PING G430 SFT Driver Review

If you’re looking for a draw-bias driver this year, PING’s offering in the anti-slice category is the PING G430 SFT. It features a moveable weight that can be set in either a Draw or Draw + setting. According to PING, on the Draw + setting, it delivers seven yards more draw bias versus the G430 Max version in neutral. 

WATCH: Gear Of The Week show discusses the new TaylorMade Stealth 2, Cobra Aerojet and Ping G430 

Playability has always been a major focus for PING, and the G’s family has been built on user-friendliness. This remains the case with the three new G430 drivers – that’s the Ping G430 Max (the standard model), the lower spinning Ping G430 LST driver, and this one, the PING G430 SFT. However, PING is also promising extra distance, something engineers have achieved through a shallower face, and one that is 6% thinner. Meanwhile, Variable Face Thickness delivers more face flexing, which should give golfers more ball speed on shots struck across the entire face.

What I like about the looks is that despite being a draw bias driver, it sits fairly square behind the ball. This neutral set up, along with the generous profile, gives it a confidence-inspiring appearance at address. Compared to the other two models in the range, the head is slightly longer from front to back. This slightly stretched out look works well here as it's fairly subtle and combined with a modern-looking matte black crown. 

So, what did the data say? I tested the PING G430 SFT against the other two new models, using a GC Quad launch monitor at Foresight Sports European HQ. The shaft was the PING Tour 2.0 65s, and the drivers were all set to 9˚. I hit Titleist Pro V1x golf balls. 

The first important point to make concerning the data is that often, when I switch into the bigger-looking draw-biased heads, I see a not too insignificant drop off in distance. However, this was not as noticeable with the G430 SFT. You will notice that it was the highest spinning of the three models (as you’d expect) but the head and ball speed were almost comparable with the LST version. As a result, I hit this further than both the Cobra Aerojet Max and Callaway Paradygm X drivers. 

The distance on offer from the PING G430 SFT was as surprising as it was pleasing.

The draw bias was noticeable too. From my testing, it was clear to see that my dispersion circle moved a few yards to the left (I had it fixed in the standard Draw setting). It is worth saying here that draw-biased drivers don’t tend to suit my game and can result in the odd miss left. During my G430 SFT testing however, this wasn’t a problem. My feeling is that because this sits square at address, I had the confidence to swing with just as much commitment as I did with the other two models. The result was a right-to-left ball flight that was consistently hitting the fairway.

All in all, I was hugely impressed with the performance of the G430 SFT driver. PING has combined aspirational aesthetics with impressive distance and consistency. Of the three new options from the brand, my choice would be the LST model but for me, the SFT was the surprise package. I might not be looking for a draw bias version myself, but if I had to to choose a draw model to play with this year, it would be this one.