Is the Ping G30 Driver Still Good? Is it Forgiving for High Handicappers?

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“The Ping G30 is a 460cc driver that sports modern features even though it is about 8 years old now in 2022.”

If you are looking to spend a moderate amount on a driver that has more modern features but still don’t want to break the bank, you should be looking at the Ping G30 driver.

We tested this driver for ourselves and without giving away too much in the intro, we found this to be one of the most unique Ping drivers from the mid 2010 era that we ever swung.

However, unique doesn’t always mean good. Furthermore, it’s no indication as to whether it will be good for high handicappers or not.

As always, we recommend getting fitted for Ping drivers as a fitting will really set you up for a driver that suits your needs.

But if you have just started your research into new drivers, you need to check out what we found in our testing of the Ping G30.

Is the Ping G30 Driver Still Good?

“In a word, yes. The Ping G30 driver is still good because it has some features that were way ahead of its time.”

It’s hard to believe that the Ping G30 came out in 2014 because a lot of the features it has are included in today’s Ping drivers.

To be more specific though, the Ping G30 is still a good option for anyone who wants to increase their swing speed by a bit.

One of the things that was consistent across the board for our testers when swinging the Ping G30 was a slight increase in swing speed. This can only be attributed to the “Turbilators” that Ping included in the construction of the crown.

The Turbulators work to cut the drag of the air as it moves over the crown on your downswing. For our testers, this amounted to an average swing speed increase of ¾ mph.

However, our better testers were able to increase their swing speeds by 1 whole mph. On average, this will amount to an extra 3-5 yards on your drive not including some extra roll.

In summation, the Ping G30 is still a good driver for increasing your swing speed and your distance almost instantly.

Is the Ping G30 Forgiving for High Handicappers?

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“High handicappers should be aware that the Ping G30 has a tendency to sit open at address.”

This can be a problem if you already have trouble closing up the face at impact. However, the Ping G30 also has an adjustable hosel that can help to open or close up the face at address.

So for high handicappers, we would actually recommend moving the hosel to the -0.6 degree setting or even the -1.0 degree setting. The Ping G30 also has a Custom Tuning Port that allows you to adjust the swing weight of the club.

This tandem of features makes the Ping G30 driver very versatile for a wide variety of high handicappers. The Ping G30 also features a T9S titanium face which is incredibly thin and responsive.

For the most part, our testers were seeing drive increases of 4-5 yards with this driver and that’s due in part to the face that plays incredibly hot. The thin titanium material also allows for more weight to be moved deeper and lower into the club head.

The lower CG is great for forgiveness because it allows for higher launch and better swing mechanics. So in a nutshell, we wouldn’t say that the Ping G30 is the most forgiving Ping driver; but it’s certainly up there with the best.

Ping G30 Vs. Ping G425

“The Ping G425 basically has everything the Ping G30 has and more.”

In addition to an adjustable hosel, 460cc head and titanium construction, the Ping G425 driver also has a tungsten adjustable rear weight. This allows the CG to be moved to the draw, neutral or fade position.

We also noticed that the G425 felt a bit lighter than the Ping G30 and that was probably because of the titanium internal ribbing system. Distance was comparable between the two drivers with the G425 producing longer average drives by a mere 3 yards.

Ping G30 First Impressions

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“We were a bit wary at the stance of this driver at address.”

As we mentioned, it sits open at address. But that was nothing a bit of adjusting couldn’t fix. And speaking of adjusting, the hosel can be switched into different positions very quickly and easily which was very good for us.

Ping G30 Selling Points

T9S Titanium face
Adjustable hosel
Turbulator technology
46cc club head
Low CG
Thin face
Custom tuning port

Ping G30 Key Features

“The features that went into the Ping G30 driver help it stack up very well against more recent drivers.”

Turbulator Technology: These are essentially fins on the crown that help cut through the air to resist drag and increase swing speed.

T9S Face: This is a special type of titanium that from our testing, proved to play hot and preserve ball speed on errant shots.

Custom Tuning Port: A slightly larger tuning port (from the G25) allows for more accurate control over swing weight.

What Handicap is it for?

“The Ping G30 will fit mid to high handicappers.”

That’s because of the adjustability. Whether you like a controlled launch or need as much apex height as you can get, the Ping G30 will deliver.

Ping G30 Driver Options

Ping TFC 419D graphite shaft
Ping Tour 65 graphite shaft
9 degree loft
5 degree loft

Who Should Buy the Ping G30 Driver?

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“It would fit the needs of anyone looking for better swing speed.”

The turbulators actually work. It’s not some gimmick to help sell the G30 driver. It’s not the most forgiving Ping driver out there; but it will provide an instant increase in distance for both mid and high handicappers.