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Ping has been hugely popular over the years with their drivers and it's for good reason. in 2024, things have only gone from strength to strength, with the introduction of the Ping G430 Max.

As you'll have heard, this driver features 10K MOI, which makes it extremely forgiving. This is a great achievement for Ping, but when it comes to the latest drivers, how do they compare to the previous generations? Well, let me tell you. We have put the Ping G410, Ping G425 drivers head-to-head with the latest offering in the Ping G430 range. 

Ping Driver Head-to-Head

SUPER FORGIVING!
Credit: Ping
Ping G430 image
Ping G430
Pings most forgiving drivers combined with speed and distance

PROS

  • Max 10K most stable and forgiving option 
  • Carbon Fly Wrap in LST and Max 10K models 
  • Shallower and thinner VFT for faster speeds 
  • Four models to choose from 

CONS

  • Still rocking the turbulators...
Available for £549 from Ping

First up, we've got the 2024 offering and Ping's current most forgiving model.

Ping has added to their already extensive G430 range with the addition of the G430 Max 10K. This is their fourth model in the G430 range and the one most designed with forgiveness in mind. The G430 range consists of the same low spinning, forgiving and straighter head designs like the G410 and G425 but with new technologies and refinements we are looking at more speed and distance with the same level of forgiveness.

There is the usual suspects like the turbulators reducing drag for better aerodynamics on the crown. The VFT forged face is thinner which is why you will see faster speeds off the club face across the whole range. The Crabon Fly Wrap has been added to the LST and Max 10K models which covers the crown and wraps into the heel/toe sections of the skirt. This helps to reposition weight and lower the CG for more ball speed, less spin and higher MOI.  

The MAX 10K is a shallow 460cc head which has a fixed weight of a whopping 28 grams which has been increased thanks to weight saved from the Carbon Fly Wrap. 
The LST is a more compact head shape with an adjustable 22g tungsten backweight, which influences shot shape with the difference of seven yards between the Draw, Neutral and Fade settings. 

The MAX is a 460cc head shape and was the most forgiving of the three options until the MAX 10K was introduced. It features a moveable 25g tungsten backweight which influences shot shape with the difference of eight yards between the Draw, Neutral and Fade settings.

STILL GOING STRONG!
Credit: Ping
Ping G425 image
Ping G425
The original 10K MOI driver!

PROS

  • Max model is ahead of its time with 10K MOI
  • T9S+ Forged face great feel and speed
  • Dragonfly tech within the crown helps to free up weight 
  • Acoustic ribs to help tune the sound 

CONS

  • Sorry, but it's the turbulators again. Not for me!
Available from £349

The goal for Ping with the G425 range is to provide golfers with greater forgiveness, more distance, improved consistency with every swing, better models to choose from and expanded custom fitting capabilities. Just like the G410 family we have the MAX, SFT and LST models that are designed to deliver forgiveness, straighter flights, lower spin but how do they differ.

Ping stepped up the MOI design even more in the MAX delivering a 10,000 MOI driver which is as forgiving as it gets (Seriously, that's the legal limit for MOI in a driver!). It uses a hefty 26 gram tungsten weight which sits low at the back of the club for more stability. It essentially has the adjustability of the G410 the CG of the G400 but even more extreme. The SFT has a fixed 23 gram weight to straighten out that flight. This 460cc head differs from the other models as it has a stationary weight in the heel to offer extreme draw bias for those of you who prone to slicing it. Ping say you can expect more than 25 yards of draw bias compared to the G425 MAX and over ten yards more than the G410 SFT. The LST is designed with a smaller 445cc head and will spin 700rpm less to maximise distance.

All the drivers feature the Dragonfly tech within the crown which helps to free up weight to reposition it elsewhere. The titanium 8-1-1 head has acoustic ribs to help tune the sound and feel of each model, while Trajectory Tuning 2.0 in the hosel allows you to dial in your loft and lie. The T9S+ Forged face is Ping’s patented VFT structure which delivers fast ball speeds from the sweet spot but also consistently high ball speed across the face, for more forgiveness and consistency. 

INCREDIBLE VALUE!
Credit: Ping
Ping G410 image
Ping G410
Ideal if you're looking for more speed and forgiveness at a great price point

PROS

  • The Max model offers over 9,000 MOI for great forgiveness.
  • Adjustable weighting in MAX and LST to straighten out ball flight. 
  • Ti 9S+ forged face creates additional ball speed 
  • Aerodynamic crown with more efficient turbulators 

CONS

  • The look of the turbulators may put people off 
Available from £240

The Ping G410 was a first for Ping, as it featured a moveable weight on the back of the driver head. The Max model of this driver offers 9,000 MOI. The G410 has adjustability in the MAX and LST models, so you can move weights from three different ports.

The aerodynamic crowns featured more efficient turbulators, with a Ti 9S+ forged face which comes together to generate additional ball speed. The turbulators are designed to boost your clubhead speed by effectively reducing drag on the downswing.

The Ti 9S+ face powers a thinner, hotter impact area that is precision machined for maximum flexing, leading to more ball speed across the entire face. Alongside the G410 Plus and G410 LST we also have the G410 SFT driver, which has been designed to help your slice. It shares all of the same technologies as the G410 Plus but a stationary 16g tungsten weight positions mass 50% more heel-side (compared to G400 SFT) and its lighter swing weight help square the face to deliver that draw you’ve been searching for.

The Max is high in MOI offering forgiveness and distance with adjustability, while the LST is low spinning, with forward CG producing more distance in a slightly more compact shape. Finally, the SFT is designed to straighten out that slice with it’s fixed weight increase the MOI and forgiveness at impact.

Conclusion

There’s no denying the new Ping G430 range is going to be popular across the board with their four options, which includes the new MAX 10K driver. But, you can see the journey Ping have taken to deliver more adjustability, higher MOI, thinner VFT faces for faster ball speed, more CG weighting for straighter drives and Carbon Fly Wraps to save weight and improve performance. A lot of tech, I know, but it's all there and it shows up in performance.

From the G410 range through the G425 and in to the G430 you can see the steps and refinements made to deliver the longest, straightest and most forgiving options possible from Ping.

The G430 range has you covered with four options and Ping's most forgiving driver to date. But, if you are price sensitive then take a look at the previous generations as the forgiveness and design from the G410 and G425 is very impressive.  

Want to see how the latest new gear performs? Of course you do! Head over to the bunkered YouTube channel for the details

How we picked

Performance Consistency

We meticulously evaluated each piece of equipment's performance across a number of variables.

Forgiveness and Playability

With golf clubs, our assessment always considered the versatility and forgiveness levels, especially on off-centre strikes.

Innovative Technology

We scrutinise the incorporation of innovative technology in each piece of equipment we review.

Customisation

We consider factors like adjustable features and customisation options available to the buyer.


author headshot

James Tait is bunkered’s Gear Editor. Want to know how the latest Callaway driver, Vokey wedge or Scotty Cameron putter performs? He’s the guy to ask. Better yet, just watch his videos on the bunkered YouTube channel. One of the biggest hitters in the UK, James also competes on the World Long Drive circuit and is a descendent of former Amateur champion Freddie Tait.

Gear Editor

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