Why The Grind Of Your Wedge Matters

Having the right wedge setup in your bag is crucial to being able to score well on the golf course, whether that’s getting up-and-down for a crucial par save or taking advantage of a good drive with a pinpoint approach shot. While most golfers have a decent understanding of what lofts they need on their wedges, the grind on the sole of a wedge is often overlooked. This is far from advisable, as the grind can have a dramatic effect on how the wedge interacts with the turf and what contact and control you’re likely to get on the ball.

What Is The Grind On A Wedge?

In simple terms, the grind of the wedge refers to the removal of material or shaping of the sole of the club for it to interact with the turf in different ways through impact. Grinds on wedges are designed to be both more versatile or less versatile, more forgiving or less forgiving, and will suit different golfers depending on multiple factors such as skill level, the angle of attack into the ball, and ground conditions.

Wedges with more heel and toe relief - where material is cleverly removed from these areas - are considered more versatile, meaning the golfer can open and close the face of the club to manipulate the launch and spin of the ball without the leading edge rising too far from the ground.

This then enables the player to slide the club underneath the ball and not bounce off the turf, catching the ball towards the equator and likely facing a similar shot back from the other side of the green!

On the flip side, a wedge with a much wider sole and a less pronounced grind will suit golfers who prefer to hit chip and pitch shots with a squarer face or who typically play on softer turf. This will help prevent the leading edge from digging into the ground, causing poor contact with the ball. Players who are generally steeper with their angle of attack will tend to gravitate more towards a wider sole or a sole that offers plenty of bounce, as this will also help see the club exit the turf properly, ensuring the contact with the ball is on the right part of the clubface.

Finding the right grind on your wedges will allow for the best contact. This will enable you to consistently deliver the club into the back of the ball, finding the correct strike location on the face (usually between grooves 2-5), producing a lower flight with maximum spin for complete control. One of the biggest misconceptions in the amateur game is that wedges should fly straight up in the air with a towering ball flight. As much as hitting the ball high can be an advantage in some cases, keeping the ball on a flatter trajectory with more spin will increase control and the ability to hit your landing spot more often.

What grind options are available?

As someone who tests wedges for a living, I’m always curious to hear about what specifications brands offer new wedges and how accommodating they are to all abilities of golfer. The new TaylorMade MG5 wedges are the perfect example of how grinds can be tailored to suit different golfers and ground conditions. Featuring six distinct grinds and multiple loft options within those grinds, the graphic below shows how the R&D team at TaylorMade has removed areas of the sole to achieve different sole shapes, catering for every golfer and on-course situation.

Choosing your ideal grind combination

One of the key things to consider when looking at grinds and sole shapes, is being realistic about what you use each of your wedges for when you're on the course. Typically, those that use a gap wedge or 50°/52°, will want a full sole grind with a decent amount of bounce. This means there is little to no relief taken from the sole and it is designed mostly for hitting full shots.

As you move into your sand wedge, think about where you will tend to use this club on the course. Is it more for pitching, do you like turning the toe in a little and need some relief to help that glide through the grass? You may want something that has a little heel and toe relief, so you can open the face up to play bunker shots but has enough bounce that it pop's back out of the turf on longer shots.

The higher-lofted wedges are where most golfers will tend to be their most creative. If you struggle with confidence around the greens, a wider sole with more bounce will always be your friend. If you're a more skilled golfer with good hands around the greens, you may want to consider a wedge with a more aggressive grind that facilitates a wider variety of shots. This will usually have a narrower sole that sits closer to the ground and has less bounce.

All manufacturers now offer multiple grind options, so make sure you do yourself the due diligence of researching what grinds may suit your game the best, or even better, go through a wedge fitting and let the experts show and demonstrate to you how a certain grind will suit your game better than another.

By understanding your swing mechanics, being thoughtful about the ground conditions you typically play on, and researching different grind options available and their characteristics, you can hopefully make an informed decision on which grinds will suit your game best and allow you to improve your performance around the greens. So, the next time you’re in the market for a wedge, remember there’s more to a wedge than just loft and bounce. Remember to pay attention to the grind - it really could be a game changer.