The Ping G410 Plus is Ping’s first entry in the adjustable weight driver category. Meant to replace the G400, it offers more adjustability, forgiveness and faster ball speeds. Let’s take a look at what goes into making Ping’s hottest new driver.
Technology
Ping introduces Moveable Weight Technology for the first time ever in their new G410 Plus driver. Strategically positioning tungsten weight in three positions influence the center of gravity for the desired Draw, Neutral or Fade bias. Altering the weight position affects desired ball flight while elevating MOI, faster ball speed and forgiveness in the G410 driver.
Ping’s 8-Lobe Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel sleeve provides eight positions that influence ball flight. The adjustable sleeve adjusts loft +/- 1.5 degrees while allowing up to 3 degrees flatter lie angle.
Ping focuses on increasing ball speed with the new Fast Forged Face. Creating a thinner face allows faster speeds at impact. Ping’s new Internal Dragonfly Technology saves weight with an ultra thin crown while improving center of gravity and more forgiveness. Lastly, Ping’s Turbulators reduce drag in an attempt to increase club speed, ball speed and distance.
Specifications
G410 drivers are available in three loft options, 9*, 10,5* and 12.5*. Each loft option is adjustable by up to +/- 1.5 degrees and up to 3* flatter lie angle. The standard swing weight is D3 while the standard length is 45 ¾”. Head size measures 455 cc which is 5 cc smaller than the maximum allowed and majority of drivers on the market. Ping makes the G410 driver available for right or left-handed players in all three loft options.
Ping Alta CB Red 55 is the stock shaft available for the G410 driver. Alta CB Red is available in four shaft options ranging in high launch, 56 gram Soft Regular through 66 gram mid launch X-Stiff option. Other shaft options available at no upcharge that help dial in desirable ball flight include Ping Tour 65, Ping Tour 75, Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 60, Project X EvenFlow Black 65 and PING Alta Distanza.
Standard grip options include Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet or 360 Tour Velvet Cord in several size options.
Appearance
The latest version of Ping’s driver design is fairly predicable with a matte flack finish and six turbulators on the crown. Two ridges on the creased crown run back to front removing the previous visible Dragonfly Technology.
Three moveable weight positions are visible on the rear of the club. The weight is removable and screws into the desirable fade, neutral or draw position.
The entire club offers a dark appearance, even the forged face with white and grey groove lines that help frame the ball at address. The color scheme is an upgrade and more attractive than the previous G400.
Performance
I tested Ping G410 Plus 12* driver with the stock Alta CB Red 55 stiff with standard length, lie angle and Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 Grip. All testing uses TaylorMade TP5 golf ball and Foresight GC2-HMT to reduce additional variables.
Personally, I played G400 Max 10.5* driver for two seasons so I was really interested to test the overall performance of the 410 Plus. One thing I found the G400 Max was it felt like the easiest driver to hit and find the fairway. It wasn’t the longest driver, but it was the straightest and that is what I really liked about the previous model.
Ball speed was pretty good with an average 147.3 mph and peak 149.3 mph. I tested faster ball speeds in some other drivers, however, G410 Plus is very consistent and not far off the fastest speeds. Average launch angle is 12.8* with a solid 2320 rpm average backspin. Ball flight was an average 29.9 yards peak height meaning I was creating a piercing ball flight with a 36* descent angle and average calculated 23.6 yard roll. Ball flight is very consistent producing the normal right to left ball flight with an average 428 rpm side spin and average 10.9 yards left of the target line. I felt very comfortable with the forgiveness to consistently find fairways.
Testing provided consistent feedback with the counter balance stock Alta shaft. Ping claims the shaft is intended to fit the majority of the golfing population, and as a 0-handicap player I have zero reservations about putting the stock Alta shaft in play. However, if you have the opportunity to get fit, remember Ping offers five other shafts that affect ball flight characteristics.
On a Budget? Read This
If you are on a budget, check out Ping’s easy to hit G400 driver. G400 is only one product cycle behind G410, and one of the most forgiving driver I ever hit was the G400 Max. Currently, G400 drivers are listed at $249 while G410 Max are selling at $399.
For the difference in price, the decision seems pretty obvious. Performance wise, there is practically no difference between the G410 and G410 drivers.
Conclusion
Ping did a nice job of maintaining forgiveness of G400 while providing adjustable options in the G410 driver. I am one of Ping’s biggest supporters, I see on a daily basis how the product stacks up against other competitors.
I’m extremely confident with the look and feel of the G410 Plus, bad swings are not that bad and the ball stays in play. G410 Plus is ideal for the player searching for forgiveness with above average distance. Retail value on the 410 Plus is listed at $399, down from the original price tag of $499.
Thanks; very enlightening.
I love the G410 I did replace the Alta shaft with a 75 gram Even flow blue in stiff this maintains a D2 to D3 swing weight. I also am 44.25” overall length on this driver which really helps with hitting the center of the face more often and resulting in distance gains with better dispersion. I have it set in the flat setting 10.5 loft and it gives me a slight fade thus allowing me to eliminate the left side of the fairways as my miss. I usually draw the ball so my miss is a hook or a hard draw. The weight setting is in the neutral position, fade setting was way too much fade and just putting it to the flat lie was perfect. This has to be the most versatile driver settings on the market you don’t have a swing flaw this driver won’t help with, provided you have somewhat of a swing that looks like a golf swing.
From the article:
“…Performance wise, there is practically no difference between the G410 and G410 drivers.”
Only a guru could appreciate this statement…
I hope he meant between G400 and G410 drivers, but he should make a correction.