Best Driver in Recent History

[chisag]

... The Cobra Fly Z was a real game changer. Coming off the highly successful SLDR with weight forward that was silly long but equally challenging for directional stability and produced way too little spin for the average player that needed at least 12* of loft the Fly Z went in the opposite direction. Moving weight rear and low as well as offering a heavier 18gm weight the Fly Z was longer for those that needed the spin as well as insanely stable and one of the most accurate drivers ever built. It also looked good at address and sounded good. I view the F9 as the upgraded Fly Z so that works but it was the Fly Z that changed the entire driver category to a low and rear weighting system that many others have adopted. I would add it was rare to see many Fly Z drivers in the used section where there were too many SLDR's to count. 

[HDTVMAN]

As a fitter I've had access to hit every driver, and some companies trade one out to us every new model introduction. I first tried the TM SLDR and was definitely not a fan. Callaway gave me a Fusion Heavy (which I still have) and that was (and is) a fantastic driver. Forgiving, fast, long, and straight. They then traded me the Epic, and after a few months, I got my Fusion back! I just couldn't keep the Epic in the short grass! At the PGA Show in Orlando a Ping rep fitted me for a G400 MAX that was about to be introduced. WOW! Absolutely incredible! Super long, super forgiving, super fast, super straight. When I got back to the hotel I emailed my rep and ordered one! Although I still have the Callaway Fusion as a back-up, the Ping G400 MAX is still in my bag 4 years later! That to me is the best driver in recent history.

[danimal]

Why no option for the G410?

[golfmark17]

MAC by Max Burrows driver 🤣 

[PEI_Golfer]

11 minutes ago, golfmark17 said:

MAC by Max Burrows driver 🤣 

That is now PXG property with the signing of Reed.  Allows one change the lie of the ball undetected once properly placed over the ball...

[Boney]

Great Big Bertha 2015 -- in Keven Kisner's bag as late as 2021. I could play one today with no qualms. Good weighting options for a shorter shaft too.

I'd also like to mention the Steelhead III fairway woods (2002). I'd also have no problem using them today. I think Jamie Donaldson still has the 5-wood in his bag.

Kisner 2020:

Donaldson 2021:

[iNeedMoreGolf]

3 hours ago, HDTVMAN said:

As a fitter I've had access to hit every driver, and some companies trade one out to us every new model introduction. I first tried the TM SLDR and was definitely not a fan. Callaway gave me a Fusion Heavy (which I still have) and that was (and is) a fantastic driver. Forgiving, fast, long, and straight. They then traded me the Epic, and after a few months, I got my Fusion back! I just couldn't keep the Epic in the short grass! At the PGA Show in Orlando a Ping rep fitted me for a G400 MAX that was about to be introduced. WOW! Absolutely incredible! Super long, super forgiving, super fast, super straight. When I got back to the hotel I emailed my rep and ordered one! Although I still have the Callaway Fusion as a back-up, the Ping G400 MAX is still in my bag 4 years later! That to me is the best driver in recent history.

I have the fusion.. wayy under rated. Long and straight. I personally like the triangular look. Doesnt bug me and helps me line up. 

[Nixhex524]

On 2/1/2022 at 9:34 AM, Lasorcier said:

It should just say the G400 driver series in general due to lots of people intra-line preferences.   It is a fantastic line. 

 

This.  Ping nailed it with this generation.

[Pepperturbo]

I didn't vote.  My experience says Driver heads are good but are not worthy of THE best.  My Titleist 9.5 TS2 worked nicely with Fujikura Fuel Tour Spec 60, but I wasn't hitting 260-270yd drives, not until I put Ventus Velocore 59, 5 Series "S" in it; that's when down range results quickly improved over Tour Spec.  Even though I am not hitting big drives all the time, I am experiencing more of them.  So, the best down-range is realized with the right driver shaft. 

[kepeollie]

Think vs G400MAX, it should be G400 family, as the LST was beast!

Edited February 3, 2022 by kepeollie

[scott406]

Cobra Fly Z

Still gaming it

 

Went for a driver fitting and was told to keep the Fly Z

Was "fit" into a G425 lst

The fitter told me I would not see a difference worth $500 between the Fly Z and a G425.

 

Going to hit that club until the head falls off

 

[iNeedMoreGolf]

I see g400 max is popular... those turbulators are a no go for me tho. And im not a picky *this clubs too reflective and destracting kinda guy ever* but these turbulators... golly gee whiz batman! I have a standard mavrik that has me hitting bombs but the new triple 💎 rogue seems even quite more delicious.

[Wasabi]

For those who have tried both, how does the Ping 400 and Ping 400 Max compare? Mid/high handicap golfer here looking to pick something up in a 10.5.

 

Thanks.

[driveandputtmachine]

The 400 Max was amazing, and if you could get the loft and and shaft right to get good launch and spin numbers out of it, nothing beats it for mis hits or even distance.

 

Not everyone could get the 400 Max dialed in, I got close but could never quite get there, spin was always too high, if I could have found a 7* it probably would have been money.  My launch was about 2-3 degrees higher than I wanted and spin was always 600-1k or so more too.

 

I don't have a problem with distance just accuracy, so even though it was a bit short, I hit piles and piles of fairways with it.

 

I tried every driver every year since the 400 max came out.  I never replaced it until the Epic Max LS.  It is just about as forgiving as the 400 max, because let's be honest nothing is that forgiving.  However it was super close.  The fact that I could get the launch down a couple of degrees and spin dropped by 700 it became my new favorite.  

 

It is so good that I am not even entertaining the idea of looking at drivers this year.  Stealth, nah, give them a few more years on the face tech.  Rogue ST?  Yeah, just don't see enough there to make me jump.  I tried both and neither could beat my current, and when I go to get fit, I do not throw out any numbers once I get to three finalists.  Because I do not get to magically not count a drive on the course.

 

I will try the new Cobra just to be thorough.

[gridironesq]

For my old guy SS in low 90s the Epic Max LS has been the best driver I’ve ever owned.  Cobra Radspeed XB is more forgiving and a close 2nd.  

[pingplayer]

G400Max was great, for me the G400LST was even better.....

 

[Motoboss]

PING (pick one)

[xerpro]

Super fast TP

[t91]

Tsi3

[KingstonGolfer]

G400 Max

G400 Max

G400 Max

[NCGolfDude]

Ping G400 Max - Longest, most forgiving driver I've ever played.  It's automatic...even when other parts of my game are off, the G400 just works!  I actually keep 2 in my bag; a 9* that plays at 45 1/2" and a shorter version 10.5* that plays at 44.5 for really tight shots.  Absolutely love this stick.