Ping G740 Vs TaylorMade Qi Max Irons Comparison And Performance Review

TL:DR Overview

The Ping G740 and TaylorMade Qi Max are both super game improvement irons aimed at high handicappers who need maximum forgiveness and help getting the ball airborne.

The G740 is the bigger of the two with the widest sole in Ping’s lineup and focusses on high launch, soft landings and maximum forgiveness for golfers shooting in the 90s and 100s.

The Qi Max is more refined looking with a thinner topline and focuses on straight distance by reducing cut spin, making it ideal for slicers who want forgiveness without the chunky game improvement look.

In our testing the G740 launched higher with more spin and better stopping power while the Qi Max went longer with tighter dispersion and straighter ball flight.

Performance Stats

	Ping G740	TaylorMade Qi Max
Ball Speed	126.3 mph	123.6 mph
Height	107 ft	96 ft
Spin	6153 rpm	4595 rpm
Land Angle	49.8°	45.3°
Distance	177.4 yards	186.6 yards

Ping G740 Irons Overview

The Ping G740’s are proper super game improvement irons and the biggest in Ping’s entire lineup. We’re talking longest blade length, thickest topline and the widest sole at 22% wider than the G440.

These are designed specifically for golfers shooting in the 90s and 100s who need all the help they can get with launch, forgiveness and just making solid contact.

The construction is cast 17-4 stainless steel with a 360 degree undercut cavity that boosts face flex right across the hitting area. High density weights in the heel and toe increase the moment of inertia which means the club resists twisting on mishits.

The clever bit is the three piece PurFlex badge which dampens vibration without stiffening the face like a single large insert would. You get better feel and sound while keeping all the ball speed.

The dual camber sole is borrowed from better player irons but optimized here for maximum forgiveness. The slightly rounded leading and trailing edges mean the club glides through the turf rather than digging in, which is crucial when you catch it a bit heavy.

Ping have moved away from flashy chrome to a more sophisticated matte Hydropearl 2.0 finish that repels moisture and reduces glare. It’s a nice touch for playability in different conditions and makes these look more premium.

The 56 degree wedge takes inspiration from the iconic Eye 2 design making bunker play less terrifying, and the 5 and 6 irons have slightly shorter shafts to help bridge the gap to your hybrids.

TaylorMade Qi Max Irons Overview

The TaylorMade Qi Max irons are also game improvement irons but they’ve taken a different approach here focusing on straight distance rather than draw bias.

These have a more refined players shape with a thinner topline and blade length that doesn’t scream beginner’s club at address. The shelf appeal is genuinely better than most GI irons which is a nice bonus.

The patented face technology is designed to reduce cut spin so if you’re someone who leaks it right these will help straighten things out. Each head is individually optimized for correct landing angles so the ball doesn’t just go far, it lands properly and holds greens.

There’s an internal stability bar and ECHO damper material that’s supposed to improve feel, and while it helps a bit, let’s be honest these still feel like typical GI irons. The sound is that higher pitched slightly clicky tone you get with game improvement models.

The lofts are strong but TaylorMade have been smart about balancing things so the ball actually lands correctly rather than rolling off the back of greens.

You get two versions, the standard Qi Max and the Qi Max HL. The HL model has extra loft for slower swing speeds producing higher launch and better landing angles. For most amateurs the HL version is probably the better shout.

Stock shafts are KBS Max Lite with a SuperStroke Crossline 360 Black grip.

Overall Ping G740 Vs TaylorMade Qi Max Comparison

Both sets are excellent options for high handicappers but they’ll suit slightly different golfers.

The Ping G740 is the more forgiving of the two with a bigger profile, wider sole and more offset. It launched significantly higher in our testing with much more spin and a steeper descent angle for better stopping power on the greens. The ball speed was also faster despite carrying a bit shorter.

The dual camber sole is brilliant for preventing fat shots and the club just glides through the turf even on dodgy contact.

The TaylorMade Qi Max went longer in testing with tighter dispersion and straighter ball flight thanks to that cut spin reduction technology. It launched lower with less spin but the individually optimized landing angles still meant decent stopping power.

The big advantage of the Qi Max is the looks, it doesn’t scream game improvement iron like the G740 does, so if you’re conscious about what the irons look like at address this might sway you.

If you struggle with a slice and want something that straightens out your ball flight with better aesthetics, the Qi Max is the better call.

If you need maximum forgiveness with high launch and steep descent angles to hold greens, and you don’t mind the bigger profile, the G740 is the better option.

Both are brilliant at what they do, just make sure you get fitted to see which one suits your swing better.