The PING G425 driver just hit the USGA conforming list. You will start to hear news about the product line, mostly the driver as irons won’t be on there, but it will be a full line. To start with, here is what we can say. The G425 driver is made up of three models.
MAX
LST
SFT
The major story for driver will be a re-engineered CG shifter (weight movement) and a larger difference between the three models than the G410. For irons will be HydroPearl Consistency and multimaterial badge for feel.
These products (the full line) will then officially be released in Japan the following week. Shortly thereafter the full line will be released in AUS. They will NOT be released in N. America and PING will have no mention of them on their websites or marketing until embargo late into 2020, with a release date of 2021.
Those countries will have the lines listed on their websites at launch time (for Japan, it will next week and AUS the week after that). Speaking with the company over the last month, they have no official statement on the release currently, but do understand that as items hit the international PING sites, that messaging and images will appear.
I picked up my G710s at Spargo Golf in Cranston, RI on Friday. They had just received a shipment of G425 Drivers and fairway woods (if they had the irons, I didn’t see them) so I got to inspect them. I really like the looks of G425 Max driver and when it comes time to replace my G400 will give it a try ;).
Got the chance to hit the Max and the LST this afternoon. I’ll preface any feedback by saying that I did not play the G400 Max. I know it gets a lot of love and rightfully so. I didn’t like the look and hated the sound. I liked the G400 LST though.
The first head I tried was the max. I don’t want to completely dump all over the sound and feel. I had hoped for a more G410 sound out of it. I left disappointed however. It’s a strange sound. Aluminum bat? Lol, probably not that bad. But, I didn’t care for it. Even tapping the ball back and forth on the mat the head feels weird. Really hollow or something. Maybe hotmelt could help.
The sim was not behaving so the numbers are pretty much meaningless. On good strikes it was telling me I was getting about 500 rpm backspin. But, it felt pretty stable. Looks good behind the ball. The face looks very neutral. I will try it outside when the snow melts and see what I get out of it on the course.
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The LST feels like it’s in a completely different lineup. Very solid. Really feels like the g410. So much that my friend that wanted to try it as a 410 replacement walked away unsure that he wanted to spend the money on it. Might just role with his 410 another season.
Was kinda hoping for a home page story on the 425 line today. Seems like today is the big release day in the US.
[QUOTE=”erock9174, post: 9754636, member: 7797″]
Was kinda hoping for a home page story on the 425 line today. Seems like today is the big release day in the US.
[/QUOTE]
It’s been out the rest of the world for months now, info has been accessible for those who need or want it. To me this isn’t worth doing a big release for something everyone already knows about.
[QUOTE=”erock9174, post: 9754636, member: 7797″]
Was kinda hoping for a home page story on the 425 line today. Seems like today is the big release day in the US.
[/QUOTE]
TXG is putting the line through the paces right now. Some good information so far.
[QUOTE=”mikeg_74, post: 9754663, member: 15992″]
TXG is putting the line through the paces right now. Some good information so far.
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max sounds horrible on the live stream
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 9754654, member: 1579″]
It’s been out the rest of the world for months now, info has been accessible for those who need or want it. To me this isn’t worth doing a big release for something everyone already knows about.
[/QUOTE]
certainly one of the strangest releases in terms of where it launched and when it launched. But hey, it’s here now and I can’t wait to give the line a shot.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 9754654, member: 1579″]
It’s been out the rest of the world for months now, info has been accessible for those who need or want it. To me this isn’t worth doing a big release for something everyone already knows about.
[/QUOTE]
I saw the stuff months ago. But given it wasn’t a worldwide launch the mind tends to forget.
In hand pics are always nice, reviewer thoughts etc. gets the juices flowing on a message board.
Info is always a couple clicks away. Just hate having to click elsewhere.
IMHO a miss on THP’s part.
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 9754670, member: 23812″]
max sounds horrible on the live stream
[/QUOTE]
Yeah the acoustics on that one sounded a bit rough, but the spin story is eye opening.
[QUOTE=”mikeg_74, post: 9754663, member: 15992″]
TXG is putting the line through the paces right now. Some good information so far.
[/QUOTE]
Yup been listening in while browsing.
[QUOTE=”mikeg_74, post: 9754678, member: 15992″]
Yeah the acoustics on that one sounded a bit rough, but the spin story is eye opening.
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Launch is interesting too. First two YouTube videos I saw the Max launched lower than the LST did.
[QUOTE=”erock9174, post: 9754688, member: 7797″]
Launch is interesting too. First two YouTube videos I saw the Max launched lower than the LST did.
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so I haven’t watched anything on these yet. But how much lower were they seeing and based on how many swings?
[QUOTE=”erock9174, post: 9754675, member: 7797″]
I saw the stuff months ago. But given it wasn’t a worldwide launch the mind tends to forget.
In hand pics are always nice, reviewer thoughts etc. gets the juices flowing on a message board.
Info is always a couple clicks away. Just hate having to click elsewhere.
IMHO a miss on THP’s part.
[/QUOTE]
Agree to disagree brother. (y)
[QUOTE=”erock9174, post: 9754636, member: 7797″]
Was kinda hoping for a home page story on the 425 line today. Seems like today is the big release day in the US.
[/QUOTE]
It was a decision to make that we discussed with PING.
Being that the entire line has been out across the world for 6 months and we have had numerous threads on it, as well as them releasing on their website at the same time as release, we decided to not put it up on release day.
With that said, we have PLENTY of content coming on the line as a whole that we think THPers will enjoy quite a bit.
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 9754696, member: 782″]
so I haven’t watched anything on these yet. But how much lower were they seeing and based on how many swings?
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Not sure how many swings. One was .6* lower and the other was 1.9* lower.
.6 is nothing but almost 2* was surprising to me.
Then again perhaps he was just drawing the Max more and thus the face is probably delofted a bit. LST could have been stuck with an open face causing the launch to be higher.
I often see that when I test clubs. Most recently with the Mavrik and Flash. Flash I was drawing so it launched lower. Mav I was hitting slight pushes so the monitor showed a higher launch.
[QUOTE=”mikeg_74, post: 9754678, member: 15992″]
Yeah the acoustics on that one sounded a bit rough, but the spin story is eye opening.
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sft sound is even worse. yuck
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 9754734, member: 23812″]
sft sound is even worse. yuck
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Not new for PING drivers to be loud though.
Hot melt cures it.
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 9754734, member: 23812″]
sft sound is even worse. yuck
[/QUOTE]
It was a little tough to pick up, but then again Ping always seemed to pitch louder at impact iirc.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 9754739, member: 1579″]
Not new for PING drivers to be loud though.
Hot melt cures it.
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I was under the impression that they’ll come from the factory with hotmelt. Been a long time since I’ve dug into ping drivers though. My biggest concern is that the heads are so heavy to begin with. Don’t know how much melt it takes to make a big difference in sound.
[QUOTE=”tcugdu, post: 9754829, member: 42892″]
Just order my G25 Max 9 degree with Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange in Stiff.
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How did you decide on that shaft vs the Alta? It’s CB right ?
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 9754739, member: 1579″]
Not new for PING drivers to be loud though.
Hot melt cures it.
[/QUOTE]
true, but if the head is already on the heavy side, adding more weight could present a challenge to a more moderate swinger like myself. not saying i’m looking at the sft model, but the max was on my radar this year if it gives me launch and spin without too much draw bias.
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 9754856, member: 23812″]
true, but if the head is already on the heavy side, adding more weight could present a challenge to a more moderate swinger like myself. not saying i’m looking at the sft model, but the max was on my radar this year if it gives me launch and spin without too much draw bias.
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If you could handle the 400 Max without your ears bleeding, you may not hate it too much :p
But, it may be hard to transition back to something that loud after playing the Mavrik for this long.
[QUOTE=”McLovin, post: 9754856, member: 23812″]
true, but if the head is already on the heavy side, adding more weight could present a challenge to a more moderate swinger like myself. not saying i’m looking at the sft model, but the max was on my radar this year if it gives me launch and spin without too much draw bias.
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Counterbalance FTW.
IMO, you’ll have other things on your radar. But what do I know? 😉
[QUOTE=”radiman, post: 9754848, member: 15228″]
I was under the impression that they’ll come from the factory with hotmelt. Been a long time since I’ve dug into ping drivers though. My biggest concern is that the heads are so heavy to begin with. Don’t know how much melt it takes to make a big difference in sound.
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Not much. Even a gram makes a difference.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 9754884, member: 1579″]
Counterbalance FTW.
IMO, you’ll have other things on your radar. But what do I know? 😉
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guaranteed!!!
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 9754884, member: 1579″]
Counterbalance FTW.
IMO, you’ll have other things on your radar. But what do I know? 😉
[/QUOTE]
its a pretty big radar this year
[QUOTE=”radiman, post: 9754874, member: 15228″]
If you could handle the 400 Max without your ears bleeding, you may not hate it too much
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It’s always good to let the whole course know you are teeing off, unless of course you top it. 😉
Even though there may not be a big tech advancement from the 410 lst I am still looking forward to giving this one a demo. ping drivers for some reason just work well for me and I do like the look at address. Could be the matte black but to my eye the lst head looks great
[QUOTE=”MH, post: 9754921, member: 38594″]
Even though there may not be a big tech advancement from the 410 lst I am still looking forward to giving this one a demo. ping drivers for some reason just work well for me and I do like the look at address. Could be the matte black but to my eye the lst head looks great
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I always just feel comfortable over their drivers. Don’t know why.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 9754884, member: 1579″]
Counterbalance FTW.
IMO, you’ll have other things on your radar. But what do I know? 😉
[/QUOTE]
So what are some fun aftermarket CB shafts out there, asking for a friend ?
Seeing release info all over on these. I touched the Max last week but wasn’t allowed to hit any balls. Looking forward to trying the Max and LST with the Aldila Rogue White. I have that shaft 80X in my 3w and love it. I will be curious if I see any gains over the G410 LST I play currently.
[QUOTE=”HarryPotter, post: 9754924, member: 34159″]
So what are some fun aftermarket CB shafts out there, asking for a friend ?
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HZRDUS Yellow is CB. I don’t get to try a ton of different shafts, but it paired up well for me in the G400 Max.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 9754739, member: 1579″]
Not new for PING drivers to be loud though.
Hot melt cures it.
[/QUOTE]
Not being argumentative or anything. My thoughts are already in here on the sound. But I’m curious (if you or anyone has an idea of), what percentage of people actually hot melt a driver?
I just don’t see that as a realistic option for all but a very few.
[QUOTE=”mikeg_74, post: 9754663, member: 15992″]
TXG is putting the line through the paces right now. Some good information so far.
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Well there’s no way I’m going to avoid that later tonight.
So I guess I’m going to go hit all these again today before I hear their thoughts. Lunch time fun. If I come home with one, I’m now blaming THP.
Sound be damned, I ordered a 9* max. We just get along.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 9754982, member: 53737″]
Not being argumentative or anything. My thoughts are already in here on the sound. But I’m curious (if you or anyone has an idea of), what percentage of people actually hot melt a driver?
I just don’t see that as a realistic option for all but a very few.
[/QUOTE]
It’s not realistic for most average golfers, nor are we here normal average golfers where being educated to the options are concerned.
Pretty cool THPTV video out there on how an average Joe can get a kit and do it if they want though 😉
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 9754982, member: 53737″]
But I’m curious (if you or anyone has an idea of), what percentage of people actually hot melt a driver? [/QUOTE]
Outside of an internet forum, zero percent LOL.
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 9754672, member: 782″]
certainly one of the strangest releases in terms of where it launched and when it launched. But hey, it’s here now and I can’t wait to give the line a shot.
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Several companies did their everywhere in the world launch except the US this year. It has been strange. I remember Noelle from Srixon talking about this on a Golf Unfiltered Podcast.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 9666591, member: 3″]
So confusing and might not be getting better
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Are they too busy making skateboards?
[QUOTE=”DataDude, post: 9755172, member: 47057″]
Are they too busy making skateboards?
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Haha no. It took a bit, but they appear to have ducks in a row. Being the first time Ping launched overseas first, with all information made this difficult for a lot of poeple.
My family and my in-laws surprised me last night saying that as part of my Christmas present they were all chipping in to get me the new G425 driver! So of course I took the morning off and I went to one of the local golf shops in town and swung the LST and the Max. My past drivers have been – G30 LST, G LST, and Ping G400. I skipped the ping G400 max because I had just gotten the G400 and I skipped the G410 because it didnt offer anything great for the price.
I got a good workout in and hit 25 balls with the LST and 50 with the Max (20 with each stock shaft, and 10 with the smoke) because I’m more concerned about the lefts and occasional rights than I am with distance numbers. I tried the Tensei Orange in both heads and the Alta in the Max. The LST model was very nice, its forgiving but like my iblades I know when I miss and you see the results in the numbers. I wouldnt say its as forgiving as my G400 but I found it to be better than the G30 LST and G LST on miss-hit crappiness. I would play the head no problem, but the shaft I didnt care too much for with the LST model.
The max is LOUD, but I’m not sure if thats because I was in a hitting bay (its no where near the Square club heads from nike or callaway imo) but I did find it to be louder than the LST and my G400. I also found it interesting that my spin levels were right around 2400 for BOTH clubs – 2378 average with the LST/2415 with the max, which made me ? – these were the two numbers I made sure to write down so I wouldnt forget. Both shafts were pretty good, the Alta I think is much better feeling than previous versions but still felt really light at 65 grams in extra stiff. I have an aggressive swing and my favorite shaft is the ‘ahina and Hzrdus black so both of these shafts I feel I would do a disservice by adding any more input on them.
The part that I found to be best was that I was hitting the Max very consistent as far as not too far left or too far right. I’ve been tinkering with a Smoke Black 6.5 in my G400 and the shop had one for a G410 so we swapped that into the 425 MAX. For me this was a WOW. The feel of it, the dispersion and results were what sold me on it. I do think the G425 is more forgiving than my G400 because hits toward the Heel (my main miss) were not as bendy left to right and I wasn’t losing a ton of distance. I was very impressed. Since my spin rate was were it was, I decided to go with the Max version since I didnt really need any lower spin and will benefit greatly from the extra forgiveness. Yes the sound as others have said is not ideal, but the THPTV video on how to hotmelt is very informing and I ordered myself a hotmelt kit and have applied it to my G, and G400 and the sound is so much better so I plan to do the same for the G425 Max.
Now for a full disclosure, I’m a ping homer and I like to try other drivers but my OCD goes off the chart if I’m not playing Pings in my bag (example being the Sim Titanium 3 wood was a wow, but I sold it and went with the G410 because the TM well… it wasnt a PING). I dont necessary see huge increases/decreases of distances in the clubs I try so it all comes down to feel and trust, and I trust Ping clubs because I’ve played them for the last 10 years. To be honest, I wouldn’t have rushed out to buy this at $499 because its not $499 better than my G400. But since its a gift and I did see some improvement I’m very happy that I took the morning off of work to hit some new shiny objects.
My body is so mad at this thread right now. :LOL:
Especially when I have the exact same impressions I previously did. Which is a pass on the drivers. I don’t think there’s a driver out there that I can more freely go ape*** on without worrying about snapping one off than a properly set up LST. Felt that way for generations and it seems maybe even more true with this one, but the sound and look and fact that it just doesn’t beat out my other stuff makes it a no for me. I think the fact that they’re not built for the shafts I like plays a role. LST definitely sounds the best of them to me still too.
And I’m still open to a fairway or hybrid. I’m going to try to work a hybrid back in for a bit this spring, and it’s getting consideration. Think the best performance potential for me is in an LST 3W or SFT 5W though. Had some really good numbers with the 3W.
Promising results on these drivers and I like the looks of them, but $700!??! I guess they’re $50 cheaper than the TSi range but that really isn’t saying much at that point.
When I do go club shopping it’s looking like I will only be able to afford 2-3 year old clubs or maaaaaaaybe Cobras at this point.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 9755281, member: 53737″]
And I’m still open to a fairway or hybrid. I’m going to try to work a hybrid back in for a bit this spring, and it’s getting consideration. Think the best performance potential for me is in an LST 3W or SFT 5W though. Had some really good numbers with the 3W.
[/QUOTE]
I didnt swing them but the fairway and hybrid looks are :love:. They look like a soup’d up G25
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 9755281, member: 53737″]
My body is so mad at this thread right now. :LOL:
Especially when I have the exact same impressions I previously did. Which is a pass on the drivers. I don’t think there’s a driver out there that I can more freely go ape*** on without worrying about snapping one off than a properly set up LST. Felt that way for generations and it seems maybe even more true with this one, but the sound and look and fact that it just doesn’t beat out my other stuff makes it a no for me. I think the fact that they’re not built for the shafts I like plays a role. LST definitely sounds the best of them to me still too.
And I’m still open to a fairway or hybrid. I’m going to try to work a hybrid back in for a bit this spring, and it’s getting consideration. Think the best performance potential for me is in an LST 3W or SFT 5W though. Had some really good numbers with the 3W.
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I love taking that 5W and dropping it down to 16*. Absolute bomber. May snag one and a 3H, like you, I am thinking of working a hybrid back in and I have an open slot in the bag.
[QUOTE=”chillyballer, post: 9755295, member: 34915″]
I didnt swing them but the fairway and hybrid looks are :love:. They look like a soup’d up G25
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The white face lines are a little much but I would assume they’re confidence inspiring. Other than that I really like the look of them. Anyone that’s seen my gear knows that from the bottom the whole line is right up my alley. So in combination with some of those shots they’re definitely in my head now.
[QUOTE=”HarryPotter, post: 9755297, member: 34159″]
I love take that 5W and dropping it down to 16*. Absolute bomber. May snag one and a 3H, like you, I am thinking of working a hybrid back in and I have an open slot in the bag.
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That’s kind of what I’m thinking. I need to switch something up and creating a good club that’s in the middle somewhere like that works well for me on paper.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 9755327, member: 53737″]
That’s kind of what I’m thinking. I need to switch something up and creating a good club that’s in the middle somewhere like that works well for me on paper.
[/QUOTE]
Ian absolutely mashed the MAX 3H, you’ll enjoy the video. He hit the FW really well, too.
[QUOTE=”HarryPotter, post: 9755331, member: 34159″]
Ian absolutely mashed the MAX 3H, you’ll enjoy the video. He hit the FW really well, too.
[/QUOTE]
Right on. I thought it’d be Matt hitting them. He loves Pings. Definitely more excited now for that! Headed home for club work so I might get too check it out while I pull shafts.
That’s disappointing to see the feedback about the sound. If it’s similar to the G400 it’s something I could overlook but still disappointing.
I’m for sure going to give them a swing but it doesn’t seem like there’s a whole lot of difference over these three generations (outside of the sliding weight). Time will tell though when i hit it against other drivers out there.