By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Aug 21, 2024
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Key Takeaways – The Ping G425 LST Driver
- LST stands for “Low Spin Technology”
- Tour pros Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau, and Cameron Champ game the LST
- A better player’s big stick (handicaps sub-teens)
- Best suited for high swing speeds and consistent contact
- Low spin provides penetrating ball flight and maximum roll-out
- The smaller head shape moves quickly through the strike zone
The Ping G425 LST Driver Review
G425 “LST” stands for Low Spin Technology and is Ping’s “widowmaker”, the big stick for fine-tuning your flight potential to hit bombs.
Your Norwegian wonder Viktor Hovland and homegrown heroes Cameron Champ and Tony Finau all play a version of the 9º and 10.5º head with massive results.
All of them average over 300y per drive with Champ leading the PGA Tour in 2019 at one point with 321.3y per drive (supposedly 0.1 yards off the record.)
*Spoiler Alert* it’s possible to carry 300y with this stick absent the PGA credentials!
Ping G425 LST Driver Review
Lofts Available: 9º, 10.5º
Spin: Low
Pros:
- Spin reduction is excellent and effective
- Sleek/smaller head
- Stability! For a small head, it moves through the ball so well
- More forgiving than other “low spin” heads I’ve tested
- Roll out! The ball will keep moving long after it lands
- Launch control and peak height are on the low end among competitors
Cons:
- Less forgiving than the Max edition
- Mid-pack for pure distance among competitors
- Off-center strikes deflect the face more than in the Max
- Lack of stock low spin/launch shaft options for high swing speed players
Lofts Available
Adjustable 9º and 10.5º (for a full write-up on how to select the right driver loft, check this article out)
Handicap Range
The Pro to 13 drivers are designed for speed, penetrating ball flight, and low spin drives, catering to players comfortable driving the ball with higher swing speeds and excellent center contact. However, it can be unforgiving if you hit the ball too far outside of the sweet spot.
Technical Review
The G425 LST model The model incorporates the same advanced technology as its counterparts in this version but is designed to achieve an optimal balance between weight, launch, and spin for generating long, penetrating ball flights with the maximum roll-out.
One maxim in golf is that weight at the back of the club coupled with a low CG will help facilitate launch and spin for control. Players that have higher swing speeds (think 105+ mph) will often benefit from the forgiveness of models like the Max, but struggle with sky-high launch angles and spin numbers above 3,000 RPMs.
This will result in loss of distance, and even unwanted flight patterns if side-spin is a factor. The G425 LST is designed to curb both issues with a more compact head and balanced weight profile.
While the Max and SFT drivers boast 26 and 23 grams of tungsten weight positioned low in the head, the G425 LST driver reduces that weight with a slightly higher seated 17g weight.
The club head is also designed to be slightly more compact at 445cc than its siblings. Ping advertises that they have managed to drop spin numbers an additional 200-400 rpm from the G410 LST, an already proven low spin driver. That’s truly impressive.
Performance – My Test Results
Driver review for G425 LST: The driver demonstrates impressive distance and precision due to the latest Ping technology integrated with a smaller head and moveable weight. This combination effectively reduces launch angle and spin while maintaining excellent ball speed.
- Ball flight was lower and more penetrating
- We have rolled it out!
My drives tend to be long, but all carry. Similar to my irons, my drives typically get out fast and high to essentially hop and stop close to where it landed even at 280+ yards.
When employing oversized drivers, I have observed that the acceleration of backspin data increases proportionally with the velocity of my swing. This engenders inconsistencies in the distance achieved by the ball. Furthermore, even a mild breeze can precipitate a deviation of up to 30 yards in the yardage covered by a meticulously executed shot, failing to meet my anticipated outcomes.
**Spoiler Alert** I was still able to break 300y with this bad boy without significant extra effort!
Here, the G425 LST tech worked for me by keeping backspin under 3000 and consistently helping me get the ball downrange with a more controlled rise through the air. Further confirmation that the head was doing something right is evident as I was able to tack on an extra 10-20 yards of roll-out.
Results:
While the aforementioned discoveries are unquestionably positive, it’s crucial to recognize that the range capability of G425 LST presents a dual nature…
Front-to-back dispersion is the least consistent for the G425 LST out of its siblings. While I enjoyed hitting powerful drives, it’s important to make precise contact due to the smaller club head.
Deviations of more than half a ball outside the central turbulators resulted in a significant decrease in overall carry and total distance compared to the Max.
LST giveth, and LST taketh-away!
Players who are comfortable driving the ball and who are consistently in the strike zone will benefit the most from this head.
Sound and Feel
The G425 LST driver feels quick through impact and the ball jumps off the face on centered strikes. Feedback on strike location is more pronounced than the SFT and Max models.
It’s on par with what you would come to expect from the G400 and G410 series, if not a little bit softer with the innovations of the Forged Face Technology and updated Dragonfly webbing. The experience of hitting was very enjoyable and lacked any metallic sensation.
Moreover, the sound still has a loud rapport, but it doesn’t rise to the level of the Max.
Pros
- Spin reduction is excellent and effective
- Launch control and peak height are on the low end among competitors
- Stability! For a small head, it moves through the ball so well
- Sleek/smaller head
- The tested head is more forgiving compared to other low-spin heads.
- Roll out! The ball will keep moving long after it lands
Cons
- Less forgiving than the Max edition
- Off-center strikes deflect the face more than in the Max
- Lack of stock low spin/launch shaft options for high swing speed players
- Mid-pack for pure distance among competitors
Alternate Colors
Bubba Watson has developed a distinctive hot pink color scheme for his driver, which is now available to the public. This exceptional driver design is worth checking out.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a Ping aficionado and swing for the stars, you’ll love the G425 LST driver model for pure distance and control.
Ping has introduced a new club that combines their renowned accuracy with a smaller design, making it attractive to golfers with high swing speeds looking for increased distance.
Here is a video review of The Ping G425 LST Driver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0kTBer6PzQ&pp=ygUZVGhlIFBpbmcgRzQyNSBMU1QgRHJpdmVyIA%3D%3D
Lofts Available: 9º, 10.5º
Spin: Low
Pros:
- Spin reduction is excellent and effective
- Sleek/smaller head
- Stability! For a small head, it moves through the ball so well
- More forgiving than other “low spin” heads I’ve tested
- Roll out! The ball will keep moving long after it lands
- Launch control and peak height are on the low-end among competitors
Cons:
- Less forgiving than the Max edition
- Mid-pack for pure distance among competitors
- Off-center strikes deflect the face more than in the Max
- Lack of stock low spin/launch shaft options for high swing speed players
Other Drivers in the Ping G425 Family
There are 2 other drivers in the G425 family line… If you’re looking for a more forgiving option, check out our article on the Ping G425 Max driver review here, and if you’re battling the dreaded slice, the Ping G425 SFT driver review might be more to your liking.
Alternative Drivers to the Ping LST G425
Ping G430 LST
Yes, in 2023, Ping released the next generation of their flagship driver series. Back again (and better than ever?) is the LST for the low handicap category. Check out our Ping G430 LST Driver review and test here.
TaylorMade SIM 2
The SIM 2 is TaylorMade’s low-spin driver model that is similar to the G425 LST; however, there are some differences though, so if you want to check that out, our review of the TaylorMade SIM 2 driver can be found here.
Callaway Epic Speed
Callaway’s Epic Speed is the most similar model in their driver lineup to the LST. The Speed driver is considered the most skilled in the line, comparable to the Ping LST for golfers; although, not technically a “low-spin” model, it offers a “Max LS” version.
We have a full review of the Epic Speed over here (and the Epic Max LS right here if you do want to check that one out).
Cobra Radspeed
Cobra does have a low spin option as well, the Radspeed. It’s pretty comparable to the LST but a little different obviously. Our full write-up of the Cobra Radspeed can be found here.
Best Golf Drivers In this Same Category
If you’re someone who’s looking for other low spin or advanced level drivers, we have a massive write-up on the top 5 best drivers along with a buying guide if you want to check that out as well.
Lofts Available: 9º, 10.5º
Spin: Low
Pros:
- Spin reduction is excellent and effective
- Sleek/smaller head
- Stability! For a small head, it moves through the ball so well
- More forgiving than other “low spin” heads I’ve tested
- Roll out! The ball will keep moving long after it lands
- Launch control and peak height are on the low-end among competitors
Cons:
- Less forgiving than the Max edition
- Mid-pack for pure distance among competitors
- Off-center strikes deflect the face more than in the Max
- Lack of stock low spin/launch shaft options for high swing speed players
FAQ
Some of the Pros using the Ping G425 are Viktor Hovland, Louis Oosthuizen, Tony Finau, Bubba Watson, Cameron Champ, Stewart Cink, Tyrrell Hatton, and more.
The Ping G425 LST driver is not a very forgiving club. It’s geared more towards lower handicap players who can consistently hit the sweet spot and are looking to lower spin and add some distance to their drives
LST on the Ping Driver stands for Low Spin Technology. The ‘low spin’ term is for players who have a very high swing speed (105mpg +) and need to reduce spin to achieve a lower ball flight.
The Ping LST driver operates by relocating the weight to the lower rear of the club, resulting in decreased spin and a lower apex of the ball’s flight.
The driver that Bubba Watson uses is the G425 LST driver from Ping. Bubba occasionally utilizes a unique color palette, which is accessible to everyone, and features different assortments of vibrant pink hues.
keep posting bro. Its important to have alternatives to Plugged In Golf and my golf spy. I enjoy their content very much as I did yours.
Thanks man! I’m just trying to offer up my honest opinion as unbiased as I can to help you guys make these important decisions haha 🤙