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Revised: The original review was published on July 3, 2014.

These drivers are less forgiving and more spinny than Ping’s original G25 driver. In our tests, the turbulators work and create an average speed of 1 mph higher clubhead.

Cons: The new adapter adds an additional 1 degree of adjustability, but it’s not compatible with Ping’s previous adjustable tips. The G30 may still be too difficult for very high-spin players.

The bottom line: Ping took the G25 golf’s most tolerant driver and made him even more forgiving. Even more impressive is that the company was able to lower its spin, too, which was the biggest knock on the G25. G30 has turbulators that provide a real and innovative way to improve distance. Ping claims that the G30 runs 7 feet longer than the G25. We agree.

Ping claims that Bubba Watson gained about 10 yards using the G30 compared with his G25 driver. You can watch him do it in the video below. However, most golfers don’t have the same skill set as Bubba Watson. So what was our internal testing of the G30 driver?

Ping’s improvements for the G30 created a driver that was as much as we hate this expression in golf equipment reviews better than its predecessor in every way. Bubba enjoyed the turbulators’ added speed. It was because Bubba has the PGA Tour’s leading clubhead speed. Although the gains in ball speed weren’t as noticeable, they are likely to have an impact on 99.9% of golfers.

A G25 driver who averaged 100 mph was one of our test subjects. The G30 had an average speed of 1 mph faster than his G25. Another, who swung a G25 driver at 114 mph, saw his swing speed increase by an average of 1.5 mph. This equates to an average of 2 and 3 more mph higher ball speed.

Since the turbulators don’t really change anything about the G30 other than the way the driver looks, there’s no reason not to have them on the club, even if your swing is not fast enough to get much benefit. Other ways that the G30 can help you improve your performance are available.

You remember those extra 4g Ping gained by using the new face material. Although their position in the club head was lower than the others, it is believed that this makes the driver more forgiving. The difference however isn’t significant enough to be obvious. We saw clearly, however, the 150 rpm of spin that Ping claimed it scrubbed off the G30’s launch on our Doppler radar launch monitor. The G30 spun at a lower speed than our swing speed tester, which was 116 mph.

Ping’s G30 LS Tec driver is lower than the G30.

Ping states that the G30 can travel 7 yards further than the G25. This is due to the G30’s higher speed and lower spin launch. Ping golfers who are older will see additional yardage gains.

Ping’s G30 driver was the first time I saw it. It was July 2014, and I was at Ping’s HQ in Phoenix. In that era, ultra-low-spin drivers were very popular. With their forward centre of gravity they helped golfers maximize their launch conditions. I, along with many other business people, was fortunate to have one of these drivers. Many launch monitor sessions were spent trying to determine how to gain more distance using high-knuckleballs. The downside was that forward CG drivers by their very nature were extremely unforgiving. Bad shots can be really bad and they are often very short.

Marty Jertson, Ping Director of Product Development, shared with me his vision on the perfect driver in an office at PingHQ. His vision of the perfect driver was not based on the low-forward center gravity (CG). The CG is located at the rear of the driver’s head, so it offers the best of both the worlds. It allows for optimal launch conditions and forgiveness when bad shots are taken.

The perfect driver wasn’t something Jertson could have imagined. This driver, which was the culmination of Ping’s vision, was powerful when released. Because of its rear-CG design, it provided great distance for both good and bad shots. Additionally, the driver was extremely straight. G30s sold extremely well, and as a result the majority of forward-CG drivers were replaced.

Ping released another driver in a surprising move, almost three years after the G30’s release. The G400’s driver size was reduced by Ping in a market where full-size cars are common. It’s not much smaller than the G300, at 15 cubic centimeters, but still noticeable when you get to your destination. They look like they are cutting carbs, compared to the Ping G driver they replaced (which replaced G30).

The G400 drivers, despite their smaller frames, are more patient than the G drivers. Ping representatives believe that smaller is better for the G400. The drivers have the lowest, most rearward CG of any Ping drivers ever, and their smaller size is said to improve their aerodynamics so golfers can swing them fractionally faster. Also, the face material is now made out of titanium T9S+. It’s thinner and more flexible which helps to increase ball speed.

To review the G400 LST, I decided to compare it against the G LST driver. So I went to Bloomfield Hills’ Launch Pad Carl’s Golfland to test them. Trackman IV was used to test each driver’s head. I took five shots and compared them with Trackman IV. The loft of each driver’s head was the same or nearly so.

Notice: I only tested the G, G LST and G400 drivers. They had 10.5 degrees heads that were adjusted to 9.0 degrees. G400 LST was lofted at 10 degrees. It was then adjusted to 9.4 degrees.

TG Rating 4.8 Out of 5

Rating: 5 of 5

Ping’s G100 series gets a brand new design, and the G-series delivers on its promises. Offers a very stable ball flight with a powerful impact sensation.

Better players may want a smaller head.

RRP PS299.00 > See more reviews of equipment in The Ultimate Golf Gear Guide >>

Ping G30’s driver, whose crown features what are known as ‘turbulators’ is inspired by bicycle helmets and airplane wings. They’re designed to enhance club’s aerodynamics by reducing drag. This will allow clubhead speeds to go further.

Ping states that wind tunnel testing showed a reduction of drag at various swing speeds. For average golfers, 1mph in clubhead speed is equivalent to an additional 2-3 yards. By drawing your eyes towards the back of the ball, turbulators can also help align the golfer. Ping’s G series is a well-known brand, but the G30 range represents their most recent innovation. Ping’s range is geared towards club golfers looking for maximum distance with forgiveness on drivers, fairways, hybrids, and irons. It’s true that the range is still aimed at club golfers, although it’s fair for you to admit this new driver does not look the same as any G drivers.

PING’s new driver has revolutionary new technology. It is designed to help you hit the fairway faster.

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Over the last few years, PING drivers have been gaining more and more popularity. Bubba Watson who is the longest player on the PGA Tour may have contributed to this popularity. PING, like most companies, has several driver lines that are aimed at different types of golfers. Although there were some exceptions, like the Anser driver and the brief-lived K series drivers, the majority of PING’s products fall under the “i”, “G” or “G series. The “i” series has typically been viewed as the line for the better player, while the “G” series is more for the weekend warrior. While some of that still holds true, the lines are becoming more and more blurred and it isn’t uncommon to see the better player, including the likes of Bubba Watson, with the “G” series driver in the bag.

PING is proud to present their most revolutionary product, the G30 Driver. PING, although they’re a very traditional company is not often able to offer clubs technology that hasn’t been seen elsewhere. They were among the first to offer adjustable hosels to their drivers. There are many other options that allow you to adjust your settings. This club doesn’t have any sliding or movable weights to allow for fine tuning the center of gravity. The only thing you’ll find on this driver, which is not available on any other, is “Turbulators.” Find out how Turbulators work and if they’re worth adding to your driver bag.

This review was done using the standard G30 Driver (and not SFTech, LSTech). The standard 10.5° head was included with it, as well as the PING TFC 419D stiffhaft. This was a little different for me as I have not played a PING driver before. PING, the largest equipment manufacturer in this country, still manufactures their own shafts for their clubs. The shafts are great and I look forward to getting it into my bag. Also included was the PING standard grip. It is very similar to the Tour Velvet. Although it’s a strong grip, I prefer the wrap-style and have since changed to a Pure Wrap. The club’s appearance is where I am most dissatisfied. When it first came out, I’ll admit that my initial reaction was not a positive one. It was a strange crown with bumps. That’s going be awful, what are they thinking? That was when I finally saw the club in person. The Turbulators’ bumps aren’t distracting, in fact they serve to align the club. In that sense, they are actually an upgrade in my opinion as the previous “half-moon” alignment aid that proceeded this was ugly.

I was impressed by the other members of the club from the very beginning. I had used a Taylor before. Made RBZ driver. While I would not say I liked the white crown, I enjoyed the matte finish, which also minimized glare. PING seems to have hit the jackpot in this area. The crown is dark (almost charcoal grey), but it has a matte look. The club’s logo retains the darker look. It uses the PVD finish, which has been very popular for a few years. And the sole is a shiny black with blue accents.

As I have mentioned, Turbulators at the club serve an additional purpose. My preference has always been for drivers to have no alignment aid at all, and this comes very, very close. Although the club’s volume comes to 460 cc, it isn’t small. You might find the G30 appealing if your preference is for smaller clubs.

G-Series drivers represent the best example of historical forgiveness and playability for PING. The G30 SF-Tec driver will build upon those characteristics and also allow them to experiment with Turbulators, SF-Tecs themselves.

To see larger images, click on the thumbnails. PING provided the driver for this review: The 10-degree G30 SFTec driver paired up with the stock TFC419D shaft set at stock length.

Details from PING for the G30 SFTec Driver

This is designed for those players who often hit the target. More weight concentrated toward the heel and lighter swing weights improve shot bend to steer the ball back into the fairway. Crown turbulators provide more speed in the clubhead and better ball velocity, allowing for longer drives. The new T9S face material optimizes face deflection for higher ball speeds and more distance. Five settings are available and two full levels of loft adjustability can be used to fine tune launch conditions.

Technology Performance and Failure:

Matte/Finish

The first thing that you notice about the G30 aesthetically is the matte black finish that has continued on from its predecessor. This matte finish is not only able to block glare but also reduces the size of the heads compared with the G-series. Given how long and angular the head looks from back to face, it is very appealing with the matte finish. PING continues to use it, as this is the most matte-finishing product we have seen.