I was a huge fan of the Ping G430 hybrid last year due to its very forgiving nature and inviting head shape, so I was eager to test the new Ping G440 hybrid to see if the performance could be improved and continue to be seen as one of the best golf hybrids released in 2025.
Aesthetically, there hasn’t been a whole lot of change in the G440 hybrid compared to its predecessor. The footprint remains fairly large which is something I like and most golfers using a hybrid will take confidence in. The sole follows the same blue color scheme as the G440 driver and fairway wood models, although I can’t help but feel the black and silver tones with neon yellow accents on the previous range just looked a little more stylish and modern.
The G440 hybrid benefits from a Carbonfly Wrap across the crown which has been introduced to redistribute weight, creating a lower CG and ultimately more speed and forgiveness. A further way in which Ping has refined this year's fairway wood and hybrid models is by introducing a new Free Hosel design, which has allowed for even further weight savings and allows for optimum spin and launch conditions.
A new rounded sole design sees the G440 hybrid sit really flush to the turf which is a look I really like and makes it feel as though you can launch the ball very easily. The same score lines on the face as the previous model return and make for very easy alignment and centering the ball at address and thanks to the maraging steel face, mishits were hardly punished and my data gathered from a GCQuad launch monitor backs that up.
I conducted my testing both indoors and outdoors using the new 2025 Titleist Pro V1x golf balls and I was really impressed with the data and the versatility of the G440 hybrid once I got out on the course. I saw really impressive and consistent numbers during my indoor testing, with one shot managing to reach just shy of 239 yards carry and 257 yards total. As someone who naturally spins the ball a lot, I was pleased to see my average spin stay at 3179 rpm and the combination of that and a 12.4° average launch angle meant I saw high, towering ball flights from the G440.
I was a little skeptical on whether I would be able to flight the ball down once I got onto the course in blustery conditions but a simple adjustment of ball position and I was clipping shots away with a piercing trajectory with plenty of run. The G440 continued to impress me with how well it performed from both the tee and the fairway and even out of the rough. From the tee the ball never climbed too high and stalled, yet when struck from the fairway, I saw the height and carry needed to stop the ball on the greens. I was surprised with how well this club performed from the rough due to the slightly larger head size but it popped the ball up nicely with slightly less spin than when playing from the short stuff.
The most impressive thing about the Ping G440 hybrid is its versatility and ability to perform well in any situation, offering the characteristics of some of the most forgiving hybrids. The larger footprint will inspire confidence to those who need it, yet I feel better players will still appreciate how it sits at address and can massively benefit from the performance. Coming to retail at $325 it’s certainly on the more expensive side of hybrids released this year but there aren’t many as impressive as this one.
