G400 Max...Holy Cow!!!

[JDMRN81]

So I ended up shortening my shaft 3/4” and going with a stronger grip. What a difference the past week going this route. I used some foot powder spray on the range today and confirmed I’m hitting closer to center now. ??

[gators78]

Now that I have had three rounds with the Max and the Ping Tour 75x shaft I can definitely say "holy cow" as well. The club wants to go straight unless I just make an awful swing, even into the wind where my fade can get a bit leaky it holds up and down wind this club turns into a beast.

 

I was either in the fairway today or a few feet into the rough. To me the Max is like a more forgiving 2016 M2 and maybe a touch longer.

 

Oh man I also had the 2016 M2 and ALSO ordered the 400 Max with Ping Tour 75x. What shaft did you have in the M2?

[Tutkija80]

Is the G400 series really that good?

 

I’ve been playing a 9.5 I20 with a Project X 6.0 shaft for years, and have been pretty underwhelmed with new drivers in terms of dispersion and distance.

 

I probably average 240-250 off the tee with minimal role, and hit 11-13 fairways a round so driving is a general strength. There is just the temptation that I’m giving up some yardage not using newer equipment.

 

I’d personally take 11-13 fairways all day everyday even if that means 10-20 shorter with an older club. Do you know your driver swing speed and your average spin rate?

 

Exactly - that’s why there have been no changes in that many years. Rational heads always prevail.

 

This weekend I’m planning on getting on a Trackman and maybe get fitted for something.

 

I’m starting to play more again and finally have a game with some better players, so just weighing some options

[wjdpar1]

For me the M4 beat the G400/Max easily in distance and forgiveness.

 

The Max also has a hollow sound IMO which I don't like, so I sold mine.

 

Obviously the Max is very popular for many on this board and deserves serious consideration.

[FargoRC]

Now that I have had three rounds with the Max and the Ping Tour 75x shaft I can definitely say "holy cow" as well. The club wants to go straight unless I just make an awful swing, even into the wind where my fade can get a bit leaky it holds up and down wind this club turns into a beast.

 

I was either in the fairway today or a few feet into the rough. To me the Max is like a more forgiving 2016 M2 and maybe a touch longer.

 

Oh man I also had the 2016 M2 and ALSO ordered the 400 Max with Ping Tour 75x. What shaft did you have in the M2?

 

Hzrdus Yellow 6.5, it was a great combo but the Ping Tour and Max is just more consistent.

[golfnhack]

For me the M4 beat the G400/Max easily in distance and forgiveness.

 

The Max also has a hollow sound IMO which I don't like, so I sold mine.

 

Obviously the Max is very popular for many on this board and deserves serious consideration.

 

You are not alone. M4 beat out the Max by almost 15 yards. I posted the numbers in a previous post, but here they are again

 

 

[Obee]

Also picked mine up yesterday. (see sig)

 

Goodness, it's like cheating. Very straight, the looks issue can be overlooked on performance alone

 

Just ordered the G400 and the G400Max from Global Golf on their 14-day trial period.

[cardoustie]

I will say this ... when I chopped down the x-torsion from 46.25 to 45.75 it was a game changer

 

When you whiff a driver and it's 250+ down the middle you need to recalibrate

 

I will try my Ad Di 6x tomorrow .. at 45.75 ... and see if it goes from amazing to super stupid amazing

 

The m2 '16 could be longeron perfect bombs .... but it is certainly not straighter

[nsxguy]

Is the G400 series really that good?

 

I’ve been playing a 9.5 I20 with a Project X 6.0 shaft for years, and have been pretty underwhelmed with new drivers in terms of dispersion and distance.

 

I probably average 240-250 off the tee with minimal role, and hit 11-13 fairways a round so driving is a general strength. There is just the temptation that I’m giving up some yardage not using newer equipment.

 

I’d personally take 11-13 fairways all day everyday even if that means 10-20 shorter with an older club. Do you know your driver swing speed and your average spin rate?

 

Exactly - that’s why there have been no changes in that many years. Rational heads always prevail.

 

This weekend I’m planning on getting on a Trackman and maybe get fitted for something.

 

I’m starting to play more again and finally have a game with some better players, so just weighing some options

 

Hmmmmmmm,,,,,,,,,,,, minimal roll,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, wonder why that is ?

 

Will be looking forward to your Trackman numbers. Bring your I20 with you of course.

[new2g0lf]

Thanks to this thread I picked one up. I'm not seeing a big distance gain but this driver does find fairways.

[johnny5thumbs]

Hit my Max with Tour Stiff 65 at Club Champion on Trackman yesterday in a full bag fitting. The fitter said he doubted he could get any better than numbers I was getting. That was my feelings going in based on course experience so we moved on. For me, this the best driver I have ever hit. I've never had more faith in the forgiveness in a driver which fits my aggressive swing. For golfers that can hit the center consistently you could probably find a little more distance with G400 LST, M3/M4, Rogue and others. It is weird that the spin is very low for some and higher with others on here. I hit up on the ball so it works excellent for me in the 8* setting.

[Bill Guy]

Has anyone tried the Diamana S+ stiff in the G400 Max? The reason I ask is that I use and like that shaft in 915F and 913h. I bought a G400 Max 9 degree with stiff Alta 55 CB to replaced a G30 9 degree and stiff TFC419 shaft. To me the G400 has a much more solid and pleasing sound than the G30 especially when hit on the screws.

[MrFlapjack]

Purchased a couple extra HZRDUS Black shafts. Going to put a G adapter on one to try with my G LS, since I never did like the Tour 80X. Also will try to hit it with the MAX since everyone in here thinks its a must try.

[BiggErn]

I still have my 2016 M2 and was looking to see if there’s anything out there worth upgrading to. So is the consensus that there’s no huge difference between the M2 and G400 max?

[kchuckb]

I think what's most impressive about the G400 Max is how well the ball flies into the wind. I've hit some of the longest drives lately into the wind. It's like the ball is unaffected. It was blowing 20 to 25 tonight and the ball just cut through the wind. I guess that's because of the low spin. I'm gaming the regular model with stock stiff Alta shaft. Amazing driver.

[Bill Guy]

I think what's most impressive about the G400 Max is how well the ball flies into the wind. I've hit some of the longest drives lately into the wind. It's like the ball is unaffected. It was blowing 20 to 25 tonight and the ball just cut through the wind. I guess that's because of the low spin. I'm gaming the regular model with stock stiff Alta shaft. Amazing driver.

 

Early days yet but I also am finding the G400 max with stiff Alta shaft much better in the wind than my G30 with stiff TFC419. Even though the torque on both shafts are virtually the same the Alta shaft feels that bit more "stiff" or firm to me

[Valtiel]

I still have my 2016 M2 and was looking to see if there’s anything out there worth upgrading to. So is the consensus that there’s no huge difference between the M2 and G400 max?

 

There is a pretty big difference in MOI, the G400 Max MOI is 20% higher than the 2016 M2, which in and of itself is NOT an unforgiving driver so that is more of a comment on how forgiving the G400 Max is than anything else. With regards to spin this means that while the M2 will be capable of slightly lower spin on higher strikes, it will spin more on lower strikes in addition to curving more on heel/tow strikes.

[sfdoddsy]

I posted a lukewarm review earlier in this thread.

 

I’ve done a couple of rounds now, and a session on a launch monitor. And I’ve also switched shafts from the Alta Stiff to the matricx Xcon 6 firm I’ve been using for years.

 

The numbers aren’t that different compared to my Callaway Fusion with the same shaft.

 

The Fusion is a bit lower spinning for me, but both are in the ballpark of the 17/1700 ideal.

 

On well struck shots the Fusion is, if anything, longer.

 

But it feels to me like the G400 is more forgiving of my misses (especially toe hits) and thus more consistently long.

 

It also has a more neutral face angle so I miss left less. On the other hand I miss right more.

 

But I’ll keep it.

 

 

 

[gators78]

Now that I have had three rounds with the Max and the Ping Tour 75x shaft I can definitely say "holy cow" as well. The club wants to go straight unless I just make an awful swing, even into the wind where my fade can get a bit leaky it holds up and down wind this club turns into a beast.

 

I was either in the fairway today or a few feet into the rough. To me the Max is like a more forgiving 2016 M2 and maybe a touch longer.

 

Oh man I also had the 2016 M2 and ALSO ordered the 400 Max with Ping Tour 75x. What shaft did you have in the M2?

 

Hzrdus Yellow 6.5, it was a great combo but the Ping Tour and Max is just more consistent.

 

Nice, I had the Black 6.5, can't wait to get this driver.

[5hort5tuff]

My miss is generally a snap hook. Some drivers and hybrids are terrible for me. I have been using a cobra LTD this season and have barely hooked a ball.

 

I've read previously that a 460cc, weight at the back, high moi driver can often make these hooks worse.

 

Has anyone with a draw flight noticed these to be more draw biased than anything else?

[jol]

After hearing all the glowing reviews, I finally had the opportunity to try the G400 Max on the course and had trouble closing the face with many of the drives leaking to the right. Is anyone else having the same issue? 10.5* with the standard Alta CB in Regular shaft.

I currently play a Callaway Epic with either a baby draw or straight flight.

[Argonne69]

My miss is generally a snap hook. Some drivers and hybrids are terrible for me. I have been using a cobra LTD this season and have barely hooked a ball.

 

I've read previously that a 460cc, weight at the back, high moi driver can often make these hooks worse.

 

Has anyone with a draw flight noticed these to be more draw biased than anything else?

 

My big miss is also the big snap hook. My previous G400 LST was prone to the snaps. I played two rounds with my new Max, and no snaps. As noted above, the thing is very straight. The best drives have a slight draw.

[Argonne69]

After hearing all the glowing reviews, I finally had the opportunity to try the G400 Max on the course and had trouble closing the face with many of the drives leaking to the right. Is anyone else having the same issue? 10.5* with the standard Alta CB in Regular shaft.

I currently play a Callaway Epic with either a baby draw or straight flight.

 

Did you try a stiff flex Alta? The regular flex way be a bit twisty, leaving the head open at impact.

[mpetruzz]

I had the G400 SFT and loved it. Didn't want to try the Max because I was hitting the SFT pretty good. Well I found a brand new Max on Craigslist for 250 and I couldn't pass it up. I put my Copper Xtorsion shaft, which was shortened .75 along with a 18 gram headweight.

 

After a session at the range and a round last night all i can say is WOW!! The hype is real, at least for my swing/game. Didn't see any real distance improvements but man this thing is just straight!!! Only missed one fairway and that was because I swung way too hard.

 

I normally average 230-245 and I was easily at the top end of that all night and on the fairway. Sound/feel isn't as good as the G400, but it's not bad and certainly worth the accuracy.

[FKA HB]

I almost feel like I can't talk about how great this driver has been for me without sounding like I'm exaggerating or bragging.

I played last Friday in a very casual game with a few friends. After the second hole (when it became obvious that the course record was safe,LOL), I decided to hit driver hard on every possible hole. I had two bad drives out of 13 remaining, with some in places I've never thought possible. It's just amazing how easy this driver is to hit.

[JDMRN81]

I put my Copper Xtorsion shaft, which was shortened .75 along with a 18 gram headweight.

 

Awesome! I shortened mine by 3/4” and immediately could tell the difference. I ordered the 18g weight and just got that in today. We'll see if that helps a well.

 

[jol]

After hearing all the glowing reviews, I finally had the opportunity to try the G400 Max on the course and had trouble closing the face with many of the drives leaking to the right. Is anyone else having the same issue? 10.5* with the standard Alta CB in Regular shaft.

I currently play a Callaway Epic with either a baby draw or straight flight.

 

Did you try a stiff flex Alta? The regular flex way be a bit twisty, leaving the head open at impact.

no, but will try it next time I’m on the course.

[mpetruzz]

I put my Copper Xtorsion shaft, which was shortened .75 along with a 18 gram headweight.

 

Awesome! I shortened mine by 3/4" and immediately could tell the difference. I ordered the 18g weight and just got that in today. We'll see if that helps a well.

 

I actually called Ping and they confirmed for the head/shaft/cut off.75 that adding the 18 gram weight would bring it back to the stock D3 swingweight. I did hit a few with a 13 gram weight in and felt good and still went far. I figured the 18 will give me some more yards and increase the feel a bit.

[mweaver84]

Awesome! I shortened mine by 3/4" and immediately could tell the difference. I ordered the 18g weight and just got that in today. We'll see if that helps a well.

 

Different club... but I did the exact same thing last week, cut 3/4" and put a 18g weight in, to my M2 and made a world difference for the better!

[LeftHandLeads]

Mine has turned my tee game around. Former scratch player, ballooned to a 7 over last few years, mostly from looking for balls in the woods and a lack of confidence on the tee. Thought I was past my prime. Nope.

 

I decided to build the most forgiving driver possibble. Bought one on here, put a 44' HZRDUS Black hand crafted prototype in it. A few cotton balls to get the sw dialed and sound muted a bit. The thing is like a tennis racquet. I can't miss it. Very, very, very, very straight. I don't see the odd additional 40+ yard blast like I did with the Rogue, but that was inconsistent, and usually just got me in more trouble anyway.

 

I just had my career round with the MAX. Hit all 14 fairways and made 9 birdies. My game has gone from triage to attack mode. index at back at 2 and headed lower.

 

I never thought one club could make such a big difference.

 

Did the cotton improve the sound for you quite a bit? If you don't mind, can you share pics of how you did it?

The cotton did mute the sound noticeably. I just removed the weight in the sole, pulled apart the cotton balls and stuffed them in with a toothpick. check posts here about the subject before you try. They add more weight than I had guessed they would.

 

Mine has turned my tee game around. Former scratch player, ballooned to a 7 over last few years, mostly from looking for balls in the woods and a lack of confidence on the tee. Thought I was past my prime. Nope.

 

I decided to build the most forgiving driver possibble. Bought one on here, put a 44' HZRDUS Black hand crafted prototype in it. A few cotton balls to get the sw dialed and sound muted a bit. The thing is like a tennis racquet. I can't miss it. Very, very, very, very straight. I don't see the odd additional 40+ yard blast like I did with the Rogue, but that was inconsistent, and usually just got me in more trouble anyway.

 

I just had my career round with the MAX. Hit all 14 fairways and made 9 birdies. My game has gone from triage to attack mode. index at back at 2 and headed lower.

 

I never thought one club could make such a big difference.

 

 

44" shaft or playing at 44"?

 

Playing at 44.

 

Ok, stupid question...what is the difference between 44" shaft and playing at 44"? I had my shaft cut down to 45" and love it. Am I playing it at 45"??