50 Words or Less
The PING G400 LST driver has the look and feel of the G400 but with significantly lower spin.
Introduction
Since it came out, the PING G LS Tec driver has been in my bag, so I was thrilled to hear that the G400 line would include an LST driver. I’m not alone in my excitement: the LST is certainly the G400 driver generating the most excitement among gear heads. In this review, I’ll discuss whether that excitement is merited or if most of us should be turning to a different member of the G400 family.
Looks
The PING G400 LST driver looks identical to the G400 at address. At 445cc it’s not much smaller than the USGA max, but the shaping really enhances the strong, compact look.
The G400 driver’s crown has a lot going on. Nearest the ball, you’ll notice the biggest Turbulators yet. From there, you see the Dragonfly technology which makes the crown ultra-thin (.43mm!) to save weight. While this seems busy, the matte black finish makes it all secondary to your focus on the ball.
You can find the one visual difference between the two drivers on the sole. Where the standard G400 has the tungsten weight all the way back, the G400 LST’s weight is about an inch further forward.
Sound & Feel
Just as with the standard G400 driver, the word I can’t get away from is solid. It’s quiet without any metallic crack or tinny notes. I actually wrote the word “persimmon” during my testing – it’s that solid.
Where the LST is noticeably different than the regular G400 is on mishits. The standard G400 gives you feedback through your hands, but there’s virtually no twisting. With the LST, you will feel the mishits more. In the grand scheme of equipment, the G400 LST is still forgiving and stable but less so than its brother.
Performance
One of the things that I frequently remind readers of is that the launch monitor data is just a snapshot. It’s one piece of data that needs context and a larger story. In the case of the G400 driver versus the G400 LST driver, I’ll make an exception: the data above tells you what you need to know.
My testing showed that PING is right on when they say that the LST spins about 300 RPM less than the standard G400. However, that lower spin comes at the cost of some forgiveness. My average ball speed ticked down slightly and my dispersion got a little worse compared to the standard G400. This wasn’t a surprise: my fitter told me I should be in the standard G400 (full story HERE).
It does need to be emphasized, however, that the G400 LST driver only looks unforgiving compared to the most stable, forgiving driver on the market. Compared to anything else, the G400 LST is very forgiving and low spin. And don’t forget that it has the same speed-boosting aerodynamics as the other G400 drivers.
Conclusion
Ultimately, I will be following the advice of my PING fitter and putting the G400 driver in my bag. The PING G400 LST driver is a monster, but with my game where it is, I will take as much forgiveness as I can get.
If you’re a consistent driver of the ball or someone who needs to shed RPMs, the G400 LST driver is a must-demo.
Buy PING G400 LST Driver HERE
PING G400 LST Driver Price & Specs
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G400 LST Driver LM Data
Matt Saternus
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Is the g 400 in your bag now?
Yes.
Did you also get to test the 10 degree LST?
Cory,
No, just the 8.5.
-Matt
Very nice review..I bought the regular g400 9* with the Alta CB 55 stiff. It spun way too much, ballooning many drives and returned it. I was lucky enough to find the LST 8.5* with the same shaft and boy what a difference. The LST hit lower piercing drives which was the ball flight I was looking for. I really thought the problem was the shaft originally but with the same shaft and the LST turned out to be a real bomber. Awesome driver. My average swing speed is 110 mph, somewhat fast tradition and play to a 6 handicap.Thank you. BTW I have the iblades as well and love them.
I played with Calaway drivers for years. Then I got a g30 Lst. It was the best and longest I had hit until I got the g400. Between the purchase of the g30 LST and Ping 400lst I also bought a m1 and an epic. No contest. G30lst beats them all.
Hi Matt,
I currently play a Cobra King Ltd (not the pro version) set at 10 degrees with a 104g Nventix Nunchuk driver shaft and debating which of the Ping G400 heads to get. The Nunchuk is a low spin shaft that produces “True Loft” launch because of the lack of twisting and drooping. The torque rating is 3.5. Essentially, the tip and butt sections of the Nunchuk are very stiff and all the flex is in the middle of the shaft.
I intend on putting the Nventix Nunchuk into either a G400 LST, G400 or G400 Max (which ever head I would get I would play at 10 degrees) . I obviously can’t try out the Nunchuk in any of the G400 heads before I buy as the shaft is not part of their fitting cart. I know Tony Finau is playing a G400 Max with a low spin and low launch shaft (Accra Tour Z Xtreme) which makes me think maybe I should consider the G400 Max. I even know that there are women on the LPGA Tour using the G400 LST. It would appear that the G400 LST, G400 and G400 Max are all pretty similar and a case could be made for playing either of them. Interestingly I note the G400 Max has a very high MOI much like the Cobra King Ltd I use.
I know its hard to make recommendations having not seen someone swing and its down to personal preference but your opinion would be greatly appreciated. As they all close would you go with the G400 max head given that the nunchuk shaft is low spin and spin should not be an issue or would you go with the G400 LST as I assume being a little smaller its easier to work the ball. Is the G400 max workable or does it just want to go straight?
Many Thanks
Kind Regards
Jon
Jon,
This is one question where I can give a pretty decent opinion because those are the heads I chose between for my gamer. I play the G400 Max because forgiveness is #1 for me. The LST is going to be substantially lower spin, but that wasn’t a major consideration for me. All the heads are workable, but they vary in how much they will make a mishit go straight vs. gearing.
Best,
Matt
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I am a very high spin driver of the ball. I went with the g400 lst that reads 8.5, but has gone through the golf wrks program and was adjusted to 7.5*. I hit the ball very high with a lot of spin, I am hoping no praying that I can get the flight down and let the lst do it’s job. I also paired this head with a 46 inch x flex evenflow white t1100 driver shaft. What do you think of my creation?
Jimmy,
If it works for you, I think it’s awesome. It sounds like there’s not too much more you can do in terms of equipment to knock spin off.
Best,
Matt