PING G440 Max vs
TaylorMade Qi35 Max Fairway

The G440 Max isn’t the longest fairway wood on the market, but it’s meaningfully longer than the Qi35 Max. MyGolfSpy’s testing showed solid distance output across the face, and the maraging steel face generates consistent ball speed. Good for distance relative to the field — just not distance-leader territory.

Today’s Golfer measured just 240 yards of carry — joint-shortest in their 2025 test, roughly 7–10 yards shorter than the standard Qi35. MyGolfSpy ranked it 6th for distance. The Qi35 Max explicitly trades raw yardage for forgiveness and accuracy. If distance is a priority, it’s a weakness.

The tightest dispersion in MyGolfSpy’s 24-model test. Ball speed loss on off-center strikes is minimal — the CarbonFly Wrap, Free Hosel, and low-back CG create a fairway wood that auto-corrects mishits better than anything else. The most consistent fairway wood ever tested by multiple publications.

MyGolfSpy named it the #1 most accurate fairway wood of 2025. Today’s Golfer measured just 9.9 yards of dispersion — the second-straightest of any fairway wood tested. Plugged In Golf: ‘You can hit it toward the heel or toe and still get excellent ball speed.’ Nearly matches the G440 Max’s forgiveness, but the PING edges it on consistency.

Effortless launch from any lie. The low and back CG from Free Hosel weight redistribution makes getting airborne trivially easy. Multiple reviewers called it the easiest fairway wood to launch they’ve ever tested. The cambered sole glides through turf without digging.

Plugged In Golf called it ‘one of the highest and easiest launching fairway woods I can remember testing.’ The low CG from the Infinity Carbon Crown and shallow face make launch nearly effortless. Both clubs are exceptional here — either will get the ball airborne with minimal effort.

PING’s Free Hosel offers an 8-position system with ±1.5° loft and up to 3° flat lie adjustment. Proven, simple, and effective. Five loft options from 15° to 24° including a cult-favorite 4-wood at 17° that fills a common gapping need.

The 4-degree adjustable hosel with 12 settings offers ±2° loft/lie and ±4° face angle (3W and 5W only). Today’s Golfer called it ‘potentially the most universal fairway wood any company has ever built.’ Slightly more range per club, but PING’s 5-loft lineup provides more gapping options. Dead even.

The CarbonFly Wrap crown creates a more muted, solid impact that reviewers consistently describe as ‘pleasing’ and ‘unobtrusive.’ Centered strikes produce a satisfying whip-crack. GolfWRX users consistently prefer the G440’s acoustics over the G430. A genuinely refined feel that inspires confidence.

Plugged In Golf described the sound as a ‘Sproing!’ — lively and bouncy, not the deeper, traditional impact sound some golfers prefer. It ‘didn’t feel quite as heavy in the hit as the core Qi35.’ The lighter, higher-pitched impact divides opinion. Functional but not as satisfying as the G440 Max.

Matte finish with no crown or sole graphics — just subtle faded carbon detailing from the CarbonFly Wrap. Multiple reviewers called it PING’s best-looking wood since the G410. The clean, minimalist design is a departure from competitors’ busier visuals. The taller face adds presence at address.

The 190cc head is confidence-inspiring at address for golfers who need a larger profile. The matte grey carbon crown with multi-line border frames the face for alignment. Clean but not as refined as the G440 Max’s minimalist aesthetic. The oversized footprint helps some players but looks too large for others.

$370 for MyGolfSpy’s #1 overall fairway wood is competitive but not cheap. The premium is justified by the consistency, forgiveness, and build quality. Golf Monthly questioned the price-to-performance ratio versus the G430 Max, but for first-time buyers the value is strong.

$350 MSRP — now discounted below $270 at some retailers like Carl’s Golfland. At full price it’s $20 cheaper than the G440 Max; at discount it’s $100 cheaper. For the most forgiving and accurate fairway wood at that price point, the Qi35 Max is an exceptional value.