Ping G30 Driver - AmateurGolf.com Player Staff Review
16 Apr 2015
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Turbulators set new performance standards on the Ping G30 driver.
by Alan Alsheimer, Jr. - AmateurGolf.com Player
Staff
When Ping set out to create the G30, they were
once again put in the familiar position of having
to try and improve upon their last driver - the
G25 - which many believe to be one of the all-
time best drivers ever released to date.
Well, Ping pulled it off, unsurprisingly.
Freakishly forgiving, freakishly long and lower
spinning than the G25, the G30 is everything
you could want in your hands. It comes as
either a 9 or 10.5 degree with adjustability of
+1/-1 degree in each direction. It’s a forgivable
“fairway-finder” that produces so much less
spin on off center impact, that I found most
balls to just fly right or left, in the rough line,
without much side-spin taking the ball offline.
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The CG is
lower and farther back than any Ping driver to
date, ensuring high launch and optimized spin.
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Struck perfectly, that same spin reduction
produces a high launch and deep carry with
enough workability to execute your intended
shot shape. Now, let’s get to the Turbulators.
Through extensive testing, Ping found two
things. One, the aerodynamic fins on the top of
the crown work to reduce club head drag
through the downswing and impact zone.
Secondly, the drag reduction produced greater
club head speed over a non-finned crown
swung at the same speed. On Trackman, I
consistently gained 1.5 mph in club head
speed, pushing me up into the 115 range. I
have my 9 degree adjusted down to 8.5 and
have found the perfect trajectory for me.
Granted, 1.5 mph may not leave you jumping
up and down for joy, but it did produce over
five additional yards of carry, which can be
considered half a club less on your approach.
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Turbulators on the crown help
generate greater clubhead speed and ball
velocity. |
Additionally, I fell in love with the
Turbulators. They frame the ball better than
any top crown marking I have tried to date and
that black matte finish - I cannot say enough.
No glare, ball framed, longer carry, straighter
flight. Are you on board yet? While the majority
of Ping’s PGA Tour Staff play the G30, there are
two additional offerings to help you find the
right one for your game. The LS Tec sits slightly
open at address and is the lower spin option.
The SF Tec, has the opposite bias, a draw,
which allows for greater face rotation through
impact and a slight closing of the face. My
advice, hit all three if you are unsure. The shaft
certainly plays an important part of launch and
spin characteristics, but having the right head
option allows your swing to be even further
dialed in to your optimal best. Whichever one
you choose, you will be rewarded with what
many are calling the “new” single best overall
performance driver ever made.