How to Adjust a Ping G425 Driver: Trajectory Tuning Settings & Loft Guide

The Ping G425 uses the Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel with 8 settings plus a 26g movable rear weight to control launch, spin, and shot shape. Loft adjusts ±1.5° from your standard head (9°, 10.5°, or 12°), lie angle shifts ±3°, and the weight track lets you bias draw, neutral, or fade flight. Start with the weight in Neutral and the hosel at Standard (S), then change one variable at a time.

If the sleeve does not rotate smoothly or feels gritty when you first remove the shaft, stop. Do not force it. Grit or debris in the hosel can damage the splines. Clean the sleeve and hosel bore with a dry cloth before reinserting. That simple check can save you from a $50+ repair.

Quick Settings Chart

Hosel Setting	Loft Change	Lie Angle	Effect
+1.5° (Big +)	+1.5°	Upright	Highest launch, strongest draw bias
+1° (Small +)	+1.0°	Upright	Higher launch, moderate draw bias
Standard (S)	0°	Neutral	Baseline loft and lie
–1° (Small –)	–1.0°	Flat	Lower launch, slight fade bias
–1.5° (Big –)	–1.5°	Flat	Lowest launch, strongest fade bias
+1.5° F (Big + F)	+1.5°	Flatter*	Higher launch, anti‑left
+1° F (Small + F)	+1.0°	Flatter*	Slightly higher, anti‑left
–1° F (Small – F)	–1.0°	Flatter*	Lower launch, anti‑left

*Flatter lie angle keeps the toe higher through impact, reducing hook tendency. The “F” settings are clearly marked on the hosel sleeve. If you need the loft increase but already fight a hook, use the +1.5° F instead of the standard +1.5°.

The rear weight offers three positions:
– Draw (toward heel): Shifts CG heel‑ward to promote a right‑to‑left ball flight.
– Neutral (center): Balanced launch and spin for a straight‑to‑slight‑fade bias.
– Fade (toward toe): Shifts CG toe‑ward to promote a left‑to‑right ball flight and can slightly lower spin by moving the CG forward.

Step-by-Step Adjustment

Tools required: a T20 Torx bit and a torque wrench set to 32 in‑lbs. Never use an impact driver or a hex key — the screw heads are Torx only, and over‑torquing cracks the aluminum hosel.

1. Adjust the rear weight

Loosen the screw on the weight track using the T20 bit. Slide the weight to your desired position (Draw, Neutral, or Fade). Tighten the screw to 32 in‑lbs. The weight clicks into place — make sure it sits flush in the track groove. If the screw feels resistant when threading back in, stop and check for cross‑threading. Do not force it; a stripped weight track is not user‑serviceable.

2. Set the hosel

• Unscrew the large black hosel bolt visible at the sole near the shaft connection.
• Pull the shaft out slightly so the sleeve rotates freely. Turn the sleeve to match your chosen setting from the chart above.
• Reinsert the shaft. The selected setting must be visible at the 12‑o’clock position (pointing up toward the grip). If it is off alignment, the face angle will look closed or open at address.
• Tighten the hosel bolt to 32 in‑lbs. If the bolt feels loose after a few swings, re‑torque — vibration can back it out over time.

3. Check face angle at address

When you change loft, the face angle appears slightly open or closed at address. This is cosmetic; the club delivers the correct effective loft at impact. Do not regrip or rotate the shaft to fix the visual — it does not affect ball flight.

Branch: If after torquing you hear a clicking sound during a practice swing, stop immediately. That can mean the bolt was undertorqued or the sleeve wasn’t fully seated. Unthread, clean the hosel bore, reseat the sleeve with the correct alignment, and retorque. If the click persists, inspect the hosel for cracks. Do not play with a loose head — it can damage the ferrule and cost more to repair.

4. Test one change at a time

Hit 5–10 balls with the new setting. Keep a log of which hosel position and weight position you used. If you change both at once, you will not know which variable caused the result. Start with the weight in Neutral and the hosel at Standard, then make one adjustment and retest.

Common Settings (Draw / Fade / High / Low)

For a draw (right‑to‑left for right‑handed players)

• Hosel: +1° or +1.5° (non‑F). The upright lie angle closes the face relative to the path, encouraging a right‑to‑left curve.
• Weight: Draw position.
• Result: Higher launch, lower spin, ball moves right‑to‑left. If the draw becomes a hook, switch to the +1° F setting — the flatter lie reduces the hook risk while still adding loft.

For a fade (left‑to‑right for right‑handed players)

• Hosel: –1° or –1.5° (non‑F). The flat lie angle opens the face relative to the path, encouraging a left‑to‑right curve.
• Weight: Fade position.
• Result: Lower launch, slightly higher spin, ball moves left‑to‑right. Use the –1° F setting if you also fight a hook while trying to hit a fade.

For higher launch (more carry, softer landing)

• Hosel: +1.5° (or +1.5° F if you need anti‑left help).
• Weight: Neutral or Draw.
• Trade‑off: Adding loft increases spin. If you swing above 105 mph and spin jumps past 3000 rpm, the ball will balloon. In that case, the G425 LST model may be a better fit because its lower‑spin CG counteracts the extra loft.

For lower launch (more roll, lower spin)

• Hosel: –1.5° (or –1° F if you need anti‑left help).
• Weight: Neutral or Fade.
• Trade‑off: Lowering loft reduces spin, which helps in wind or with high clubhead speed. If you swing below 90 mph, –1.5° may kill carry distance — the ball will not stay in the air long enough. Test on a launch monitor before committing.

Torque & Tools

• Hosel bolt torque: 32 in‑lbs (not ft‑lbs). A common mistake is assuming 40 in‑lbs, which is the spec for many other brands — do not exceed 32 on the G425.
• Weight screw torque: 32 in‑lbs.
• Tool bit: T20 (Torx 20). The screw heads are steel, but the hosel is aluminum. Forcing the wrong bit strips the screw.
• What happens if you under‑torque? The shaft can work loose mid‑swing, causing a loose head that can damage the hosel ferrule.
• What happens if you over‑torque? The aluminum hosel cracks or the threads strip. This is not covered under standard warranty if caused by improper tool use.

Stop / escalate threshold: If you over‑torque and hear an audible crack, stop immediately. Do not attempt to tighten further. Remove the shaft and inspect the hosel for visible cracks. If you see any, the head is compromised. Contact Ping customer support or take it to a certified clubfitter. Playing a cracked hosel can cause the head to detach during a swing, potentially damaging the shaft or causing injury.

Buy a dedicated golf torque wrench that accepts T20 bits. Many third‑party wrenches ship set to 40 in‑lbs — you must dial them down to 32 in‑lbs before tightening. Ping‑branded wrenches are pre‑set to the correct spec, but any torque wrench that reads accurately at 32 in‑lbs works.

FAQ

Can I change the loft on a Ping G425 without changing the lie?
No — each hosel setting moves both loft and lie together. The “F” settings give you a flatter lie at the same loft increments, giving you more control if you want a flatter lie without giving up a loft change.

Do I need to re‑torque the bolt after every range session?
Check it periodically. The bolt can vibrate loose after many swings. If you feel any play between the head and shaft when twisting by hand, re‑torque to 32 in‑lbs. Do not tighten beyond that.

Will the movable weight affect spin or just shape?
Primarily shape, but moving the weight to Fade shifts the CG slightly forward and toe‑ward, which can lower spin by 100–200 rpm. The Draw position can increase spin slightly by shifting the CG heel‑ward and back. The effect is small compared to hosel adjustments.

What is the difference between the G425 Max, LST, and SFT for adjustability?
All three models share the same Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel and the same rear weight track. The Max has the highest MOI and largest head volume for maximum forgiveness. The LST has a lower‑spin CG designed for higher swing speeds. The SFT has a fixed draw bias (weight is permanently positioned toward the heel), but the rear weight is still movable for fine tuning.

Can I use a G430 or G410 shaft in my G425?
Yes — Ping’s 8‑setting adapter (Trajectory Tuning 2.0) is identical across the G410, G425, and G430 families. Shafts from any of those models are fully interchangeable.

What if my ball flight does not change after adjusting?
Verify that the weight is fully seated in its track and that the hosel bolt is torqued to 32 in‑lbs. Also confirm the sleeve setting is aligned at 12‑o’clock — if it is rotated even slightly off, the effective loft will be wrong. If everything is correct, the issue is likely swing‑related. A fitting session with a launch monitor will give you the numbers you need to decide the next step.