EQUIPMENT NEWS PING G430 HYBRID

TRIED & TESTED

Equipment Editor Dan Owen puts the new Ping G430 Hybrids through their paces.

As a mid-handicap golfer, I realised a long time ago that a 3-iron, and then a little later, a 4-iron, were not going to be the best options for my game. Historically, I have never got on with high-lofted fairway woods, but I have found a modicum of success with hybrid clubs. I used to favour smaller more tour-inspired designs, such as the original Adams Idea Pro, but I’ve learned to lean into the forgiveness and have played the last couple of generations of Ping hybrid.

Ping’s G425 hybrid looked incredible behind the ball, was powerful and easy to hit from any lie, and offered a lot of forgiveness. However, on the course, I had a horrible habit of hitting them a little thin (a combination of poor swing, and not quite right shafts), and I’d suggest its sound was a bit noisier than other similar clubs I’d tried.

The brand’s G430 is an improvement in nearly every way. The biggest change is the visible CarbonFly Wrap crown that saves weight to lower the centre of gravity, Elsewhere, the Facewrap technology connects the face to the crown and sole for faster, while a variable roll radius face, with lower loft lower on the clubface creates what Ping call ‘Spinsistency’.

To my eye the G430 hybrid is ever slightly smaller heelto-toe than the G425, and while the shape is very similar, there is a touch better than the G425, and I think a lot of that is a more suitable shaft for my swing in the Mitsubishi Kai’li white.

But if feel is a key metric for you then go ahead and buy these straightaway. The Carbonfly Wrap dulls the sound at impact for a powerful precise strike. It’s incredibly nerdy to say, but the feel was addictive. At the range I couldn’t the feel, and partly because every shot where it was intended. One other thing to offer these in six lofts, from a 2-hybrid (17°) all the way up to a 7 (34°). When you add in the adjustable hosels, and the new HL lightweight options, these clubs can be used by any standard of golfer, and I can see them being in my bag for a couple of

Stand Out From The Crowd With Ogio

Ogio has launched an eye-catching new collection of golf bags that will help you stand out on the fairways this season.

The bags are offered in seven different designs, including the blue-and-yellow ‘Bananarama’ model and a bright orange and red ‘Day of the Dead’ inspired Sugar Skulls design, both of which have proven popular on Ogio’s travel cover range.

The All Elements Silencer (£299) features OGIO’s patented Silencer Club Protection System and returns to the cart bags range due to demand from previous users. The 15-way moulded top delivers a more efficient way to organise your set by easily locking each club into place, preventing noisy rattling and damage. The latest version has been improved to work with oversized grips.

The All Elements Stand Bag (£269) is being produced in a fully waterproof and geometric rip-stop fabric, with full-seam seals to ensure the contents of your bag remain dry all year round.