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In this review, I’ll be taking a look at the PING G430 LST driver, which is the low-spin model in the G430 lineup.
Compared to the previous generation model, the G430 LST has a slightly smaller head volume and features new Carbonfly Wrap and Spinsistency technologies designed to squeeze out even more distance off the tee.
How does the G430 LST actually perform when put to the test? How does it compare to the G425 LST and the G430 MAX? Who is it best suited for? Is it worth putting in the bag?
Read on to find out what you need to know to make an informed purchase.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, stock shafts and stock grips are used when evaluating this club. In most cases, the golf clubs reviewed on Golfstead are acquired temporarily for testing purposes and are not purchased. The review that follows is based on the personal experience and research of the author. Because everyone’s swing and body are different, results with a particular club may differ from person to person.
What are the reviews like?
The G430 LST driver is critically acclaimed and currently has a 5/5 (100% recommended) rating on the PING website.
What People Like
- very fast off the face
- low spin makes for a penetrating trajectory
- very impressive forgiveness for a LS driver
- improved sound at impact
- adjustable sole weight
What People Don’t Like
- busy crown can be distracting
- slower swingers won’t see the full benefit
The Features
The standout feature of the G430 LST driver is probably the Carbonfly Wrap.
This is a very lightweight carbon composite piece that covers the back half of the driver and wraps into the toe and heel sections of the skirt. It has the following effects:
- it contributes to the improved sound of the driver
- it saves four grams of discretionary weight which is reallocated to lower the center of gravity (CG), leading to increased ball speeds, higher MOI (forgiveness), and lower spin
The G430 LST driver also has a compact 440cc head (5cc less than the G425 LST) which maintains a lower, penetrating trajectory with low spin and also allows for more control.
Aside from the above, the G430 LST driver has the same technologies as the G430 MAX, namely:
- T9S+ Forged Face: a shallower and thinner variable-thickness face (VFT) generates more face flexion at impact and thus increases ball speeds
- Spinsistency: modifies the roll profile and optimizes face curvature, particularly low on the face, to reduce spin for longer drives
- Tungsten Moveable Weight: a high-density 22g tungsten backweight can be moved into the heel, middle or toe positions to alter the ball flight by up to 7 yards
- Internal Ribbing: a new and improved internal rib structure combined with the increased curvature and stiffness of the sole, skirt and crown results in significantly improved sound at impact
- Crown Turbulators: a series of angled aerodynamic ridges on the crown that reduce drag for increased swing speed
Stock Info
The G430 LST driver is available in 9° and 10.5° standard lofts at 440cc.
An included Trajectory Tuning 2.0 adjustable hosel, lightweight and aerodynamic, offers eight loft and lie combinations to fine-tune your trajectory.
There are many stock shaft options offered at no upcharge including (not limited to) the PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65, PING Alta CB Black 55, Mitsubishi Kai’Li White 60, and Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 60.
The stock grips are the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 and Tour Velvet Cord, both of which are compatible with Arccos sensors.
Below are the specs of the PING G430 LST driver. Click or zoom to enlarge.
The Performance
Distance
In short, if your clubhead speed is at least 100 mph, you’re probably going to see big distance with the G430 LST — right up there with some of the longest low-spin drivers on the market.
With the 9° driver, spin was lower than the G430 MAX by 190-230 RPMs on average during my tests. Ball speeds and clubhead speeds were marginally higher.
What’s interesting was that I was getting a similar launch angle to the G430 MAX when I would have expected it to be lower. The overall trajectory, however, was lower and more penetrating, leading to more rollout and distance.
Forgiveness
I noted in my review of the G425 LST driver that the forgiveness was especially good for an LS driver and was comparable to many game-improvement drivers.
I feel the same with the G430 driver, but I’m even more impressed with the fact that this great forgiveness is maintained despite the fact that the head volume is even smaller (440cc vs 445cc).
Of course, dispersions are looser than the MAX model, but distance and directional loss on mis-hits is very respectable. I find this to be the case the most when the tungsten sole weight is in the middle (back) position.
Playability/Trajectory
Naturally, the G430 LST tends to produce a lower, more penetrating trajectory than the G430 MAX. My tests produced a peak height that was about six yards lower.
Like with the MAX model, a moveable sole weight can be used to alter ball flight, although the weight is 3g lighter. Putting the weight in the heel, toe and middle positions will result in draw, fade and neutral biases, respectively.
What I like about about the adjustable weight is that during a non-competitive round, you can change it on the fly based on what your shot tendency is that day. This can go a long way towards improving your scores.
The compact head shape and low-spin properties allow for some great workability. I imagine most golfers would have no difficulties shaping shots off the tee.
The Look
The G430 LST driver has a smaller, Tour-like (440cc) head compared to the G430 MAX. It has what resembles more of a pear shape, with less elongation from front to back.
With that said, I do find that the distinct transition to the Carbonfly Wrap region, which has a slightly different pattern and shade, makes the driver look longer that it actually is, in contrast to the previous G425 model.
This could be considered a good thing if you find that it gives you more confidence behind the ball, but not everyone will be a fan of this “two-piece” crown style.
Aside from that, the G430 LST looks relatively clean and compact at address, and despite the visual changes such as the addition of some yellow accents, it still has that PING feel to it.
The Sound & Feel
When I reviewed the G425 LST, I noted how the sound was more muted/dampened than the MAX model.
The G430 LST continues this trend, producing a lower-toned and more dull sound at impact than its MAX counterpart, but the sound is better than it has ever been. It’s not as muted as some other drivers, but it’s just right in my opinion.
Many people think the sound of the G430 LST is a game-changer, and I would have to agree. It’s amazing what engineering talent and some R&D can accomplish.
The feel is surprisingly stable for a low-spin driver, and it’s also powerful. Mis-hits feel a little similar to sweet spot strikes, but there’s generally enough difference there to discern the area of impact. And unlike with the G425 LST, I found that the clearest mis-hit feedback comes through the hands and arms.
Where To Buy This Driver Online
Online availability of PING golf clubs is more limited than other manufacturers.
One of the best places to pick up the G430 LST driver (new or used) is eBay. You can typically find deals here that you can’t find anywhere else.
You can also check the stock at Global Golf and PGA TOUR Superstore. These merchants may offer club trade-ins, points programs, or other perks to enhance your purchasing experience.
Conclusion
PING pulls it off yet again with another beast of a low-spin driver.
The G430 LST puts out some serious yards, it looks awesome, it has excellent forgiveness, and the sound is better than ever. In fact, if you have enough swing speed (100+ mph or so) to achieve a good trajectory, there’s no reason not to get the LST over the other models in the G430 lineup.
Apart from a look at address which some players may find distracting, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything to criticize about this driver.
If you already have a G425 LST and you can get a good trade-in value for it, it’s definitely worth the upgrade.
Are you interested in the G430 LST driver? Have you played it? What’s your experience? Fill us in down below.
