Ping G20 Driver Review

Here's what shocked me most about the G20: I legitimately couldn't find a bad spot on the face. I'm talking about those Monday morning swings where you're still half-asleep and catching it out toward the toe, the ball still jumps off the face like you nutted it. The variable-thickness face design isn't just marketing speak; it's engineering that actually works.

During my testing sessions, I intentionally tried to miss-hit balls (yes, I looked ridiculous at the range). Heel strikes that would normally send my ball diving left? They stayed relatively straight with maybe 10 yards less distance. Toe shots that usually balloon and fade? Still penetrating, still finding fairways. The 460cc head size undoubtedly helps, but it's more than just raw forgiveness; it's the consistency of the mishits that impressed me.

PING achieved this through their Ti 8-1-1 titanium alloy construction, which is lighter than traditional titanium but maintains incredible strength. This allowed them to redistribute weight to the perimeter and create what feels like a sweet spot the size of Texas. The MOI numbers back this up, though honestly, you don't need a launch monitor to feel the difference.

What really sold me was taking this to my home course, a tight, tree-lined track where accuracy matters more than distance. Over three rounds, I hit 11 of 14 fairways on average. For reference, I'm usually around 8 or 9 with my gamer. That's not a small improvement; that's the difference between having a wedge in versus punching out sideways.

The G20's party trick is its ability to launch the ball high while keeping spin rates surprisingly low. If you've ever struggled with ballooning drives that get eaten up by the wind, this driver might be your answer. The external weight positioning drops the center of gravity way back and low, creating launch conditions that most of us weekend warriors can only dream about.

My typical driver spin rate hovers around 3,200 rpm (not great, I know). With the G20, I'm consistently seeing numbers in the 2,400-2,600 range. That might not sound like much, but it translates to an extra 15-20 yards of roll-out and a ball flight that cuts through wind like a hot knife through butter. On a breezy day last week, I was absolutely smoking drives past my regular playing partners who were fighting the conditions.

The flight path is what PING calls "mid-high," but it feels higher than that off the face. Don't let that scare you; this isn't the kind of high launch that costs you distance. It's the good kind that carries hazards and still runs out. Think of it as the difference between a towering pop fly and a line drive that just keeps climbing.

I tested this with the 10.5-degree model, though the range of lofts (8.5° to 12°) means there's something for everyone. Higher handicappers who struggle to get the ball airborne should absolutely consider the 12-degree option. Trust me, your ego might take a hit at first, but your scorecard will thank you.

Let me be clear: the TFC 169D shaft that comes stock with the G20 is not just "good for a stock shaft", it's legitimately excellent. I've played aftermarket shafts that cost $300+ that didn't perform as well as this one. The high balance point design means more weight stays up near your hands during the swing, which translates to faster swing speeds without feeling like you're swinging harder.

During my fitting session (yes, I got fitted for a used club, don't judge), we tested the G20 head with several premium aftermarket shafts. The Aldila RIP, the Mitsubishi Diamana, all the usual suspects. You know what? The stock TFC 169D produced the best numbers across the board. Ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, everything was refined with PING's proprietary shaft.

The feel is what really sets it apart, though. There's a smoothness to the loading and unloading that makes timing almost automatic. I'm usually very handsy through impact (a nasty habit from my baseball days), but this shaft seems to quiet my hands naturally. It's like it knows what I want to do and gently guides me there.

For players with faster swing speeds, the stiff flex option is plenty stable. I'm right around 105 mph, and I never felt like the shaft was lagging or whipping through impact. The regular flex would probably suit players in the 85-95 mph range perfectly, though I always recommend getting properly fitted if possible.

The 45.75-inch length is slightly longer than standard, but not so long that it becomes unwieldy. PING found the sweet spot (pun intended) between added distance from length and maintained control.

After a month of heavy use, my G20 still looks practically new. The Ti 8-1-1 titanium alloy isn't just about performance; it's incredibly durable. I've teed off from some questionable lies (including one memorable shot from a cart path when no one was looking), and there's barely a scratch on it.

The black face contrasts beautifully with the charcoal gray crown, creating perfect alignment at address. Some might find it a bit plain compared to the flashier designs from other manufacturers, but I appreciate the understated elegance. It's like a well-tailored suit; it doesn't scream for attention, but everyone notices quality. The closed clubface design actually helps square things up at impact without any conscious manipulation from the player. The distinctive red logo adds just enough color to break up the monochrome design without being garish.

The sound at impact deserves special mention. It's not the metallic "tink" of some modern drivers or the muted thud of others. The G20 produces what I can only describe as a solid "crack" that lets you know immediately when you've caught one flush. Even my misses sound respectable, which does wonders for confidence.

Weight-wise, the head comes in at either 204g or 208g, both producing a D3 swing weight that feels perfectly balanced. Some drivers feel head-heavy and sluggish; others feel too light and unstable. The G20 sits right in that Goldilocks zone where you can feel the head throughout the swing without it feeling cumbersome.

Now for the elephant in the room: if you're someone who likes to shape shots, move along. The G20 is about as anti-workability as it gets. This driver wants to go straight, period. Trying to hit a deliberate fade or draw is like trying to convince a golden retriever not to fetch; technically possible, but why fight nature?

For 90% of golfers, this is actually a feature, not a bug. Most of us don't need to work the ball; we need to find fairways. The G20's design actively fights against side spin, which means your typical slice becomes a gentle fade, and that nasty hook turns into a manageable draw. It's like having training wheels that you never want to take off.

I tested this by trying to hit my go-to cut shot, a left-to-right ball flight that usually moves about 15 yards. With the G20? Maybe 5 yards of movement, and that was with an exaggerated outside-in path. For someone who battles a slice, this driver could literally change your game overnight.

The flip side is that when you absolutely need to bend one around a dogleg or escape trouble with a dramatic shot shape, you're somewhat limited. But let's be honest, how often does the average golfer successfully pull off those shots anyway? I'd rather have consistent, straight drives 14 times per round than the ability to occasionally work the ball.

Absolutely, while the Ping G20 Driver is a great product, there are a few pros and cons that you need to be aware of:

Pros:

• Insane forgiveness that makes bad swings look good

• High launch with low spin equals maximum distance

• Stock shaft that performs like a $300 aftermarket option

Cons: 

• Virtually no workability for shot shaping

• Slightly dated appearance compared to newer models

• Can be hard to find in good condition