Price
$385
Ping G440 Max
Price
$385
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matt martian photography
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Why We Like It
- The Max is the rare club that fits average players and tour pros alike. The G430 Max was among the most played fairway woods on the PGA Tour for much of 2024.
- The 440 Max has a taller face for more ball speed and distance across the face, particularly on tee shots, and offers a confidence-inspiring look.
- A redesigned interior section of the hosel frees up room for the heel side of the face to flex more efficiently and saves weight to maintain a lower center of gravity.
- A carbon-composite piece wraps around the back of the crown and into the rear skirt, saving weight to lower the center of gravity for less spin.
- The high-strength steel alloy face wraps around the crown and sole for greater rebound on mis-hits.
- A slimmer rear weight ensures the club rests closer to the ground for a consistent face angle regardless of the adjustable loft and lie settings.
- The larger, rounder shape controls vibration for a denser sound at impact.
- Top 5 in Performance, low-, middle-, high-handicaps
- 15, 17, 19, 21, 24 degrees (with an eight-way adjustable hosel)
what our testers said
handicap
- all
- low
- mid
- high
COMMENT SUMMARY
Hot List testers noted a large, hefty head that powers a high, penetrating, very straight ball flight and excellent turf interaction. Forgiveness was repeatedly praised—toe/heel strikes stayed playable and center strikes felt explosive. Many liked the sleek black look and satisfying, crisp impact sound. It’s versatile off the tee or deck and easy to shape for most players, though a few said it leans toward long, straight shots. One downside: some testers recorded slightly higher spin and a small trade-off in peak distance.
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
COMMENT SUMMARY
Hot List testers noted a stealthy, quiet impact that belies how far the ball jumps off the face. It produces a mid‑to‑high launch with modest spin, letting you shape flight and perform well off the tee or the deck. The head is extremely forgiving—autocorrecting toe/heel/skinny strikes—offering a plush yet lively sweet‑spot feel, clean aesthetics and a turf‑cutting flat sole for soft landings. One critique: some wanted a bit more distance.
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
COMMENT SUMMARY
Hot List panelists observed a larger, hefty head that tears through turf, delivering an explosive, trampoline-like feel on center hits and forgiving, "training-wheels" results on toe/heel strikes. Reviewers praised the clean black look, low profile and controllable face for draws/fades, plus penetrating high flight, soft-but-solid audio, excellent turf interaction and consistent distance and accuracy even on mis-hits. Workability and forgiveness stood out. One caveat: spin rates ran slightly higher for some, which may shave a bit off peak carry.
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
COMMENT SUMMARY
Hot List testers noted a firm, short‑punchy impact and a high, energetic launch that sends shots long, straight and forgiving—even on toe or mis-hits. Busy crown details disappear at address and help focus the eye on the sweet spot. The face felt lively center-to-edge, producing attackable trajectories into greens. It’s difficult to shape shots—preferring one long, high line—which makes it very playable for higher-handicap players. One reviewer found the head a touch light.
Summaries generated from tester comments with the assistance of AI.
Alejandra
27, Handicap 6
5 years testing
Very straight. Easy to get up high. It was loud enough to hear it, but without being distracting— a thick, low pitch. Before you even start your swing, you feel like you're gonna be able to get it underneath the ball very easily. The only flaw would be that distance was a little inconsistent.
Peter
58, Handicap 8
10+ years testing
This thing, you can really grip it and rip it. It's very forgiving. The distance is very good. It's got a nice clean look, low profile. Just looks ready to hit. The sound and the feel off the face is explosive. Sound isn't loud, it's more on the quiet side, but man it feels great off the face.
Jason
49, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
Really hard to hit a bad shot with it. Seems to autocorrect any mis-hits, which in turn allows you to start swinging more and more freely to pick up more distance.
Jamie
52, Handicap 7
3 years testing
It delivered consistent tempo swings for me. I thought it was a little lower flight, which I like. Kind of a soft audio. Nothing really coming back to you. Good turf interaction, too.
Ryan
50, Handicap 10
8 years testing
I really like the larger head and the heft of the club really felt like I had a jackhammer in my hand. Whether it was off the tee or off the ground, it would easily cruise through the turf but still launch the ball high. The forgiveness was really apparent on mis-hits, and direct hits were really rewarded. It left me wanting to hit it again and again.
SEE ALL (27)
Alejandra
27, Handicap 6
5 years testing
Very straight. Easy to get up high. It was loud enough to hear it, but without being distracting— a thick, low pitch. Before you even start your swing, you feel like you're gonna be able to get it underneath the ball very easily. The only flaw would be that distance was a little inconsistent.
Peter
58, Handicap 8
10+ years testing
This thing, you can really grip it and rip it. It's very forgiving. The distance is very good. It's got a nice clean look, low profile. Just looks ready to hit. The sound and the feel off the face is explosive. Sound isn't loud, it's more on the quiet side, but man it feels great off the face.
Jason
49, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
Really hard to hit a bad shot with it. Seems to autocorrect any mis-hits, which in turn allows you to start swinging more and more freely to pick up more distance.
Jamie
52, Handicap 7
3 years testing
It delivered consistent tempo swings for me. I thought it was a little lower flight, which I like. Kind of a soft audio. Nothing really coming back to you. Good turf interaction, too.
Ryan
50, Handicap 10
8 years testing
I really like the larger head and the heft of the club really felt like I had a jackhammer in my hand. Whether it was off the tee or off the ground, it would easily cruise through the turf but still launch the ball high. The forgiveness was really apparent on mis-hits, and direct hits were really rewarded. It left me wanting to hit it again and again.
Shane
37, Handicap 12
6 years testing
The impact is short and punchy. The ball just leapt off the face and got out there in a hurry. Then at the apex, it just softly fell down. It was it one of those that I felt like I could just attack greens off the turf.
Gary
38, Handicap 13
10+ years testing
Had more of a firm feel and feedback off the face, which was consistent with the distance I was observing. Even on mis-hits I felt like I was getting some pretty good distance and not a crazy dispersion left to right. It was pretty forgiving that way.
Ryan
47, Handicap 12
3 years testing
I really struggled with the head weight being too light for me, but I hit it really well. It was pretty forgiving. I had a toe strike that almost matched my center strikes.
Chris
60, Handicap 8
1 year testing
Very workable off the face—a little more so with a draw. There is no real negative feedback when the ball is hit off-center. Strong, penetrating trajectory.
Daniel
34, Handicap 11
6 years testing
I noticed my spin rates were up a little bit higher, so maybe I lost a little bit more distance but had more control. It was easy to maneuver and turn over—pretty workable.
Scott
38, Handicap 16
10+ years testing
The entire face was forgiving and as long as you could hit the face somewhere, it was going in the direction and distance you wanted. Dead-center shots felt like rocket ships. Not overly long, but always overly straight and high with energy and effectiveness.
Matt
53, Handicap 11
4 years testing
Head and shoulders above in terms of performance. The ball seems to explode off the face. I got a high ball flight. The club's forgiveness was noteworthy, almost like I had training wheels on. Even toe-y shots or heavy shots produced workable results.
Jack
36, Handicap 1
3 years testing
Extremely forgiving on toe and heel hits, even skinny hits. It helps get the ball in the air, so you can land it softer if you're playing into the green on a par 5. Nice, flat sole, which helps cut through anything.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
This has the perfect combination of height and distance and you get the spin with it as well. It can land soft into a par 5 or carry a good distance off the tee. Beautiful profile, perfectly shaped. The sweet spot feels amazing.
Megan
40, Handicap 0
2 years testing
This club was incredibly forgiving, but I wanted a little more distance.
Sean
54, Handicap 6
9 years testing
It played really well. I can even fade this one and draw it. The misses weren't that bad. Good on distance, too.
BK
42, Handicap 2
10+ years testing
It's mid-high launch with not too much spin. That ultimately makes it versatile. You can hit it off the deck or off the tee nicely. A good wood should be able to hit all the shots. This does.
Robert
29, Handicap +2
2 years testing
There's a softer feel off the face but this is hot. Very clean aesthetics. I would like a little bit more on the topline to help with aiming.
Andrew
40, Handicap 8
1 year testing
Looks really good. Very clean with a little dot on it, which sets up really nice. You can control the face throughout the entire swing. The biggest thing for this club is how much accuracy you have on mis-hits with not too much spin, either.
Ricky
47, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
Coming off the face, it's stealthy quiet. What's coming off the face didn't match up with the sound, because the ball was gone! You can adjust your ball flight. Good playability.
Matt
28, Handicap 7
2 years testing
Whether I hit it off the toe, the heel or the center of the face, it was still something that stayed in play. When I got it off the center of the face, it kinda felt like a trampoline. It just really went for me.
Wei
55, Handicap 14
10+ years testing
This is a long-ball machine, but it's really hard to work the ball—all it wants to do is go long and straight and high. It's easy to look at. There is a lot going on with the crown but at address, it all just kinda fades away. It really does a good job of focusing your attention to the sweet spot.
Wayne
61, Handicap 7
3 years testing
Probably the best combination of distance and forgiveness in this category. Really good distance—even the ones that I hit a little on the heel or didn't quite hit perfectly, the club was still very forgiving.
Skylar
27, Handicap 7
3 years testing
It's really sleek, and I like the sound—like you always hit it well. Even on mis-hits, it maybe pulls a little bit left and it goes a little bit high, but it's nice for a soft landing, which I appreciate. A really tough club to miss with.
Jin
30, Handicap 10
2 years testing
It's really performs. I get all the distance I need. It's penetrating. It stays pretty tight to my line even on the mis-hits. Looking at the ball flight and my numbers, I hit this as well as I could.
Timothy
46, Handicap 17
1 year testing
Control on every hit. It went dead straight every time, which is rare for me. In spite of that, there was a little sacrifice in distance. It's probably a good club for more of a beginner because of the forgiveness level, which I need and like.
Paul
64, Handicap 6
10+ years testing
That black finish is great and it's very comfortable behind the ball. It's got a loud crack on a sweet-spot hit. Pretty high, piercing trajectory. It provided consistent distance.
Ryan
50, Handicap 10
8 years testing
I really like the larger head and the heft of the club really felt like I had a jackhammer in my hand. Whether it was off the tee or off the ground, it would easily cruise through the turf but still launch the ball high. The forgiveness was really apparent on mis-hits, and direct hits were really rewarded. It left me wanting to hit it again and again.
Shane
37, Handicap 12
6 years testing
The impact is short and punchy. The ball just leapt off the face and got out there in a hurry. Then at the apex, it just softly fell down. It was it one of those that I felt like I could just attack greens off the turf.
Gary
38, Handicap 13
10+ years testing
Had more of a firm feel and feedback off the face, which was consistent with the distance I was observing. Even on mis-hits I felt like I was getting some pretty good distance and not a crazy dispersion left to right. It was pretty forgiving that way.
Ryan
47, Handicap 12
3 years testing
I really struggled with the head weight being too light for me, but I hit it really well. It was pretty forgiving. I had a toe strike that almost matched my center strikes.
Daniel
34, Handicap 11
6 years testing
I noticed my spin rates were up a little bit higher, so maybe I lost a little bit more distance but had more control. It was easy to maneuver and turn over—pretty workable.
Scott
38, Handicap 16
10+ years testing
The entire face was forgiving and as long as you could hit the face somewhere, it was going in the direction and distance you wanted. Dead-center shots felt like rocket ships. Not overly long, but always overly straight and high with energy and effectiveness.
Matt
53, Handicap 11
4 years testing
Head and shoulders above in terms of performance. The ball seems to explode off the face. I got a high ball flight. The club's forgiveness was noteworthy, almost like I had training wheels on. Even toe-y shots or heavy shots produced workable results.
Wei
55, Handicap 14
10+ years testing
This is a long-ball machine, but it's really hard to work the ball—all it wants to do is go long and straight and high. It's easy to look at. There is a lot going on with the crown but at address, it all just kinda fades away. It really does a good job of focusing your attention to the sweet spot.
Jin
30, Handicap 10
2 years testing
It's really performs. I get all the distance I need. It's penetrating. It stays pretty tight to my line even on the mis-hits. Looking at the ball flight and my numbers, I hit this as well as I could.
Timothy
46, Handicap 17
1 year testing
Control on every hit. It went dead straight every time, which is rare for me. In spite of that, there was a little sacrifice in distance. It's probably a good club for more of a beginner because of the forgiveness level, which I need and like.
Alejandra
27, Handicap 6
5 years testing
Very straight. Easy to get up high. It was loud enough to hear it, but without being distracting— a thick, low pitch. Before you even start your swing, you feel like you're gonna be able to get it underneath the ball very easily. The only flaw would be that distance was a little inconsistent.
Peter
58, Handicap 8
10+ years testing
This thing, you can really grip it and rip it. It's very forgiving. The distance is very good. It's got a nice clean look, low profile. Just looks ready to hit. The sound and the feel off the face is explosive. Sound isn't loud, it's more on the quiet side, but man it feels great off the face.
Jamie
52, Handicap 7
3 years testing
It delivered consistent tempo swings for me. I thought it was a little lower flight, which I like. Kind of a soft audio. Nothing really coming back to you. Good turf interaction, too.
Chris
60, Handicap 8
1 year testing
Very workable off the face—a little more so with a draw. There is no real negative feedback when the ball is hit off-center. Strong, penetrating trajectory.
Sean
54, Handicap 6
9 years testing
It played really well. I can even fade this one and draw it. The misses weren't that bad. Good on distance, too.
Andrew
40, Handicap 8
1 year testing
Looks really good. Very clean with a little dot on it, which sets up really nice. You can control the face throughout the entire swing. The biggest thing for this club is how much accuracy you have on mis-hits with not too much spin, either.
Matt
28, Handicap 7
2 years testing
Whether I hit it off the toe, the heel or the center of the face, it was still something that stayed in play. When I got it off the center of the face, it kinda felt like a trampoline. It just really went for me.
Wayne
61, Handicap 7
3 years testing
Probably the best combination of distance and forgiveness in this category. Really good distance—even the ones that I hit a little on the heel or didn't quite hit perfectly, the club was still very forgiving.
Skylar
27, Handicap 7
3 years testing
It's really sleek, and I like the sound—like you always hit it well. Even on mis-hits, it maybe pulls a little bit left and it goes a little bit high, but it's nice for a soft landing, which I appreciate. A really tough club to miss with.
Paul
64, Handicap 6
10+ years testing
That black finish is great and it's very comfortable behind the ball. It's got a loud crack on a sweet-spot hit. Pretty high, piercing trajectory. It provided consistent distance.
Jason
49, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
Really hard to hit a bad shot with it. Seems to autocorrect any mis-hits, which in turn allows you to start swinging more and more freely to pick up more distance.
Jack
36, Handicap 1
3 years testing
Extremely forgiving on toe and heel hits, even skinny hits. It helps get the ball in the air, so you can land it softer if you're playing into the green on a par 5. Nice, flat sole, which helps cut through anything.
Alan
31, Handicap 3
2 years testing
This has the perfect combination of height and distance and you get the spin with it as well. It can land soft into a par 5 or carry a good distance off the tee. Beautiful profile, perfectly shaped. The sweet spot feels amazing.
Megan
40, Handicap 0
2 years testing
This club was incredibly forgiving, but I wanted a little more distance.
BK
42, Handicap 2
10+ years testing
It's mid-high launch with not too much spin. That ultimately makes it versatile. You can hit it off the deck or off the tee nicely. A good wood should be able to hit all the shots. This does.
Robert
29, Handicap +2
2 years testing
There's a softer feel off the face but this is hot. Very clean aesthetics. I would like a little bit more on the topline to help with aiming.
Ricky
47, Handicap 0
10+ years testing
Coming off the face, it's stealthy quiet. What's coming off the face didn't match up with the sound, because the ball was gone! You can adjust your ball flight. Good playability.
NO REVIEWS
There are no tester reviews here.
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$400
This compact, low-spin model targets better players with above-average swing speeds who like to work the ball off the tee.
The multi-material head includes a 6-4 titanium body, a high-strength, lightweight 8-1-1 titanium face insert and a weight-saving carbon-composite crown.
An 80-gram tungsten weight pad pushes the center of gravity low and forward to decrease spin and increase energy transfer at impact.
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Wilson
Dynapower Carbon
$430
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$430
Designed with better players in mind, this model offers the lowest spin in Wilson’s fairway-wood lineup.
The thin carbon-composite crown lightens the head’s mass at the top and helps shift the center of gravity toward the bottom for reduced spin.
The variable-thickness face used AI analysis that considered thousands of permutations to optimize distance, launch and off-center performance.
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Wilson
Dynapower Max
$380
|
Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Silver
$380
The Max is larger front to back and has a shallower face than the Dynapower Carbon. This should appeal to golfers looking for easier launch and forgiveness on mis-hits.
The variable-thickness face used AI analysis to consider thousands of permutations to optimize distance, launch and performance on off-center hits.
The variable-thickness crown includes four sections that are thinner than a credit card to save weight that’s relocated in the sole to optimize spin and increase launch.