50 Words or Less
The PING G425 hybrid may be the most consistent hybrid on the market. Great shape and excellent feel. Strong ball speed.
Check out the new PING G430 Hybrid HERE
Introduction
For the last several generations, PING hybrids have been the happy medium, the club that can do a little bit of everything. With the G425 hybrid, that versatility is joined by unbelievable consistency and superior ball speeds. It may be the last hybrid you ever need.
Looks
At address, the PING G425 hybrid takes an aesthetic departure from previous PING hybrids and the other G425 woods by ditching the turbulators. This will be a welcome change for some, but as a longtime PING player, I’ve come to like them. Replacing the turbulators is a new three dot alignment feature, which, to my eye, sits slightly toward the heel. What hasn’t changed is the matte black crown which remains my preferred look at address. In terms of size, the G425 hybrid is average with a slight pear shape. The face is just a touch taller than average.
When I flipped the G425 hybrid over, I had a flashback to the Anser hybrid from a few years back. The black and silver color scheme combined with a strong, geometric design looks fantastic. A lack of color can be drab or it can look very cool, and this is the latter.
Sound & Feel
A lot of hybrids opt for a thin, explosive feel more like a driver. The PING G425 hybrid chooses the opposite path with a feel that’s incredibly solid and satisfying. This strong feel is complimented by an impact sound which is mid-low pitched and rich. There are no metallic notes anywhere – it’s almost iron-like.
Feedback from the G425 hybrid is good. The sound doesn’t change much on mishits, but it’s easy to locate impact through your hands.
Performance
Almost everything in PING’s marketing of the G425 hybrid points to one thing: consistency. In fact, they even invented a new term (which they also apply to their fairway woods) – Spinsistency. This is more than just idle talk because, based on what I’ve seen, the PING G425 hybrid is the most consistent hybrid on the market.
Let’s start with spin. If you’ve spent any time on a launch monitor with a hybrid – or if you’re a careful observer of ball flight on the range – you’ve seen spin rates jump all over the place. On a thin shot, the spin rate jumps to the moon. High face impact might launch a knuckleball. In extensive testing, I saw none of that with the G425. Swing after swing this club produced spin rates that I found ideal – low enough to go long with a strong flight, high enough to hold the green.
Similarly, the G425 hybrid launched almost every shot onto a medium trajectory. You can opt to flight your shots higher or lower, but the default is a shot that flies just above a well-struck long iron.
While I was impressed with the level of consistency, it wasn’t shocking to me that the G425 was forgiving. What surprised me was the high end ball speed. Though this isn’t fair – the G410 hybrid was quite long – I’ve never viewed PING hybrids as distance monsters. Opinions aside, there’s no denying that the ball speed in the G425 is elite. Even players like me who use their hybrids in place of fairway woods should give the G425 a look.
Like its predecessor, the G410 hybrid [review HERE], the G425 hybrid is adjustable at the hosel. There are eight positions on the adapter which allow you to change the loft as much as 1.5 degrees up or down and flatten the lie angle 3 degrees.
PING offers the G425 hybrid with three stock shafts. The PING Alta CB Slate is the default option, designed for stability and high launch with counter balanced weighting. You can also get the Aldila Rogue Black 95 for lower launch and spin. I chose the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange 80 for it’s mid launch, mid spin, and counter balanced weighting.
Conclusion
I didn’t have any intention of replacing my hybrid in 2021, but the PING G425 hybrid has me rethinking my plans. This club is incredibly easy to hit, remarkably consistent, and it has the ball speed and distance to hang with almost any other hybrid. Get fit for the right loft and shaft and the long game will become a lot easier.
Visit PING HERE
PING G425 Hybrid Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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Matt, great review as always. I know this will come down to fitting, but I’m curious what you would do with this top-bag setup. I play a 9° Epic Max LS Driver (295+) and a Srixon Z u85 18° (250 carry), both of which I love and hit very consistently. I use the 2 iron mostly as a tee club because the spin is relatively low and I have trouble holding the green on long approaches. The next club down is my 4 iron which is about 225 carry. I don’t often hit a three wood off the tee because it’s often still reaching the trouble (270+) so I’ve been looking for something that goes about 250 – 260 but can still hold a green. I got fitted recently for a G425 3 wood (lofted up to 16°) with Speeder Evo IV 757S that fits that bill, but I don’t have another $700 to spend on one club. Would this hybrid potentially fit that bill as well, maybe the 17°? And, if so, do any of the stock shafts resemble Speeder Evo IV? Lots of questions but great write up. Thanks again.
Jim,
You nailed it at the beginning: it comes down to fitting. For me, a hybrid is almost always as long as a similarly lofted FW. Others won’t see that.
As for the stock shafts, they’re all counter-balanced, so on that alone they’re not too close to the Speeder.
Best,
Matt
Thanks, Matt. I thought that might be the case but glad to have it confirmed. I find the biggest issue with buying off the rack is the shafts rarely fit my SS/Tempo. Guess I’ll just save up!
My instructor had the 425 Hybrid 22 degree at his place last weekend. It had a TPT Prototype Hybrid Shaft (have no idea as to specs) and I decided to take a few swings on a lark before my lesson. I was surprised.
Attractive look at address and ball took off like a rocket. Easy to hit, high mid flight for a hybrid – nice window for me – took several more swings and all with the same result, which is to say, magnificent and surprising. I’m not that consistent. For me, the feel was more explosive than solid. The sound was pleasing. The ball just took off. I’m still not sold on the flat sole but everything else … it’s a club that is difficult to resist.
In my bag now is a TM SIM Max 22 with an Accra FX 2.0 200 series shaft, which is long and long. And an EXS 220 4H with a GD AD HY 65 Shaft (a tad light), which is very pleasing.
But the Ping is intriguing…. really liked the ease of it. Need to hit it off the turf.
Matt’s review is spot on – I purchased a 425 4Hy in a TPT Proto Shaft and it is my favorite long club in the bag. It is so consistent, forgiving, longish with an excellent flight. I am impressed. I re-read Matt’s review a minute ago and was nodding my head, “yes, yes, and yes” as to his comments on the club. Buy this one.
I have a 22° and love it, it is a bomb. I may need to acquire the 2H as well. I have the G425 five wood for now and like it as well, I should do a head-to-head test vs the 2H
Still using my Ping Anderson 20 degree from a few years ago. If you swing it like a 3 iron it sings..
I have the Ben Hogan Vktr+ at 18 degrees with a Recoil shaft, regular, and I find it performs good enough for me and at nearly half the price of the others.
matt,
how would the 425 compare to the pxg0211 as far as higher flighting, distance and forgiveness for a slower ss senior?
Guy,
My comparison isn’t apples to apples because of different shafts, but I thank the G425 launches a touch higher and is a little more forgiving.
Best,
Matt
Just bought a Ping g425 17 @ 15.5 degree hybrid with a Aldila 95 TS shaft and hitting low draws, and it is very looong, with a Trackman I hit 230-240 meters with 25-30 meters in height.
(SS=100 mph with my hybrid) Love it!
(I hit my Ping G425 Max 9.0 250m, ss 105-108)
I assume the g 425 hybrid will perform better in the rough than the g425 fairway wood?
Curious if you know the answer.
Thanks
I shot a hole in one the first time I used this club earlier this month. The more I use it, the more I go to it instead of my fairway wood. I love the feel, the predictable flight and incredible distances I get
Replacing g400 hybrids one by one with 425s. Started with the 7hybrid. Great full swing but it is my short game weapon of choice. 2hybrid sitting where most would have a wood. 425 driver is a fairway finder too
What kind of distance are you getting with that 7 hybrid?
Any update on when you are doing the review of the Ping G425 Fairway?
Lee,
The G425 Max FW review will be up on 4/20.
-Matt
Thanks Matt, looking forward to seeing it tomorrow.
This is it. The game changer
Hi Matt. I currently have the G425 driver, a G25 (not 425) 7W, and G400 5i-LW. I’m thinking my bag needs a 4h and 5h (as well as a wood update). I’m comparing the difference in cost / performance of the G410hybrid vs G425hybrid.
Would you say the 425 hybrid is a noticeable upgrade from the 410? I’m assuming the 410 is still relevant.
Chris,
The G410 is absolutely still relevant. Like most one generation upgrades, the G425 is a small, measurable improvement on the G410, but the G410 is still a great hybrid.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
Another great review. I am considering a 2 hybrid for tee shots and second shots on par 5’s. I am a mid handicap golfer. When it comes to the callaway superhybrid vs callaway epic superhybrid vs ping g425 hybrid will one be noticeably longer? 5yds? 15 yds? 0yds? and will one stay in the fairway more often than the others?
Joshua,
That all comes down to fit. My experience is that the original Super Hybrid (I haven’t tested the latest version yet) was quite low spin which will be longer for some golfers but not others. In all cases, finding the right shaft is going to be key to keeping it in the fairway.
Best,
Matt
I currently play the Ping G Hybrids 2 thru 6 senior shaft. I want to get a 7 and was wondering how the 425 would match up with my current set.
Richard,
I would recommend bringing your hybrids to a fitting and comparing them to the G425 hybrids to see how each one works with your swing.
Best,
Matt
The G410 22 degree has been my go-to club for quite a while, is the G425 that much better?
Steven,
It’s an incremental improvement. Some people will hit it much better, others won’t because of fit.
Best,
Matt
I play Cobra Radspeed One Length irons 4 – SW and I carry the 4 iron 200. I have never liked the One Length hybrids nor the One Length utility irons. I have never liked pretty much any wood or hybrid. So I’ve lived with Driver, 4-SW, Putter in my bag. It has served me well, I’ve learned course management and have worked hard on my short game to get me to 8HC. But, there are a couple of times per round I wish I had something longer for that second shot on par 5’s or tight par 4’s where the driver can get me in trouble. I was at the PGA store on Saturday and talked with a fitter about my dilemma and really wanting something to carry 215-220 yards. He tried me in all kinds of hybrids, a couple of woods, and a few utility irons…none were great or consistent. He then had me bring in my 4 iron and hit 10 shots. Actually, he said he has never seen anyone do that well with One Lengths…I told him my mom always said I was “special”! He told me to hold tight, he had an idea. He frankenstein-ed up a Ping G425 2 hybrid at 17 degrees with a Alta CB regular 6 hybrid shaft. First swing was straight, great launch, and 215 yards. Next 9 were 215 to 223 and straight. No weight adjustments, lie adjustments, or anything needed…just pure dumb luck that it worked for me. Waiting on Ping rep to OK the order. Best feeling hybrid I have ever hit.
Matt, between these g425 hybrids and the Callaway Apex 21 hybrid what would you point as main characteristic differences in your tests.
Michael,
I have a full review of the Apex 21 hybrid here: https://pluggedingolf.com/callaway-apex-21-hybrid-review/
-Matt
Hi Matt – for the G425 Hybrid, is there any draw bias as I believe was the case in older hybrids? If I went with a 22* and strengthen the loft to 19.5*, would this introduce any draw bias? Trying to eliminate/reduce the left miss.
Thanks!
Jeff,
I don’t recall there being a noticeable draw bias in the one that I tested.
Best,
Matt
Not a fan of the g425 hybrid. The stock CB Slate shaft feels slow, sluggish and kind of dead, another shaft would probably work better for me. But the deal breaker is the flat sole. It works great off the mats at the range or launch monitor, but at the course it’s completely different. Way too much turf interaction causes all sorts of issues. There’s a reason why soles are typically tapered, and these are not. Too bad because it’s got a great feeling off the face and pretty good ball flight at the range, but the on course results are drastically different for me,
I was fitted for the G425 hybrids with stock shafts, just received them a couple of days ago. Our swings must be on the opposite sides of the spectrum. I actually hit them better off the grass compared to the hitting mat during the fitting process.
George above makes an interesting point on sole profile which I researched easily as I’m not dialled in yet to my new g425 hybrids yet ( bought 10/22 ). Comparing the G425 6 & 7 hybrids with 4 others, only an old Snake Eye & Cleveland models have a tighter radius on sole curvature getting closer to typical TM 5 & 7 wood profiles. I certainly find the G425’s better off a tee currently but course conditions are very wet and I’ve never been good playing soaked courses. It will be interesting to see what sole profiles the new G430 model has.
I just got fit for a hybrid, the g425 was the shortest of the bunch and I loved it. Almost every ball I hit with it was on a rope. Also, it felt and sounded amazing.
Worth noting that my ancient Taylormade Rescue club was as long as the newest hybrids on the market(less forgiving though).