50 Words or Less
The PING G425 LST driver has a more compact shape than the G425 Max and lower spin. Same adjustability as G425 Max. Slightly less forgiveness.
Check out the new PING G430 LST driver HERE
Introduction
Predictably, the new G425 Max driver [review HERE] has already claimed a spot in my bag. But every time PING releases a new series of drivers, I’m tempted by the LST model. In this review, I’ll discuss whether the slim, beautiful G425 LST can dethrone big brother.
Looks
At address, the G425 LST driver is noticeably smaller than the G425 Max. It is a smaller head (445 cc), and it really shows in the front to back measurement. The LST isn’t tiny or intimidating, but it does have a more compact, traditional look. It is symmetrical and has a rounded, less triangular shape.
Aside from the shape and size, the G425 LST driver looks identical to the G425 Max or G425 SFT. All the new PING drivers have matte black crowns with turbulators at the leading edge. The sole has a clean, black and silver color scheme and a muscular geometric design.
Sound & Feel
In keeping with that “same, but different” theme, the G425 LST driver sounds much like the G425 Max but a bit quieter. The sound of impact is a strong, percussive “clap” that’s turned down a couple decibels from the Max. Audio feedback is clear with the sound turning a bit off-key on mishits.
The strong, solid feel of impact compliments the sound well. Even though this is a smaller head, it still feels extremely stable.
Performance
The PING G425 LST driver delivers on its namesake feature. I saw a drop of about 200 RPM between the G425 Max and the G425 LST. As always, your mileage may vary, so make sure you get fit before you buy.
What has impressed me about PING’s LST drivers is how they remain very forgiving and stable despite being lower spinning. While there is small trade off in forgiveness, you don’t need to be a plus handicap to game the G425 LST. Even when I hit shots off the heel, the distance was very respectable and the ball didn’t fly off the planet. Like its predecessor, the G425 LST has a spectacular forgiveness to looks ratio.
The G425 LST driver boasts the same substantial adjustability as the G425 Max. Loft can be adjusted up or down as much as 1.5 degrees. The “Flat” position shouldn’t be overlooked either – it’s a godsend for those who hook and pull their tee shots. There is also a weight in the back with three positions – Fade, Neutral, or Draw. In the LST, the weight is lighter than in the Max – 17 gram vs. 26 grams – but I still found the impact to be significant.
Also like the G425 Max, PING offers a great array of stock shafts in the G425 LST driver. There are three proprietary models: ALTA CB 55 Slate, PING Tour, and Alta Distanza. For the player that wants a hot aftermarket shaft in their driver, PING also offers the Aldila Rogue White 130 MSI [review HERE] and Mitsubishi TENSEI AV Orange in 55 and 65 gram weights.
Conclusion
Once again, PING has managed to make a smaller, low spin driver with forgiveness that can still rival almost anything else on the market. While I’ll be sticking with the G425 Max to get all the consistency I can, higher spin players should not be scared to try to find more distance with the G425 LST.
Visit PING HERE
PING G425 LST Driver Price & Specs
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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40 Comments
Matt,
How is the launch compared to Max, and if you remember, 410 LST and plus? I started last year with 410 lst, but just kept launching it too low. Plus brought in a more playable ball flight (launch was around 13 as opposed to 8) even with the drop in ball speed.
Brad,
I saw the LST and Max launching at very similar trajectories, but, as always, your mileage may vary.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, I’m curious how the perceived forgiveness compares to other brands, like TM. Assumption is that Ping drivers are more forgiving by nature, so is the “less forgiving” Ping still more friendly than the SIM2 or Max?
Tim,
I would rate the G425 LST as superior in forgiveness to the SIM2, similar to the SIM2 Max.
Best,
Matt
What rpm range would you consider a “high spin” player?
Depends on their speed. It all comes down to optimizing for distance – whatever combination of carry and roll works where you play.
Best,
Matt
Matt – do you still have your G400 LST numbers for comparison? How about G410 LST as well?
Respectfully, I will not be running any comparisons of current gear against older models except perhaps in the context of a Golf Myths Unplugged. We’re focused on keeping up with current reviews and content.
-Matt
I tested both drivers and while the Max should be the clear choice for me (based on my handicap) I was getting better results with the LST. I was swinging the LST quicker (same shaft) and my dispersion was identical. What stood out most to me was the difference in the sound and feel. I found the Max to be very loud and firm whereas the LST was more muted. I did try an interesting experiment where I switched the lighter tungsten weight from the LST and put it into the Max head. My SS immediately went up but I still preferred the sound and feel from the LST. The Tensei Orange shaft is very nice but don’t overlook the Ping Tour 65 shaft.
Interesting, I had a similar experience today in a fitting… I fully expected the MAX to suit me based on handicap but actually had better dispersion with the LST. Smaller head and nicer ‘dulled’ feel of the LST was a huge factor I think. I wonder how many others have found this to be the case.
You may be surprised, but sometimes a smaller head will give better results. Not that long ago, driver heads were all smaller. The thought was, make bigger heads, get better results and more golfers. Take a look at your ball strikes on a 460cc head. If you’re a regular golfer, you’ll find most of your strikes are within the “face” area of the smaller head.
Hiu Matt,
Need your help. I went with the Max and have had good results in keeping in play, but shorter than I had on the G410 Plus. I saw on YouTube where using a lighter weight in the back helps improve speed. I went to the store and tried the LST 17 gram weight in my Max and saw a few yards more. Tried the LST it wend maybe 15-20 yards more but was harder to get height (still a high handicapper). I am torn between returning Max and getting LST or staying as I am. Any thoughts?
Rick,
I would take the G425 Max to a good fitter, figure out why it’s not going as far (I’m guessing it’s spin) and work with them to fix it with either a different head, a lighter weight, or a new shaft.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, is there enough of a difference between the Ping G400 LST and Ping G425 LST to warrant upgrading? I know the gains each year with drivers brought out are marginal and have therefore resisted the temptation to buy a newer driver as why change something that works have only changed the shaft. I was wondering from your perspective of playing the G400, G410 and G425 drivers having had each in your bag whether you noticed significant differences between the different series in terms of performance?
Kind Regards
Jon
Jon,
I think there’s enough difference to run yours 400 head to head against the 425 in a fitting or demo.
What I’ve enjoyed about the last three generations of PING drivers (standard versions, not LST), is that there are the small objective upgrades but also more noticeable stylistic shifts. From G400 Max to G410 Plus, the head got a lot more streamlined, which isn’t necessarily better or worse, just different. It gave a different batch of players something they wanted. Now the G425 has the adjustability but with the bigger head again, which is better for me.
On my best swings, I would say the difference between the three generations isn’t huge, but over the course of a full season it’s clear to me that certain models were a better fit than others.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Thanks for that. As I play a Ping G410 LST 10 degree head in the standard setting I just wanted your thoughts given that Ping have changed the lofts in the G425 lst offering 9 degree and 10 degree heads. I generally do not like to tinker with settings but was wondering whether its worth considering the 9 degree head turned up to 10 degree . Is it better to get a head with a closer natural loft to what I play at, at the moment or getting the lower loft 9 and lifting up to the 10 degrees i have at the moment? I had noticed some of the tour pros such as Cameron Champ and Lee Westwood are playing the higher lofted 10.5 degree and lofting them down. I always thought that increasing the loft closes the face so I am a bit concerned that this would bring the left side more into play. Obviously will need to test properly but just thought I would ask about the effect of lofting a lower loft head up.
Kind Regards
Jon
Jon,
Increasing the loft on the hosel setting will close the face, you’re correct. As to whether or not you should alter the face angle, that really comes down to what you’re trying to do off the tee and what you like to look down at. I don’t like a closed face, but it can be comforting for a lot of players.
Best,
Matt
When i read or see reviews on the 425 driver they say that the LST is for fast swingspeed and spin players over 105mph. But when I look at The Ping Staff players on the LPGA they mostly seem to be playing the LST. Is there any kind of formula to this?
Billy,
The LST is a low spin head. Typically higher spin and the need for a low spin head is correlated with higher swing speed, but that’s not always the case. I’m a little above 105, but my spin is quite low. I would guess that the players on the LPGA Tour using it either prefer the look or need the spin reduction.
-Matt
Hi Matt,
Following on from my question regarding lofting up and down and its effects on face angle, do Ping offer digital lofting so I can ask for a 10.5 degree G425 lst at 10 degree?
What loft are you playing your G425 max at?
Kind Regards
Jon
Jon,
I believe that PING does offer digital lofting, but I’m not 100% certain.
I’m playing the G425 Max at 9*.
Best,
Matt
Thanks Matt ,does the face on the G425 LST sit fairly open at address in the standard non adjusted setting, as if that is the case I could probably get away with a 9 degree head adjusted up to 10 degree with the little + setting on the adaptor. I don’t like anything that is even slightly closed at address.
Kind Regards
Jon
Jon,
To my eye, it’s square to slightly open, but I expect there’s some variance from head to head.
-Matt
Is the LST appropriate for a very senior with 18 handicap? Mu currect driver goes way too high and gets little roll so I lose distance
Bob,
The choice between LST and Max is not about age or handicap or even swing speed, it’s just about fitting the performance of the head to the golfer’s needs. My advice is always to get a fitting, try both (and other things) and let the fitter show you what will get you the most distance.
Best,
Matt
HI Matt!
Thanks for the review! I have a situation that my G410 LST broke and Ping is replacing it with a G425 LST. I worry that I am going too low spin with the G425 LST, is it significantly lower in spin in real life? Many reviews say about 400 rpm drop but then often the Trackman & GCQ data show it’s pretty much the same as the Max, can you share your findings of the spin model against these two?
Thank you!
Hedge,
I didn’t test the G425 LST against the G410 LST, but my recollection is that they were fairly close in terms of spin.
Best,
Matt
Just had the same thing happen to me. Fractured the crown so 425 LST is coming my way. What did you find with yours?
How is the sound/feel in comparison to the G410? In your reviews of the G410 I know you said it was an upgrade on the G400, so wondering if you think the same about the G425
Marc,
The sound in the G425 is similar to the G410.
-Matt
Hi Matt,
I am a senior & my swing speed is 75 .I am interested in increasing my drive distance.I tested Ping G425 LST 9 degrees fitted with Ping Alta CB 55 Slate Soft Regular shaft which gave me 20 yards more than any other latest driver .I bought this driver head at reasonable rate from a golfer .I am interested to know whether I should buy the same above shaft or is there any better option to increase more distance.I don’t have club fitter in my area & I have to buy shaft on line .Please advise me the shaft ,grip(small hands) for distance.If I change the loft on this head to 10.5 ,will it increase the distance like I heard higher launch +low spin=good distance.
Will appreciate your help
Kulwant,
Unfortunately there’s no way for me to credibly tell you what to buy without seeing your swing or, at a minimum, having a lot of launch monitor data. If you have already tested the G425 LST/Alta combo and found success, I don’t see any reason not to buy that.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt
Playing the G410 max, best driver I’ve ever hit,
Will the G425 LST be as forgiving , any benefit in room or distance
Thanks in advance
Jim,
The only way to know for sure is to test it in a fitting. It will be longer for some but not others.
-Matt
Matt – your numbers in this article show 155 ball speed but only 258 carry. Were you testing the 10.5? My 410 LST was around 157 & 158 ball speed last week but my carry was 289 – 292 using the 9 neutral. When I don’t catch it as flush the ball speed drops to the low 150s – high 140s but carry is still routinely 260 or so. Curious as to why your carry wasn’t farther with the 425 over my 410 assuming you were using a good ball. Any ideas? (Sincerely interested – not trying to be ‘that guy’ wrt ball speed and driver distance.)
Don,
Similarly not trying to be “that guy,” but I think you’re either underestimating your ball speed or overestimating your distance. 158 ball speed on a perfect strike translates to a club head speed of roughly 105 MPH. The common optimization equation is club speed X 2.5, which gets us to 262.5 yards of carry.
Best,
Matt
I have been using g10.5 reg shaft and I am 15 handicap and I am 81 .just bought ag425 let will this be better
Robert,
Were you fit for the G425?
Best,
Matt
Been hitting a 400max for several years & love it.. Over winter i built a 425 LST with same shaft.. I am just starting to practice & use it after shoulder surgery in April…I like it, however on Ping’s website it says the head weight on 400 is 206g v 208g for the 425… I play to a 1-2 index & have tinkered with equipment for 30yrs, mostly by feel.. Ive ordered a 14g weight to swap out for the 17g that came in it.. what changes will that make from a technical standpoint? I may also trim an 1/8-1/4″ off the shaft end as well to slightly lighten up the feel closer to my 400max..
Scott,
3 grams represents roughly 1.5% of the head weight; the difference is going to be quite small.
-Matt