In golf, a wedge is a club with a high loft angle, typically used for shots that require a high, soft landing. Wedges are categorized into three types based on their loft angles: the pitching wedge (46-50 degrees), the gap wedge (51-54 degrees), and the sand wedge (54-58 degrees). Some golfers also carry a lob wedge (59-65 degrees) for shots that require an even higher launch angle and shorter distance.
The grind of a wedge refers to the shaping and contouring of the sole of the club. This can affect the way the club interacts with the turf, sand, or rough during the swing, and can therefore have a significant impact on the type of shot produced. Different grinds may be more suitable for certain types of golfers or playing conditions and can also affect the amount of bounce a wedge has.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular grind options for wedges from major golf club manufacturers.
Titleist
Titleist offers a variety of wedge grinds for their Vokey SM9 wedges, including the F Grind, S Grind, M Grind, and D Grind. The F Grind is a full sole grind that provides more stability and forgiveness for full swings, while the S Grind has a trailing edge that is more curved to allow for versatility in both full shots and touch shots around the green. The M Grind has a crescent-shaped sole that is ideal for players who like to manipulate the face angle for different shots, and the D Grind has a high-bounce crescent sole that is ideal for softer turf or sand conditions.
TaylorMade
TaylorMade offers the Hi-Toe and the Milled Grind 3 wedges, with several grind options. The Hi-Toe wedge has a high toe design that allows for increased versatility in opening the face for different shots around the green, while the Milled Grind 3 has a precision-milled sole for consistent turf interaction. The Milled Grind 3 offers a variety of grind options including the popular C Grind, which has a crescent-shaped sole for versatility in shot making, the S Grind, which has a trailing edge with moderate heel relief, and the low-bounce LB Grind, which is ideal for firmer turf conditions.
PING
PING offers several grind options for their Glide 4.0 wedges, including the standard sole, the WS (Wide Sole), and the TS (Thin Sole). The standard sole has a versatile design for different shot types, while the WS grind has more bounce and a wider sole for softer turf conditions. The TS grind has less bounce and a narrower sole for firmer turf conditions.
Callaway
Callaway offers several grind options for their Mack Daddy 5 wedges, including the W Grind, S Grind, C Grind, and X Grind. The W Grind has a wider sole and more bounce for shots from soft bunkers or deep rough, while the S Grind has a moderate amount of bounce and heel relief for versatility in shot making. The C Grind has a crescent-shaped sole and a low leading edge for shots with a shallow angle of attack, and the X Grind has a narrow sole with high bounce for firm turf conditions.
Cleveland
Cleveland Golf is another popular manufacturer of wedges and offers a range of grind options for their RTX 6 and CBX Full-Face wedges. Cleveland’s grind options include the Full, Mid, and Low grinds. The Full grind has a slightly rounded leading edge and a moderate amount of bounce, making it ideal for full shots and bunker shots. The Mid grind has a straight leading edge and a lower amount of bounce, making it ideal for players who like to play with an open face. Finally, the Low grind has a narrow sole and low bounce, making it ideal for players who have a shallow angle of attack and play on firm turf conditions.
When deciding on a wedge grind, it’s important to consider the type of shots you typically hit with your wedges, as well as the type of turf conditions you typically play on. A player who tends to hit full shots with their wedges may prefer a full sole grind, while a player who likes to open the face for different shots may prefer a high-toe design. Similarly, a player who plays on firm turf conditions may prefer a lower-bounce grind, while a player who plays on soft, sandy conditions may prefer
