Super forgiving and still worth the money in 2024? Ping G430 Iron Review

The Ping G430 iron blends faster ball speeds with forgiveness to create a brilliant game-improving iron that’s perfect for mid-handicap golfers.

Evolution has very much been the story with Ping G irons since the original Ping G2 back in 2004, with the model receiving subtle tweaks to remain as one of the best golf irons available. Every new release has been ever so slightly better looking, more forgiving, and more powerful than the last. But rather than simply continue that trend, Ping started the development of the new G430 iron by asking themselves: ‘How do distance irons lead to better scoring?’

Thanks to Ping’s continual studies into golfers and their equipment, the brand knew 75% of the iron shots hit by mid-handicap golfers impact low on the clubface. It makes perfect sense then to make lowering the new G430’s center of gravity a priority, along with optimizing the face’s variable thickness to reflect low-face impacts.

Ping’s previous G425 iron was one of the best golf irons of the last two years, yet incredibly the brand are claiming a 7-10 yard carry distance gain across the whole new G430 set, which they say makes them “distance competitive but scoring uncompromised”. We feel the Ping G430 is one of the best mid-handicap irons you can get.    

Everything you need to know about the Ping G430 iron

Thin and fast face

Thanks to a new heat treatment, the G430’s 17-4 Hyper stainless-steel face is 3% thinner. The brand say the thinner face, along with fractionally stronger lofts (29° 7-iron vs 30° in the G425 iron), deliver 2+ mph faster ball speeds.

Thanks to the new lower CG, the brand also reckon golfers can expect greater maximum shot height, so there will be no difficulty stopping shots on the dancefloor.   

By dropping the center of gravity down (it’s 0.050” lower throughout the set), golfers get better feel and more speed, without needing to change their impact location. In short, Ping have brought the sweetspot to you.  

More compact look  

The ‘G’ marquee is the best Ping iron in terms of numbers sold since the model was first introduced in 2004. Over the last two generations talk has turned to the ‘G’ becoming slightly more compact and desirable (particularly in the scoring irons), but doing so with zero trade-offs in terms of performance.

This time around, thanks to a shorter hosel, Ping’s engineers reckon golfers get a slightly more compact cosmetic without touching the forgiveness on offer.  

Badge of honour

Avid equipment fans will have spotted over the last few years how brands are moving away from traditional cavity badges in irons. Ping say they’re doing this because badges restrict face flex at impact. But where others have turned to hollow body and cap back constructions, Ping’s dedication to engineering brilliance has led them to create a badge that flexes.

The new PURFLEX badge in the G430’s cavity back is made up of 15 different pieces and it’s got 7 flexible zones. Ping say the combination of an aluminum chassis, carbon fiber sections, 7 ABS molded pieces and a damping tape backer, improve feel and sound, encourage additional face flex and help reduce spin (which adds distance, but doesn’t affect stopping power thanks to a higher shot height).   

Lower MOI but better dispersion

Golfers for years have been told how MOI equals forgiveness, but Ping are happy to decrease the MOI of the G430 iron fractionally (from 3,360g cm² to 3,196g cm²), safe in the knowledge that thanks to being lower spinning the model will offer golfers a 23% lower dispersion than the previous G425. It means the G430 will still be one of the most forgiving irons on the market.  

More bounce

‘G’ irons have always been about playability, and by adding 1° more bounce to the soles of the G430 golfers get extra insurance against hitting destructive heavy and fat shots.

There’s a new High Launch set-up for moderate-speed players 

It would be really easy to look at Ping strengthening the lofts of the G430 and say the model is no longer an iron for moderate-speed players, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. For the first time, Ping have developed a whole new High Launch set-up within the whole G430 family, and they reckon the model will account for 10-30% of ‘G’ iron sales going forward.

The new HL setup is approximately 15% lighter across the family, whether you’re buying a driver, fairway wood, hybrid or irons, and each comes with a swing weight to match slower swing speed players. A Fujikura-produced 35/45g Ping Alta Quick shaft has also been developed specifically for the HL’s target player. If you swing a 7-iron less than 75mph, the new Ping G430 are right up your street.   

Video: Does the Ping G430 iron suit you?

Details: Ping G430 iron

RRP: £150 / $170 per iron (steel) / £160 / $185 per iron (graphite)

Stock shaft: Ping AWT 2.0 (s), Ping Alta CB Black (g)

No upcharge shafts: Dynamic Gold 105 (s), Project X 10 (s), Dynamic Gold 120 (s), Dynamic Gold (s), KBS Tour (s), Nippon NS Pro Modus³ 105 (s), True Temper Elevate MPH (s, Ping Alta CB Slate (g), UST Recoil (g)

7-iron loft: 29°

Forgiveness rating: 3.5/5 (Mid-High Handicap Iron)

Specs: Ping G430 irons

Distance gains

Ping have added up the distance gains that players of different swing speeds can expect to see by making a full-bag switch from G425 to G430. As you can see, the irons are a significant part of that, meaning G430 will be a very tempting option for anyone wanting some extra carry distance with their irons.

Verdict: Ping G430 iron

The G430, like their predecessors, are a force to be reckoned with even though they’re now entering their second year on the shelf. The G family have evolved into an attractive and desirable model (especially in the shorter irons and wedges), yet they remain ultra-forgiving, a point highlighted by the model posting the second smallest carry distance drop-off and second tightest shot area of our entire 2024 Mid-Handicap Iron category.

The G430 wasn’t our fastest or longest Mid-Handicap model but their numbers consistently hovered around the test averages for every metric except dispersion, where the model excelled. I’ve tested the G430 for a couple of years now, while some will say the blade lengths of the mid and longer irons are a little longer than some (which helps nudge up MOI forgiveness) I’d happily recommend them and spend my own money on a set, safe in the knowledge Ping irons hold their value better than almost any other golf equipment.

Just remember if you find the lofts are a fraction strong for your average swing speed, all Ping irons come with the option of Retro (weaker) and Power (stronger) lofts, and if you’re really struggling to flight shots for maximum carry distance there’s also a lighter and more lively HL version too.

If your game teeters at the edges of the Mid-Handicap Iron category it’s well worth noting there’s a new i530 Players Distance Iron and G730 Super Game Improvement on their way in April 2024.    

Video: How does the Ping G430 compare to leading competitor 2024 Mid-Handicap Irons?

Data comparison: How does the Ping G430 compare to leading competitor Mid-Handicap Irons?

Iron	7-Iron Loft	Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Backspin	Height	Descent Angle	Carry Distance	Carry Distance Drop Off	Shot Area
TaylorMade Qi	28°	129.2 MPH (3)	15.6°	5065 RPM	33 YDS	44.2°	198 YDS (T1)	12 YDS	267.6 SQ YDS
PXG 0211 XCOR2	28°	130.1 MPH (2)	13.6°	5057 RPM	29 YDS	41.8°	198 YDS (T1)	16 YDS	193.6 SQ YDS
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke	28°	130.6 MPH (1)	14.5°	5311 RPM	32 YDS	43.4°	197 YDS (3)	18 YDS	552.6 SQ YDS
Wilson Dynapower	27°	127.8 MPH	15°	4910 RPM	31 YDS	42.7°	195 YDS	8 YDS (T3)	196.8 SQ YDS
Cobra Forged Tec X	27°	127.7 MPH	13.9°	4872 RPM	29 YDS	42.1°	191 YDS	9 YDS	360 SQ YDS
PXG 0311 XP GEN6	27°	126.2 MPH	13.7°	4726 RPM	27 YDS	40.8°	190 YDS	20 YDS	470 SQ YDS
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal	28.5°	127.6 MPH	14.9°	5748 RPM	31 YDS	44.2°	190 YDS	13 YDS	243.1 SQ YDS
Srixon ZX4	28.5°	126.4 MPH	14.7°	5030 RPM	30 YDS	43.1°	189 YDS	22 YDS	594 SQ YDS
Ram FXT		126.1 MPH	15.4°	5395 RPM	31 YDS	43.7°	189 YDS	13 YDS	161.2 SQ YDS
Cleveland XL ZipCore	29°	125.1 MPH	14.6°	4719 RPM	29 YDS	41.8°	188 YDS	15 YDS	210 SQ YDS
Ping G430	29°	125.8 MPH	14.9°	5117 RPM	30 YDS	43.3°	187 YDS	7 YDS (2)	110.6 SQ YDS (2)
Inesis 500		125.1 MPH	15.6°	5456 RPM	31 YDS	43.5°	187 YDS	8 YDS (T3)	181.6 SQ YDS
Titleist T350	29°	125.5 MPH	14.3°	5159 RPM	29 YDS	42.6°	186 YDS	11 YDS	167.2 SQ YDS
Cobra Darkspeed	27°	126.7 MPH	12.4°	5298 RPM	26 YDS	40.7°	186 YDS	8 YDS (T3)	129.6 SQ YDS
Takomo 101	30°	123.8 MPH	14°	4784 RPM	27 YDS	40.8°	184 YDS	4 YDS (1)	52.4 SQ YDS (1)
Yonex GS i-Tech		125.2 MPH	13.8°	5373 RPM	28 YDS	42.2°	184 YDS	21 YDS	611.1 SQ YDS
Vega Mizar Plus	30°	125.4 MPH	14.3°	5858 RPM	29 YDS	43.8°	182 YDS	22 YDS	420.2 SQ YDS
Sub 70 699	31°	124.1 MPH	13.3°	5847 RPM	27 YDS	42.1°	179 YDS	11 YDS	154 SQ YDS
MacGregor V-Max		118.3 MPH	17.5°	6305 RPM	31 YDS	45.3°	171 YDS	8 YDS (T8)	121.6 SQ YDS (3)
AVERAGE		126.1 MPH	14.5°	5265 RPM	29.5 YDS	42.7°	187.9 YDS	12.9 YDS	273.5 SQ YDS

CEO & President, John K. Solheim on the Ping G430 irons

Our ability to make this iron so much longer while maintaining all the other important attributes golfers need from their irons like forgiveness, stopping power and gapping alternatives is one of the most impressive engineering stories throughout the entire G430 line.

We know golfers want more distance from their irons but distance without control doesn’t lead to lower scores. That’s why we put so much emphasis on designing an iron that not only goes a very long way, but it flies higher, straighter and lands softer.

READ NEXT
– Ping G430 hybrids review
– Which Ping iron suits you?
– Ping G430 driver review

        

Ping G430 Irons

RRP: £150 / $170 per iron (steel) / £160 / $185 per iron (graphite) | VIEW UK OFFER | VIEW US OFFER

Stock shaft: Ping AWT 2.0 (s), Ping Alta CB Black (g)

No upcharge shafts: Dynamic Gold 105 (s), Project X 10 (s), Dynamic Gold 120 (s), Dynamic Gold (s), KBS Tour (s), Nippon NS Pro Modus³ 105 (s), True Temper Elevate MPH (s, Ping Alta CB Slate (g), UST Recoil (g)

7-iron loft: 29°

Forgiveness rating: 3.5/5 (Mid-High Handicap Iron)

Visit the Ping website here