Ping G430 10k Max Vs PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver
Today we’re comparing a couple of the latest drivers to reach the 10k MOI mark.
Ping G430 10k Max Driver Overview
“The G430 Max 10k features a fixed rear weight, carbonfly wrap crown and adjustable hosel.”
This driver looks massive behind the ball. The footprint is large which makes it look incapable of missing.
And it is a very forgiving driver overall. The G430 10k also launches very high with no real way to pull the ball down.
So it’s a good option if you tend to hit the ball too low. The Ping G430 10K max sells for $600.
PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver Overview
“The Black Ops driver features a carbon crown, interchangeable weights and bulge and roll face design.”
The carbon fiber weave has a glossy finish on the crown which lends a sleek aesthetic to this black/silver color scheme driver.
And you can really feel the 10k MOI at work. The PXG 0311 Black Ops delivers really tight dispersion; but doesn’t want to draw or fade too much with the standard weight configuration.
It costs $600.
“I liked how straight the PXG 0311 Black Ops played. Plus the interchangeable weights can help you shape your shots more.”
Ping G430 10k Max Driver
In 20 Words or Less
The Ping G430 Max 10k driver plays effortlessly straight and inspires confidence with how it sits behind the ball.
PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver
In 20 Words or Less
“The PXG 0311 Black Ops is supremely adjustable and is one of the straightest of 2024’s new drivers.”
Ping G430 Max 10k Driver – First Impressions
My first impression of the Ping G430 Max 10k was that it was massive.
In fact, I would say that it looks bigger than the most recent Big Bertha drivers and that’s saying a lot. It still has the “turbulators” on the crown that purportedly improve aerodynamics so if you’re a fan of that sort of finned look, you’ll like the looks of the Ping G430 Max 10k driver.
There was never a time during my testing where I felt that I had to play coy with this driver. Despite its size it still feels light – probably due to the carbon fiber crown panel – so I was swinging it as firm as possible every single time.
The adjustable hosel allows you to tweak loft and lie but I didn’t need to mess with that feature very much. That’s because the Ping G430 Max 10k naturally plays straight and produces a mid/high launch window (14° launch angle on average).
PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver – First Impressions
“I was first blown away with the dispersion.”
I hit a variety of shots (fat, thin, draws etc.) during my testing and after all was said and done, my average off-line divergence was just 11.4 yards.
I was blown away by the fact that no matter how I was swinging this driver, it was still producing very favorable lies.
Again, this was with the standard weight configuration (2.5g weights up front and the 12.5g weight in the back.
So I can only imagine what my dispersion would look like if I had moved the front weights up to 5 grams. But I digress.
The PXG 0311 Black Ops driver has an exceptionally solid feel thanks in part to the AMF (Advanced Material Face) face design but also because of the natural frequency optimization.
This is a design that the PXG engineers used to finetune the inherent vibration patterns on the club head – resulting in a pleasing frequency and inhibition of vibration.
And you can really feel the high MOI at play. For the uninitiated, high MOI essentially translates to tight dispersion because it keeps the head and face from deflecting or warping.
This minimizes cut spin which keeps the ball on-line.
Ping G430 Max 10k Driver Selling Points,
- Infinity carbon crown
- Third generation Carbon Twist Face construction
- Through Speed Pocket
- Higher MOI than previous Stealth models
- Multi-material construction
- Optimized head shape
- 10,000+ MOI rating
PXG 0311 Black Ops Selling Points
- Advanced Material Face
- Natural frequency optimization
- Three movable weight ports
- Carbon fiber crown and sole
- Robotic face polishing
- High launching
- Low spin
- Many custom shaft options
Who is the Ping G430 Max 10k Driver for?
“The Ping G430 Max 10k driver may have been designed with high handicappers in mind, but we can really see why its just as popular with the better players.”
Because at the end of the day, who’s going to turn down a ridiculously high MOI rating in a driver that doesn’t produce a ton of side spin? That’s why I can see this driver in the bags of both high and mid handicappers.
If you want to impart more shape to your drives, the Ping G430 Max 10k driver will not work for you. But for mid and high handicappers who are more concerned with forgiveness and distance, the Ping G430 Max 10k driver ticks a lot of boxes. The Ping G430 Max 10k currently retails for $600.
Distance: 97/100
Accuracy: 98/100
Forgiveness: 98/100
Feel & Control: 95/100
Overall Score: 97/100
Who is the PXG 0311 Black Ops Driver for?
“The PXG 0311 Black Ops driver is great for mid and high handicappers.”
It’s actually hard to think of a group of players who couldn’t do with more forgiveness and tighter dispersion but I reserve my universal recommendation because of the head shape and launch.
Single-digit handicappers probably won’t get the most speed out of the PXG 0311 Black Ops because of the head size and the launch angles are probably too high for players who get extra carry by keeping the ball low.
But other than that, the PXG 0311 Black Ops is an excellent driver for anyone who wants near-automatic straight drives or anyone who wants the ability to shape shots to a fine degree.
Distance: 96/100
Accuracy: 98/100
Forgiveness: 98/100
Feel & Control: 97/100
Overall Score: 98/100
