Ping is advancing its wedge game with the Glide 2.0 line, which includes sharper groove edges than any of the company's prior wedge offerings that will ultimately do what you want with a wedge: impart more spin on the ball with more control over the trajectory.
The new grooves are the story here, as Ping worked with their touring pro staff to develop grooves high on spin while bringing down ball flight. This comes in a more compact-looking wedge, which is something tour staff requested over the original Glide wedges.
A new wheel-cut milling process of the 431 stainless steel head makes the sharper grooves possible, which ultimately maximize interaction with the ball for the most spin possible. The grooves in the lower-lofted wedges (46-52 degrees) are steeper in the side wall by 8 degrees over the higher-lofted wedges (54 and up) with the sharper edge radius on the higher lofts to impart more spin around the greens.
The grooves are also closer together in the Glide 2.0 wedges, adding an extra groove over the original Glide in the lower-lofted wedges for more spin and control on wedge shots. (We see that in the new Mack Daddy Forged wedges, too.) The higher-lofted versions sport two extra grooves. Hydropearl chrome finish is also applied to improve performance on shots in and around wet turf.
Ping claims impressive spin hikes of 1,000-1,500 rpm on 40-70-yard shots and a 500 rpm increase on full shots for their Tour players.
There are four sole grinds in the Glide 2.0 line, which a golfer will select based on their attack angle and most common turf types:
- SS grind (46°/12°, 50°/12°, 52°/12°, 54°/12°, 56°/12°, 58°/10°, 60/10°): The all-purpose, mid-bounce sole with heel and trail edge relief. This is the big part of the bell curve, for most golfers who take a more normal divot.
- WS grind (56°/14°, 58°/14°, 60/14°): This is the full-sole design with reduced camber and extra width to prevent players who come in steep with their wedges from skipping through the ball.
- TS grind (58°/6°, 60°/6°): This is a take on the half-moon/crescent grind for performance from any lie, even the nasty ones. Heel relief helps facilitate performance on open-faced shots or from firm lies without worrying about the lead edge contacting the ball.
- ES grind (54°/8°, 56°/8°, 58°/8°, 60°/8°): This is a Ping Eye 2-inspired sole design with a tapered hosel for optimal performance out of the sand.
The Glide 2.0 grip, like in the original, is longer than standard and has a reduced taper to let players grip down more comfortably. The AWT 2.0 Wedge shaft has a weighting at 118g that engineers feel will help with feel and promote a controlled swing. The KBS Tour, Dynamic Gold, N. S. Pro Modus 3 105, XP 95 and Project X shafts are available at no upcharge.
The Ping Glide 2.0 wedges are available now for $150 per club with a steel shaft and $175 per club with a graphite shaft.
