CADDYCOMPARE

Ping · Fairway · 2025

G440 LST

CaddyIndex™ breakdown — what the agentic research found across each of the six performance dimensions, with cited sources.

80CaddyIndex™confidence 0.78
Best for

You're a low HCP (0-10) at 95-120mph who wants a tour-validated, low-spin penetrating fairway with elite ball speed — comfortable paying £550+ premium and accepting a loud impact sound for measurable distance gains.

Avoid if

You're a mid-to-high HCP (the G440 Max sibling forgives more and won 2025 Most Wanted), you swing under 95mph (you may struggle to launch the low-spin head), you want broad loft coverage (only 15°/19° offered), or you're sensitive to loud impact acoustics.

Pros

  • Independent robot testing: 3rd overall in 2025 fairway wood testing — excels in accuracy and distance
  • Reviewer testing: 156.4 mph ball speed, 3472 rpm spin, 251 yds carry — top-tier 2025 distance with measurable gains over the high-MOI sibling
  • High launch / low spin combination produces a penetrating ball flight with plenty of roll — primary intended use case
  • Premium all-titanium build (HST 220 Ti face + Ti 8-1-1 body + 85g tungsten sole plate) plus the new Free Hosel design (-11.5g)

Cons

  • Most expensive fairway wood on the market and arguably the worst sounding — known and meaningful acoustic weakness
  • Toe misses produce a fairly quick left-diving shot — more volatile mishit pattern than the high-MOI sibling
  • Premium $549 pricing — significantly more expensive than the high-MOI sibling
  • Two lofts only (15°, 19°) — narrower fitting range than the high-MOI sibling's five lofts

By dimension

78

Forgiveness

Independent robot testing: the head excels in accuracy and distance, claiming third place overall in the 2025 fairway wood testing. The composite-crown technology plus the new hosel design (saving 11.5g) lower CG and improve forgiveness across the face. However, reviewer testing: the head was a little more volatile with its misses compared to the high-MOI sibling, especially when striking it towards the toe — this would result in a fairly quick left-diving shot. Above-average forgiveness for a tour-spec compact fairway, but explicitly below the high-MOI sibling.

87

Distance

Reviewer testing: the head launched at almost the exact same angle as the high-MOI sibling (11.2°) and the ball speed was less than half a mile per hour faster, averaging 156.4mph. Spin came in around 3472 rpm — just under 100 rpm less than the high-MOI sibling. A couple of extra yards carry (251 yards) and only one extra yard when it came to total yardage. The new high-strength titanium face plus 85g tungsten sole plate position CG low/back for faster ball speed with less spin. Top-tier 2025 distance — measurable ball-speed and carry gains over the already-strong high-MOI sibling.

82

Workability

Reviewer testing: the head was much more suited to be struck from a tee and this is where the high launch, low spin combination came into its own, producing a penetrating ball flight with plenty of roll. The compact tour-style head with high-strength titanium face and tungsten sole plate is engineered for shape-shapers and skilled ball-strikers. Lower spin supports skilled face manipulation in the wind. Top-tier workability for a 2025 tour-spec fairway — the head's primary intended use case alongside distance.

79

Feel

Reviewer testing: each strike near the middle of the face felt solid and stable, as if there was a stack of coins just behind the face which reinforced when good contact was made. When not making solid contact, feedback was expectedly harsher in terms of vibration through the grip and hands which matched the change in sound, allowing golfers to know precisely when they hit it well and when they didn't. Premium high-strength titanium face plus all-titanium body contributes to a solid centred-strike signature. Above-average premium feel — informative both on centre and off.

68

Sound

Reviewer testing: the head is in a league of its own for two things — price and sound. It is the most expensive fairway wood on the market and it is arguably the worst sounding. Reviewer testing: some testers believe the acoustics are horrendous. The unique sound is hollow and loud, with reviewers noting a feel almost like a hollow baseball bat at impact. The all-titanium construction produces a notably louder acoustic than steel-faced siblings. Below-average acoustic — a known and meaningful weakness flagged by multiple independent reviewers.

82

Looks at address

Reviewer testing: the head has a deeper profile and the new high-strength titanium face material. Compact tour-style head appeals to better-player audiences. Composite-crown technology with the cleaner aesthetic. The new hosel design redeploys mass for a cleaner, more rounded look at address. Above-average looks — premium tour-spec aesthetic.

Sources

Some of the reviews, lab tests and head-to-head comparisons the agentic research read while grading this club.