is topping worth it for a 2x4, 7 plant SOG?

Hi there. It depends. Topping has the advantage of giving you an even canopy, which ensures that the top buds receive light more evenly. But you can also pursue a similar goal with LST. With topping, the ladies need about 1 week longer in the vegetative stage because they have to recover from the intervention. During that time, the side branches also get a bit more momentum, so they grow towards the height of the main stem. With a scrog net, you can additionally ensure an even canopy. Without HST and LST, the main buds get quite a bit of light, while the buds on the side branches don’t get as much light. It depends on how much time you want to give them in the vegetative stage.