Ping G430 LST Driver Review

Author: James Hunt - James first started playing golf at age 11, hitting the links with Dad on the weekends and a summer youth golf league. Relocating to sunny Myrtle Beach turned golf into a true passion (obsession) for him.

I am a golf fanatic with a 10.7 handicap, looking to break into single digits this year. Finding the right club off the tee will most certainly help me get there.

I recently tested the Ping G430 LST Driver. I had this driver for two weeks and had six range sessions and two rounds on the course. At the range I used the Rapsodo PLM to collect some shot data.

So without any further ado, here’s my Ping G430 LST Driver review:

Summary – Ping G430 LST Review

The Ping G430 LST Driver is the low spin “better players” offering in the G430 lineup (see G430 models below), and is a fine tuned machine to generate lots of ball speed, tons of distance, and low spin.

An all new Carbonfly Wrap crown and forged face reduce weight up top, and provide a lot more consistency across the face. A movable weight in the back and adjustable hosel allow you to fine tune your ball flight too.

Ping G430 Lineup:

• G430 Max – Most forgiving and adjustable weighting
• G430 SFT – Draw bias with up to 20 yards of shot correction
• G430 LST – Ultra low spin driver with movable weight

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My Full Ping G430 LST Driver Review

Features and Benefits

• Carbonfly Wrap Crown – New composite crown is ultra lightweight and wraps around the toe and heel to free up weight that is put low and forward
• T9S+ Forged Face – Variable thickness and extreme flex at impact generate greater forgiveness and distance
• Spinsistency – The face is designed with “variable roll” which lowers loft at the bottom of the face to keep spin consistent on mishits for this low spin driver
• Compact Head Design – Coming in at 440cc (20cc smaller than most drivers on the market) the smaller head increases aerodynamics and thus increases club head speed

Testing the Ping 430 LST

I tested the Ping G430 LST Driver for two weeks, and had six range sessions and two rounds on the course.

I went with the slick looking Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 shaft in a stiff flex with 9° of loft. I used my Rapsodo PLM to get some performance data while at the range.

My Experience with the Ping G430 LST Driver

Coming off a successful test of the G430 Max, I had high expectations for the LST. I thought “the Max was so long and forgiving, how much longer can Ping get if we sacrifice some of that forgiveness?” Unboxing was a treat as the new Ping drivers are a work of art, and who doesn’t like unboxing a new driver?!

I took it out to the range almost immediately. Boy was that a lot of fun! With a few practice swings I could feel the speed as it cut through the thick humid South Carolina air. I immediately noticed the club had a wiz sound to it as I swung. I loved it!

It didn’t take long to see that this driver was the longest club I have ever tested. Carry distance was 20 yards farther than my beloved gamer. Below is my Rapsodo data. Keep in mind these numbers are with range rocks (range balls tend to carry 10% less than a premium ball).

The distance gains with G430 LST comes with a price though. Reduced forgiveness. Well struck shots were absolutely incredible, but the margin for error is small. Anything towards the heel or toe would produce unwanted results, and as a double digit handicapper, it would happen more than I would like.

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My Grading of the G430 LST Driver

Distance (A+)

Who doesn’t want 20+ yards of extra carry distance? I sure do! Ping definitely developed a fast, brutal, distance machine with the Ping G430 LST Driver. It also sports a nice mid/low trajectory that increases roll out for lots of combined distance gains as well.

Forgiveness (C)

The Ping G430 LST driver has some forgiveness in its heart, but it is hard to come by. Rightfully so though. This club is designed for the better player that doesn’t need tons of forgiveness. If you’re finding the center of the club face consistently, you aren’t too concerned about this category much.

Playability/Workability (A)

The LST has lots of playability to generate draws and fades, but you have to possess the skill to create those shots on command. The trajectory suited my eye well, and I just knew it was ideal for maximum carry and roll out. The adjustable weight and hosel let you further tune in that shot shape you are looking for.

Looks (A+)

Like I mentioned with the Max, Ping really killed it with the design of the G430 lineup. They all have slight differences, but the general look is the same. Flat black mixed with white and hi-vis yellow make for an appealing look at address and in the bag.

Sound and Feel (B-)

I wasn’t crazy about the sound of the LST. The G430 Max was pretty muted, but the LST was even more so. It’s not bad, just not my cup of tea. Mishits were definitely felt during impact, which I prefer.

Customer Reviews

The G430 LST is getting fantastic reviews across the board. On the Ping website, it has all five star reviews other than a single one star review, which is an outlier. The review got one star because the driver cracked, which could happen to any club with a defect, and in the picture you can see the driver is actually a Max, not an LST.

Bottom Line – Why Consider the Ping G430 LST Driver?

The G430 LST is players driver with lots of benefits for that type of player. I am a mid handicap player though, and I was able to put together some decent rounds and find the fairway. If you are looking for more distance, less spin, and lower trajectory, the LST might be worth a shot!

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Who is the Ping G430 LST Driver For?

Low Handicap (YES)

The low spin and high ball speed make this a no brainer for single digit handicaps and lower.

Mid Handicap (Maybe)

There is a definite risk/reward for a mid handicapper and this driver. The LST will get you down the fairway farther, but you might struggle to find the fairway with the reduced forgiveness.

High Handicap (NO!)

I wouldn’t recommend this club to a higher handicap player. There are better options for you. Even in the G430 family! Stick with the G430 Max or SFT for much better results for your skill level.

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Alternate Choices

Titleist TSR4 – Titleist TSR4 has a compact head shape, adjustable weight, and low spin. Perfect comparison to the LST.

Paradym Triple Diamond – Tour preferred shape and performance. Smaller head shape to boost swing speed, and thus more ball speed.

TaylorMade Stealth 2 – Movable weight, and very long off the tee. Rory McIlroy hits BOMBS with this club.

Ping G425 LST (review) – check out the LST from a few years ago if you’re looking for a discount

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My Final Verdict of the Ping G430LST Driver

Being the first time trying a “players driver” I was a bit nervous that it would be impossible to hit, and I would embarrass myself for even trying it out. Not the case at all. This club lacks some forgiveness, but it’s by no means unhittable.

Some of the best drives I have ever hit were with the Ping G430 LST Driver.

I was finding myself with much closer approach shots on my home course. However, I did find new parts of the trees boarding the fairways with this club too. Personally, I am close, but not quite ready for a player’s driver. That is no knock on the LST though, because it is FANTASTIC!

I was able to get extensive testing done on this club thanks to Global Golf and their UTry Program. You definitely want to make sure the clubs you are buying are a good fit for your game, and the UTry program lets you put the clubs through their paces as you figure out if it’s for you or not.

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FAQ

When is the Ping G430 LST release date?

The Ping G430 LST driver release date was January 26, 2023.

Do any pros use the Ping G430 driver?

Yes, the pros using the Ping G430 LST are:

• Victor Hovland
• Jason Day
• Bubba Watson
• Keegan Bradley
• Louis Oosthuizen
• Sahith Theegala
• Tony Finau
• Tyrrell Hatton
• Lee Westwood
• Corey Conners
• Joaquin Niemann
• Joel Dahmen
• Harris English
• JJ Spaun
• Kevin Streelman
• Mackenzi Hughes
• Martin Laird
• Seamus Power
• Taylor Moore
• Victor Perez

Is the Ping G430 LST fade bias?

No, the Ping G430 LST driver is a neutral bias (or no bias) club. However, does have an adjustable weight and hosel to fine tune your desired ball flight.

What does ping LST stand for?

The Ping LST stands for Low Spin Tech, which is mostly referring to spin loft. SO it’s best suited for higher swing speed players.

What is the difference between G430 LST and MAX?

The difference between the Ping drivers G430 LST and Max is that the LST model sacrifices forgiveness on off center strikes for more distance. The Max is the opposite, more forgiveness with slightly less distance.