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2024 has already witnessed the race to 10K - and we have two winners! So let's dig a bit further into our Ping G430 Max 10K vs TaylorMade Qi10 Max drivers showdown.
If it's forgiveness you're after in your new driver, then you are in the right place. In the Ping G430 Max 10K and TaylorMade Qi10 Max, we have two of the most forgiving drivers ever made this year - so we have put them up against each other in a head-to-head to see which one should be going in your bag this year.
So why are these drivers the talk of the gear world? It's all to do with MOI. (What's MOI? I've explained that over here. But hurry back!) Both drivers top out at 10,000 MOI - which is the maximum legal limit a driver head can be.
What that super-high MOI means for you, dear reader, is less twisting and movement in the head at the moment it connects with the golf ball, and that means those mishits won't suffer as much so even off-centre strikes will be long and, most importantly, straight.
So before we get to the full breakdown, let's remind ourselves of the two contenders…
PROS
- New Carbon Fly Wrap allows weight to distributed better
- New thinner VFT face allows for higher ball speeds
- Explosive ball speeds, great distance and more forgiveness
- 10,000 MOI makes it super forgiving
CONS
- Turbulators might not suit everyone's eye
The Ping G430 driver was incredibly well received and the Max 10K upgrade is certainly looking to go the same way.
This is up there with one of the best drivers I've hit this year. Let me tell you why. Its a larger profile at 460cc, which gives you that confidence setting up to the ball, and it sits perfectly square thanks to the new addition of the Carbon Fly Wrap on the crown, which is great contrast to the turbulators.
Ah, the turbulators. Yes, they're still here. I know some of you don't like them but I think they look great and you just know you've got a Ping in your hands.
As for feel, the G430 is solid off the VFT face, no matter where you strike it. It’s definitely loud, which some of you may not appreciate, but the speeds are impressive, as is the distance - especially on those mishits.
The fixed weight at the back gives you a low CG and contributes to the perimeter weighting for that high MOI.
With 10K MOI it's so forgiving, easy to launch and straight. In my opinion, this is a cheat code.
"It’s been a lot of fun to watch people hit the G430 Max 10K. Everyone comments how straight it is, which ultimately leads to more distance for the golfer. It fits a wide range of golfers, from players who rely heavily on forgiveness for more distance and accuracy off the tee all the way to tour pros, who are seeing lower spin and increased ball speed as the result of swinging more aggressively, knowing the forgiveness will help them find more fairway."
John K Solheim (president and CEO, Ping)
• Click here for our full Ping G430 Max 10K review
PROS
- New Blue Carbon Face Twist Face for straighter drives
- Infinity Carbon Crown is aesthetically pleasing on the eye
- Explosive ball speeds and more forgiveness
- 10,000 MOI
CONS
- Acoustics won't be everyone's cup of tea
There are three models in the TaylorMade Qi10 range, but the star attraction is the Max which is TaylorMade's most forgiving driver ever made. I might go as far as saying it's one of the most forgiving drivers I've ever hit.
Thanks to its high MOI, it is remarkably stable throughout the swing and incredibly easy to launch. The one thing that stands out the most at first glance it is the Infinity Carbon Crown, which is clean and slick at address and, personally, I think if you like what you're looking down at then that’s half the battle won.
It still has the brand's Twist Face technology but, in a complete change from its Stealth-branded predecessors, a blue carbon face.
The weight at the back of the clubhead, along with the perimeter weighting, contributes to the high MOI head design, but what surprised me the most is the speed and distance. Usually, with a more forgiving head, you’ll maybe sacrifice distance and speed for more forgiveness, but this packs a punch.
"This quest to 10K is the sum of a variety of proven TaylorMade technologies that have been integrated into a new shape in the Qi10 Max, literally giving us the most forgiving driver in TaylorMade history with the highest MOI we’ve ever achieved."
Tomo Bystedt (senior director of product creation, TaylorMade)
• Click here for our full TaylorMade Qi10 driver review
Conclusion
If you want the most forgiving drivers available, then these have your name on them. With both drivers boasting 10,000 MOI, you are spoilt for choice.
But they are worlds apart in terms of aesthetics, sound, and feel - all of which are incredibly important to all golfers, so this really comes down to personal taste.
In testing, I found the TaylorMade Qi10 Max wanted to go left a little bit more than the Ping G430 Max 10K. So if you struggle with a slice then the Qi10 might be the better option for you, but if your slice isn't as severe then the G430 is the one to look at.
Either way, both clubheads are designed to stay squarer for longer through impact, even on those mishits, for straighter and longer drives.
It is worth noting that these aren’t just aimed at higher handicappers, they are also aimed at the top-level players as well. PGA Tour stars Collin Morikawa and Cameron Champ have the Qi10 Max and G430 Max in their respective bags - so if two of the best in the game want extra forgiveness, who are you and I to argue?
Ultimately, what you have is two drivers which, in my opinion, are cheat codes to make golf easier off the tee. Whether you end up with the 10K driver from TaylorMade or Ping, you're going to be getting the ball in play a lot more.
Right, who wants to watch a video of me explaining all of the above?
Ping G430 Max 10K vs TaylorMade Qi10 Max
You can watch the full video in the player below, or over on the bunkered YouTube channel, where you'll find many more reviews and head-to-heads - including the TaylorMade Qi10 vs Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke!
How we picked
Performance Consistency
We meticulously evaluated each piece of equipment's performance across a number of variables.
Forgiveness and Playability
With golf clubs, our assessment always considered the versatility and forgiveness levels, especially on off-centre strikes.
Innovative Technology
We scrutinise the incorporation of innovative technology in each piece of equipment we review.
Customisation
We consider factors like adjustable features and customisation options available to the buyer.
ALL ABOUT THE MASTERS
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