What to do with the new TaylorMade drivers, Ping on the USGA conform list

It might only be November, but 2026 gear from major OEMs is likely to hit the bags of top pros around the world this week.

On Monday, the (apparently) new 2026 drivers from TaylorMade and Ping hit the USGA conforming list, giving us a first look at what to expect for next year’s new golf clubs.

As usual, both companies are playing things close to the vest in terms of new product details, but the timing of new devices being released to the conformance list, the last step before a new product can enter the game, is notable given this week. PGA Tour stop in Mexico and the DP World Tour event in Abu Dhabi.

Continue reading below for what we do with the new TaylorMade and Ping drivers on the USGA Conform List.

TaylorMade Qi4D driver

TaylorMade seems to be sticking with the “Quest for Inertia” brand Qi for the successor the Qi35 family with the new family of Qi4D drivers. Based on Monday’s conformance list additions, we recognize three models: Qi4D Core, Qi4D LS, and Qi4D Max.

Last year, TaylorMade also had a Qi35 Max Fast and women’s models. Those models may still be coming, but since those products aren’t likely to be used by any Tour pros, there’s no need to put them on the conform list before retail launch. More on that in a moment though.

While all we have to go off of are the black and white images in the database, we can learn a few things from each model.

TaylorMade Qi4D Core: The biggest thing we see with the base model is the addition of the two single-weight gates in the posted image and the two back-weight gates listed in the USGA layout.

It appears that for the first time since the R7 series of drivers in the late 2000s, TaylorMade will use a quad weighting system in its flagship driver. This was obviously teased with last year’s R7 Quad Mini driver, but it will certainly give fitters some major leverage to adjust ball flight. It also, for the first time, makes TaylorMade’s base model more adjustable than the LS head.

The other notable thing is that there seems to be a departure from the maximum forgiveness shape adopted by the flagship Qi35 model.

The Qi4D appears to have a much more robust pear-shaped profile than its predecessor, something that is sure to appeal to top players. The giveaway is the sharper back and the all-encompassing sole area.

The lofts on the conform list are: 8, 9, 10.5 and 12. There was also a left-handed model.

TaylorMade Qi4D LS: After using a three-point weighting system on the Qi35 LS, the Qi4D LS only has adjustable front and rear weights, something quite common among low-revving drivers on the market. The shape looks very similar to the Qi35 LS, which was one of the lowest revving drivers on the market last season.

The lofts on the conform list are: 8, 9 and 10.5.

TaylorMade Qi4D Max: The Max model once again looks to be the high-forgiveness model in the lineup, retaining the large profile shape of its predecessor. One omission, however, is that there is no longer any reference to the “10k” MOI in the single piece as there was on the Qi10 Max and Qi35 Max. Does this mean TaylorMade is no longer advertising their high forgiveness driver as 10k MOI?

Part of the reason is that, for the first time in a TaylorMade Max driver, the Qi4D Max has two adjustable weight ports for front and rear CG adjustment, like the LS model. Extremely high MIA executives have not previously had floating weights because a change in CG could actually increase MIA above legal limits.

Lofts on the conform list are: 9, 10.5 and 12.

TaylorMade Qi35 Custom Driver

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Ping G440 K Driver

Ping typically operates on a two-year life cycle for their metal woods, so the popular G440 lineup it’s here to stay in 2026. But we’re likely to get a replacement for the G430 Max 10k driver, and it looks like that’s the new G440 K driver that appeared on the conform list.

Again, note that this driver does not mention “10K” on any of the graphics on the club, similar to the TaylorMade model.

A first for Ping as well, the model in this ultra high MOI category also has a floating weight, this is a draw bias adjustment rear weight and rear fade similar to other models in the G440 family.

The lofts on the conform list are: 7.5, 9, 10.5 and 12 on both the right and left.

PING G430 Max 10K Custom Driver

The G430 MAX 10K is PING’s straightest and highest MOI driver to date, eclipsing the combined moment of inertia threshold of 10,000 g-cm2 first surpassed by the G400 MAX five years ago. FIXED BACK WEIGHT Fixed back weight allows for record-setting MOI while pushing mass down and back to increase forgiveness and optimize center of gravity position. LARGEST HEAD PROFILE PING’s largest head profile to date maximizes USGA-allowable toe and forefoot dimensions while staying within the 460cc volume limit. This eye-pleasing shape helps guide the golfer on target and inspires confidence to hit longer, straighter shots.

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What does time tell us?

It’s early November, and if history serves, these drivers won’t be announced to the general public until at least January. For Ping, this is one a whole month before their G440 drivers entered the conforming list last fall, before their release in mid-January.

Basically, this gives us two reasons why these drivers could be on the conforming list this week.

No. 1, we may see new devices on the market before January 1.

No. 2, and the most likely option, a Tour pro really likes what he has in testing the new drivers and they want to put it into play. Tiger Woods made a great push to have the TaylorMade Stealth+ driver added to the late 2021 conformation list so he could use it in that year’s father/son championship.

For TaylorMade, some of its future staff pros, such as Michael Thorbjornsen or Jacob Bridgeman, are pushing it at the Tech World Championship in Mexico. But perhaps more importantly, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are set to compete in the first DP World Tour Playoffs in Abu Dhabi. Could we see one of those stars put a Qi4D in the game this week?

Likewise, non-Ping employee, but popular Ping G430 Max 10K user Ben Griffin will be doing it in Mexico.

There’s no guarantee of anything, but gearheads should pay close attention to events around the world this week to see the 2026 gear.

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