- Updated: January 11, 2024
Ping G430 MAX 3-Wood Review
MAX Everything: Launch, Forgiveness and Carry
Ryan Heiman
Founder and head author at Independent Golf Reviews
I gamed the Ping G430 MAX 3-wood for 5 rounds of golf this spring. I also tested it on the range and in the Office by Carl’s Place DIY Simulators. The combination of on course testing and FlightScope numbers proved this 3-wood to be MAX everything: Launch, Forgiveness and Carry.
This is my definative review of the Ping G430 MAX 3-wood.
Featured in our list of Best 3 woods in 2024 for its Maximum Playability – Great for Most Golfers.
The 3-wood slot in a golfers bag greatly varies on their comfort level and needs. Some golfers use it as their “driver”, others almost never hit it, while others only use it off the fairway, and others use it for many of their shots. However you use a 3-wood, having one that does it all will appeal to many golfers. The Ping G430 MAX 3-wood offers a whole lot everything: Launch, Forgiveness, and Carry.
Launch
The Ping G430 MAX 3-wood is one of the higher launching 3-woods I’ve tested. While virtually all 3-woods I test are 15* heads, that doesn’t mean they all launch the same. While the face angle is 15* how the ball comes off the face varies by weighting, spin, angle of attack, etc. While my angle of attack is basically the same from club to club, what Ping did internally in this club to lower the mass, extend it back means this ball has a high launch off the face. This high launch is going to benefit many golfers, even the very fast swingers who already launch it. If you can get the ball quickly in the air it can really aid in some other factors as you look to carry trees, corners, bunkers, water, etc. It will maximize some of other features of the club with a quick high launch. It doesn’t balloon, or float, but quick strong and flat high flight.
Forgiveness
The Ping G430 MAX 3-wood is also amazingly forgiving. The shape of the face is thin and wide. While you may not have a ton of face up and down, the side to side size is very healthy. The face is hot and forgiving all the way across the entire expanse from toe to heel. Obviously the extreme edges aren’t good; anywhere between/on the grooves is going to turnout rather good. The MOI is very high with the low deep weight so the hot face and high MOI means you get MAX forgiveness out of your 3-wood which is especially helpful if you are replacing a wayward hitting driver or if you are using it to approach greens, this things hits lasers that hold the line. You don’t have to hit it perfectly to get consistent flight and distance.
Carry
The Ping G430 MAX 3-wood has excellent carry distance. Because of the launch and spin, it might not roll out the furthest, but the carry distance is near the top of 3-woods I’ve hit. This is actually a really good thing unless all you use a 3-wood for is driver replacement. The ability to carry further and yet stop faster is very beneficial as you attack greens with your 3-wood. It is a great feeling to watch your approach on a par 5 launch up in the air, carry a bunker and still stay on the green. It is vital for going over water, cutting a corner with trees, or simply stopping at the distance you need instead of rolling out into the rough or off the green.
Sound, Feel, Appearance
The Ping G430 MAX 3-wood non-performance factors still have an impact on how the club plays. While it isn’t the nuts and bolts of the science of performance; mentally these features affect performance. This 3-wood has a large footprint. While the face is thin, the overall size is wide and deep. The amount of carbon used in the crown is visible and audible. It has a very muted crack at impact. The subtle details make it look really good behind the ball as it sets up square.
The Ping G430 MAX 3-wood has 5 stock shaft options. I went with the Ping Tour 2.0 Black shaft which is their low launch, low spin shaft which paired with this head is perfect to flatten out the high launch. The feel is outstanding and very stable. If you like their counterbalanced shafts, Ping is one of the companies to offer that stock. (however my swing doesn’t get along with CB shafts) They come stock with Golf Pride 360 Tour Velvet shaft. There is QR code tag in the grip that allows you get Arccos tags for your Ping clubs. Since I already have them, I didn’t sign up for more, but I highly recommend Arccos if you haven’t.
Ping G430 MAX 3-Wood Stats
Data from Flightscope Xi Tour Launch Monitor
➜ Spin: 3008 rpms
➜ Launch Angle: 15.8*
➜ Dispersion: 4.0 yds
➜ Club Head Speed: 102.1 mph
➜ Ball Speed: 147.9 mph
➜ Total Distance: 256.1 yds
➜ Carry Distance: 251.6 yds
Summary
The Ping G430 MAX 3-wood offers MAX of about every performance feature you want in a 3-wood: Launch, Forgiveness, and Carry. If you are looking to upgrade your 3-wood for use off the tee, from the fairway, for long approaches, for cutting corners or hitting tight fairways, this club does it all really well. This club sets the bar really high for 2023 3-woods by MAXing out all the key performance features; Launch, Forgiveness and Carry.
For more information: Ping Website
🏌️♂️ Subscribe to
Independent Golf Reviews 👇
Get Golf Discounts & Giveaways from the top brands and stores in golf.
Sign up below to be automatically entered in this months giveaway.
No spam, ever. 🔒
About The Author
Ryan Heiman – Founder and Head Author of Independent Golf Reviews
Ryan has over 10 years of experience testing and writing golf reviews of nearly every brand out there.
HCP: 3
Read more…
Share
Receive the best golf discounts available exclusively for our subscribers and be auto entered into our monthly golf giveaways!
No spam, ever. 🔒
