Ping G440 Max Vs Callaway Elyte Drivers Comparison Overview
It’s Callaway’s turn to take on the might Ping G440 Max in today’s battle of the Titans. Today we are looking at the understated Callaway Elyte driver vs the Ping option.
Ping G440 Max Driver Overview
The G440’s swaps out the green of the G430 for a calm and reassuring blue color in the G440 range of drivers.
Ping broke the 2 year cycle to release the Ping G430 10k Max 1 year after the G440 because they knew they had something special, which the G430 10k Max certainly was.
The G440 has the unenviable task of being the next driver in the range, but it lives up to the hype. Ping say they havepushed the CG back lower and deeper, finding a real sweet spot which allows the forgiveness of the 10k Max with even more speed and distance.
Ping have managed this by implementing a free hosel design that frees up an extra 10gs of weight which is redistributed. The driver has a 29g tungsten weight on the back with three positions to dial your game in and 8 hosel options. The carbon fly wrap remains as do the turbulators which get mixed reviews but minimize the drag on the downswing.
The variable roll face is incredible in this driver, no matter where you hit it, you manage to find the fairway. Certainly one of the most forgiving drivers of all time, just like the 10k Max. This one also generates more ball speed, less spin and a slightly lower launch to produce more distance overall. Another great driver from Ping.
Callaway Elyte Driver Overview
Callaway have been busy investing in their R and D department with a new 3d printer that spit out almost 100 prototypes for their new Elyte driver.
Callaway are claiming that they reduced the drag that was found in the down swing of the Paradym Ai Smoke drivers.
They’ve also made advancements in the Ai face. They are now calling it the AI10X hot face as it has over 10 times more sweet spots than the AI Smoke.
They’ve done away with the sliding weight from the AI Smoke too and there is a 3 position 13g tungsten weight instead with 3 positions, just like the Ping.
Some people call the driver a bit understated but I think it looks good with the Epic green touch and calm matt chrome finishing.
The black top line at address looks inviting at address and when you hit the ball the sound is not dissappointing. Clean crisp and powerful.
The thermoforged carbon crown allows weight to be freed up to improve COG Positioning.
The result is increased distance, amazing accuracy and lower spin rates. Another excellent option for 2025 and beyond.
Callaway Elyte Driver
In 20 Words or Less
Callaway have used a 3D Printer to reduce drag and an AI Super Computer to increase forgiveness across the face.
Callaway Elyte Driver – First Impressions
“The driver is less flashy than the AI Smoke and its an Epic green finish on the bottom with Thermograde Carbon on the crown.”
The driver may not look as premium as some other drivers but it sounds and performs amazing. There are 3 options with the driver – the standard ELyte for most players, the Elyte X for max launch and forgiveness, especially for a slice.
The triple diamond for better players with less spin and more distance. Callaway investing into a new 3d Printer that spit out almost 100 prototypes for this new driver. The big improvement, they say, lies in the reduction of drag from the old AI smoke and we did see a small increase in club speed during out testing. Forgiveness is the other big improvement.
Callaway have more data in the AI Super computer now and that means more control points across the face. It’s now called the Ai10X face as it has over 10 times more sweet spots along the face. These new drivers are very forgiving to the point where you can almost always hit the fairway with any sort of decent strike.
The sliding weight has been removed from the Ai Smoke and there is a 3 position 13g Tungsten weight in its place to optimise the club for your particular miss. Overall, a very impressive range of drivers for 2025 and beyond.
Ping G440 Max Driver
In 20 Words or Less
The Ping G440 Max has a lower and deeper COG than the G430 10k Max and offers an increase in distance and a reduction in speed despite a stronger loft.
Ping G440 Max Driver – First Impressions
“Ping have swapped out the Green of the G430 with a calm blue coloring in the G440.”
The G440 also comes in three versions, The Max, the SFT which has a draw bias and the LS which is low spin for the better players.
The Max is the focus of today’s review and this is a large driver that will inspire confidence at address.
The Carbon Fly Wrap and the Turbulators look almost identical to the G430 10k Max and the face remains straight at address.
The driver is highly adjustable with a tungsten weight at the back which can go into draw, fade and neutral mode and the free hosel design has 8 positions to choose from.
The free hosel design saves 10gs of weight which is redistributed to the back of the club and low in the head. Despit the loft being 9 degrees, you still plenty of launch angle because of this.
The stronger loft, thinner face and the spinsistency technology make the G440 Max one of the longest, straightest and most forgiving drivers on the planet.
This one improves on the G430 10k Max which was referred to as the “Cheat Stick” by many.
Callaway Elyte Driver Selling Points
- 4 Models Available
- Thermograde Carbon Crown
- Ai10x Smart Face with 10 times more sweet spots
- Back Tungsten weight with 3 positions
- Reduced Drag from Ai Smoke
- More Distance And Lower Spin Rates
Ping G440 Max Driver Selling Points
- Free Hosel Design Saves 10gs In Weight
- Lower And Deeper COG Allows For Stronger Loft
- The Spinsistency Technology On The Thinner Face Allows Max Forgiveness.
- Longer Than The G430 10k Max and with less spin
- 3 Models Available
- Expect To See It On Tour Soon.
Who is the Callaway Elyte for?
“With 4 Models available, the Callaway Elyte driver is for everybody who wants to play golf.”
With the increased accuracy of the face, the standard Elyte model will suit plenty of high, mid and even low handicappers.
If you struggle with a slice or have a slow swing speed Callaway have also got you covered. The triple diamond will be getting plenty of air time on this year as well.
The Ai10 face really does improve the consistency of this driver. Even when we hit the heel or toe in testing, the ball never went out of control and we always hugged the fairway on the left or right side, despite poor contact.
The ball sounds really good off the face too and in terms of speed and forgiveness, its right up there with the Ping G440 Max drivers.
More forgiving than the Taylormade Qi35 and slightly longer.
Distance: 98/100
Accuracy: 97/100
Forgiveness: 98/100
Feel & Control: 95/100
Overall Score: 97/100
Who is the Ping G440 Max Driver for?
“The Max will suit High and Mid Handicppers looking for distance and forgiveness with their driver.”
The SFT will suit any high and mid handicappers who suffer from slicing the ball although some lessons may work better.
The LS model has more loft and less spin to increase the distance for low handicap players all the way up to tour players.
Overall we are very impressed by the performance of the G440 Max and Ping are really pushing the AI improvements to the next level with their new drivers.
It has the forgivness of the G430 10k Max wiht more distance, less spin an a better sound. An excellent driver overall.
Distance: 97/100
Accuracy: 98/100
Forgiveness: 98/100
Feel & Control: 95/100
Overall Score: 97/100
