How To Choose Between The PING G425 MAX, LST, And SFT Drivers
With the exciting new release of the PING G425 line, we got 3 new drivers to help every type of golfer take their game to the next level, but which one is best for you?
Well, to help you decide we went to work breaking down each driver so that we can understand EXACTLY what is different about each one to help you decide which model is best for your specific needs!
You can learn everything that you need to know below:
In the G425 driver series, the primary model is named the G425 Max as it elevates the moment of inertia (MOI) to PING’s highest level in history and provides golfers the most forgiving driver in golf.
Joining the G425 Max are the G425 LST (Low Spin Technology) and G425 SFT (Straight Flight Technology) to best match a golfer’s swing and launch conditions.
First of all, let’s start with what is the same about the drivers, what technology they all have!
Proven Innovations
To help contribute to increases in swing speed and ball speed, all three models share proven PING driver innovations, including turbulators for reduced aerodynamic drag and the proprietary T9S+ forged face to accelerate face flexing for more distance.
Additionally, an internal rib structure in the Ti-8-1-1 body improves acoustics for a solid and pleasing sound.
Speed Generator
All three driver models benefit from a proprietary T9S+ forged face that generates accelerated face flexing and helps add distance.
This forged face uses specific design, manufacturing, and welding techniques to give you the highest MOI ever which means that this club, looking purely at the numbers, is the most forgiving club in golf right now.
By pushing the weight low and back with a very heavy tungsten weight at the back of the driver reduces rotation of the club on miss-hits keeping your clubface on target without losing power.
So basically, even if you hit the ball off-center it will still go long and straight!
Fast Design
To help increase swing speed and ball velocity, all three models share proven PING driver innovations, including crown turbulators that reduce aerodynamic drag.
If you look at the crown of a PING G425 driver from address you will notice small, narrow raised positions on the club rather than a smooth surface.
Those are the turbulators and after hundreds of tests, PING actually found that adding these dramatically decreases drag which helps you swing faster and hit it further.
Think of this like comparing a Lamborghini to a minivan, which one do you think is more aerodynamic?
The Lamborghini of course! Well, bringing it back to golf, the PING G425 turbulators make this club the Lamborghini.
Smart Grips
Arccos Caddie Smart Grips are standard with all 3 drivers.
These smart grips are an embedded sensor at the very top of the grip that automatically records and analyzes every shot when paired with the Arccos Caddie app.
This app learns your distances for you, tracks most of your stats on demand, and will even get to the point where it gives you club recommendations to help you play your very best golf.
PING G425 MAX Driver
To achieve the new performance levels in the G425 Max, PING engineers combined key technologies from the G400 Max and G410 Plus.
The resulting increase in MOI in the 460cc head comes mainly from a 26-gram tungsten movable weight, which is made possible by weight savings attributed to advancements in the driver’s dragonfly crown technology.
The weight can be positioned at distinctive settings over a smaller area than G410 Plus/LST to help shift the center of gravity lower and farther back without sacrificing performance elsewhere in the design.
The CG-shifting weight can be secured in one of three settings — neutral, draw or fade — to influence forgiveness and shot shape for maximum performance.
The average MOI increase is 14% across the three weight positions compared to the G410 Plus, with three combinations of weight position and loft exceeding a combined MOI of 10,000 (gm-cm²).
What this means for the average golfer is that the face is one of the most forgiving and longest faces available making it even harder to mishit and easier to launch it down the fairway!
The PING G425 driver is great for the golfer that can hit pretty straight but may need a little help based on weight placement to rid yourself of a slight fade or draw.
This driver is a great pick for the beginner to intermediate golfers who want to hit it farther and straighter more easily.
This driver comes with the following spec options:
- Loft options: 9⁰, 10.5⁰ & 12⁰
- Head volume: 460cc
- Std. length: 45 3/4″ (Alta CB Slate 55); 45 1/4″ (PING Tour and aftermarkets)
- Loft adjustability: 5 settings: +-1.5⁰ (0, +1⁰, +1.5⁰, -1⁰, -1.5⁰)
- Lie adjustability: Up to 3⁰ flatter
- Stock graphite shafts: PING ALTA CB 55 Slate (SR, R, S, X), ALTA Distanza 40
- No-upcharge shaft options: PING Tour 65/75 (R, S, X), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange 55 (R, S) & 65 (R, S, X), Aldila Rogue White 130 M.S.I. 70 (R, S, X)
- Standard grip: Arccos Caddie Smart Grip (Golf Pride Lite 360 Tour Velvet) in four sizes (Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″)
G425 LST (Low Spin Technology)
The LST model is designed with a pear-shaped head and measures 445cc to deliver spin reductions of approximately 200 rpm compared to the G410 LST and 500-700 rpm versus the G425 Max.
The smaller head size of the LST employs a 17-gram CG shifter with three settings (Draw, Neutral, Fade) to fit the launch conditions best suited to the golfer’s swing and desired ball flight.
This model is ultimately for the more skilled or advanced golfer that is trying to reduce spin because of how hard they hit the ball and that wants more control over every aspect of their game.
This driver comes with the following spec options:
- loft options: 9⁰ & 10.5⁰
- Head volume: 445cc
- Std. length: 45 3/4″ (Alta CB Slate 55); 45 1/4″ (PING Tour and aftermarkets)
- Loft adjustability: 5 settings: +-1.5⁰ (0, +1⁰, +1.5⁰, -1⁰, -1.5⁰)
- Lie adjustability: Up to 3⁰ flatter
- Stock graphite shafts: PING ALTA CB 55 Slate (SR, R, S, X), ALTA Distanza 40
- No-upcharge shaft options: PING Tour 65/75 (R, S, X), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange 55 (R, S) & 65 (R, S, X), Aldila Rogue White 130 M.S.I. 70 (R, S, X)
- Standard grip: Arccos Caddie Smart Grip (Golf Pride Lite 360 Tour Velvet) in four sizes (Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″)
G425 SFT (Straight Flight Technology)
For golfers who commonly miss their tee shots to the right, the 460cc SFT version is engineered with draw bias to help bring shots back on-line and into the fairway.
It features a fixed 23-gram tungsten back weight that shifts the CG closer to the heel to promote a right-to-left shot bend of approximately 25 yards compared to the G425 Max model.
A lighter swingweight (D1) also helps influence the ball flight correction.
This driver is a great option for beginner to intermediate golfers that are constantly battling a slice and want to finally get that corrected and start hitting right down the fairway!
This driver comes with the following spec options:
- loft option: 10.5⁰
- Head volume: 460cc
- Std. length: 45 3/4″ (Alta CB Slate 55); 45 1/4″ (PING Tour and aftermarkets)Loft adjustability: 5 settings: +-1.5⁰ (0, +1⁰, +1.5⁰, -1⁰, -1.5⁰)
- Lie adjustability: Up to 3⁰ flatter
- Stock graphite shafts: PING ALTA CB 55 Slate (SR, R, S, X), ALTA Distanza 40
- No-upcharge shaft options: PING Tour 65/75 (R, S, X), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Orange 55 (R, S) & 65 (R, S, X), Aldila Rogue White 130 M.S.I. 70 (R, S, X)
- Standard grip: Arccos Caddie Smart Grip (Golf Pride Lite 360 Tour Velvet) in four sizes (Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″)
Hopefully, this breakdown has helped you get a better understanding of each club so that you can know which one works best for you!
If you still have any questions though, feel free to leave us a comment below and we can answer them for you!
