As the golfing world is getting excited about drivers with a Moment of Inertia touching or exceeding 10,000g / cm2, PING were arguably the first to the punch with their G430 10K Max, but where does it fit in their current range and what do you gain?
The PING G430 has been a huge success for the brand and one of the top selling drivers in 2023. Their line-up is easy to understand, delivering a blend of distance and forgiveness depending on your requirements.
When we managed to get our hands on the G430 10K Max we first needed to understand why it was needed and how it would differ from the rest in the range. After taking the headcover off for the first time, it was quick to see that this behemoth was certainly different. It might say it’s 460cc, but it’s also been pushed to the legal dimension limit as well.
Having the maximum allowable heel to tow and front to back dimensions has allowed the PING engineers to extend the perimeter weighting and ultimately more forgiveness, especially when the fixed tungsten back weight is added.
Not only has this been the formula for exceeding 10,000g Cm2 but ability to move the tungsten weight has driven the mass down and back to increase forgiveness and optimise the centre if gravity.
Putting the centre of gravity all the way back in the head was the easiest way to increase forgiveness but it could also send spin rates through the ceiling. The positioning of the back weight in the G430 10K Max is balanced to lower the spin and ball speed consistency across the face.
The shallower face height, paired with the G430s variable titanium face thickness design, delivers faster ball speeds but consistent spin across the face. Ideal for golfers that have inconsistent strike patterns, which is nearly all of us!
Normally, I wouldn’t opt for a club designed around forgiveness, as they all tend to spin too high and my ball flight just stalls. This is why I always get fitted for lower spin heads. The downside is even though I’m optimised on the TrackMan for distance at a fitting centre, that does not consider what happens on the course. I might hit one out of the screws occasionally but there isn’t a low spinning driver on the market that loves a low heel strike.
The G430 10K Max is a monster and the size does negatively affect swing speed, but it is just so stable and consistent. Though the surprise was the ball speed, which was the same as the G430LS with a 1.5+ higher swing speed.
The huge surprise was the spin rate, as most drivers with a high MOI would have my tee shots topping 3,000+rpm, but the 10K MAX was averaging just below 2,700rpm. This was all prior to my lesson with Nick Huby at the Pete Cowen Academy. I did get Nicholas Poppleton to rip a couple and although it spun a little high for a 114mph swing speed Tour player, it wasn’t too far behind his gamer, but the larger head size did reduce his swing speed by 1.7mph.
The G430 10K Max is such a confidence inspiring club to hit and the fact the spin rates are not through the roof is testament to the PING engineers. If I was playing in a monthly medal or knockout I would consider putting this in the bag, as it finds fairways for fun. Though after the driver lesson with Nick, I’m trying to find a Venus 6-TX shaft, as a spin rate close to 2,000rpm with this head could be just what I’m after.
