The #1 driver on tour is now 1/2 price!
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It’s fast, forgiving, and chosen by more tour pros than any other driver – and now it’s half the price of the latest models.
Tour pros are spoiled when it comes to golf equipment. They get access to the latest gear before it even hits the shelves, often putting new models in the bag months ahead of public release. Many have equipment deals with brands and are handed a fresh driver whenever they want it. Others go the equipment free agent route, cherry-picking the perfect setup from across the entire market. Either way, they have easy access to the latest and greatest developments in golf technology.
So it says a lot when the most popular driver on tour right now isn’t new at all.
In fact, it’s almost three years old – and it was actually replaced more than six months ago.
And the great thing about that? It means you can get it for half its original price.
The most popular driver on tour
Despite first appearing on tour in October 2022, with an official launch in January 2023, the Ping G430 LST remains the most-used driver on tour, according to the latest equipment count from PGA Club Tracker.
16 players are still gaming the low-spin model, including big names like:
- Keegan Bradley
- Tony Finau
- Joaquin Niemann
- Nick Dunlap
- Sahith Theegala
- Harris English
- Bubba Watson
That’s more than any other driver – including the newer Ping G440 LST, which appeared on tour in late 2024 and had its public launch in January 2025.
Trailing the G430 LST in popularity are:
- Titleist GT3 – 12 players
- Titleist TSR2 – 11 players
- Titleist GT2 – 10 players
- Titleist TSR3 – 9 players
- Titleist TSi3 – 9 players
- Ping G440 LST – 7 players
With manufacturers constantly tweaking and optimizing designs to deliver increased performance, it’s rare to see an older driver outperform not just newer competitors from rival brands, but also its own direct replacement – so what’s going on?
Why the Ping G430 LST still dominates
The G430 LST (Low Spin Technology) was built with good players in mind – particularly those with fast swing speeds looking to reduce spin and maximize distance.
But it isn’t a ‘distance at all costs’ unforgiving beast. With an MOI (Moment of Inertia) of 9,083 g-cm², it’s unusually forgiving for a low-spin model – nearly touching the 10,000 g-cm² level that defines the most stable drivers on the market.
It’s fast, forgiving, with a shape and sound that players love.
When the G430 family hit the tour, 28 players put one straight in the bag. 23 of those opted for the LST model.
“It’s pretty friggin’ nice,” said equipment free agent Jason Day. “I just like the way it looks and sits on the ground. I don’t like things looking like they have too much loft and like it’s looking up at you and hooded a bit. The loft on it looks like you’re gonna hit these low bullet fades all day. The way that it looks, it’s really good.”
But why haven’t tour pros switched from the Ping G430 LST to the newer G440 LST?
Tour players are so dialled in these days that many are hesitant to switch unless there’s a clear performance gain.
The G440 LST might offer subtle tweaks in acoustics, shaping, or feel, but if it’s not adding distance or tightening dispersion, most pros would rather stick to what they know – especially if they’re already fully fitted and confident in their setup. The difference in performance between the Ping G430 LST and the newer G440 LST is small – and players seem to have decided that the juice isn’t worth the squeeze when it comes to making the switch, going through a fitting to get the spec dialled in, getting used to a new look, and so on.
And this isn’t specific to Ping.
Whilst brands release new drivers every one or two years, most concede that they’re not expecting consumers to upgrade that regularly. If your driver is five years old, you can expect to see a noticeable gain in performance by switching to a newer model. If it’s 10 years old, you will almost certainly be able to get significantly more from a newer model. But if your driver is one or two years old, it’s unlikely you’ll see a huge performance gain by getting a new one.
And it’s the same for tour pros. Unlike regular golfers, they don’t have to consider the cost of upgrading – but they do have to weigh up the time it takes to get comfortable with a new model, especially with events coming thick and fast in a year-round schedule.
It’s not just Ping players doing this…
Ping isn’t the only brand seeing their older gear sticking around past its usual expiry date.
Rory McIlroy made headlines earlier this year for switching back and forth between TaylorMade’s Qi10 and the newer Qi35, before ultimately settling back into the older model.
It’s a reminder that in a world obsessed with the newest thing, tried and tested still works.
It’s not a sign that the newer drivers are no good. Rather, it’s a testament to the quality of the previous models that they’re still relevant and competitive today.
Rrp: $829.00
Rrp: $829.00
| Lofts: | 9° / 10.5° |
| Stock shafts: | Alta CB Black, Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome, Ping Tour 2.0 Black |
| No upcharge shafts: | Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX, Mitsubishi Kai’li White |
| Adjustable hosel: | +/- 1.5° |
| Head size: | 440cc |
| Headweight: | 208g |
| Backweight: | 22g |
| MOI: | 9,083 g-cm2 |
Should you buy the Ping G430 LST?
Here’s the good news: while the pros aren’t in any rush to give up the G430 LST, retailers are moving on – and that means big discounts for the rest of us.
Right now, you can pick up a used Ping G430 LST for $264 / £275, compared to its original price of $630 / £575.
If you want a brand new one, you can get one for under $400 / £400, which is still a decent saving on its original price.
The newer Ping G440 LST will set you back $599 / £529.
If you’re a confident driver who generates decent speed and wants a blend of low spin, forgiveness, and a tour-proven shape, the Ping G430 LST is still one of the best drivers money can buy – especially at its 2025 price.
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This is the most popular driver on tour.
