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MEMBERS' CHOICE: Best driver of 2018? Poll added


knudson81

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Ping G400 LST - for me, the best combination of spin, flight, distance, forgiveness, and feel.

 

Ive got their new "tour" shaft in the LST (regular flex) and it has been great so far

 

any other "smooth swingers" (regular flex guys lol) tried any other shafts in it?

 

I fitted into a stiff with the tour shaft (swing it around 97-100), but have a smooth swing / transition. I tried the Alta, HZRDUS Yellow, and X-Torsion. The only thing that came close to matching the tour shaft was the X-Torsion, but even it didn't give me the numbers that the Ping Tour shaft did.

Ping G430 LST 9* 
Ping G430 5W 17*

Ping G430 4H 21*

PXG 0211 XCOR2 Dark 6-L

Ping PLD Oslo 3

Titleist Pro V1 Yellow 

 

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Not saying it's not legit but I've not seen 174 ball speed carry 330 to 360 total without other factors turned on. Was the launch monitor set downwind or high altitude?

 

It was set at 0 for altitude, but I have no idea about downwind. It was at a store in Phoenix which is at what 1500-2000 feet? Because of that I checked the altitude to see if they adjusted for Phoenix, but it said elevation: 0. Good call tho. I was already thinking about that. Either way... the comparison was to judge mine verses M3.. all other factors constant.

 

Oh yeah I agree. Wasn't trying to discredit anything but was just curious. I guess its maybe possible with that launch and low spin on a knuckler but i typically see 6-10 yards less than that on trackman with similar launch conditons. 14.2 launch is great with the SZ though. I could never get it above 12 even with the weight back.

 

Rogue SZ was good but I just never got along with it truthfully. Didn't enjoy the feel or sound that much. Ball speed and spin was on point though. Even gamed it for a few rounds.

 

Our swing speeds are similar and I absolutely love the G400 Max paired with a Dual Core Kuro Kage 70TX or V3 Tensei Pro Orange 70TX. M3 is a great driver but like you I had high hopes and it didn't perform like I had expected.

 

G400 Max followed by Rogue SZ wins hands down for me.

 

No worries. I wasn’t being defensive. I actually appreciated the thought.

 

How’s the launch and spin with g400 max? The pings are awesome. Did you tip either of those shafts ?

 

.5", spins always average between 2100-2300 and my launch is between 13.5-14 and as high as 15 with 2000 spin which is great. Ball speeds were also maybe 1mph on average better than the SZ and M3.

 

Just seen MGS rated the LST most wanted. Their testing is always weird to me. Yards off center must be the deciding factor because the 400 max outperformed the SZ and M3 in every other category but was ranked slightly lower. Which yards off center isn't the drivers fault so who knows.

 

Agree with your thought on the MGS testing results for the G400 Max. Unbiased is their deal and no reason to doubt that but data can be arranged for certain outcomes. Yards offline is a crap stat and especially average yards. Tells me nothing about the forgiveness and if people hit more fairways with one club vs. another.

 

My personal experience hitting each of these heads is bad swings with the Max were very, very playable in a nice little grouping. Where the M3 and Rogue would move the golf ball both directions aggressively. It was crazy to feel the impact the high MOI had on gear effect and see it in the grouping and ball flights. LST is a beast of a driver too but the experience I had with the Max being SO forgiving and also great distance was mind blowing.

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  • 3 weeks later...

This has been a great year for the big stick, but the 917D3 is the first Titleist driver that I've "loved" in 15 years v. the competition. See below I still game a SLDR 430 Japan model.

 

The D3 with Fuji 74 Tour Spec X-flex - 1900 rpm and 13° launch, almost no side spin, and I'm the spin monster. Waiting for the 919, honestly. Also yet to hit any driver with the Tensei Orange and I do love that white.

 

Rogue, even sub-zero, I cannot get the feel for the head, I cannot look at M3 M4 or other two-tone.

 

Good lord, have I hit a ton of drivers and shafts this year. PXG gets a shout out for shaft election, not at all the product, lol.

 

We all know we must respect the shaft and in the end that's where it lies for each of us - love the look, respect the shaft.

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Standard Epic beat Rogue, G400 and M3

Cobra AEROJET LS GD AD IZ 6
TM Stealth 15 Ventus Red 6

Callaway UW 19 Hzrdus Smoke Black
Cobra King Utility 4i MMT
Srixon ZX5 MKII 5-7i / ZX7 8-PW SteelFiber i95
Cleveland CBX2 50 / RTX6 56 /RTX6 60
Cobra King Vintage Stingray / Scotty Cameron Newport 2
 

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I tried the g400lst and it was all over the place. When I got fitted, the rogue Subzero was my best fit...I put a T1100 on it and I've never had a single shot that wasn't less than 300yds and more than 5yds off of dead center of the fareway....

 

 

Now if only I could putt haha

 

If you’ve never had a drive that wasn’t less than 300 yds, you’ve had no drives over 300 yds

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I would think it's the Ping G400 Series, Callaway Rogue Series, and the TM M3/4 Series (whichever is forgiving). Which particular driver in a series depends on your fitting.

Father, Wannabe Golfer, Novelist

 

  • Ping G430 Max 9/TPT 19Hi Golf Shaft @45 in. (coming soon)
  • Ping G430 3 wd/TPT 19 Hi
  • Callaway Paradym 18/ TPT Golf 18 Hi
  • Ping G430 4H/TPT Golf
  • Ping i230 5-PW Recoil Dart 90
  • Artisan 50, 55, 59 or Ping Glide Forged Pro, Both with Nippon 105 
  • Putter:  LAB DF3 TPT Shaft (waiting)
  • Vessel Bag
  • ProV1x
  • Ping ChipR in messy or no turf conditions

 

 

 

 

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Ping G400 LST - for me, the best combination of spin, flight, distance, forgiveness, and feel.

 

Ive got their new "tour" shaft in the LST (regular flex) and it has been great so far

 

any other "smooth swingers" (regular flex guys lol) tried any other shafts in it?

 

I fitted into a stiff with the tour shaft (swing it around 97-100), but have a smooth swing / transition. I tried the Alta, HZRDUS Yellow, and X-Torsion. The only thing that came close to matching the tour shaft was the X-Torsion, but even it didn't give me the numbers that the Ping Tour shaft did.

 

I had better numbers with the Tour 80 X from my G30. No XS were available in the tour shaft where I tested. Better numbers than HZRDUS. Is the old tour shaft from the G30 the same as the new separate from the 5 g weight difference?

Ping G30 9* Tour 80X
Ping G Stretch Tour 80X
Ping i500 3 DG 120 X100
Ping i210 4-U DG 120 X100
Glide 2.0 Stealth 54* SS DG S400
Glide 2.0 Stealth 58* ES DG S400
Ping Anser TR 1966 / Odyssey White Hot #2

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After playing the G400 Max for several rounds, I have no desire to even pick up another driver. I can’t imagine something being better for me. The forgiveness and length are a killer combination. My playing partners are shocked at my driver play now due to its consistency. I’m almost shocked if I don’t hit a fairway or at least stay playable. I’m sold.

PING G410 LST 9° Ping Tour 65 S

PING Tisi Tec 14° Fairway Aldila 350 S

Cobra Aerojet Hybrid 19° KBS PGI S

PING iCrossover 22° Ping Tour 85 S

Mizuno JPX 923 Pro 5-G DG 105 S

Cleveland CBX Zipcore 52° DG Spinner 115

Cleveland CBX Zipcore 58° DG Spinner 115

Scotty Cameron Super Select Newport 2.5

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I like the Rogue and I like the MAX and I love the standard G400 with Ping Tour 65 S. The 445 cc head is really well done. Sounds good, feels good. Had this club and the Rogue for a bit but as soon as I took the Ping on the course, I came home and sold the Rogue.

 

I use those nest plastic tees that tee the ball at the exact same height every time. Picked a length to get high center contact, about flat to 2 degrees plus on A of A and the ball leaves quickly. Definitely my favorite driver in quite some time.

Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond 10.5 w/Diamana TB 60S

PXG GEN6 5 wood w/Diamana S-plus 70 stiff

Yamaha RMX VD 7 wood w/Diamana S-plus 70 stiff

Callaway Mavrik Pro hybrid (22) w/Aldila Tour Blue 85 stiff hybrid

Wilson Staff Model CB 5-G w/DG s300 shafts

Edel T grind 54 w/Nippon 125 wedge shaft

Fourteen RM-12 58 w/Dynamic Golds400

Axis1 Rose putter, 34 inches

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This year I did the most extensive testing of shafts and different drivers than I ever had. Ultimately it came down to the G400 LST with the tour 65 shaft or the M3 with a Tensei Pro White. After multiple days of testing each combo, I went with the M3. The adjustability let me dial in launch, and spin and get both lower than the LST. The dispersion was also tighter while distance was relatively comparable. The biggest difference though was in my misses. I don't think it really has anything to do with twist face or anything, but just where I tend to miss on the face. The ping spun considerably more and had more side spin as well, thus leading to shorter misses that were farther from the target line. With the M3 the misses were much more playable and longer.

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I gave the Rogue SZ with Even Flow Blue 75 Gram in there X-Stiff version (can't remember the number...7.0?) and couldn't sweet spot it for the life of me but, the 2 or 3 that did hit right on the screws just flew and flew and flew. AMazing numbers. Just not my consistent batch.

 

I still have my driver in sig (M3 10.5 set to 8.5 in HZRDs black on X-Stiff again, can't recall number) and it's seemingly fine.

 

I'm always tinkering though. I wouldn't mind taking some cuts with the G400 MAX, LST, or regular as I've great things.

 

What a time we live in. Anyone can hit 300.

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I gave the Rogue SZ with Even Flow Blue 75 Gram in there X-Stiff version (can't remember the number...7.0?) and couldn't sweet spot it for the life of me but, the 2 or 3 that did hit right on the screws just flew and flew and flew. AMazing numbers. Just not my consistent batch.

 

I still have my driver in sig (M3 10.5 set to 8.5 in HZRDs black on X-Stiff again, can't recall number) and it's seemingly fine.

 

I'm always tinkering though. I wouldn't mind taking some cuts with the G400 MAX, LST, or regular as I've great things.

 

What a time we live in. Anyone can hit 300.

 

Anyone on GolfWRX...

 

I like my G400LST a lot... but I will fight you over the TiNi x60. They sing a sweet song in combination!

14 Pings. Blueprints are incredibly good. Fetch is the most underrated putter on the market. Don't @ me.

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Well I've been playing the Rogue SZ with T1100 65 6.5 and last night I decided to try the G400 max. Pulled the shaft. Added a ping adapter and the head should be arriving today. I'll be headed to a 2 man tourney in Florida having never played my driver hahahaha so hopefully it works out :rofl:

Titleist TSR2 - TPT Nitro 16lo
Taylormade SIM Ti 3w - Tensei 1k Black 85tx
Taylormade SIM Ti 5w - Fujikura Ventus Black 9x

Cobra Tec Hybrid 2 - Kai'li 90tx

Cobra Tec Hybrid 4 - Aldila Tour Black 105tx
Srixon ZX5/ZX& Mkii 5-PW - Project X 6.5

Callaway Jaws Raw 50s, 54s, 58z - BGT ZNE 130

Putter - LAB something or another

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I've been using a 2017 M2 (D-Type), have hit it well but lately have been fighting TOO much left. Demo'd an M4 (non D-Type) and crushed just about every ball with a weak fade, actually was hitting both left and right shots with it under control, And even better, since it was a demo driver I purposely whacked balls all around the clubface, thinned some, toe'd some, heel'd some. Honestly, I could feel the weak hits but the ball never really reacted poorly ot them, many would have been easily playable without much penalty.

 

Soo.. ordered a new M4 on eBay for $300, and sold my M2 on eBay for $180. Essentially got the M4 for $120.

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After playing the G400 Max for several rounds, I have no desire to even pick up another driver. I can't imagine something being better for me. The forgiveness and length are a killer combination. My playing partners are shocked at my driver play now due to its consistency. I'm almost shocked if I don't hit a fairway or at least stay playable. I'm sold.

 

That's how my buddy is but with the new M3. He's been playing the original M1 and still fought a slice and all, I'd give his FW% then around.. 30%. He picked up the newest M3 a few weeks back, and out of the box, no adjustments, he's added easily 15-20yds and is only missing 1-3 FW's a round. A pretty shocking testament to TM, and the resilency of new equipment altogether..

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