Ping G430 SFT Driver Review

Paul Liberatore
written by Paul Liberatore
Last Modified Date: 
September 21, 2024

Ping’s 2024 family of G430 drivers is arguably one of the most technologically advanced the company has released in a long time.  In my previous reviews, we looked at the G430 Max 10K and G430 LST drivers. 

Today’s review is about the last driver in this year’s Ping line, the G430 SFT.  If you’re like me and fight the dreaded slice from the tee, keep reading because this driver just might be the answer to your prayers.

Key Features

  • Straight Flight Technology incorporates a 22-gram backweight that can be adjusted to give golfers up to 20 yards of draw bias.
  • Variable thickness T9S+ titanium clubface creates increased deflection for explosive ball speeds.
  • Variable roll radius utilizes Spinsitency to reduce loft on the bottom of the clubface which in turn reduces spin.

Who Should Buy the Ping G430 SFT Driver?

This driver isn’t perfect for everybody.  If you’re a high-speed swinger that naturally draws the ball, the G430 LST or G430 Max 10K might be better options for you. 

However, if you’re like me, and so many other weekend warriors that battle a nasty slice, this driver could be just the club you need to start hitting more fairways and gaining distance from the tee.

Design and Technology

Like I mentioned above, this newest line of Ping G430 drivers is loaded with tech and design features. 

The backbone of the G430 SFT is a 22-gram backweight that sits in the back of the clubhead.  This adjustable weight positions the CG in a position that adds up to 13 yards of draw bias.  If you are looking for even more right-to-left correction, just move the weight into the draw+ position for an additional seven yards.

The clubface in the D430 SFT is made of T9S+ titanium.  This material is incredibly hard, and it increases deflection with the ball at impact to deliver missile-like ball speeds and added distance.

The variable roll radius and Spinsitency help to reduce spin, especially on thin shots that have a tendency to spin more, stray offline, and lose distance.

Trajectory Tuning 2.0 gives golfers eight different positions that allow them to optimize trajectory, spin, launch, and ball flight.

Lastly, the R&D team at Ping spent countless hours studying harmonics and audio frequencies to create an internal rib structure that results in a solid sound at impact.

Clearly, there wasn’t anything that Ping missed in concocting the G430 SFT driver.

PING G430 SFT Driver
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Specs

The Ping G430 SFT driver comes in a standard loft of 10.5 degrees.  That can be adjusted 1.5 degrees up or down. 

Length is 45.75” and the lie angle is 58.50 degrees. 

The clubhead size is 460cc and it weighs 200g. 

Swing weight is C9.

Stock shaft options include:

  • Ping Alta CB Black 55 in soft regular, regular, and stiff flex
  • Ping Alta Quick in regular and stiff flex
  • Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 in regular, stiff, and extra stiff flex
  • Ping Tour 2.0 Black 65 in stiff and extra stiff flex
  • Mitsubishi Kai’Li White 60 in stiff and extra stiff flex
  • HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 50 in stiff and extra stiff flex
  • HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 60 in regular, stiff, and extra stiff flex

Our Experience

As someone who fights a slice off the tee more often than I care to admit, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the Ping G430 SFT driver.  And man, I’m glad I did.

From the very first shot I hit with this driver, it was easy to see that my ball flight was going to be a lot straighter.  Not only did I keep my drives online, but I gained some noticeable distance too. 

The Trajectory Tuning 2.0 feature and 22-gram back weight made it a piece of cake to dial in the driver’s settings to my optimal launch and ball flight.

Lastly, I really like the sound this driver made.  A lot of the drivers I tested this year were loud and tinny.  Not the G430 SFT.  Its internal rib structure delivered a sound that was solid.  There wasn’t anything muffled or tinny about it.

PROS

  • 22-gram back weight and Trajectory Tuning 2.0 feature makes adjustment for your individual swing simple and easy.
  • T9S+ titanium clubface is one of the hottest Ping has ever made and gives golfers increased ball speed.
  • Multitude of stock shaft options make the fitting process easy.

CONS

  • May not be the best driver for golfers that don’t battle a slice.
  • C9 swing weight might be too light for golfers that swing at a high rate of speed.
  • Only one standard loft option may be a deterrent for some golfers.

Conclusion

The majority of recreational golfers fight a slice.  It’s been that way since the beginning of time and will likely remain the case for as long as golf is played.

Luckily, Ping has engineered a driver that largely mitigates that awful shot to the right in the G430 SFT. 

If you’re sick and tired of losing distance and slicing the ball way offline, give the Ping G430 SFT driver a try.  It worked for me, and I have a good feeling it will work for you too.

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