PING has launched a new driver, the G440 K, that that has set a new record MOI high for the company.
Ping CEO & President John K. Solheim says the new addition to the popular G440 range of drivers is the company’s straightest and most forgiving model to date, while delivering golfers faster ball speeds and centre of gravity-shifting adjustability for more distance.
“We’re hearing a lot of great comments about how forgiving and straight the new G440 K driver is, which ultimately leads to more distance for the golfer,” said Solheim. “It’s fun to hear that feedback, and we’re excited to get the ‘K’ into the hands of 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 optimised elsewhere in the club.
“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.”
G440 Driver Family Grows
The G440 K driver joins the G440 family of drivers (MAX, SFT, LST), each custom fit and custom built to fit a variety of skill levels.
“The ‘K’ is a great addition to the G440 driver line, providing another custom-fitting option loaded with innovations,” said Solheim. “We encourage golfers to experience a PING driver custom fitting with one of our expert fitters around the world who’ve been trained in our fitting techniques and are equipped with our fitting tools. They’ll analyse your launch-monitor results to help find the G440 driver that best fits your game. Whether it’s the new K, the MAX, the LST or SFT, there’s a PING G440 driver for every golfer.”
Dual Carbonfly Wrap Technology
Weight savings from the carbon crown and sole in the G440 K driver are re-allocated within the design, mainly into a high-density tungsten back weight, which drives the CG lower and deeper for faster ball speeds and helps achieve the record-setting MOI for a PING driver. In addition to being four grams heavier than the G430 MAX 10K, the back weight is movable to one of three positions (Draw, Neutral, Fade) to shift the CG and achieve the desired results.
“The combined MOI of the G440 K driver surpasses our previous mark and continues our pursuit of engineering the highest-performing drivers in the world,” said Solheim. “It’s a remarkable accomplishment for our engineering team to offer golfers this new level of forgiveness with the benefits of weight adjustability.”
Fast, Forgiving Face
The proven T9S+ forged face of the G440 K driver continues to evolve and brings golfers faster ball speeds for longer and straighter drives. The combination of a shallower face and refinements to the VFT shaping provide more flexing, retaining consistent ball speeds across the entire face, especially in the high heel region. Spinsistency, our variable-face-curvature innovation, helps ensure consistent spin and retain ball speed.
“We continue to rely on our proprietary T9S+ face technology as it gives us the highest performance and consistency for overall flexing and ball speed retention,” said Solheim. “We don’t sacrifice speed for forgiveness. Golfers can have both. The G440 K driver is a prime example of that. It provides exceptional ball speed, delivers extremely tight dispersion and launches high with optimal spin. That translates to longer and straighter drives.”
Sound Design
Joining the Ti-811 body to the carbon crown and sole of the G440 K driver while ensuring a pleasing sound required PING’s engineering team to develop a composite crown bridge and sole ribs to stiffen the crown and sole during impact, resulting in a solid and slightly muted impact experience.
“With the addition of the carbon sole, we knew the sound characteristics of the G440 K driver would be different than previous models,” said Solheim. “Through finite element analysis (FEA), sound testing and player feedback, our engineers developed the lightweight crown bridge and sole ribs to combat any undesirable frequencies. The G440 K driver has a very pleasing and confident sound.”
G440 K HL (High Launch)
The lighter overall weight of the G440 K HL driver is an ideal build for slower-swing-speed golfers who don’t generate sufficient clubhead speed and ball velocity from traditionally weighted clubs. Custom engineered and custom built at 46″ with a lighter back weight (28g), ultra-light shafts (PING Alta Quick 35/45) and grip (Lamkin UTx Lite, 41g), the result is a lower overall system weight so golfers can swing faster and generate more ball speed for higher-launching, longer-carrying and straighter tee shots. Available in 9°, 10.5°, and 12° lofts.
SPECIFICATIONS, AVAILABILITY & PRICING
Offered in 9°, 10.5° and 12° lofts (adjustable ±1.5°) with a wide choice of stock shafts, the G440 K driver has an SRP of £630. It is available for custom fittings and pre-order at authorised PING golf shops around the world from January 13.
For more details, visit eu.ping.com/en-gb