Ping has established itself as the industry leader in driver forgiveness and consistency, with each new release building upon its massive Moment of Inertia (MOI) technology. For the dedicated Ping loyalist, the biggest question isn’t whether the new driver is good, but whether it offers a significant enough performance gain over the last generation to justify the cost of an upgrade.
Our featured video, “We Tested The Last 3 Ping Drivers On A Robot, Should You Upgrade? | Robo Report,” answers this question definitively. We utilized a robot testing apparatus to eliminate human error and provide objective, reliable data on the last three Ping drivers to see if the newer models truly deliver the promised distance and forgiveness.
The Robo Report Advantage: Eliminating Human Error
Testing drivers with a human golfer introduces variability—inconsistent swing path, varying strike location, and fluctuating clubhead speed. The Robo Report eliminates these factors, providing a pure, objective comparison of club performance:
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Consistent Clubhead Speed: The robot delivers the club at the same speed every time, allowing us to accurately measure the raw ball speed and energy transfer of each driver’s face.
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Precise Strike Location: We can intentionally miss the center of the face (toe, heel, high, low) to measure the true forgiveness of each driver’s design. This is crucial for verifying Ping’s high MOI claims.
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Unbiased Data: The results are based purely on technology, not marketing hype or player bias.
The Head-to-Head Test: Performance vs. Generation
The review pits the three most recent Ping drivers against each other, focusing on the key metrics that determine if an upgrade is necessary:
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Ball Speed and Distance: Does the newest driver produce statistically significant faster ball speeds and longer carry distances compared to the model released two generations ago?
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Forgiveness (MOI): How well does each model maintain ball speed and dispersion (accuracy) on mis-hits? Ping is known for its high MOI, but the test reveals which generation handles off-center strikes the best.
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Spin and Launch: The data compares the optimal launch angle and spin rate of each driver head to determine which is best suited for different swing speeds.
The Verdict: Should You Upgrade Now?
The Robo Report conclusion is essential viewing for anyone holding onto an older Ping driver. The video answers the question: Is the gain in forgiveness and distance worth the price of the new club?
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If the gap is small: Golfers with the older model might be better off investing in custom shaft flex matching or dedicated training drills.
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If the gap is large: The upgrade is clearly justified for a measurable, guaranteed improvement in ball speed and accuracy.
Ready to see the definitive, robot-tested truth? Check on YouTube