Is this Ping’s best low-spin driver yet? The G440 LST delivers speed and playability

Faster, tighter, and more playable than ever before. Ping’s latest low-spin weapon delivers elite performance for more than just elite players

Low spin drivers used to come with compromises, great if you flushed it, punishing if you didn’t. But the Ping G440 LST flips that narrative and is one of the best drivers in 2025. This isn’t just a driver for elite ball strikers; it’s a modern weapon for confident golfers who want speed, control, and surprising forgiveness in one sleek package.

With new face tech and subtle refinements throughout, the G440 LST proves that low spin doesn’t have to mean high risk. While the G430 LST was a solid performer, the G440 LST brings a thinner, more explosive face and improved consistency on mishits. This version doesn’t just appeal to tour-level ball strikers; it’s a legitimate contender for a wide range of skilled golfers.

After the G430 Max 10k picked up a string of accolades in the 2024 Today’s Golfer testing, the pressure was on. Fortunately, the G440 LST rose to the occasion, offering explosive ball speeds, improved dispersion, and playability that stretches beyond the low-handicapper category.

Rather than spending months on a new name or flashy redesign, Ping has honed in on refining what made the G430 such a hit. After attending the G440 media reveal at Ping’s headquarters in Scottsdale late last year, it was clear that the engineering team’s philosophy is continual improvement, not reinvention. The Ping G440 family is essentially a polished evolution of the G430’s success.

The Ping G440 driver family comprises three models, each tailored for distinct types of players. The Ping G440 Max will be the most popular, delivering the highest level of forgiveness, while the Ping G440 LST is geared towards players with faster swing speeds, offering lower spin. The Ping G440 SFT is designed for golfers who struggle with a slice, featuring features that encourage a draw. But here we’re focusing on just one, the Ping G440 Max Driver.

The Ping G440 family also includes fairway woods, hybrids, and irons, all available for more in-depth exploration via the links below.

• Everything you need to know about Ping G440 fairway woods
• Everything you need to know about Ping G440 hybrids
• Everything you need to know about Ping G440 irons

Ping’s new G440 driver line aims to redefine performance, blending cutting-edge technology with the brand’s signature forgiveness. Key innovations, such as the deepest center of gravity (CG) ever in a Ping driver and a redesigned, shallower, and thinner face, deliver enhanced energy transfer, stability, and playability, ensuring exceptional results on every swing.

Looks, Sound, and Feedback: 5/5

The G440 LST shares its core visual identity with the Max and SFT models, a clean, confidence-inspiring matte CarbonFly crown, subtle Turbulators, and that unmistakably modern Ping sole design. It’s a head shape golfers have come to know and trust over the years, but what really stood out to me was its simplicity. There are no bold graphics or loud colors, just a sleek carbon crown and an equally refined sole that give it a premium, no-nonsense look.

Where the LST differs from the rest of the family is in head volume and shaping. At 445cc, it’s more compact than the Max and SFT, with a more pear-shaped profile that players with faster swings will likely prefer. The top line is clean and sits beautifully flush at the address, which I really appreciate. It doesn’t look open or closed behind the ball, just square and confidence-inspiring. That might sound like a small detail, but for me, it makes a big difference.

There’s something about the way the G440 LST frames the ball that makes it feel incredibly hittable, like it’s just going to go straight. The contrast between the matte black carbon crown and the subtle Turbulators also helps with alignment. Nothing jumps out or distracts the eye; the design is understated, balanced, and just works. It’s one of those drivers that puts you at ease before you’ve even made a swing.

I found the sound is more lively and punchy, with a sharper note than the Max but without being harsh. The feel through the hands is exceptional, offering plenty of feedback while maintaining a satisfying solidness on center strikes, and most importantly, good feel and performance of mishits.

Distance and Spin: 5/5

The G440 LST delivers exactly what you want from a low-spin driver and more…tight dispersion, long, piercing shots, and even forgiveness. The new thinner face improves energy transfer and launch efficiency, even on slightly off-center hits. It’s an evolution of the G430, not a reinvention, and that’s exactly why it works so well.

In testing, we had the G440 LST ranking 5th for ball speed and carry across all drivers, an impressive leap over its predecessor. Lateral dispersion was even more impressive, 2nd only to the Wilson Dynapower LS. While spin wasn’t the absolute lowest out of the box, tweaking the adjustable rear weight and hosel settings made a meaningful difference.

For me, the G440 LST wasn’t just about chasing distance, it was the complete performance package that stood out. The launch was strong and consistent, and the ball flight had a penetrating, powerful trajectory that instantly gave me confidence. What really set it apart, though, was the ball speed. There’s a real sense of explosiveness off the face, and that extra pop makes every swing feel rewarding; you can seriously hear it. Combine that with the low spin and surprising forgiveness, and you’ve got a driver that feels both fast and controlled, a rare balance that’s hard to find.

Forgiveness/Control: 5/5

Let’s be clear: the G440 LST is not a “players only” club. While it caters to faster swings and will feature in most of the tour pros’ bags, it’s more forgiving than you might expect. Compared to previous Ping LST models, this one feels significantly easier to handle. The deep center of gravity (though not quite reaching the 10k MOI of the Max 10k) and refined weight distribution offer improved performance on mishits, particularly heel-side strikes.

Control is where the G440 LST truly shines. With its adjustable hosel and a hefty 29g rear weight that can be set to fade, neutral, or draw bias, this is easily one of the most adaptable LST drivers Ping has ever produced. The impact of that adjustability was immediate for me. I’d been struggling with a slight pull, but after Cory Bacon (Ping’s chief designer on the G440 project) switched my setup to the fade-bias setting, my consistency off the tee noticeably improved. Even on off-center hits, I found it difficult to miss fairways, and the extra control was something I could really feel. It wasn’t just fine-tuning, it was a game-changing difference.

Ping’s commitment to advancing technology is evident in every model, and the Ping G440 Max is no exception. A standout innovation is their “Spinsistency” technology, which optimizes the clubface design, grooves, and materials to deliver consistent spin performance across the entire face. Consistency minimizes spin drop-off on off-center strikes, ensuring that the ball flight, control, and accuracy remain reliable and predictable, regardless of where the ball makes contact with the face.

Tech/Components: 5/5

Like all of the G440 family, one of the standout features of the Ping G440 LST is its impressive adjustability, giving both golfers and fitters the tools to fine-tune performance without compromise. The lightweight, redesigned 8-position hosel sleeve allows for loft adjustments of ±1.5° and lie angles up to 3° flatter than standard, which is especially useful for players who want a lower flight or prefer a more fade-biased setup. Combined with the new 29-gram back weight that can be positioned for fade, neutral, or draw bias, the G440 LST becomes one of the most versatile low-spin drivers Ping has ever released.

The impact of these adjustments on my game was immediate. I’d been struggling with a slight draw turning into a pull, but after switching to the fade setting, my dispersion tightened significantly. I started finding the fairway more often, even on less-than-perfect swings. It didn’t feel like a bandaid fix or a gimmick either; the G440 LST gave me real, tangible control without sacrificing distance.

Technically, the LST’s face has been made thinner and more responsive, delivering a noticeable boost in ball speed, particularly on common miss areas like the high heel and low toe. The new free hosel design is another clever touch, saving weight around the hosel and redistributing it low and deep to create the lowest CG of any Ping LST driver to date. That deeper CG enhances forgiveness and promotes a more stable launch, making the G440 LST not just fast, but consistent across the face. While it doesn’t chase ultra-high MOI numbers like the G430 10K, the G440 LST is clearly engineered for control, speed, and workability, a powerful combination for confident ball strikers.

Overall: 20/20

With its thinner, hotter face and lowered center of gravity, the Ping G440 LST takes the low-spin concept to a whole new level. It delivers explosive ball speed, a penetrating launch, and a level of forgiveness I didn’t expect from a driver in this category. For me, it struck a rare balance, powerful and consistent, yet genuinely playable. I’ve tested plenty of low-spin drivers over the years, and many of them can feel intimidating or unforgiving if you’re not swinging your best. But the G440 LST gave me confidence, even on my off days.

It won’t suit every golfer, especially those who need extra launch or spin, but its combination of speed, control, and adjustability makes it one of the most well-rounded low-spin drivers I’ve ever hit. What really impressed me was how it catered to a wider range of swings than I expected. It’s not just a tool for tour players. If you’re after a driver that rewards your best swings without punishing your mishits too harshly, the G440 LST should be right at the top of your testing list.

Price $650 / £575

Launched January 14, 2025 | On sale Jan 30, 2025

Lofts 9º, 10.5º

Stock shafts Ping Alta CB (counter-balanced) Blue 55 (SR, R, S); Ping Alta Quick 35/45 (HL build 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 grips Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16”; Red -1/32”; Aqua -1/64”; White-Std, Gold +1/32”; Orange +1/16”)