Why going back to the drawing board was not on the cards with the Ping G440 fairway woods

Ping G440 fairway woods

Once again, refining what has worked so well in the past was crucial for Ping. Here’s every detail about the Ping G440 Max, G440 LST, and G440 SFT fairway woods for 2025.

Since the launch of the G2 more than two decades ago, Ping have consistently produced some of the best fairway woods in the game. They’ve been used to win Major championships, been trusted by the world’s best players, and brought game-improving technology to millions of golfers worldwide. With the release of the Ping G440, Ping have refined all that hard work into their most concise, high-performance package to date. 

JUMP TO:

• Ping G440 fairway woods – the key technology
• Ping G440 Max fairway wood
• Ping G440 SFT fairway wood
• Ping G440 LST fairway wood

The Ping G440 fairway family builds on Ping’s reputation as a tour-preferred model through a redesigned face structure and a low center of gravity (CG).  

The face is up to 7% taller, providing a more confidence-inspiring look at address, especially off the tee. According to Ping, the goal is to create a fairway wood that “still performs great off turf but better off the tee,” all while maintaining a CG position that delivers high-launching performance from any lie. 

The face thickness of the Ping G440 fairway wood line has been optimized in the heel and toe regions to provide more consistent performance, even on off-center strikes. Each model in the lineup is designed to cater to specific player types, with head profiles engineered to deliver launch conditions that best match individual swings. 

While we’re focusing on the fairway woods, here, the family also includes drivers, hybrids and irons, which you can read about at the links below. 

• Everything you need to know about the Ping G440 drivers
• Everything you need to know about the Ping G440 hybrids
• Everything you need to know about the Ping G440 irons

As with the Ping G440 drivers, there are three fairway woods, and it’s the Ping G440 Max model that will hold the widest appeal. It’s available in five lofts, including a 4-wood option for the first time. 

“With the 4-wood, you get a higher launch than a traditional 3-wood, but with more control and versatility,” Travis Milleman, Ping’s Design Engineering Manager, told me. “We added a 4-wood and a 5-wood in the Max model to fill gaps and give players more options for fitting.” 

The multi-material Ping G440 LST (Low Spin Technology) design appeals to players with faster swing speeds, offering high launch and reduced spin for added distance and control. Meanwhile, golfers who need slice-correction technology will find the Ping G440 SFT fairway wood (Straight Flight Technology) option ideal, as it features a draw-inducing CG location to help improve accuracy. 

Ping G440 fairway woods: Key technology 

Free-Hosel Technology 

Ping managed to save 5g in the Ping G440 drivers but have shed even more weight in the G440 fairway woods. A total of 11.5 grams has been removed from the hosel, screw, and heel section of the Max models. Ping say this mass reduction has allowed them to create a face that is 4% taller while maintaining the CG height. 

A taller face boosts a player’s confidence at address, particularly off the tee, while the low CG ensures a high launch off the turf. By making the club more inviting to hit, Ping have managed to achieve this without sacrificing performance. 

When you combine the weight savings from the Free-Hosel Design with the CarbonFly Wrap, both of which I’ll explain in detail shortly, the total weight saved is around 20 grams over prior generations, with the weight relocated lower in the clubhead to improve CG, increase forgiveness, and enhance overall performance. 

Taller Face Profile 

Each model of Ping G440 fairway wood has seen a big revamp over G430. The Max face is 4% taller, the SFT is 3% taller, and the LST is a whopping 7% taller than their respective predecessors. Moving away from the shallower face shapes of recent models, Ping have utilized some of the weight savings to increase the face height. 

“The taller faces on the fairways make them more forgiving, especially off the tee,” Milleman explained. “Players love the added height on the faces – it gives them confidence, especially for tight lies and tee shots.” 

Without sacrificing anything in the CG department, Ping believe the clubs are more visually appealing at address with the design change. 

Face Wrap 

The maraging steel face wrap flexes to deliver faster ball speeds while optimizing spin. Building on the success of previous generations, this design incorporates a high-strength, variable-thickness maraging steel face that extends into both the crown and sole of the club. This innovative construction promotes increased face flexing, resulting in faster ball speeds, higher launch angles, and enhanced overall distance. 

Contoured Sole Design 

The Ping G440’s rounded sole design, paired with a slimmer back-weight profile, ensures the club sits flush to the ground. This design keeps the face angle consistent—regardless of the loft or lie setting—allowing golfers to fully capitalize on the adjustable hosel’s multiple loft and lie options. 

Ping G440 Fairway Woods: How the models differ and their specs 

Ping G440 Max fairway wood 

Price $385 / £350 
Launched January 14, 2025 | On sale Jan 30, 2025 
Lofts 3W-15º; 4W-17º; 5W-18º; 7W-21º; 9W-24º. HL (High Launch) version available in all lofts. 
Stock shafts Ping Alta CB Blue 65 (SR, R, S); Ping Alta Quick 35/45 (HL build) 
Optional stock shafts Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 65/70 (R, S, X); Ping Tour 2.0 Black 65/70 (S, X); Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 75 (S, X); PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5); PRJX Denali Red 70 (6.0, 6.5) 
Stock grip Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16” Red -1/32”; Aqua -1/64”; White-Std, Gold +1/32”; Orange +1/16”) 

Product specs 

Who is the Ping G440 Max fairway wood for and how does the tech differ? 

The Ping G440 Max is the most forgiving and versatile driver in the lineup, making it suitable for a broader range of golfers. Available in 15°, 17°, 18°, 21°, and 24° lofts, this model will be the most popular in the lineup as it is best suited to a range of handicaps

Read my full Ping G440 Max fairway wood review.

Ping G440 SFT fairway wood 

Price $385 / £380 
Launched January 14, 2025 | On sale Jan 30, 2025 
Lofts 3W-15º; 5W-19º, 7W-22º 
Stock shafts Ping Alta CB Blue 65 (SR, R, S). 
Optional stock shafts Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 65/70 (R, S, X); Ping Tour 2.0 Black 65/70 (S, X); Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 75 (S, X); PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5); PRJX Denali Red 70 (6.0, 6.5) 
Stock grip Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16” Red -1/32”; Aqua -1/64”; White-Std, Gold +1/32”; Orange +1/16”) 

Product specs 

Who is the Ping G440 SFT fairway wood for and how does the tech differ? 

The Ping G440 SFT (Straight Flight Technology) is purpose-built for golfers who struggle with slices or excessive fades. Available in 15°, 19° and 22° lofts, its forgiving design is perfect for players looking for straighter shots. The head of the SFT has a larger profile with heel-side CG for more slice correction.

Ping G440 LST fairway wood 

Price $600 / £575 
Launched January 14, 2025 | On sale Jan 30, 2025 
Lofts 3W-15º; 5W-19º 
Stock shafts Ping Alta CB Blue 65 (SR, R, S). 
Optional stock shafts Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 65/70 (R, S, X); Ping Tour 2.0 Black 65/70 (S, X); Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 75 (S, X); PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5); PRJX Denali Red 70 (6.0, 6.5) 
Stock grip Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16” Red -1/32”; Aqua -1/64”; White-Std, Gold +1/32”; Orange +1/16”) 

Product specs 

Who is the Ping G440 LST fairway wood for and how does the tech differ? 

With a considerably higher price tag than the Max and SFT, the Ping G440 LST fairway wood features a redesigned HST220 (High-Strength Titanium) face that is now 8% thinner than its predecessor, which Ping say offers enhanced strength and performance. During the Ping G440 launch event, I noticed that the sound of the LST fairway wood differed slightly from the MAX and SFT models. 

“The steel body in the MAX and SFT is stronger, so you don’t need as many ribs for dampening, but titanium vibrates more and requires extra structural support,” Milleman told me. 

This advanced face pairs with a lightweight Ti811 body, an 85g tungsten sole plate, and a CarbonFly Wrap crown to optimize mass distribution. 

The center of gravity (CG) is positioned low and back, promoting faster ball speeds with reduced spin for greater distance. While the CG placement in the fairway woods is slightly further forward than in the driver to reduce spin, it still maintains optimal launch characteristics. 

The LST model is designed to minimize spin and is aimed at better players who generate higher swing speeds. 

About the Author

Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer

Will is an expert in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.

He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and four years’ experience working in golf retail with American Golf where he was trained by a host of the big-name manufacturers.

A six-handicapper, Will has played golf for more than a decade and is a member at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincolnshire.