Have you ever wondered what separates the best golf equipment from the worst? In our 2024 Best Golf Driver test, the difference in performance from the top to the bottom was big. The best driver, the PING G430 MAX 10K, isn’t perfect but when put up against the Krank Formula Fire Pro, it looks pretty darn good. Here’s what you should know about the “first versus worst” golf drivers in 2024.
Distance
Our 2024 driver testing found the PING G430 MAX 10K had an average total yardage of 253.69. It’s not the longest driver so it got 7.9/10 for its distance score. (For comparison, the longest was the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Triple Diamond with an average of about 256 yards, just three more yards.)
The Krank Formula Fire Pro‘s average total yardage was just 240.07 yards, earning a distance rating of 5.5.
The PING clearly wins when it comes to distance. Thirteen extra yards off the tee just doesn’t make sense to pass up.
Accuracy
Here’s why the PING G430 MAX 10K won the best overall driver of 2024. The straight-shot percentage for this club is 56.3 percent, earning an accuracy score of 9.6.
When we review tester feedback, the one constant theme is how straight and consistent the PING is.
Even though it’s three yards shorter off the tee than the longest driver of 2024, if you are three yards short but in the middle of the fairway, it’s pretty easy to decide which driver makes sense to play with.
The Krank struggled again in the accuracy category. The straight-shot percentage was just 38.2 percent, for an accuracy score of 5.4/10. Most testers noticed the Krank was more of a right-biased driver which didn’t help its case.
Forgiveness
When it comes to forgiveness, the Krank Formula Fire Pro had its best (least worse?) performance. Although not quite as forgiving as the PING, it scored 7.9 versus 8.8 for the PING.
If you miss the center of the clubface often, the PING will be your better choice. For the most skilled player who rarely misses the center, the Krank as a decent amount of built-in forgiveness.
Value
If the Krank Formula Fire Pro was significantly less expensive than the PING, it may be worth investigating more thoroughly. That’s just not the case. Right now, there is about a $50 difference in pricing between the two clubs, with the PING being a little higher.
Bottom line
Will reviewing these test results substitute for a custom fitting to find the perfect driver for you?
No.
However, there are some large discrepancies in performance between these two golf clubs and the testing was conducted with 35 testers of varying swing speeds. That’s not insignificant
What is the most important takeaway from this “first versus worst” comparison?
It’s that the clubs you choose make a difference in the results you get on the course!
PING versus Krank: Which is right for you?
Who’s it For?
✅ Someone looking for more distance and accuracy. The PING is long and straight.
✅ Anyone who wants consistency. Tester feedback confirmed golfers can have full confidence in this driver when it comes to hitting a fairway.
Who’s it not for?
❌ The PING G430 MAX 10K is not the longest driver in the test so if you seek pure distance you may have to look elsewhere.
Who’s it For?
✅ Golfers who prioritize forgiveness: The strongest performance for Krank was in the forgiveness category.
✅ The golfer who needs higher spin. Launch monitor data showed the Krank had higher spin rates.
Who’s it not for?
❌ Golfers looking for distance off the tee. This was the shortest driver in our 2024 test.
❌ Someone looking for the best performance for the best price.
Interested in more driver data? Check out the entire Most Wanted Driver 2024 test results.
Kuso
3 months ago
Can we SEE the actual numbers in a list, of all the strikes, listed by speed and skill level? Strike location on face, face angles and lofts, directions of ball flight, that sort of data?
Eric
3 months ago
Agreed, would be nice to actually see that instead of just summaries and their ratings.
Nate
1 month ago
What are the specifications of the golf clubs used?
More specifically, shaft length and loft of the clubs would be nice to know. Also, what are the ball speeds of these clubs?