I don’t think that anyone would argue that the Ping G430 Max 10K was one of the best drivers over the past 2 years. So the engineers at Ping were tasked with making a really fantastic driver even better without screwing it up. But Ping does what they do best, taking their time and adding purposeful updates that help make the new G440 K driver perform even better for more golfers.

“Our record-setting combined MOI in the G440 K driver is primarily attributed to the new carbon crown and sole called Dual Carbonfly Wrap, which provides significant weight savings that are optimized elsewhere in the club,” said John K. Solheim. “Among the key advancements from our previous highest-MOI driver, the award-winning G430 MAX 10K, is a heavier, adjustable back weight that positions the CG location for higher ball speeds and the ability to influence ball flight by moving the weight into one of three locations. Refinements to our T9S+ face structure provide higher, more consistent ball speeds across the face, leading to greater distance.”

The first thing you will notice about the new driver is the extensive use of carbon fiber on the club’s sole. Ping created Dual Carbonfly Wrap in order to save additional weight for use around the perimeter of the head. This combination of titanium and carbon helps push the center of gravity deeper and lower in order to dial in the launch and spin. Typically, max forgiveness drivers have high launch and spin, but that can limit the types of golfers who find success with a driver.

The other advantage to using Dual Carbonfly Wrap is the added adjustability of the head so fitters and players can really make this driver perform for a certain swing or ball flight. The 32-gram weight is located at the back of the head and has 3 positions for a neutral, fade, or draw bias flight. Pushing that much weight back in the head increases the MOI and adds adjustability, something the G430 Max 10K didn’t have.

Like the current Ping G440 driver line, the G440 K is built on a cast titanium 811 body with a T9S+ titanium face. This construction makes a strong head with a fast, flexible face for increased speed across the entire area. I think the G440 models offer some of the best sound Ping has ever engineered into a head, and the G440 K keeps with that tradition. Sole ribs and a crown bridge mute the sound waves and vibrations to give the driver a muted sound and soft feel.

To me, the G440 K is a smidge louder than the G440 Max, but the sound is still spot-on. The G440 K is the largest profile in the G440 driver line from front to back, but I feel like Ping did a nice job not making it look too stretched out. The shape is large but very proportionate in the shape and the more rounded back flows more seamlessly with the rest of the G440 drivers.

Ping is also releasing a G440 K HL for golfers wanting more launch and a lighter package. The rear weight on the HL goes down slightly to 28g to accomplish this. Ping went slightly longer with the stock shaft length of 46″ to increase speed to add distance, but the G440 K will be 1/2″ shorter with the Ping Tour shaft options.

Ping G440 K Specs & Pricing

• Lofts: 9, 10.5, 12 degrees
• Head Size: 460cc
• Head Weight: 203g
• Swingweight: D3
• Length: 46″
• Price: $705