Ping G440 LST Driver Review
We take a look at the latest low-spin offering from Ping, the G440 LST…

Evolution rather than revolution. There are tangible technology improvements that will help golfers pick up a small amount of yardage and provide some more optimal ball flights, but the most noticeable improvements for me come from feel and off shots struck low in the face. This driver has already seen success on tour and will no doubt remain a favorite model among the low-handicap/high-speed golfer market.
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+Improved feel over G430 LST
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Exceptional off strikes low in the face
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One of the more forgiving low-spin drivers around
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Minimal performance gains over G430 LST
Why you can trust Golf Monthly
The Ping G430 LST was a roaring success on global professional tours in 2024. From scouring tour bags as I do, I would say that it was probably the most-played driver by non-contracted tour professionals in 2024 by some distance. As such the new Ping G440 LST driver has some big shoes to fill! I have been testing it out to see if it can take its place among the best drivers of 2025.
WATCH - Joe Ferguson puts the Ping G440 Max driver up against the TaylorMade Qi35!
From a tech standpoint, the story is mainly centered around CG location. Along with the G440 Max and G440 SFT, Ping has created a range with its lowest-ever CG locations and has done so through multiple discretionary weight-saving advancements higher up on the head.
A combination of a shallower face, lightweight carbon crown, and a technology Ping calls Free Hosel design (they have basically lightened the structure that houses the adapter sleeve), helps save significant weight in an attempt to align the CG closer to what Ping calls the force line for faster ball speed, optimal spin, and higher launch.
Essentially lowering the CG will give you more chance to hit those high-launching, low-spinning flights that we know offer maximum distance. The G440 LST (Low Spin) is a 450cc design that features a 29-gram back weight to offer stability while still trying to appeal to players with faster swing speeds, providing lower spin and more control.
Looks wise, it is a tale of two halves for me. Truth be told, I much preferred the design and colorway of the G430 range. Something about the new blue colorway just doesn’t do it for me, but that is totally subjective and you might very well love it! More importantly though, from the playing position it is as strong as ever. The slightly more compact 450cc head looks tidy behind the ball and the rest of the crown retains a very similar look to the exceptionally popular G430 LST. ‘If it aint broke, don’t fix it’.
I really enjoyed the performance on offer from the G440 LST, despite no real tangible or measurable improvements from the previous model. My standout performance factor was probably just how well it retained ball speed from strikes low on the face, which is maybe a somewhat biased opinion as this is very much my predominant miss. Not only from here did ball speed remain high, but it felt a lot more solid than comparable mishits on G430 LST where I sometimes noted some fairly prominent vibrations.
Aside from that, and a very slight increase in launch, I found the overall performance very similar to the G430 LST, which is by no means a bag thing. Finally, the slight fade bias which is synonymous with the LST model remains which will keep lower handicap players happy in the main.
Overall, I was pleased to see only minor refinements to what was a brilliant previous model, and if you are someone like me who tends to miss low on the face, then this is a must-try.
Head weight: 205 grams
Lofts(adjustable +-1.5°): (9°, 10.5°)
Stock shafts: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 55 (SR, R, S), PING Alta Quick 35/45 (HLbuild only)
Optional stock shafts: PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 65 (R, S, X), PING Tour 2.0 Black 65 (S, X),Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65 (S, X), PRJX Denali Red 50 (5.5, 6.0), PRJX Denali Red 60 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5), PRJX Denali Red 70 (6.0, 6.5)
Stock grip: Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes
RRP: $650 each with stock shaft
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Joe has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles. After a successful amateur career being involved in England squads at every age group, Joe completed his PGA degree qualification in 2014 as one of the top ten graduates in his training year and subsequently went on to become Head PGA Professional at Ryder Cup venue The Celtic Manor Resort. Equipment has always been a huge passion of Joe’s, and during his time at Celtic Manor, he headed up the National Fitting Centres for both Titleist and Taylormade. He’s excited to bring his knowledge of hardware to Golf Monthly in the form of equipment reviews and buying advice.
Joe lives in North Devon and still plays sporadically on the PGA West region circuit. His best round in recent years came earlier in 2023 where he managed a 9 under par 63 at Trevose GC in a Devon & Cornwall PGA Tournament.
Joe's current What's In The Bag?
Driver: Switch between TaylorMade Qi35 and Callaway Elyte TD - both with Fujikura Ventus Black 6-X
Fairway wood 1: TaylorMade BRNR Copper Mini Driver - Fujikura Ventus Black 7-X
Fairway wood 2: Callaway Apex UW 17˚- Fujikura Ventus Black 9-X
Irons: TaylorMade P7CB 3-PW with Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts
Wedges: Callaway Opus 50, 54, and 60 degrees - Project X LS 6.0 shafts
Putter: LAB Golf Oz.1 (zero shaft lean)
Ball: TaylorMade 2024 TP5x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 60R
Bag: Vessel Player IV Pro DXR Stand
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