- You like the option of adjusting a sole weight to help dial in shot shape and trajectory.
Choose the Qi35 Max if:
- You want the look of max forgiveness at address and/or you aren’t picky about head shape.
As always, my #1 suggestion is to:
- Test before you buy. I use Global Golf’s risk free Utry program.
Thanks for checking out our Ping G440 Max driver vs
|
More Distance
|
Better Sound & Feel
|
|
Primary Rating:
4.6
|
Primary Rating:
4.5
|
|
~$599 New
|
~$569 New
|
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
- Loads of Forgiveness & Distance
- Great Sound & Feel
- Attractive
- Adjustable sole weight
- Nada
- Great Sound & Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- High Launch & Peak Height
- Mediocre cosmetics
- Not a major improvement over the Qi10
