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The Ultimate Guide to Wedge Grinds: Explained

The Ultimate Guide to Wedge Grinds: Explained

Understanding wedge grinds can be a daunting task. We've compiled a list of every wedge grind worthwhile, from all the manufacturers we love and know, and placed them all in one easy place to digest and comprehend.

Wedge grinding is the process of removing material or reprofiling the shape of the sole of a wedge to improve or make more efficient, its interaction with various types of turf and swing characteristics. Choosing the correct grind on your wedges is essential for creating more consistency around the greens, as well as improving your capabilities to play those shots with the proper flight, spin and power placed upon the ball. Explained in depth below, different grinds are designed for specific types of swings, shot styles, and turf materials. Having the shot versatility and creativity available to you at all times is vital to shooting your lowest score out on the links.

Wedge Grind Terminology

There are a variety of different ways to remove material from the sole area of a wedge that allows for more improved performance from different lies and even different swing types. This makes selecting the correct wedge grind more important because each grind provides features that either excel or fight the type of shot you are trying to play as well as the type of swing you have. Here are some important terms to understand when reading through the information regarding specific types of wedge grinds that are built for different uses.

Leading Edge

Leading edge relief on a sole generally means the front, lower edge of the face is cut in a way that makes it sharper. A sharper leading edge is designed ideally for cutting through thick rough, and fescue, where the club needs to fight through the material before striking the ball.

Trailing Edge

On wedges with trailing edge cuts, material from the back section of the sole is removed to allow the club to sit lower to the ground. This creates a grind that excels at sliding through, or along the ground, without losing as much clubhead speed. Trailing edge relief works by helping create more lifting force on the golf ball when opening the clubface while on firmer, drier turf styles.

Heel Relief

Removing material from the heel of a wedge allows the club to sit flatter on the ground while manipulating the clubface to be open. It reduces the heel interaction and slowing of the clubhead when interacting with the turf on open-face shots, providing more consistent distance and less effect on the direction of travel imparted on the ball.

Sole Design

Changing the sole design of a wedge generally means manipulating the roundness of the sole itself. This changes the way the wedge sits on the ground. Wider, flatter soles usually provide golfers with increased forgiveness by reducing digging into the turf.

Titleist Vokey Wedges

World-renowned wedge-maker, Bob Vokey, has spent decades perfecting his craft. With input from the best players in the world, Vokey wedges were engineered with firsthand feedback from Tour pros for the best in performance, feel and aesthetics. There's a reason Vokey wedges are the overwhelming favorite on Tour and a best-seller among amateur golfers alike.

  • T-Grind

    The T-Grind is a new low-bounce option for the Vokey SM9 lineup. It's the narrowest sole offering with as much heel, toe and trailing edge relief available, offering the most versatile shot types around the greens.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: All
    • Divot Size: Average
    • Attack Angle: Neutral
    • Sole Design: Narrow
    • Available Lofts: 58° & 60°
    • Bounce: 4°
  • F-Grind

    The F-Grind is a do-it-all option specifically designed for full power shots or any ball you want to play with a square face. Not surprisingly, this grind is the most played sand wedge used on the PGA Tour.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: All
    • Divot Size: Average
    • Attack Angle: Normal to Steep
    • Sole Design: Traditional
    • Available Lofts: 46°, 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°
    • Bounce: 8°, 10°, 12°, 14°
  • M-Grind

    The M-Grind is best suited for shotmakers who like to open or close their clubface to create very specific shot styles around the greens. It is ideal for players with a shallow, sweeping style swing that use multiple clubface angles.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Normal
    • Divot Size: Smaller
    • Attack Angle: Shallower
    • Sole Design: Wide
    • Available Lofts: 56°, 58°, 60°, 62°
    • Bounce: 8°
  • S-Grind

    Vokey's S-Grind features a narrow trailing edge made to glide through the rough. It's best suited for golfers that prefer to manipulate loft with their hands out in front or behind the ball.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Normal to Firm
    • Divot Size: Average
    • Attack Angle: Normal
    • Sole Design: Narrow
    • Available Lofts: 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 10°
  • D-Grind

    The D-Grind sports a high-measured bounce for versatility through its heel, toe and trailing edge grind. It's ideal for golfers who come down steep on the ball and play shots with a square, closed or open clubface.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Softer
    • Divot Size: Larger
    • Attack Angle: Steep
    • Sole Design: Traditional
    • Available Lofts: 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 12°
  • K-Grind

    The K-Grind is the highest-bounce Vokey wedge option with a full, wide sole. It's perfect for players looking to escape softer surfaces such as the bunkers, providing forgiveness by not digging deep in the turf.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Softer
    • Divot Size: Smaller to None
    • Attack Angle: Steeper
    • Sole Design: Wide
    • Available Lofts: 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 14°
  • L-Grind

    Titleist's Vokey L-Grind is the lowest bounce option with relief in the toe, heel and trailing edge. It's made for firm conditions and ideal for players who always find the sweet spot. It offers the best versatility for players with complete, precise control of their wedges.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Firmer
    • Divot Size: Smaller to None
    • Attack Angle: Shallower
    • Sole Design: Traditional
    • Available Lofts: 60°
    • Bounce: 4°

Callaway Jaws Wedges

Callaway Golf wedges are designed to save you strokes out on the links. Legendary wedge-maker, Roger Cleveland, paired with the Callaway Research & Development team, have engineered a tool with exceptional ratings from golf publications as well as consumers. Regardless of grind, bounce or loft, carrying a Callaway wedge in your bag will aid you in playing your absolute best.

  • X-Grind

    Callaway's X-Grind is the highest bounce option in the Jaws Raw Face lineup. It provides heel and toe relief paired with a narrow sole designed to open the face up around the greens. The X-Grind is best suited for shotmakers with a steeper swing and angle of attack.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Normal to Soft
    • Divot Size: Larger/Deeper
    • Attack Angle: Steeper
    • Sole Design: Narrow
    • Available Lofts: 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 12°
  • W-Grind

    The W-Grind features the widest sole of Callaway's wedges, with a sharper leading edge designed to reduce digging on softer surfaces, including the sand. This grind is Callaway's most forgiving, madefor golfers that create larger divots and need the most aid in not digging deep into the turf.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Softer
    • Divot Size: Larger
    • Attack Angle: Steeper
    • Sole Design: Wide
    • Available Lofts: 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 12°
  • S-Grind

    The most popular grind from Callaway, the S-Grind is a standard-width sole and small leading edge designed to enhance interaction with the ground. It is best suited for square-face shots with various swing types and turf conditions through its versatility.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: All
    • Divot Size: Average
    • Attack Angle: Normal
    • Sole Design: Traditional
    • Available Lofts: 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 14°
  • Z-Grind

    Callway's Z-Grind wedges offer a tri-level sole design with an aggressively cut leading edge to slice through the turf, making it a more playable low-bounce option. Z-Grind is best for players with a shallow divot that prefer versatility around the greens and possess the ability to open or close the face.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Normal to Firm
    • Divot Size: Smaller/Shallow
    • Attack Angle: Shallower
    • Sole Design: Tri-level
    • Available Lofts: 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 8°

Cobra Snakebite Wedges

Cobra's rich and reminiscent history of wedge evolution has been fine-tuned throughout the years to create something truly special. Designed through the input of Tour Pros, with specific insight into qualities of forgiveness, Cobra wedges are designed equally for weekend golfers and players at the highest level. Each Cobra wedge grind offers a custom-tailored option to suit the specific playstyle of the golfer.

  • Classic Grind

    Cobra's Classic Grind featured on the Snakebite wedges uses a standard width sole and trailing edge relief for slightly more versatility on various turf conditions. The Classic Grind is best suited for players with neutral to steeper angle of attack, who play full power wedge shots and longer pitches.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Soft to Firm
    • Divot Size: Average to Large
    • Attack Angle: Neutral to Steeper
    • Sole Design: Medium Width
    • Available Lofts: 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 12°
  • Versatile Grind

    The Versatile Grind provides heel and toe relief with a center notch designed to keep the leading edge lower. It is best suited for players with any swing type who enjoy using a variety of open or closed-face shots around the greens.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Medium to Firm
    • Divot Size: All
    • Attack Angle: All
    • Sole Design: Heel and Toe Relief
    • Available Lofts: 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 12°
  • Widelow Grind

    The Widelow Grind offered on Cobra's Snakebite Wedges features a wide, low-bounce sole designed to prevent digging on softer surfaces. It's ideal for golfers who dig and have steeper angle of attack by utilizing its wide sole to remain above the turf or sand.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Soft to Medium
    • Divot Size: Average to Large
    • Attack Angle: Neutral to Steep
    • Sole Design: Wide Sole
    • Available Lofts: 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 14°

Ping Glide Wedges

Ping wedges were designed with the player in mind. Their extreme versatility to excel in a number of ways on the golf course has cemented them as one of the top options among professionals and new golfers. Ping's traditional approach to the golf game paired with top-level craftsmanship, has created a forgiving, performance-oriented wedge made for anyone. Their precision multi-material construction alongside multiple grind and bounce options creates the perfect combo for golfers of any skill level, from any lie.

  • S-Grind

    The Ping Glide 4.0 S-Grind sports a trailing edge and heel relief, paired with a rounded leading edge that suits nearly all swing types and turf conditions. It is the most versatile grind in the Ping offering.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: All
    • Divot Size: Average
    • Attack Angle: Neutral
    • Sole Design: Rounded
    • Available Lofts: 46°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 10°, 12°
  • E-Grind

    The E-Grind's high toe, sharp leading edge and wide sole allow for improved performance escaping the bunkers. It suits players needing a wedge grind to aid them in bailing out of soft or wet turf conditions.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Normal to Soft
    • Divot Size: Average
    • Attack Angle: Neutral
    • Sole Design: Wide with High Toe
    • Available Lofts: 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 8°, 10°
  • T-Grind

    T-Grind Ping wedges feature high leading edge bounce alongside a half-moon sole shaping best suited for players who create smaller divots through their shallow attack angle. It is mainly designed for improved performance from firm turf conditions.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Firm
    • Divot Size: Smaller
    • Attack Angle: Shallower
    • Sole Design: Half Moon
    • Available Lofts: 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 6°
  • W-Grind

    The Ping W-Grind option is a traditional full sole grind with a rounded leading edge. It is the most forgiving grind for getting through the rough and is best suited for players who like square-face wedge shots and bunker performance.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Softer
    • Divot Size: Larger
    • Attack Angle: Steeper
    • Sole Design: Full
    • Available Lofts: 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 14°

TaylorMade Milled Grind Wedges

Since TaylorMade was founded in 1979, they've established themselves as a company that pushes the limits, breaking away from tradition and bursting through new thresholds in golf. Their constant pursuit of performance has led them down a path of modern innovation, striving to ditch the norms and discover the next breakthrough in golf technology. TaylorMade wedges are rigorously tested year-after-year, by a network of nearly 4,000 PGA Professionals and Tour Pros, to design and produce the most outstanding performance-oriented club possible.

  • Standard Bounce / Grind

    TaylorMade's Standard Grind wedges are designed for a variety of turf conditions and can be considered the do-it-all grind. It is best suited for players with a shallow to neutral angle of attack and excels on various turf conditions. Its heel relief allows players to open the club face around the greens for more precision shots.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: All
    • Divot Size: Average
    • Attack Angle: Neutral
    • Sole Design: Narrow to Wide
    • Available Lofts: 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 12°
  • Low Bounce / C-Grind

    Milled Grind C-Grind wedges are designed for exceptional performance from firm turf conditions. The enhanced leading edge and sole grind combine to create more versatility for greenside chips and trajectory manipulation. It is best suited for players with a shallower attack angle and divot.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Medium to Firm
    • Divot Size: Shallower
    • Attack Angle: Neutral to Shallow
    • Sole Design: C-Shaped Grind, Sharp Leading Edge
    • Available Lofts: 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 12°
  • High Bounce / Wide Grind

    TaylorMade's High Bounce features a wider grind sole to provide more forgiveness in softer turf conditions. Wide Grind is best suited for players who come down on the ball with their steeper attack angle that need aid in improved turf interaction and digging prevention.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Soft to Medium
    • Divot Size: Deeper
    • Attack Angle: Steeper
    • Sole Design: Wide Sole
    • Available Lofts: 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 14°

Mizuno S23 Wedges

Mizuno's one-piece Grain Flow Forging HD process at their iconic Hiroshima, Japan facility sets them apart. Their Tour-ready wedges are known for expanded sweet spots and extreme perimeter weighting for advanced forgiveness while maintaining a player-preferred aesthetic. Mizuno's comprehensive engineering process combines precision, durability and consistency to benefit everyone from weekend hobbyists to scratch golfers.

  • S-Grind

    The S-Grind option from Mizuno offers a more minimal grind for play from various turfs and lies, as well as wet or dry conditions. It is ideal for golfers who hit fuller shots with lower lofted wedges and sport a neutral swing plane.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: All
    • Divot Size: Average
    • Attack Angle: Neutral
    • Sole Design: Traditional
    • Available Lofts: 44° - 58°
    • Bounce: 6° - 14°
  • D-Grind

    Mizuno's D-Grind is a moderate heel and toe relief option for players with a steeper angle of attack. It allows slight manipulation of the clubface and is best suited on normal turf conditions.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Normal
    • Divot Size: Larger
    • Attack Angle: Steeper
    • Sole Design: Traditional
    • Available Lofts: 54°, 55°, 56°, 57°, 58°, 60°
    • Bounce: 8° - 12°
  • C-Grind

    The C-Grind S23 Wedge from Mizuno offers the heaviest heel and toe relief of the lineup and is designed to excel on firmer turf conditions. It is best suited for skilled golfers with a shallower, sweeping angle of attack.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Firmer
    • Divot Size: Smaller
    • Attack Angle: Shallower
    • Sole Design: Wide
    • Available Lofts: 56°, 57°, 58°, 59°, 60°
    • Bounce: 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°
  • X-Grind

    The Mizuno S23 X-Grind sports extreme relief from the heel, toe and trailing edge. This is best suited for short game artists, who rely on maniplating clubface angle and loft around the greens.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Firmer
    • Divot Size: Smaller
    • Attack Angle: Shallower
    • Sole Design: Wider
    • Available Lofts: 58°, 59°, 60°, 61°, 62°
    • Bounce: 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°

Cleveland RTX Wedges

Cleveland Golf's ability to develop wedges to meet the needs of their Tour counterparts has set them up for success. Thoughtful insights from the best players in the world have allowed them to create versatile, performance-based wedges with the ability to hit finesse shots and take full advantage of your greenside creativity. Each grind offers a unique shape and profile that excels from various lies and turf conditions and allows the golfer to truly play their own game however they want.

  • LOW-Grind

    Cleveland's LOW grind features heel, toe and trailing edge relief for the ability to play a variety of shot styles around the greens. It's ideal for golfers who leave smaller divots through their shallow attack angle. It is best suited for playing open-face shots from firm, dry, and tight lies.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Firm
    • Divot Size: Small
    • Attack Angle: Shallow
    • Sole Design: C-Shaped
    • Available Lofts: 58° & 60°
    • Bounce: 6°
  • LOW+ Grind

    The LOW+ grind from Cleveland offers a lot of the same benefits as the LOW grind but with 2° less bounce for slightly more versatility. It's ideal for playing various shots around the greens and having some additional performance benefits out of the bunkers/sand.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Firmer
    • Divot Size: Smaller
    • Attack Angle: Shallower
    • Sole Design: C-Shaped
    • Available Lofts: 54° & 56°
    • Bounce: 8°
  • MID-Grind

    The Cleveland MID grind features a V-shaped sole with trailing edge relief to keep the leading edge low while the face is open. It's an ideal grind option for full swing wedge shots and all-around performance with the ability to occasionally open the face around the greens. Suitable for a variety of shot and swing styles.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: All
    • Divot Size: Average
    • Attack Angle: Neutral
    • Sole Design: V-Shaped
    • Available Lofts: 46° - 60°
    • Bounce: 10°
  • FULL-Grind

    The FULL grind from Cleveland sports a full, traditional sole made for stability on full-swing wedge shots with slightly more bounce to add forgiveness as the face opens in thicker rough or sand. This grind is best suited for softer and wet conditions and is ideal for steeper attack angles through its ability to fight against digging into the turf.

    • Ideal Turf Conditions: Softer
    • Divot Size: Larger
    • Attack Angle: Steeper
    • Sole Design: Traditional
    • Available Lofts: 54° - 60°
    • Bounce: 12°

6 comments

really like the info

Neal,

Fantastic breakdown on wedges

Neal Feathers,

Great breakdown in the article

D.J.M.,

NICE!!

Dean ,

This is by far the best comprehensive breakdown of wedges and grinds I’ve even seen. Excellent job!

Eric Knutsen,

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