The PING G425 Max driver won the coveted MyGolfSpy Most Wanted Driver title this year, finishing first in accuracy and second in forgiveness.

But it ain’t perfect.

PING G425 Max Driver  Details

We tested the PING G425 Max as part of the 2022 Most Wanted Golf Driver test. Its predecessor, the G410, struggled a little in the 2021 Most Wanted Golf Driver test, finishing seventh overall. However, PING responded with the new 26-gram tungsten movable CG shifting weight. Combined with a T9S+ forged face, an eight-position hosel and the Arccos Caddie Smart Grip, this driver checks all the boxes for features. 

The G425 Max driver has neutral, draw and fade settings to work for a wide range of players. That alone helped move this club up the list. Ribbing inside the club head helps with feel and sound. The feel thing worked quite well. The sound is another story (check out our tester feedback). Overall, the look of the G425 is sleek with the Turbulators on the top of the club being pretty prominent.

Pros

Very high MOI Built-in adjustability Eight-position hosel for loft and lie adjustment Arccos Caddie Smart Grip T9S+ forged face

Cons

Turbulators have mixed reviews from an aesthetics standpoint Sound is harsh Not the longest driver of 2022

How We Test 

The PING G425 Max driver was part of the 2022 Most Wanted Driver test. Testing involved 38 drivers, 35 golfers (of all different playing abilities), 400 hitting sessions and thousands of golf shots. To help ensure accuracy across the board, we used the Foresight GC Quad launch monitor, known for high levels of accuracy. In addition, all golfers hit with the Titleist Pro V1 to golf ball help eliminate some variables. 

PING G425 Max Driver Review

The PING G425 Max driver won the 2022 Most Wanted Driver Test with a total score of 89.2/100. That may seem relatively low compared to other club categories but drivers have a lot to measure up to. We looked at the most important performance objectives: distance, accuracy, forgiveness and Strokes Gained. The PING scored in the top five in all but one category. 

Distance

Distance proved challenging for the PING G425 Max. It finished 19th out of 38 drivers with a score of 87.7. The key here for golfers is the importance of accurate distance. Distance is one thing—accurate distance can lead to Strokes Gained. Although the PING G425 ranked relatively low in the distance category but high in Strokes Gained, there is something to be said about how this driver can lower your scores.

Accuracy

The PING G425 Max got first place for accuracy. The dispersion rates are incredibly low. In addition, being able to dial in settings that work specifically for your game only helps improve accuracy.

Forgiveness

With a score of 88.2 for forgiveness, PING just missed locking in another first-place category finish. However, the second-place finish for forgiveness further pushed the G425 Max up the list regarding Strokes Gained on its way to being our top overall choice. For reference, the second-place driver in the 2022 test was the Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond which struggled with forgiveness. 

Strokes Gained

The PING G425 Max took fourth place for Strokes Gained with a score of 89.8. With accuracy and forgiveness scores as high as they were, this wasn’t a surprise.

Overall 

The total score of 89.2 was a really impressive accomplishment for the PING G425 Max. One notable thing throughout the entire test is that there are a lot of players of all abilities who could benefit from the PING G425. It’s not a club specifically built for 10, 15 or 20 handicappers. 

Tester Feedback

Here is some of the most helpful feedback from our testers about the PING G425 driver: 

Even golfers who loved this driver commented that the sound was awful. Turbulators on the top of the club are a “love ’em or hate ’em” deal from an aesthetic perspective. The overall feel was excellent with marked improvements over previous PING drivers. Some golfers said the club head looked huge. If that’s not your thing, the LST could be a better choice. The matte finish looks great and makes the driver seem faster. Almost all testers mentioned overall forgiveness.

Bottom Line 

The PING G425 Max driver earned the top spot in 2022 mainly because of its forgiveness and accuracy. If you can get over the sound and the fact that PING won’t drop the price tag on a club like this for  a while, it’s an excellent addition to the bag.

FAQ

Which PING driver is the most forgiving?

The PING G425 Max driver is the most forgiving of the lineup.

Is the PING G425 Max driver low-spin?

The G425 Max spin rates are not the lowest of the PING drivers. If you need a low spin model, look for the LST.

Is the Ping G425 Max suitable for high handicappers?

The PING G425 Max has a great mix of accuracy and forgiveness, making it a top choice for high handicapper. Most high handicap players struggle with dispersion more than distance so the G425 Max can be a great fit. Lower-handicap players and some Tour players choose the LST model.

 

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