Ping G440 K Vs TaylorMade Qi4D Max Driver Comparison And Review

TL:DR Overview

The Ping G440 K and the TaylorMade Qi4D Max are both maximum forgiveness drivers aimed at golfers who need serious help keeping the ball in play.

The Ping G440 K was faster in our testing with better ball speed and a more penetrating flight that rolled out further.

The TaylorMade Qi4D Max launched slightly lower with less spin which will suit golfers who balloon shots or generate too much spin already.

Both drivers are packed with adjustability but they suit very different types of golfers depending on your miss pattern.

Performance Stats

	Ping G440 K	TaylorMade Qi4D Max
Ball Speed	158.9 mph	159.4 mph
Launch Angle	11.6°	10.6°
Spin	2768 rpm	2305 rpm
Height	37.4 ft	31.3 ft
Carry Distance	259.4 yards	263.6 yards
Total Distance	274.6 yards	291.5 yards

Ping G440 K Overview

The Ping G440 K brings back the 10,000 MOI concept with a major upgrade, adding adjustability that wasn’t possible in the previous model.

Ping has managed to combine massive forgiveness with a static draw bias which is unusual for drivers of this size. The 32g adjustable back weight is actually 4g heavier than the predecessor and can be shifted to configure the CG for draw, neutral or fade shots.

The Dual CarbonFly Wrap across the crown and sole saves weight, and the Free Hosel technology shaves even more grams off the hosel. All that saved weight gets reinvested into the back of the clubhead for maximum MOI and that 10,000 number everyone talks about.

The T9S+ refined VFT face delivers increased flex and faster ball speeds across a larger sweet spot. The profile is longer from front to back which pushes the CG deeper and increases stability even more.

The sound is a loud titanium noise but its considerably more pleasing than past Ping models. The feel has improved too with noticable face flexion even on off center hits.

For golfers who slice the ball and need maximum forgiveness the G440 K has a built in draw bias that actively fights against that right miss. During testing it was surprisingly difficult to hit shots that leaked right.

The only downsides are if you miss predominantly left or if you want a more compact traditional look. This is definitely a modern game improvement design.

TaylorMade Qi4D Max Overview

The TaylorMade Qi4D Max takes a different approach than you might expect, stepping back from the MOI arms race to focus on fitting the driver to how you actually swing.

This is TaylorMades first modern non titanium driver head using a forged 7075 aircraft grade aluminum collar instead. That gives them precise adjustability without losing ball speed which is clever engineering.

The 60x carbon face has an improved roll radius designed to give more consistent spin even when you dont catch it dead centre vertically. The Trajectory Adjustment System lets you swap between 13g and 4g weights to shift the CG around and tune spin and launch.

What really sets the Qi4D Max apart is the shaft fitting approach. TaylorMade has built three stock Mitsubishi REAX shaft profiles based on your clubface closure rate during the downswing. Theyve analyzed millions of swings and matched shaft release to how fast you square the face up which is a smarter fitting method.

Its a full 460cc head so you get plenty of forgiveness from sheer size, even though TaylorMade has intentionally dialed back the MOI from those crazy 10,000 plus numbers.

The adjustability is genuinely impressive and during testing dropping down to lower lofts produced significant improvements in spin control and carry distance. Moving the heavier weight forward lowers spin while shifting it back adds forgiveness.

The main downside is the feel off the face which is somewhat flat and less lively than recent TaylorMade drivers. Its not unpleasant exactly but its more muted and a bit dead compared to models like the Stealth. Thats likely a trade off from the non titanium construction.

Overall Ping G440 K Vs TaylorMade Qi4D Max

The TaylorMade Qi4D Max edged out the Ping in total distance thanks to lower spin and more roll out, but the differences in performance are closer than the numbers suggest.

The Ping launched higher with more spin which could be better for golfers who struggle to get the ball airborne or need help fighting a slice. That built in draw bias is a massive advantage if you leak shots right.

The TaylorMade suits golfers who generate too much spin or who want a more penetrating ball flight. The shaft fitting system based on closure rate is genuinely innovative and if you get properly fitted you can unlock real performance gains.

Both drivers are massively forgiving with large 460cc heads and extensive adjustability. The Ping has that 10,000 MOI design that resists twisting better while the TaylorMade focuses on a broader fitting window.

Sound and feel favour the Ping which has a more satisfying crack at impact compared to the somewhat muted feel of the TaylorMade. But the TaylorMades darker aesthetic looks cleaner and less bulky despite being the same size.

If you slice the ball and want maximum stability the Ping G440 K is the clear choice. If you want cutting edge fitting technology and dont mind sacrificing some feel for adjustability the TaylorMade Qi4D Max deserves a look.