What you need to know: With a shallower and thinner VFT forged face design, Ping engineers sought to add speed and distance without undermining an element Ping drivers have been known for: forgiveness.

For slower-swing-speed golfers, all the clubs except the LST driver can be custom built with lighter head weights.

Exclusive to the G430 LST, lightweight composite crown-covering Carbonfly Wrap technology is the major innovation in the series.

Like the G425 lineup, the new G430 family consists of three driver models (Max, LST, SFT).

Additional model details

Ping G430 Max

• Suitable for the widest segment of the fitting bell curve.
• 25-gram, high-density tungsten moveable back weight (±8 yards of shot shaping)

Regarding the Ping G430 Max, Ping’s John Solheim says: “The Max is the workhorse. It fits every skill level, from tour players to higher handicaps. The increases in ball speed are remarkable and the sound is creating a very favorable conversation. When you combine those advancements with its industry-leading forgiveness, the Max will win a lot of battles in comparison testing in the fitting environment.”

Ping G430 LST

• Features Carbonfly Wrap Technology: Eight-layer, one-piece composite covering the crown to save weight (four grams) and lower CG, creating a lower-spin, higher-MOI driver.
• A moveable 22-gram, high-density tungsten backweight (±7 yards of shot shaping)

Regarding the Ping G430 LST, Solheim says: “With recent manufacturing advancements and the smaller head size of the G430 LST, the time is right to bring this technology to golfers,” said Solheim. “It’s quickly becoming the favorite of our tour players, who are enjoying the ball-speed gains while raving about the look, feel and sound.”

Ping G430 SFT

• New two-setting, 22-gram moveable tungsten backweight (±13 yards of shot shaping)
• Draw+ weight setting allows for 20 yards of total shot shaping.

Regarding the Ping G430 SFT, Solheim says: “Our SFT technology reinforces our commitment to custom fitting,” Solheim said. “It’s a tremendous option for golfers who consistently slice the ball. The reality is more golfers could benefit from this type of technology, so we’ve added the two-setting backweight to allow for further adjustments in shot bend as necessary.”

What Ping says

“The combined distance gains throughout the entire G430 family are like nothing we’ve seen from one generation of clubs to the next,” said John K. Solheim, Ping CEO & President. “Our approach with G430 has been to find more speed and deliver it in a way that contributes to lower scores and more enjoyment on the course. That includes providing a level of forgiveness that remains unequalled. The powerful combination of distance and forgiveness wins out when golfers are properly fitted. We see that every day in our research and we’re excited to get the G430 into the hands of golfers so they can see the same benefits.”

“The tour adoption was exceptional last fall, with almost 30 drivers in play on the PGA Tour the first week out, and multiple wins around the world since its introduction. Our staff appreciates the added ball speed of the driver and fairway woods and loves the sound. They are seeing from 2 to 4 mph gains in ball speed from the driver, which even the best players in the world are happy to find from their equipment alone.”

More photos

Ping G430 Max

Ping G430 LST

Ping G430 SFT

G430 Pricing, Specs

Head weights: 208 (LST), 206g (Max), 200g (SFT)
Swingweights: D3 (Max), D4 (LST), C9 (SFT)
Standard length: 45 3/4″ (Alta CB Black 55); 45 1/4″ (PING Tour 2.0 Chrome/Black and optional stock)
Stock shafts: Ping Alta CB (counter-balanced) Black 55 (SR, R, S), Ping Alta Quick 35/45 (HL build only)
Optional stock shafts: Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X), Ping Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X), Mitsubishi Kai’Li White 60 (S, X), PRJX HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 50 (5.5, 6.0), PRJX HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5)
Stock grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16”, Red -1/32”, Aqua -1/64”, White-Std, Gold +1/32”, Orange +1/16”)

Available lofts

• G430 Max: 9, 10.5, 12 degrees
• G430 LST: 9, 10.5 degrees
• G430 SFT: 10.5 degrees

Price: G430 Max/SFT: $600 each; G430 LST: $630 each

At retail: January 26. Pre-sell, fittings: January 10