50 Words or Less
The PING G425 Max driver has the same adjustability as the G410 Plus but with more forgiveness. The easiest-to-hit, most consistent driver on the market.
Check out the new PING G430 MAX driver HERE
Introduction
Going back to the G30, I’ve been gaming PING drivers. With every new release, I’m left to wonder, “How are they going to make this one better?” The additions to the G410 Plus [review HERE] were obvious: a more versatile hosel adjustment plus a moveable weight. For the new G425 Max, PING has taken the adjustability of the G410 Plus and merged it with the beloved, uber-forgiving G400 Max [review HERE] to create their most forgiving driver ever.
Looks
The PING G425 Max ditches color completely, opting for a black and silver color scheme worthy of Batman. I love the sole design because it looks futuristic without being cheesy. Whenever I pulled the headcover off this club, I felt like I had a weapon in my hands.
At address, the G425 Max has a lot of similarities with the past several generations of PING drivers. It’s a matte black head that has ridges (turbulators) along the front edge instead of an alignment aid. There are also subtle depressions along the back of the crown, also designed to improve aerodynamics.
The differences between the G425 Max to the G410 Plus are subtle but noticeable. First, the crown is slightly darker and the depressions along the back edge are less noticeable. In terms of shape and size, the G425 Max is a little beefier than the G410 Plus. It looks a little longer and a bit wider, more rounded than triangular. Again, the differences aren’t huge, but with the drivers side by side, they’re apparent.
Sound & Feel
I felt like PING really dialed in the sound and feel with the G410 Plus, and clearly they agreed because not much has changed in the G425 Max. Impact feels extremely solid and stable; you need to hit the very edge of the face to make it twist. That said, your hands still get a clear picture of where impact occurred.
The sound is medium in volume, mid-bass, with a slightly hollow “pop” or “clap” character. You won’t hear much difference between pure strikes and middling contacts.
Performance
Let’s get right to the big question: did PING maintain the adjustability of the G410 Plus while also boosting the forgiveness? Yes. The G425 Max delivers on that promise in a big way.
In testing the G425 Max head to head with my G410 Plus, the most obvious difference was the superior forgiveness of the G425 Max. Mishits with the G425 Max driver were consistently a little faster with more robust launch and spin numbers. On the course, that means there’s less distance between your best swings and all the rest. In comparing the G425 Max to the rest of the market, I don’t think there’s anything that’s quite on its level for forgiveness. If you want maximum consistency off the tee, I would suggest bagging the G425 Max driver.
What’s impressive is that the G425 Max achieves this boosted forgiveness without giving up adjustability. This driver uses the same adapter as the previous one, so you can use all the same shafts in the same eight positions. Loft can be adjusted up or down as much as 1.5 degrees. The 26 gram weight in the back can be put in three positions – Fade, Neutral, or Draw. Each position has a noticeable impact on the ball flight and the position of the sweet spot.
As one of the leaders in custom fitting, PING offers a great array of stock shafts in the G425 Max driver. There are three proprietary models: ALTA CB 55 Slate, PING Tour, and Alta Distanza. For the player that wants a hot aftermarket shaft in their driver, PING also offers the Aldila Rogue White 130 MSI [review HERE] and Mitsubishi TENSEI AV Orange in 55 and 65 gram weights.
Conclusion
This probably isn’t going to surprise anyone, but the PING G425 Max is going to be in my bag for 2021. I love the G410 Plus, but if I can get more forgiveness without giving anything up, I’m going to take it. If meaningful adjustability and maximum forgiveness sounds like a winning combo to you, head to your PING fitter to dial in the G425 Max driver.
Visit PING HERE
PING G425 Max Driver Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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Matt,
Has the #GetFit2021 contest winner been selected? The Ping G425 max would be an awesome option to be fit into. Great review as always!
Yes, the winner has been contacted.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, great review. As soon as this review appeared I knew this club was headed for your bag.
I recently tried g425 Max 9.0 my self and I agree.
Wery easy to hit. What shaft did you use during your review ? And what shaft are you going to use when you play? Still using Ventus Black 6x?
I used the Mitsubishi TENSEI Orange.
Best,
Matt
Just add the Aldila Ascent shaft and you should be closer to 300 yards. Excellent review.
Those are some great numbers! Curious to know which shaft you tested the 425Max with? Thanks!
I used the Mitsubishi TENSEI Orange.
Best,
Matt
I have 410 LST and love it. Will take all the courage not to upgrade. By the way, I have Atmos black shaft, best driver ever, and I’m old in golf yrs.
….next project, irons. May have to jump ship to Mizuno
What shaft will you be gaming with in your G425 Max?
Kurt,
That’s TBD. I won’t decide until I can see hit them outside.
Best,
Matt
Any chance you can do a compare and post data with your last couple shafts of choice to see how they perform vs. your final choice? Shaft from G400 Max, G410 Plus and ???, how do they stack up in the G425 Max?
Kurt,
Realistically, no. At this point, we’re all working as hard as we can to keep up with the new equipment releases. There’s not time for or good ROI in producing the content you suggest. I hope that doesn’t come across as rude, that’s not my intent, I just want to answer your question honestly.
Best,
Matt
Thank you for your honesty. It is much appreciated. Rather have the truth than haveto interpret true meaning out of vague, non-response responses.
Can you shed a little more light on how moving the weight changes the sweet spot? I’ve never used anything other than front to back adjustable weights, never sideways
Brandon,
When you move a significant amount of weight toward the heel or toe, you move the sweet spot in that same direction. That’s what creates the draw or fade bias – making more of the face perform like the toe or heel and thus creating more gear effect.
Best,
Matt
Sure about this? Moving weight to the heel produces a draw bias. If the sweet spot moves in that direction, so you would aim for more heel-side strikes, the gear effect will be more toward fade, right. And opposite as well. Gear effect on a toe strike will produce a draw. If the weight is shifted that same direction, it will encourage a fade. My understanding is that the weight shift mostly affects face closure, and this effect is so pronounced it overrides the gear effect in the opposite direction.
Erik,
Yes, I’m sure. There is no “overriding” gear effect.
-Matt
Hello from Paris (FRANCE)
I try the new Ping driver and the sound remember me the first metal driver with a noice of « casseroles «
Thé G30 G400 sound is more firm
Best regards
I think those without a G400 Max will enjoy the G425. It’s a great driver.
I hit both side by side with the same shaft from a huge bay that opened out to the back of a golf range with Trackman, and the 425 did not add to the equation for me. Perhaps after 3 years of play, the G400 Max face was now hotter. As to sound, the G400 (not the Max) was tight and characterized by good sound. The G400 Max was not as satisfying, and to my ears (and others), the G425 is higher pitched than the G400 Max. It is definitely not as pleasing. I was hoping for more after two additional iterations past the G400 Max. But for those who don’t have the G400, the 425 is definitely a go-to-to demo.
Hey Matt! Big fan … can I ask what setting you ended up (or currently in) in the G425 Max? My setup currently is G425 Max 9 degree turned down to 8 degrees flat with a Ventus Red 6X tipped 1.25”.
John,
I played my Plus in neutral weighting with the stock 9* loft. I expect I’ll play the Max the same way.
Best,
Matt
I put the Max and LST up against my King SZ and while the Max was straighter it wasn’t as long and I wasn’t swinging it as fast. This got me tinkering with the heads, first I took out my digital food scale and found that the Max head was 17 grams heavier than the SZ! Now I know why all of Pings stock shaft offerings are counter balanced.
The LST head was also about the same weight, a few grams lighter but not by much (side note, sound and feel of LST vs Max is night and day, LST is fantastic). I decided to weigh the weight plugs and found that the Max weight that is supposed to be 26 grams was 29 grams and the LST weight was 16 grams which was 1 gram lighter than standard. I then put the lighter LST weight into the Max head and all of a sudden the Ping was right on par with the Cobra. I may now take that 29 gram original weight to my bench grinder and shave it down to the weight I want.
Great review. Comparing your previous test of the 410 Plus to this review of the 425 Max, it appears that the numbers are only slightly better. Can you explain to the average golfer the justification to spend $600 on a new driver for a 1 yd. gain in carry distance and the same offline number? I am having difficulty understanding your need to “upgrade”. Thanks.
Jeffrey,
Two things that I’ve said numerous times in the comments section over the last 7+ years:
1) You cannot look at numbers from different reviews as apples-to-apples. The G410 Plus review was almost two years ago. Even if it was only two weeks ago, it might have come during a great stretch of ball striking that’s not representative. If we have numbers that are meant to be compared apples-to-apples, we either A) state that explicitly or B) make a side-by-side graphic.
2) I am not now telling, nor have I ever told, anyone how to spend their money.
Specific to this review: The G425 Max is $500, not $600. I did not say that I, or anyone, has a “need” to upgrade. What I said is that the G425 Max is noticeably more forgiving than the G410 Plus. For me, having both drivers in hand, the choice between more forgiving and less forgiving is pretty easy.
-Matt
I would like to have a new driver but l can not afford it ,if I could get one free it would be nice ok?
If everyone would just understand that golf clubs are toys and not tools, then they would understand that if you’re happy with your current toy you don’t need to buy a newer one 😉(it’s a good thing that these are toys and not tools !)
I’m happy with my G400 Max I’m not jealous of the others , but I bought it new this year .
I always try different drivers . But this time I’m going to stick with it for a whole year .
So I can make this driver into a club I can trust every time I use it , instead of jumping around and buying different clubs.
Great review Matt.
Robin,
The G400 Max is still an AWESOME driver. Play well.
-Matt
As a 61 year old, playing golf since I was 6 years young, I don’t generate 110 mph club head speed like you, therefore it is hard for me to accept a full review. Can I suggest testing and evaluating different club speeds with different shaft flexes and different golfers to make thee review more pertinent for all types of golfers. Thanks
amen
It seems that the comparison to the G400 Max keeps coming up in discussions on new drivers. I have the 400 Max and don’t really see how they can improve on it enough in a short time to make me buy a new driver. When they talk about increasing the size of the sweet spot, the actual size is never given. If you increase the size of a pinhead by 10%, what have you actually gained for $500.00? The 400 Max stays in the bag for now.
I’m 67 and swing 95 mph. I have the G400 Max with a specific fitted shaft. Is the G425 MAX that much longer or more forgiving? I’d need serious distance gain or incredible dispersion data to change. You tested both. What do you think the difference is between the two?
Dale,
The obvious difference is that the G425 Max has substantially more adjustability.
I haven’t hit the G425 Max against the G400 Max, so I can’t say what the difference would be. For any given player, it will simply be a question of fit. Both are extremely forgiving. If one spins or launches more in line with a given player’s needs, it might be substantially longer. My advice, as always, is that if you’re interested in a new driver, takes your current club to a fitting and see if you can find something that will beat it.
Best,
Matt
I have a fitting appointment at Club Champion on Saturday!! The g425 Max is the only driver that I’m going to try , it is going to be that head just depends on what shaft works best . Just like you Matt a Pind driver has been in the bad since the g25 , and I have the 410+ in the bag now . I going g425 Max in driver and 3 wood .
Hey Matt,
Liked the review of the 425 Max. I am using g400 SFT but looking to bump up this season to the Max. Was hooking a good amount off the tee with the SFT and now am thinking of going with the Max because it has the adjustable weight and you say more forgiving. I may not need the SFT technology and could benefit from the Max’s forgiveness. Do you think that could work?
Larry,
Everything you said there makes sense to me. Just make sure you get the right shaft and loft.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, I always read your reviews, you are very to the point…
I was fitted for a G425 Max on a Ping Demo day in Denmark. I was fitted into a 9 degree head with a 65?g Tensei Orange. I now know this as a counterbalanced shaft. I asked for a midsize grip. Will this throw the balance off kilter?
Mark,
Putting on a larger, heavier grip will decrease the swing weight. How much it changes the swing weight will depend on the difference in the weight of the grips. You can always put a little weight back in the head with a strip of lead tape.
Best,
Matt
Based on your review, I purchased The Max driver instead of the LST.
The other review site I take note of, a lady golfer, only reviewed and was fitted for the LST, so I was dithering on what I should buy.
Now I’ve had it for 4 rounds I’m glad I chose the Max, and it does stay really stable, but doesn’t fly too high. For me it does it all.
It’s loud though….
Have you heard anything about a new Ping I iron release this year?
There are rumors that there will be something new in the fall, but nothing that I can confirm at this time.
-Matt
Hi, how do I know what shaft to order on the gmax 450 I’m buying please? It’s based on swing speed correct?
Michael,
Swing speed is one element of a shaft fitting, but not the only one. The best thing is to go and get an in person fitting where you can try multiple shafts and see what works best for you.
-Matt
You need to test the Tensei White 1K 55TX (only 60 grams) in the G425Max. Matt and Ian at TXG golf in Canada have tried “to build a beast” at 46,5 inches with the same swingweight as before. I play my G425Max 9.0 at a small + with a Hzrdus Yellow 76g 6.5 tipped 2 inches at 45.25.
The Tensei White 1K 55TX costs around 450 dollars but I might buy it if your review is good!
We seem to have almost the same swingspeed and like the same kind of clubs. And I also love my 17 degree g425 hybrid as well.
😉
PEO
I am not that happy with my G 425 driver. I see know forgiveness in this driver. I was hoping to get more yardage , I get more distance with my Callaway driver.
Which Callaway Driver?
If I want consistent fairways with a fitted club that gets good distance, I choose Ping. I have a Callaway Epic Speed. Yes, when it’s on, ball go far, but it’s not as consistent as the Ping G400, 410, 425. I then went to a Honma TR20, and it is great but not as efficient as the Ping in terms of smash factor. So I am going for a 425Max.
Thanks for your review and decided to get the G425 Max. The stats compared to my old driver, a Callaway X2, were quite astonishing. My Callaway was delivering an average drive of 225yards with a top drive of 237yards.
The G425 averaged 252yards with a best drive of 267yards. Incredible.
As you wrote this is one forgiving beast of a club. I tried it out on the range and it even went relatively straight (slight push) with the club face open. Mostly I got a great draw shape in the neutral position. Really love this club as it gives you so much confidence on the tee.
Many thanks for your great review. 👍👍👍
Richard,
That’s awesome! Huge gains!
-Matt
I have both the 410 and 425 and have hit both thousands of times. I have to disagree with Matt on sound. The 410 plus has a noticeably more muted sound and is much more pleasant. Or, to put it differently, the 425 sounds, um, not good. Very clangy. Major flaw, frankly. But I’m still playing with both — sometimes the 410, sometimes the 425, and sometimes both. The 410 for me sits neutral while the 425 sits slightly closed and has more of a left tendency than the 410. That is clear in my results but also seems to align with every comparison I have seen online. Anyway, like them both but because of the 425 sound, I can’t quite let the 410 go.
Pind G 425 Where does the weight go on back of club to enhance a draw or hook on your drive. In center, or towards toe or heel?
Martin,
If you want to hit more draws, put the weight toward the heel.
-Matt
Interested with your take on Ping drivers sound against the rest of the market. I read your review and others on the tsi3 and it seems unanimously great sounding, feel and performance. I’ve read a lot of reviews that said the sound of the max isn’t great. Curious on your thoughts on this and why ping haven’t maybe tried to improve that. Also why given your review of the titleist the ping got the spot in the bag.
I’m sure that PING has put effort into their acoustics, but it’s likely a matter of trade offs. PING’s focus is on creating the most forgiving driver on the market, which they have, and that may require a small trade off with sound. For me, unless the sound is awful (which the G425 is not), I’m not going to give up performance or forgiveness for a slightly better sound.
-Matt
$500??? That’s why I’m still hitting my Ping Anser. My playing partners all have newr drivers and I can’t hit any of them past it. Did stick a Hzardus Smoke Black in it a year ago.
Matt, did Ping reduce launch and/or spin going from the 400 to 425, in general? I was hitting the 400 in 9 deg, and in the Spring, I tried the 425 Max 9, and then my fitter handed me the 10.5.
Jerry,
I did not notice a major difference between the two. If anything, I think the G425 Max might launch a bit higher, but that’s just an observation.
Best,
Matt
Thanks, Matt, perhaps it was the shaft. In the Alta 55 S and 10.5, I had 16 of launch, a tad high and 2650 of spin. With the TPT Golf Shaft that I was hitting, 17 Lo in the 10.5 in the Spring, I was not impressed with any difference between 400 Max and 425 Max – But I’ve been hitting the 19 Series in the Epic and that may produce more distance and speed at 10g lighter in the 425 Max. I’ll see in about 3 weeks.
Brought the Max 10.5 to the range for the first find and I can see that it is straighter than the 400 Max. It has great potential as a fairway finder. As one gains more confidence with it, I can see added distance, too. The sound outside was not as loathsome as feared by all comments. Your review is on the mark.
Looking forward to a shaft fitting soon.
I presently have the G 30 ping and like it a lot . Most of my balls go to the right not extremely but enough to aggravate me .Will the G 425 max be longer and straighter?
Jim,
It depends on why your shots are slicing.
Best,
Matt
If you were choosing any driver on looks, feel and sound alone (eliminating forgiveness) what would you go for?
Mike,
Probably the Stealth.
-Matt
I’ve tried the 425 Max and it is quite forgiving.
Surprised that there wasn’t more comment regarding the acoustics. For me the Ping sounds hollow and tinny when I compare with TM, Callaway and my Cobra SZ
I appreciate sound can be personal
Everyone is saying that the 430 sounds better than the 425. I can buy a 425 $150 cheaper than the 430. Worth it or no? I can’t believe the sound is that bad. What’s you thoughts?
Jason,
I haven’t hit the G430 yet, so I can’t speak to that. I didn’t mind the sound of the G425 (I game it), but I would say that a lot of other drivers sound better.
Best,
Matt
Will you be reviewing the new G430 max? if so excited to see your opinion on it and how it performs
Casey,
Yes, we’re hoping to receive those drivers in a couple weeks and have the review up in late February or early March.
Best,
Matt