50 Words or Less
The PING G30 LS Tec driver takes the best driver in golf and makes it even longer (for some). This completes a truly comprehensive, dominant driver line up for PING.
Introduction
Last fall, PING released their G30 line which included the G30 driver. After testing, we named it the best all-around driver in golf because of its unprecedented combination of distance and forgiveness. Most assumed that with such a critical and commercial success, PING would ride the G30 for its standard two-year product cycle. Wrong. Just prior to the PGA Show, PING unveiled the G30 LS Tec, an even lower-spinning version of the G30. PING made their already spectacular driver longer.
Looks
At address, the G30 LS Tec driver looks exactly like the original G30. It has a big, matte black footprint with PING’s Turbulators on the leading edge. The telltale difference is on the sole – a silver plate around the weight plug that says “LS Tec.”
Sound & Feel
On sound and feel, the PING G30 LS Tec driver is indistinguishable from the original G30. When you pick it up and swing it, the counter-weighting is noticeable, but not uncomfortable. The head still has some heft, but the extra weight in your hands makes it feel as though you’ll be able to swing it just a bit faster. At impact, the LS Tec has the same “clean” feel that the G30 does. There isn’t any extra noise or vibration, just a nice clear impression of where the ball struck the face.
Performance
Unsurprisingly, the G30 LS Tec does exactly what you’d expect: it delivers performance very similar to the G30, but with lower spin. PING states that the difference is about 400 RPMs. What does 400 RPMs mean to you? It could be a lot. I ran a handful of simulations at various ball speeds and launch angles and found carry distance differences of as much as 8 yards and total distance differences of as much as 7 yards. For me, I found the spin difference was slightly less than advertised – about 250 RPMS – which can be explained by A) where I tend to hit the ball on the face and B) me not being a robot. I expect some players will see more than a 400 RPM difference. As always, you need to test it for yourself.
Typically, when a company releases a lower-spinning driver, it’s significantly less forgiving. Via Twitter, Paul Wood, PING’s Engineering Director, told me that there is an MOI (read: forgiveness) difference between the LS Tec and the standard G30. This is a necessary trade off when moving the CoG forward for lower spin, but he said that the MOI on the LS Tec is “still huge.” My testing showed that, indeed, the MOI is still huge. Mishits on the LS Tec felt exactly like they did on the G30 – very stable. On toe and heel shots the head doesn’t twist, the ball speed stays high, and, perhaps most importantly, the ball stays in play.
Finally, I want to mention two other features that the G30 LS Tec shares with the G30: adjustability and Turbulators. PING has enhanced the adjustability of their drivers with the G30 family – players can now add or subtract 0.6° or 1° of loft to fine tune their launch conditions. The Turbulators, which were headline grabber with the G30, still deserve praise. While they don’t add enough speed to let me hang with Bubba, there is a noticeable difference in club and ball speed between the G30 drivers and others that I’ve tested.
Launch monitor testing was done with SkyTrak.
Conclusion
The G30 was already the best all-around driver in golf and with the addition of the G30 LS Tec to the family, PING has put a stranglehold on the title of “Best Driver Line Up.” Whether you need the lowest possible spin, help with a slice, or just overall forgiveness and distance, your new driver should be a PING G30.
Watch the Video
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G30 LS Tec Driver LM Data
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Matt Saternus
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Great review, as usual Matt. I am gaming the G30 and find myself struggling with the counter balanced shaft. I am finding it difficult to feel the head during my swing. Any suggestions?
John,
A cheap solution would be putting a little lead tape on the head to see if that solves the problem. If that doesn’t work, you may want to experiment with a different shaft. While I like the counterweighted stock shaft, I will probably end up gaming one of my regular 70 gram shafts.
Best,
Matt
Iam 69 and I am planning to purcahse one last driver. I consistently hit a straight ball appx 245-250 yards. I have tried the Callaway Big Bertha 815 and the Ping G30 LS and get similar results. Five years from now I am wondering which club will be kinder. Any comments?
I would opt for the forgiveness of the G30.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
great review, is there any chance you could compare all three ping stock shafts 419D, T65 & T80 ??
thanks
Ranan,
The biggest difference is that the Tour shafts are not counter weighted like the TFC is. They’re also much stiffer. The Tour 65 and 80 are both really nice options for the aggressive swinger who wants a tip-stiff, low torque shaft. The TFC 419 is the best option for the majority of golfers, though.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
I am a 60 year old golfer and I drive my ball approximately 200 yards of the tee using a regular flexed driver. I am interested to buy the G30 SF Tec, and I am wondering if I should acquire one with a senior flexed shaft. Thanks and great review.
Gene
Gene,
Thank you.
As for your question, the only way to know is to go through a fitting. Anything I tell you would be a guess. I recommend looking for a Club Champion in your area.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, which loft and shaft performed best for you ?
I swing in the 100-102 range and thinking about the i25 also.
I’m not a high ball hitter so the 10.5 in either I’m thinking.
Thanks
Jeremy,
I play the standard G30, 9* with a Fujikura Speeder Evolution 757.
-Matt
I just purchased a LS Tec driver with the tour 65 shaft. Why is it shorter than some of the other options? Although I am hitting it well, would I gain more distance with a lighter linger shaft?
Jerry,
The Tour shafts are meant for players with more club head speed, so they’re shorter and stiffer. It’s possible that you’d gain distance from a lighter, longer shaft, but it’s far from guaranteed.
-Matt
74 yrs. old—my swing speed is apprx 90 mph– driver distance 245 yds. –using T.M. Aeroburner 9.5 *–stiff shaft—which Ping driver/flex would be best for me.–thx
Thank you for your question. We appreciate your readership and that you trust and value our opinion. Unfortunately, we cannot answer any questions about how a given club or shaft or combination might work for you. Not won’t, can’t. No one can. Golf swings and player’s reactions to equipment are unique which is why fitting is so important. We would recommend that you work with a qualified fitter like Club Champion to find the best equipment for your game.
-Matt
Does the Ping 30 LS help a golfer with a swing speed under 100 mph?
Is there a minimum swing speed for the LS to be benefitual?
Regards,
Barry
Barry,
It’s not about swing speed, it’s just about spin. There are lots of players with sub-100 MPH swings who can benefit from spin reduction.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
I recently had my I25 crack and ping is sending me a new one at no charge! My original had a PWR 65 Tour stiff and the new one will have a Tour 65 stiff. What are the differences and will they be noticeable?
Thanks,
Ross
Ross,
I haven’t tested the two head to head, so I can’t speak intelligently about the differences. My recollection is that the PWR shafts were really solid, so my gut reaction is that it probably will end up working out pretty well.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
I’m torn. I currently play a Ping G25 10.5 Stiff shaft and my ball flight is high and starts out right and has a draw that kicks in about 2/3 rd of its flight. My swing speed is a consistant 105 – 108 when on the simulators.
I am investigating the Ping G30 LS in a 10.5 with the Tour 65 Stiff Shaft for less torque vs the G30 10.5 TFC 419 Stiff Shaft. Personally I would prefer the shorter shaft of the Tour 65.
Your Thoughts and Thank You in Advance
Mark,
My standard advice is always the best: try both, get fit. I’ve been doing this for a decade, yet I’m still surprised on a regular basis by the gap between what “should” work and what does.
Best,
Matt