FIRST LOOK: Ping G430 drivers, fairway woods, and hybrid from Shriners Children’s Open

The Shriners Children’s Open has been a smorgasbord of new equipment, and Tour players are getting their first official look at what Ping has in store for consumers in 2023 with the new G430 metal wood lineup. At first glance, there’s a lot of new technology mixed in with some continuing tech, as the famous turbulators are here to stay on the driver to go along with the rear-located CG shifter.

As was rumored based on patent drawings that were uncovered by some serious equipment sleuths, the G430 LST driver has gone to a carbon crown to push the COG lower to increase launch and lower spin without sacrificing forgiveness.

Ping’s adjustable sleeve is also remaining the same, which is also music to many golfers’ ears.

The last time Ping used carbon in one of its drivers was back in 2006 with the original Rapture driver. The green colorway of the new G430 gear is a nice little design nod to that former product line.

The G430 Max driver does NOT have a carbon crown, but the G430 Max fairway woods and hybrids are equipped with carbon crown technology too. Just like the driver, they offer a lower center of gravity and increased MOI.

One of the biggest pieces of feedback from the Ping reps as well as players on the range at TPC Summerlin was the lower and more muted sound from the G430 Max and LST drivers. We can likely attribute a big reason for the acoustic change coming from the carbon crown with the G430 LST model, but for the all-titanium construction of the G430 Max there is a good chance some internal geometry has been adjusted.

We don’t have any more technical details about what’s going on inside of the new G430 metal woods, but we will continue to follow this story as more details become available.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2022? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below.