The Green Fee What a weekend it was for golf equipment geeks like me! The biggest new coming out was PING introducing a new driver. The G430 has hit the USGA conforming list. While we dont have all the specs or really any information besides the fact it is a thing… We can wildly speculate. For long time readers you will know I love to discuss what makes families of clubs the same and then what makes them different. This wont be much different.
Carbon Crown
For years PING and Titleist have not used a carbon crown. For whatever reason those two companies havent changed their philosophy until now. Now before you start screaming that PING has used carbon fiber before, I know they did back in the day with the Rapture driver but for a LONG time Carbon Fiber wasnt used. On these new G430s we will see a carbon fiber crown. In my opinion it looks VERY much like an original M1 or M2. You have this massive piece of Titanium on the front then carbon fiber in the back. It makes a very striking contrast in color and finish. Using the carbon crown is beneficial for a few reasons. First of all it will lower the CG making the ball launch higher. By keeping the titanium need the front of the face it also pulls the weight forward. If the weight is low and forward we could see some serious high launch lower spin drives which will really produce those distances we see from other companies.
New Color Scheme
Ping is introducing a new color scheme. While this doesnt affect the playability of the club it does determine if its going to be a winner at retail. I personally am not a fan of the lime green but to be honest its been a proven winner at retail with the Taylormade M1 and M2 focusing heavily on that color.
Turbulators
Turbulators are back. When I had a G420 they didnt exactly bother me but if I am being honest they are kind of ugly. I am not sure how they havent figured out a way to get rid of them but they look to be returning. If that has kept you from a PING driver in the past dont get your hopes up
3 Models
This year like in previous years we are getting 3 models from PING.
G430 LST
The LST is the model for those guys who need less spin. I typically think of the guy with a higher swing speed or the guy who hits way down on the ball. Hell sometimes that guy is both. This is often times the head shape you will find most often on tour. A little less forgiving but the distance gained is much greater.
G430 MAX
PING has always used the name MAX for MAXIMUM MOI. This is PING’s driver for most players. Its what I played and I have seen high handicaps play it. It really is a driver for all people. The compatability of the driver to work for everyone is quite an amazing feat. The G430 MAX looks no different. If you know you dont hit it dead in the middle everytime youll do yourself a disservice if you dont try it
G430 SFT
The SFT model is used for the player who slices quite a bit and needs some help straightening that out. PING designs the driver to put more weight heel side so that the toe can come around a little faster and help close that face. Now the biggest change Ive seen on the SFT is the adjustable weight. In the G425 the adjustable weight was fixed. In the G430 the weight can go from “draw” to “Draw+”. This will allow players to fine tune their shot a little bit more as we go.