Equipment
Spotted: Ping G400 Driver
Update: We captured in-hand photos of the Ping G400 driver at the U.S. Open at Erin Hills. We also captured photos of Ping’s new G400 Fairway Woods, Hybrids and Crossover, as well as Bubba’s custom G400 driver (see end of the story).
A new driver from Ping, the G400, has landed on the USGA’s Conforming Club List and is on the range at the U.S. Open. As in previous Ping driver releases, the driver is listed on the USGA Conforming Club List in three different models:
- G400: 9 and 10.5 degrees (RH and LH)
- G400 LST: 8.5 and 10 degrees (RH and LH)
- G400 SFT: 10 and 12 degrees (RH and LH)
In previous Ping launches, LST stood for “Low Spin Technology,” while SFT stood for “Straight Flight Technology.” Those two specialty driver models from Ping have served to meet the needs of a minority golfers who need to reduce spin (LST) or add additional draw bias (SFT) to their tee shots, while the standard model (G400) meets the needs of the majority.
USGA Photo: Ping G400 Driver
USGA Photo: Ping G400 LST Driver
USGA Photo: Ping G400 SFT Driver
Ping isn’t commenting on the new drivers at this time, but it’s clear that the company has made several important changes compared to its current driver line, the Ping G.
Each of the three G400 drivers appear to have a tungsten weight on their soles, a design that was last seen in a Ping driver in its i25 driver. The addition of the weights to the back of the driver’s sole in previous models helped push weight lower and deeper in the club head, improving moment of inertia (MOI), a measure of forgiveness that’s predictive of a driver’s ability to retain ball speed on mishits.
It’s also clear from that photos that Ping will carry on its “Vortec” aerodynamics package on the back of the driver, which in the G drivers worked synergistically with the company’s Turbulators, or “speed humps,” on the driver crown that helped reduce drag to improve swing speed.
The G400 drivers also appear to use dimples on the back portion of their crowns, which are equipped with ribbed structures known in the G drivers as “Dragonfly Technology.” Ping says Dragonfly improves structural stability and enhances weighting properties for more distance. As in golf balls, dimples on golf clubs can be used to improve aerodynamics.
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- A custom Ping G400 driver for Bubba Watson.
We also captured photos of a G400 driver that could be used by Bubba Watson this week at Erin Hills.
Related: See more photos of Ping’s G400 Drivers, Fairway Woods, Hybrids and Crossover in our forum.
Equipment
Putters that never made it: Check out some of the best tour builds that didn’t make the cut
Arguably, the best perk of being a professional golfer on the PGA Tour is the ability to request or even just be handed pretty much any club you could think of. It happens more often than you think, usually with putters around the practice green from one event to the next. Come Wednesday, the Tour bags lining the edge of the putting surface become resting places for fallen flatsticks that never made the cut.
So let’s take a look at some of the best we’ve seen out on Tour this year that never made it to the competition. (You may notice none of Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Scotty Cameron putters made this list. There are too many.)
Let’s start with this custom Damascus Milled Odyssey Rossie made for Ryo Hisatsune. Featuring a single line and the short-slant hossel, we’ve seen plenty of Number 7 and jailbird heads featuring the Damascus Milled insert, but this is the first and only one we’ve spotted in a Rossie. Hisatsune primarily putts with an Odyssey Black Series iX #9, but we have seen him recently with a TaylorMade TP Collection SOTO, so there could be potential that the Damascus Milled Rossie could end up in the bag.
Everyone wants to be Cameron Young right now. We’ve had Justin Thomas and Tom Hoge both game the Scotty Cameron 9.5R prototype. Well, for the PGA Championship, Brooks Koepka nearly joined that list after requesting the same style of putter, with the full-length alignment line. But the Scotty Cameron reps took the request a step further and made one specially for Koepka with a Teryllium insert, similar to one in his previous Newport 2 gamers. The reason why this one didn’t go into play, though? Because it was too heavy.
Harry Hall was the third-best putter on Tour last year, so when Bettinardi made him a custom proto, you know it was going to be good. The custom BB28 blade features VDF face milling, a custom-welded single-bend shaft, and the owner’s initials – HH – on the sole of the putter. Hall, who usually games an Odyssey O-Works #7 W, has dabbled with a TaylorMade Spider Tour X already this year. Maybe there’s a chance this Bettinardi might make his bag.
Honestly, this one doesn’t need a description. It’s Kieth Mitchell’s custom Scotty Cameron Napa. One Scotty Cameron face stamp, two Scotty Dogs, two Scotty Cameron 7-Point Crowns and one Circle T. That is all. Oh, except for the Cashmere Cameron headcover.
Finally, and just for fun, how about we pour one out for this TaylorMade Spider Tour X made for Scottie Scheffler in its new torched finish. It’s unlikely we’ll see a putter change anytime soon from the best golfer in the world. In fact, he hit just two putts with it on the Harbour Town practice before going back to his trusty gamer.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X
7-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Irons: Grindworks PR-202 (4), Grindworks PR-101A (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 Tour Rack (52-10 Mid), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-08M), SM11 (60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Rat 1.5 Tour Prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
In our forums, our members have been discussing their favorite major winning irons used by Tiger Woods. WRXer ‘golferdude54’ kicks off the thread saying:
“Mizuno MP 14/29. Titleist 681T. Nike Forged Blades. TaylorMade P7TW.
Among these irons that helped Tiger win 15 majors, which is your favorite in terms of looks?”
And our members have been naming their favorites and why in response.
Here are a couple of posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- SwingBlade: “I prefer the early blades he played and the more recent TM TW’s especially because after Tiger had his major behavioral setbacks, part of Nikes support payback was making Tiger play a Nike putter and cease using his beloved uniquely customized Scotty putter.”
- ProjectX: “This (Nike Forged Blades) and there’s not even a close second.”
Entire Thread: “Which of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss”
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Nelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
Justin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship
Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
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Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoKristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
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Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
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Tour Photo Galleries3 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 PGA Championship
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Equipment2 weeks agoGolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
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Equipment2 weeks agoPGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
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News2 weeks agoWITB Time Machine: Phil Mickelson’s winning WITB, 2021 PGA Championship
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Equipment2 weeks agoWhich of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss
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Equipment2 weeks agoLead Tape Report: Adjusting the swingweight of the Wanamaker Trophy
Jose Pro Se
Jun 22, 2017 at 12:19 am
Ok Zak, Bubba is playing a practical joke on you.
That’s pan dulce. Good one Bubba.
I’m not buying the pink jaw breaker trick either.
SoonerSlim
Jun 20, 2017 at 2:23 pm
I’ve always liked Ping clubs, but won’t be buying any new metal woods anytime soon. Clubhead is way too busy for me. I like an clean looking driver head. I seriously doubt that all that fancy technology makes that much difference in distance if you hit the middle of the clubface. Sorry Ping. If I buy one of your drivers, it will be a previous version with a clean looking clubhead.
Orvill
Jun 14, 2017 at 10:36 pm
Pinky Pingy Pimpy
Ill take the other
Jun 13, 2017 at 9:36 pm
PingXG 0811X!!!!!
KCCO
Jun 13, 2017 at 9:28 pm
busy……i like the head cover;)
BigBoy
Jun 13, 2017 at 2:00 am
If it comes with a blow off valve, I’ll buy it.
CrashTestDummy
Jun 12, 2017 at 7:08 pm
It is really ugly but if it hits quality golf shots over and over again, then it doesn’t matter. Function over fashion.
Fang
Jun 13, 2017 at 6:22 am
Ugly? It looks like any modern driver.
Anthony
Jun 12, 2017 at 6:14 pm
If you made that in your garage, you would be a very wealthy person….
Deegee
Jun 12, 2017 at 5:40 pm
It will be 1/2 % faster, have better dragon flies, turbulence turbulators…and mugs will spend spend spend on a product that’s no friggin different to last year. These manufacturers are B.S.
Old Putter
Jun 12, 2017 at 5:35 pm
I know this will never happen but….
How bout a lie a lil flatter than 58*
Ude
Jun 20, 2017 at 10:02 am
what are you a fat dwarf?
ooffa
Jun 12, 2017 at 5:06 pm
No, you are taking it the wrong way. I think you are great. I love your posts. It’s very rare to get to watch someone spiral downward so quickly. I wish i could help you get past this obvious tragic portion of your life. Unfortunately I cannot, so I am just observing your decline into delusion.
Prut
Jun 12, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Are the turbulators bigger?
The Dude
Jun 12, 2017 at 4:48 pm
let’s get some numbers…….with the Volvik please..
Egor
Jun 12, 2017 at 2:55 pm
My TaylorMade rep and I spent the day sipping mimosas and laughing at how hard Ping is trying to play catch up to the best club manufacturer in the world. Wild clubhead graphics are so 2014. If Ping would just get with the times, they might have a small chance of getting close to the greatness that is TaylorMade.
Alec
Jun 12, 2017 at 3:55 pm
Ummmmmmmmmmm ok
Barry
Jun 12, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Yea so that’s a complete lie. Taylormade is not a great company… they screwed themselves by having such a short product release cycle and ruined their reputation with green grass facilities. I know many courses that don’t carry Taylormade because it is a waste of money on inventory when they know they will have to discount it to sell it. They make decent clubs but throw money at the tour pros to play it. That’s the only reason that they are so “popular”
Desmond
Jun 12, 2017 at 11:16 pm
I think you drank a few too many…
LC
Jun 13, 2017 at 9:27 am
Egor, for one you were “sipping” mimosas (lose credibility there)… I am not against TM but Ping is up TM’s you know what as far as technology goes.
Count Dracula
Jun 13, 2017 at 11:11 am
Well said, my humble servant
SlapMyForehead
Jun 13, 2017 at 9:21 pm
….. LC, Desmond, Barry have drunk too many… of each other’s Koolaids. You guys would be a hoot at a party not.
Boyo
Jul 14, 2017 at 12:44 pm
TM hahahaahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
How long till they go under?
The biggest bunch of bullshirt artists out of all of them….
SH
Jun 12, 2017 at 2:29 pm
Pretty soon somebody will bring out a driver with a cover that has the dimples from a golf ball. After all, we all know the ball is the most aerodynamically efficient design there is. Why tease us like this, Ping?
xjohnx
Jun 12, 2017 at 1:49 pm
MOI is a measurement of the ability to resist twisting. Does it also have an effect on ball speeds or is that a mistake? Not calling you out, just asking.
Zak Kozuchowski
Jun 12, 2017 at 2:30 pm
Thanks for the question, xjohnx. Yes, there is a direct correlation between the amount of twisting and ball speed retention. The less twisting, generally, the more ball speed.
Tom1
Jun 12, 2017 at 1:20 pm
awww the co0lor pink, it brings out the best in all of us……
Phil
Jun 12, 2017 at 1:06 pm
Sweet Nike Vapor Flex 2017!
LOLyoucantbereal
Jun 12, 2017 at 12:33 pm
I would like to think you are kidding, but there are people in life that do not get it, that is why others succeed.
JeffSessionsisEvil
Jun 12, 2017 at 12:46 pm
I was only kidding about the last two sentences.
ND Hickman
Jun 12, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Now if they could sell the Bubba version at a reasonable price I’ll upgrade from my G30. Stick to pricing it higher than Callaway charge for the already ridiculous priced Epic’s then you’ve lost a sale.
KC
Jun 12, 2017 at 11:20 am
That pink driver will look great in Bubba’s den as he watches the 3rd and 4th rounds of the US Open from home.
BMF
Jun 13, 2017 at 8:08 am
Belive it or not, i had a dream of bubba sending missiles all over the place after i read your comment. Even duffed afew shots. Lmao!
drkviol801
Jun 12, 2017 at 10:37 am
Those turbulators are sick though