50 Words or Less
The PING G410 LST driver is the lower spinning version of the G410 Plus. Adjustable weight plus hosel adjustability. More forgiving than previous PING LST drivers.
Introduction
There are few things more frustrating than hitting a pure drive then watching the ball balloon weakly into the sky. And while most modern drivers are much lower spinning than their predecessors, some players still need more help bringing their RPM down. That’s where the PING G410 LST driver comes in.
Looks
The look of the PING G410 LST will not surprise those familiar with the last few generations of PING drivers. The crown is matte black and the leading edge has PING’s Turbulators. What is different is that the Dragonfly Technology is no longer visible on the back of the head. Instead you’ll see two ridges that run from the back of the head to the middle.
Above you’ll see the G410 LST on the left and the PING G410 Plus driver (review HERE) on the right. It’s a bit hard to tell in the photo, but the LST is markedly shorter from front to back. Interestingly, the LST is only 5 cc smaller in total volume (450 vs 455). Outside of that size difference, they’re nearly identical.
Sound & Feel
The PING G410 LST driver has a wonderful, satisfying impact sound. It’s a mid-volume, bass-y, staccato “crack” that enhances an extremely solid feel.
When you miss substantially, you will hear a louder impact sound. Feedback through the hands is excellent – I was able to precisely locate even small misses.
Performance
The raison d’etre of the PING G410 LST driver is low spin, and it certainly delivers there. PING states that the LST is 200-400 RPM lower spinning than the Plus and SFT, depending on the player and the shaft. I tested a 10.5 degree LST against my 9 degree Plus – same shaft in both heads – and saw spin numbers that were virtually identical. The LST is a great option for fitters to have because it can be used to reduce spin or maintain spin while boosting launch angle.
My primary question when testing a low spin driver is, “How much forgiveness am I losing?” In the case of the G410 LST, the answer is, “Very little.” The G410 Plus is one of the most forgiving drivers available, and the G410 LST is not too far behind. Ball speed, launch, and spin all stayed fairly consistent even when impact skipped around the face. I’ll add that, in my opinion, no driver beats the G410 LST on the forgiveness to looks ratio. This is a very sleek looking head at 450 cc, but it still delivers the consistency we all want.
Just like the G410 Plus, the G410 LST has two forms of adjustability – at the hosel and through a weight in the rear of the head. The new Trajectory Tuning 2.0 hosel has eight positions and allows up to 1.5 degrees of loft change in either direction. The movable weight has three possible positions to promote a draw, fade, or straight ball flight. My experience was that the LST is slightly more fade-biased than the Plus, but that may just be my reaction to the smaller head and forward CG.
As has become their custom, PING offers a variety of shaft options with the G410 LST driver. The PING branded options are the low spinning PING Tour 65 and 75 as well as the high launching Alta CB Red 55. If you prefer something from the aftermarket, the MCA Tensei CK Orange 60 (review HERE) and Project X EvenFlow Black 75 (review HERE) are available, too.
Conclusion
Whether you battle the dreaded balloon ball or just want to shave off a little more spin to get to optimal, the PING G410 LST driver is worth checking out. This club will definitely reduce your spin without asking you to give up the forgiveness you want. All that, plus it looks fast. Just make sure to visit a fitter to dial in the correct loft and shaft for your swing.
PING G410 LST Driver Price & Specs
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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Matt thanks for the review as usual. Feel
And flight which do you prefer this or the Callaway epic flash subzero. I’ve been gaming the F9 and like it, but my miss is left and the cobra doesn’t seem very forgiving. I’m demoing the subzero for 2
Weeks from global golf and so far like it. Feels more solid on strikes and gives me a more penetrating flight. Wondering if I should try the lst as well.
Michael,
I prefer the LST, but I’ve been gaming PING drivers for a number of years, so a lot of that is just comfort. I do think the feel and sound is second to none.
Best,
Matt
Thanks. I can understand that sentiment. Comfortability goes a long way.
Please help me understand the advantages of low spin versus high spin in drivers as well as irons.
Garry,
Great question. I’ll start with this: low spin and high spin are relative terms. There’s no objective definition that says, “A driver that spins less than ____ is ‘low spin'”. The next thing I’d say is that any given golfer’s goal should be to have optimal spin with each club for their swing speed. For me, swinging a driver around 105 MPH, I’ll get maximum carry distance with spin somewhere in the neighborhood of 1700-1800 (different people prefer different ranges, but that’s a range I like). If I were much below that, the ball would drop out of the air. If the spin got into the mid or high 2000s, I would see it balloon. For a different golfer, that optimal range will be different. Slower swingers need more spin to keep the ball in the air. Faster swingers need less spin to prevent ballooning. The same things are true with an iron, except that the goal isn’t maximum distance, it’s good, predictable distance plus the ability to hold the green.
I hope that answers your question.
Best,
Matt
I recently went for a driver fitting out of literally having nothing better to do on a rainy Friday afternoon. I was gaming the TM M5 with a Hazardous shaft (stiff) and just not happy with the consistency. I told my guy look – I’ll pay you for just getting me set up right on my current driver – or – if we can do better I’d make a deal on a new one….just help me get more consistency from my efforts. My fitter put a few clubs in my hands – new Titleist T2, Callaway Epic Sub-Zero and a TM M6. When we got to the Ping G410 LST, the lights went on! My gamer was an elliptical shot pattern of 190 short right to pulls a 230 or so to the left – nothing consistent. The Ping LST gave me a tight shot pattern at 245-255 carry and straight down Trackman’s center-line. I went with the Evenflow 75g shaft – a little beefy weight wise but good for my swing, and we lowered the loft to 7 degrees. At an average 100 mph swing speed I was getting it out over 260 (total distance) and said OK – this is it. Next day I went out in the afternoon to play an easy 9 at my club, wary a bit over what I had just done the day prior and curious if I’d see the expected results on the course. I was carrrying bunkers and doglegs I hadn’t carried since I was 40 (I’m 56 now). I was straight and true, missing only 1 fairway but only in the first cut. I can’t say enough good things about this club.
I just returned from Phoenix Arizona and finally had a Ping club fitting done there. It’s free through the factory with no sales pressure. The G410 LST fit my slightly negative driver attack angle well, helped my launch angle, ball apex and lowered ball spin, but most importantly tightened my ball dispersion. Obviously, shaft also plays a major part and actually being fitted with the right equipment, with the right lie angle, and right loft was eye opening. It certainly reinforced the potential problem of just buying the latest and greatest equipment off the shelf with the wrong loft, wrong shaft, and even the wrong head. Great review Matt!
tell me, ping club factory fitting is free? how do I go about an appointment.
Another good one Matt, keep it going!!!!
Gus
Hi, I’m surprised you saw the same spin rates w/ the LST vs the Plus. Any idea why?
Mike,
I saw the same spin rates in a 9* Plus as a 10.5* LST.
-Matt
Is it worth upgrading from the G400? #SecretGiveaway4
Daniel,
If it performs better for you, yes. It’s not worlds different than the G400 LST, but the differences may be meaningful to certain players.
-Matt
Matt, ref your comment about the plus on 9 degrees having same spin as the lst at 10.5: what affect does lowering or raising the loft do to spin rate? I hit the ball high, seems like really high, and I am wondering if both clubs could have the same spin rate at different lofts, which one would give me the opportunity to increase spin if I needed to adjust it up? I am thinking the lst might help reduce spin and height but if I can get the same rate in the plus and it is more forgiving it might be a better choice. I want to get fitted but little leery now from a health standpoint and may just wait but hoping you can clarify loft’s affect on spin. Really leaning toward g410 but epic flash is still in the picture too . Thanks for the reviews, really enjoy them.
Mark,
All else equal, more loft should mean more spin, at least up to a point.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt, I appreciate your help and the Good Lord bless you
hey, Matt. Not sure if you’ve addressed this before. I was wondering what the difference between playing a stiff vs. an extra stiff shaft is? If you are meant to be playing an extra stiff shaft but play stiff, are you losing out on something? Currently carry my drives about 285ish, but something about “extra” stiff seems to intimidate me for no other reason than the name itself. Thanks
Ryan,
An XS is simply stiffer than a Stiff flex. In theory, playing a shaft that’s too soft could reduce ball speed and consistency, but there are loads of golfers out there who play very well with shafts that are “too soft” for their speed. As always, getting fit is the answer to everything.
-Matt
Thanks, and that’s good to know. Can’t afford the fitting so your reviews are my go-to place to gage what I should be hitting. As for this driver vs. the Plus– I feel confident I would be fitted for the LST. However, I’m not the most confident driver of the ball. If I ended up getting the Plus, would I mostly just be sacrificing a few yards for more forgiveness? Thanks again.
Greetings,
Thank you for all your efforts in educating layman hacks like me on the subtleties of equipment.
I am writing to ask about shafts. I have played the Fujikura Fuel (in a g25) for about 9 years and I plan to get fitted and upgrade whenever allowable.
Could you please tell me which shafts offer something close to the feel and performance of the Fuel? I might just have to have it pulled and placed in a g410 plus or lst.
Thank you in advance for your response and again, thank you for the knowledge.
Stay Safe
Earl,
The Fuel was (and is) an awesome shaft, I gamed that for quite a while. I liked the combination of feel and stability, which is becoming more common as shaft technology advances. You might start with the Ventus Blue (the aftermarket one with VeloCore) or the Diamana DF or ZF.
Best,
Matt
Matt- What weights come in the 410 LST driver? Thanks
There is only one weight in the head. I’m not sure how much it weighs.
-Matt
Hi Matt!
I’m currently back to my 2008 Burner 10.5 degree with stock, R flex shaft – after not enjoying two attempts at upgrading a while back to the M2 in stock stiff and regular (mostly using 10.5 setting.) I’m getting probably 240 or so, total – and can outdrive myself with a SIM MAX 3-wood, stock ventus blue stiff. I believe I’m losing total distance from a combination of needing a lower loft, since I have zero issues getting it into the air…it’s not quite a pop up, but a home rum ball if you will, and likely too high spin. The times I feel like I really, really catch it with confidence, it’ll be a hard, long pull left. I’ve tried the SIM MAX Driver 10.5 with ventus blue stiff stock – and just didn’t like the feel of the face or the sound. Took a couple cuts with a G410 Plus with ventus blue x-stiff and liked it, seemed forgiving and long (forgot to ask what the loft setting was, and don’t think psychologically that I could choose an x-stiff shaft). Fitters are closed due to Covid. But from what I’ve read, I’m still tempted by the LST in a 9 degree just in case I ever need to go lower than 9 (have a feeling I’ll need to crank it up to 10.5 or a flat, 10) with a Ping Tour Stiff 65 (for stability) or the Tensei Orange CK Stiff 63 (for mid launch). My swing speed is mid-to-high 90s but can get can into low triple digits. Is it really too low to benefit at all from the LST? Little voice in the back of my head says stick with the Plus set between 9-10.5 for best of both worlds. But keep picturing a more penetrating flight from the LST. Curious to hear thoughts as we head into the off season in these northern parts, so I can have more informed dreams of getting fitted before it becomes reality.
Jack,
The only thing I can say definitively is that you shouldn’t be scared of the LST based on speed. Beyond that, respectfully, I don’t try to fit people over the internet. If your season is ending soon, I’d say sit back and enjoy the roll out of all the new stuff and get fit in the spring.
Best,
Matt
Matt,
Have you had the chance to test all stock shaft offerings with this head? If so, what performed best for you in terms of consistent fairway finding shots? Thank you and keep up the great work!!
Mat,
I’ve only tested the PING Tour and the Tensei Orange.
Best,
Matt