Since its release in the fall of 2018, the Titleist TS Driver line has been one of the most popular drivers on the PGA Tour and beyond. The TS drivers also firmly entrenched Titleist as one of the category leaders and finally shed their reputation of making “slow and spinny” drivers. Not surprisingly, Titleist now looks to ride the wave of success brought by TS as they introduce the TSi (Titleist Speed Impact). The TSi2 and TSi3 drivers are now available, and I have had a chance to test them out in multiple fitting sessions to see what kinds of golfers can benefit from the new technology.

The Main Focus

The word from Titleist is that their engineers were focused on advancing ball speeds while making a “MASS”ive move in the forgiveness direction. Moving the mass…for forgiveness… Do you see what I did there?

With the TS metals line’s success, Titleist is greeted with the age-old problem of having a tough act to follow. So what to do? To quote another oft used phrase, they called in the “Big Guns” from a metal company called ATI.

Who Is ATI?

ATI is a US metals company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in commercial aeronautics and military-grade metallurgy. The ATI website shows their products are used in everything from military-grade armor plating to reusable spacecraft. The ATI Logo is proudly inscribed directly on the face of the TSi drivers.

So what has ATI done for Titleist? The new ATI 425 titanium face insert used in the TSi metals boasts a 6% increase in strength and a 30% increase in ductility compared to conventional titanium alloys used in golf club construction. Ductility basically measures how much the metal can be manipulated without losing strength, in this case, thinned to create the fastest ball speeds possible.

Along with the face design, ATI contributed their aerodynamics expertise to reduce drag (15% less drag in TSi vs. TS) and thus increase clubhead speed.

*I’ll note that this is a challenging measurement to quantify in fittings. I’ve not personally seen a jump in clubhead speed I can attribute to the driver’s shape.

Speed and Forgiveness

All of this sounds great, but when it comes to drivers, you must also have forgiveness when there is speed. The most often used metric for forgiveness is MOI (Moment of Inertia), which is the club’s resistance to twisting, specifically important on off-center hits. Simply put, higher MOI equals straighter and longer miss-hits. The key to MOI is weight distribution throughout the head.

Think of a figure skater executing a spin. If the skater’s arms are wide, they spin slower. Once they pull their arms to their body, they can spin much faster. Wider weight distribution equals less twisting.

With this higher MOI and the resulting deeper Center of Gravity, Titleist found more forgiveness and slightly higher launch. The new drivers will be available in lower stated lofts (8 degrees in both the TSi3 and custom TSi2) to address this. Combined with Titleist’s 16 positions Sure Fit hosel, you can play a TSi2 or Tsi3 as low as 7.25 degrees of loft.

Spin Stability, and Why It’s So Important

Titleist is one of the first companies I’ve seen actually tout “Spin Stability” when talking about forgiveness.

When I fit a client, I go to great lengths to tune the head, loft, weight, and shaft to deliver optimal launch and spin numbers. Add high ball speed to the perfect launch and spin conditions, and you’ve got the perfect formula for maximizing distance. It’s infuriating when I have these launch conditions dialed in on center strikes only to see a mishit increase spin by 1,100 RPMs and leak 30 yards of potential distance out of a drive.

There’s all this talk in the industry about maintaining ball speed on off-center strikes, but truthfully, I don’t really mind losing 4 or 5 mph ball speed on a toe strike. As long as the launch and spin stay fairly consistent, the ball will still be in the optimal flight window, and the loss in distance can be as little as 10-15 yards.

Sounds good in theory, But how will it perform for you?

My Fittings with the Titleist TSi2 and TSi3 Driver

Like any clubfitter will tell you, you’ll need to hit them yourself to know for sure. But here are some of the results I’ve seen since I began fitting the TSi metals a few weeks ago.

• Billy (Average driver swing speed 92 mph, Attack angle -2*) had a 4-year-old driver. His new TSi3 increased his average drive distance by 20 yards.
• Nick P. (Average driver swing speed 98 mph, Attack angle -1.5*) had a 7-year-old driver. His TSi3 increased his average driver distance by 12 yards.
• Nick S. (Average driver swing speed 114 mph, Attack angle +1*) had a 3-year-old driver. His new TSi2 increased his average driver distance by 11 yards.
• Bobby (Average driver swing speed 100 mph, Attack angle +3*) had a 5-year-old driver. His new TSi2 increased his average driver distance by 17 yards.
• Dave (Average driver swing speed 92 mph, Attack angle -4*) had a 1-year-old driver. Chose not to upgrade, his TSi fitting added an average of 4 yards.
• Josh didn’t get fit on trackman; he just took the TSi3 head out and put it on his shaft. “This thing is ridiculous; I want it as soon as it comes into the store.” Josh swings driver in the 120 mph range.  

While the distance numbers are important and, of course, almost everyone is after driver fittings, 4 of the 6 also showed significantly tighter dispersion and consistency in flight conditions. They hit the ball in the fairway more often and had a more consistent launch and spin numbers. This is a BIG deal in driver fitting.

Choosing Between the TSi2 and TSi3

On Titleist’s website, they make a fairly generic distinction between the TSi2 and TSi3:

“TSi2 Driver – Pure Distance: For players seeking incredible speed and accuracy across the entire surface of the face.”

“TSi3 Driver – Dynamic Distance: For players who create consistent contact and require more precise control over CG placement.”

It’s been interesting to see that the adage of slower speed, less skilled players play the “2” and higher speed, better players play the “3” no longer seems to be the norm. Digging deeper, I’ve made a couple of observations:

• Faster players hit the ball further, and at times, further offline. A lot of these golfers want to hit it straighter, which the TSi2 does.
• With shaft companies getting better and better at producing low spin shafts, players aren’t always forced to play low spin heads. This means the TSi3 isn’t always the best head for players with a negative angle of attack.
• The numbers between the two heads are close enough that preference of look can help the player decide without sacrificing much if any performance.
• The TSi3’s movable weight is a fantastic resource. The weight plus the SureFit hosel allows the fitter to place the center of gravity behind the player’s strike point and help straighten out the shot pattern.

Launch Monitor Results

If you’re a numbers geek like me, here are some results from my fitting that put my gamer TS3 up against the new TSi which gave me 5 mph faster ball speed (Note: fitting was conducted outdoors at Valhalla Golf Club using Titleist ProV1 range balls).

As you can see, there were some significant upgrades in speed and distance with the TSi2 versus my TS3 driver.

Here are some more numbers from my first session, hitting my actual new TSi2 driver on Trackman at my store. As you can see, the numbers continue to impress. 22 shots, average smash 1.50… Wow.

Closing Thoughts

Overall I’m extremely impressed with the Titleist TSi Drivers. The most impressive performance factor is, without a doubt, the stability of the head. Not only does it maintain ball speed on off-center strikes, but it’s also very straight and delivers notably consistent spin numbers.

These drivers have a solid, aggressive sound (notably, the sound was different between the TSi2 and TSi3) and still sport the clean, classic look that has become synonymous with Titleist Drivers.

The shaft choices are excellent and should provide plenty of good options without spending extra money on exotics. If you’re into high-end shafts, Graphite Design shafts are available at a reduced upcharge thanks to a special agreement with Titleist.

As is always my recommendation, schedule a fitting, ask questions, and don’t skip any steps. Getting the right driver for you is about chasing performance, not marketing. Happy Driving!

About The Author

Greg Gibson is a Staff Golf Professional, Certified Clubfitter, Instructor, and Trackman Specialist at Golf Headquarters in Louisville, KY.  He previously served as General Manager, Director of Golf, and Head Golf Professional at Shelbyville Country Club.  To make an appointment with Greg contact the GHQ Louisville staff at 502-245-8600

I’ve heard it many times before: “I can’t hit a fairway wood to save my life.” Hitting a solid 3-wood off the deck is one of the tougher things to do in golf. The shaft is long, there’s very little loft, and you’re probably facing a longer shot. Let’s face it; the situation can be a bit intimidating. 

That being said, most players, on most courses, are going to need a club they can hit a long way off the ground. 

“A-hem. We have a suggestion.”

-Engineers at Callaway

Enter the Super Hybrid 

Most golfers are paying attention to the hype around the newly-released Mavrik line. However, Callaway has quietly introduced an exciting product that can potentially help a lot of golfers – the Super Hybrid. 

What is a Super Hybrid?

Simply put, it’s a cross between a fairway metal and a hybrid. 

The New Super Hybrid boasts:

• A shorter shaft than a 3 or 5 or even 7 wood (41.5 inches in the 17-degree model), but slightly longer than any traditional hybrid.
• Clubhead smaller than a conventional fairway metal, but larger than a traditional hybrid.
• A bunch of tungsten MIM (Metal Injection Molded) placed internally deep in the heel and toe to increase launch (easier to hit off the ground) and raise the Moment of Inertia (more forgiveness). You know, because golf is hard.
• Lightweight carbon crown to save weight and push the center of gravity as low as possible and the mass towards the edges of the club for enhanced stability. 
• All of Callaway’s latest tech used to increase ball speed on their past few driver releases – primarily Jailbreak and Flash Face.

Their goal was to create a club that was easy to hit off the ground, launched high enough to hold greens, and help add enough distance for those long approach shots into par 4s and 5s.

The Challenge of Bridging the Gap

As a clubfitter, I’m often tasked with an entire set of clubs. One of the most challenging parts of building a full bag is gapping between the longest playable iron and the driver. 

Despite working with some very high-level collegiate and aspiring professional golfers, the majority of my business is with recreational players. 

In my experience, most golfers are less consistent with their longer clubs. Finding something they can reliably hit solid and straight(er) off of various lies can pose a challenge. 

Enter Technology

Callaway’s new Super Hybrid represents an innovation that I believe can build upon the success of traditional hybrids. 

The idea is pretty simple – all golfers need something they can hit a long way off the deck, and some folks just flat don’t hit fairway metals well.

I regularly have to talk slower-speed players off the cliff when I tell them their new set will not include a 3-wood. If your driver swing speed is less than 80, you are likely going to hit a 4 or 5 wood higher, more consistently, and on average notably further than a traditional 3 wood. 

Some major OEM’s have already begun marking ladies and junior fairway metals as “3-woods” despite the clubs having 18 or 19 degrees of loft, (that’s 5 wood loft folks).

If we strip away the labels, we can examine the design differences of these various long game options and use those measurements to help us choose the best one for a particular player. 

Where I See the Super Hybrid Fitting In

Long irons traditionally had steel shafts that matched the rest of the iron set. Now utility irons or driving irons are available with graphite shaft options as well, giving fitters access to lighter weights and higher launching bend profiles. 

Hybrids now come almost exclusively with graphite shafts. Most companies’ “stock” shaft length for a hybrid is slightly longer than the length of the corresponding iron. Ie. 3 iron = 39” while 3 hybrid = 40.5”.  

For a player who is starting to lose some clubhead speed, this added “lever length” will increase clubhead speed and potentially add both height and distance. 

Fairway woods take length to the next level. An 18-degree fairway metal stock length is about 42 inches, furthering the potential distance of the weapon. However, understand that this distance comes with a cost. Longer shafts can make clubs more challenging to hit solidly, especially off of the ground.

The Super Hybrid splits the difference between traditional hybrid and fairway lengths. It’s attempting to achieve some gains from shaft length but salvage some consistency as well. On a side note, it should be noted that the lie angle splits the difference too, making it appropriate for the length of the golf club. 

As far as the shaft being offered, the Tensei CK Pro Orange is the only stock option. And it’s a very good one. This “real deal” counterbalanced low launch, low spin shaft is a veritable missile launcher. So far, in my fittings, I’ve batted 1000% with this shaft. The fittings consisted of establishing the flex of the shaft and tuning the hozel to the proper loft and lie settings. With a stock shaft this good, I haven’t had to look to anything else (although there are lots of other options through Callaway’s custom department).

As far as technology goes, Callaway is just rolling all their latest advancements into a new package. But they do seem to combine for some excellent results.

My Testing

I tested the Callaway Super Hybrid against my current setup to gain some insight into its performance.

Precisely as it should, the Super Hybrid bridged the gap between my current hybrid and my 3 wood. It’s noteworthy that my current hybrid is 17 degrees, and my 3-bent-towards-a-2 iron (which rotates in and out with the hybrid) is set at 18.5 degrees. I must admit that the Super Hybrid was really easy to hit. None of the shots felt like they were dead center (although they weren’t bad either). 

While the timing of the release was a bit odd, I think in 2020 we’ll be fitting a lot of players into the Callaway Super Hybrid who either don’t like fairway metals or struggle to hit them.

As always – test before you buy and work with a qualified clubfitter if you can.

About The Author

Greg Gibson is a Staff Golf Professional, Certified Clubfitter, Instructor, and Trackman Specialist at Golf Headquarters in Louisville, KY.  He previously served as General Manager, Director of Golf, and Head Golf Professional at Shelbyville Country Club.  To make an appointment with Greg contact the GHQ Louisville staff at 502-245-8600

Few things in golf can replicate the clean, scintillating aesthetics of a straight muscle-back blade. In the category of blade irons, Mizuno has long been recognized as a true industry leader. Both amateurs and professionals agree, there’s something special about Mizuno forgings. Case in point? Mizuno pays very few players to use their products on tour, yet you see them in the bags of pro players all across the world (cough, Brooks Koepka, cough cough). The latest line of Mizuno MP-20 irons continues that tradition of excellence.

The new MP-20 series includes 3 models:

MP-20 MB (Traditional Muscle Back Blade), MP-20 MMC (Multi-Material Concept), MP-20 HMB (Hot Metal Blade)

I’ve been fitting golfers into the MP-20 line for several months now, and I believe they offer a unique proposition to more skilled ball strikers. In this review, I’ll explore each model and how I think it can fit into each golfer’s bag.

Why Mizuno Has Been a Leader in the Iron Category For Decades

Here are some critical components to Mizuno’s long-time success in the iron business:

Ultra-High Quality Materials: Mizuno has a reputation for spending top-dollar on the materials they use to forge their golf clubs. 1025E Pure Select Steel (used in all 3 models) and Chromoly (in the HMB) are no exception. Mizuno engineers have dug all the way down to molecular structure to ensure their materials are the softest and strongest available for club construction.

Tireless Attention to Detail: Mizuno craftsmen in Hiroshima use a process called Grain Flow, High Density (HD) Forging to construct the MP-20 club heads. The Japanese facility has been making clubs for Mizuno for 30 years. That’s precisely the type of tenure and attention to detail that will yield unmatched results.

Impeccable Standards: There’s no such thing as the “Tour Issue” Mizuno product. If a club leaves Mizuno’s plant, it’s good enough for you, for me, or for Brooks Koepka. Mizuno has one set of tolerances; clubs are either good enough to be called Mizuno, or they never see a golf course. Simple and impressive.

The New Hotness: Mizuno MP-20 HMB

The All-New Hot Metal Blade or Hollow Muscle Back, (both names have been embraced by Mizuno), is definitely the star attraction in the MP-20 line.

Designed for higher launch, enhanced stability, and increased ball speed, the Mizuno MP-20 HMB is something new in Mizuno’s forged iron category; here’s how they delivered.

• Forge the face (it is a Mizuno after all) but do so with Chromoly (a metal alloy) to increase strength. This allows for a thinner, faster face.
• Hollow the body between the Chromoly and the steel chassis of the club to maximize ball speed.
• Use tungsten weights deep in the heel and the toe to increase initial launch and drastically increase MOI (moment of inertia) and forgiveness.
• Underlay the head with copper to ensure that buttery soft Mizuno feel remains intact.

The idea behind the HMB offering is to deliver a Hybrid-like launch and forgiveness with the look and feel of a Mizuno blade. While this larger iteration of the MP-20 won’t be for everyone, it’s undoubtedly going to appeal to fans of both forged and forgiving irons. The look of the MP-20 HMB is notably larger than a traditional blade iron.

However, despite a thicker topline, its minimal offset and cleanly rounded toe are still desirable for perhaps an aging player who can benefit from a higher launching and more forgiving set.

Hollow Irons Are Not New, But Mizuno Did Something Different

Hollow iron heads are still relatively new to the market. The HMB is preceded by irons such as the Taylormade P790, Titleist TMB, Ping i500, and PXG’s.

But the science of creating ball speed through a thinner, unsupported “trampoline” face is far from perfect. Although I’ve only been fitting Mizuno MP-20 HMB for a couple of months, I’ve seen a much more balanced set of ball speed and spin numbers compared to TaylorMade P790’s results. The trouble with P790 and PXG irons has been that the ball doesn’t spin enough. Additionally, the faces hide a few “hot spots” that will sometimes lead to 10 or even 15-yard jumps in the distance on seemingly random strikes. No skilled player wants to juice an 8 iron 170 yards when he’s trying to hit it 155.

Along those same lines, I’ve had low ball hitters or players with lower clubhead speed struggle to stop even the mid irons in these low-spinning sets. For some players, we’re able to use a high launching/spinning shaft to mitigate the problem, but not everyone likes the feel of those softer tipped iron shafts. The MP-20 HMB irons have shown higher launch and spin numbers than P790, making it perhaps not as long but more consistent when it comes to distance and stopping power. If you’re looking for consistency and forgiveness in a forged package, and you have plenty of ball speed, MP-20 HMB may be right up your alley.

Another iron you could consider in this category is the Callaway X Forged CB.

A Pinch of This + A Dash of That = MP-20 MMC 

Admittedly, I was not a big fan of the original 2018 version of the Mizuno MP-20 MMC (multi-material concept) club. But appearing in its second generation, I believe the MP-20 MMC is now one of the centerpieces of the Mizuno iron family. A refined forging process seamlessly integrates titanium into the 1025 Pure Select Steel chassis. Add in a tungsten weight for increased MOI, a copper underlay for further enhanced feel, and you’ve got the chemical formula for an excellent Iron.

Truthfully these are materials we’ve seen in club designs before. What makes the MMC unique is that they didn’t place the tungsten too far away from the face to prevent an excessively high launch. Instead, they used it to increase perimeter weighting, which centered the sweet spot on the scoring lines and improved stability on off-center strikes.

When fitting high-skill players, I’ve often been forced to move into a blade iron simply because other models launched too high in the air. (I did this myself with my Titleist 714 MB’s). The MP-20 MMC gives me access to a tool that will deliver that penetrating launch without sacrificing the forgiveness that so many players need.

That being said, the MMC is still a player’s iron, which I generally advise only low to mid handicappers to explore.

Muscle Up with the MP-20 MB Blade

When you’re taking a single piece of steel and pounding it into a traditional blade design, how much technology can you really apply? Mizuno gave it a shot with the MP-20 MB.

Here is what they did:

• Start simple, use the best materials available. Mizuno’s known for using higher-grade steel than almost anyone in the industry. I don’t know much about steel, but apparently, 1025E Pure Select is top-notch.
• Center up the sweet spot. You may have heard the adage that old-time blades’ sweet spot was slightly in the heel of the clubface. This was true. The center of gravity of a blade is influenced by the weight of the hozel, drawing the purest strike point a smidge towards the heel. To correct this, Mizuno hedged the muscle weighting towards the toe and beautifully blended the look with the rest of the club. The sweetest of the sweet spots in the MP-20 MB is directly in the center of the scoring lines.
• Who says old fashioned blades can’t be progressive? Mizuno slightly shifts the CG through the MP-20 MB set to launch the shorter irons slightly lower and the longer irons slightly higher. It’s not something you’re likely to notice aesthetically, but it’s a feature you’ll enjoy when you’re hitting a wedge into the wind or a 5 iron into an elevated green.
• Don’t stray from your roots. Mizuno has long been known for creating soft, beautiful, workable blades. The MP-20 is no exception. High handicappers steer clear, players only in this model.

Mixing Things Up: The Ideal Blend for Your Game

If you follow players on the major tours, you’ve likely noticed that there are a lot of blended iron sets in play these days. Beyond replacing long irons with hybrids, players are now replacing long or even mid irons with a more forgiving and/or higher launching head. The tricky part about doing this as a fitter is navigating the ever-changing “standard” lofts in which iron sets are offered.

Mizuno has done a great job of keeping lofts reasonably consistent throughout their different sets. This makes blending the straight blade, the MMC, and the HMB sets virtually seamless. Want more control and a cleaner look in the short irons? 8-PW in MP-20 MB Blade. A little more help in 5-7 without sacrificing that blade look? MMC will work perfectly. Want to top things off with higher launching and more stable/forgiving long irons? 3 & 4 iron HMB’s will give you confidence on big par 3’s, make long iron approaches more consistent, and have you poised to split the fairway on tight driving holes. 

Here is a video from Mizuno engineer Chris Voshall explaining how you can blend a set of MP-20s:

Final Thoughts on the Mizuno MP-20 Irons

Mizuno has done a fantastic job assembling the MP-20 iron lineup. And seeing as all good cakes need a healthy amount of icing, they offer dozens of shafts and grips at no upcharge. While the irons aren’t cheap (and shouldn’t be with the quality of materials and research you’re purchasing), Mizuno pledges to put you in the shaft and grip that fit your game the best at no additional charge.

As a clubfitter, I can vouch for the fact that this is a very rare offer. So get to a fitter and give the MP-20 line a try; you won’t regret it.

If you’re interested in learning more about clubfitting, you can also read my iron fitting guide.

About The Author

Greg Gibson is a Staff Golf Professional, Certified Clubfitter, Instructor, and Trackman Specialist at Golf Headquarters in Louisville, KY.  He previously served as General Manager, Director of Golf, and Head Golf Professional at Shelbyville Country Club.  To make an appointment with Greg contact the GHQ Louisville staff at 502-245-8600

Ping has long been the golf company that marches to the beat of their own drum. From introducing the Anser putter head (which continues to be replicated to this day) to popularizing custom fitting – when it comes to innovation, Ping is in a league of their own. The Ping Glide 3.0 wedges are, in my opinion, the most unique wedge lineup on the market today.

This is an especially bold statement to make in a marketplace populated by tons of competition from every major OEM. So what makes the Glide 3.0 so unique?

Ping is giving players what they need, even if the average golfer thinks they want something else.

What You Want vs. What You Need

So what do most golfers need when it comes to wedges? In this club fitter’s honest opinion:

1. More bounce than you think
2. More forgiveness than you think
3. A sole shape that fits your style of play rather than what looks pretty in your bag

I fit clubs at one of the largest independently owned & operated retail golf stores in the United States. I sell hundreds if not thousands of wedges each year. For the past two seasons, I’ve encountered many players claiming that they need LESS bounce. I’d say about 75% of these customers are misinformed. I often check their existing wedges to find significant wear marks well up the face and toward the toe. Both are reasonably reliable indicators that the leading edge is getting too far into the ground before the strike.

While low bounce wedges aren’t a bad thing, for many golfers, higher bounce equates to more forgiveness. When fitting wedges, I’m interested in many points of information. Typically, a lot of people defer to how shallow or how steep a golfer’s full swing is to determine bounce and sole grind. But there’s a lot more to the equation…

What about the in-between shots? How firm or soft is the turf conditions at the courses you typically play? How do you prefer to play a 40-yard shot – with the face open tossing it high and soft, or with the face square driving the ball lower with more spin?

The best fitters will hedge the fit towards a player’s tendencies to maximize forgiveness and effectiveness on the shots that their client relies on the most. I believe Ping has given me all the tools I need to answer these questions with their Glide 3.0 wedge lineup.

Why the Ping Glide 3.0 Are Unique

The Ping Glide 3.0 has more offset, higher effective bounce, and more extensive sole offerings than most of the major brand designs on the shelves of your local golf store. It also has a larger cavity than nearly every other “players” category wedge on the market.

Here is the secret sauce; what’s under the hood of the Glide 3.0.

• More elastomer & Higher MOI means a softer feel and more forgiveness. Multi-material construction is used in lots of irons to gain forgiveness without sacrificing a thin, attractive topline. Kudos to Ping for applying this design to their wedges.
• They widened the soles. There are still plenty of sole options: Thin, Standard, Wide, and Eye 2. But even the thin and standard options are wider than the original models and most competitors. The value here is having more surface area to bevel, creating the desired effective bounces. Translation – you can expect more neutral and consistent turf interaction.
• More offset. This is a point of contention with some players. Offset is a word that’s often taboo among better golfers. The increased offset paired with the pronounced rounding of the edges makes the clubs appear to hug or frame the ball at address. It’s a cozy little look that I have personally grown to appreciate.
• Lighter weight. Many golfers moved to lighter shafts and swing weights in their irons to gain distance. If you want your wedges to gap properly with your irons, they will need to, at least to some degree, follow suit. Weight is easily added back with custom orders, but having lighter options available is a valuable asset.

But Greg!!! Cleveland’s CBX and Callaway’s Sure Out wedges have offset, a large cavity, and a wider sole too! Yes, they do, but they look a little….. Alien to me…. If you get my drift.

What’s great about the Ping Glide 3.0 is that they provide all these design benefits while still looking, feeling, and performing like a traditional blade style wedge. It gives you the help, without sacrificing the look and feel that all players appreciate from their scoring clubs.

Want to hear my ultimate seal of approval? I’m playing the wedge myself. My 52-degree Glide 3.0 has been a great addition to my bag. I play a more traditional three wedge setup of 47, 52, & 58-degree lofts. Having a more forgiving head on the 52 gives me a wider margin for error when I’m manipulating my swing and the clubface to cover the wide distance gap my setup requires.

Testing Results and Who They Are For

Before winning a spot in my bag, I tested the Ping Glide 3.0 wedges along with two aspiring tour players and several recreational golfers using a Trackman launch monitor.

For more skilled players, especially the professionals, I saw fewer variations in performance between wedges because they are so skilled at controlling their strike location and turf interaction. Interestingly, with the more average golfers I tested, there were more consistent numbers across the board with the Glide 3.0s (compared to other wedges). I believe this indicates higher forgiveness, which, in my estimation, is where these wedges shine.

So who should consider putting a Glide 3.0 in their bag? Thanks to a versatile lineup and a seamless blend of playability and forgiveness, anyone!

As a fitter, if I were to highlight a particular benefit to the line, it would be the gap wedge lineup. With iron lofts getting stronger and custom-fit shafts leading to even more distance, many players are struggling to find a way to fill yardage holes at the bottom of their set. The lighter weight and added distance on miss-hits make the Glide 3.0 wedges perfectly tailored to this gap-filling role.

Wrapping It Up

Ping has outdone themselves yet again with the Glide 3.0 wedges. They took an excellent product and made it even better by offering more relief and forgiveness for a wide variety of golfers. On top of that, they kept the look and feel of a players-style iron that golfers have come to love.

Should you get fit? Yes, always, yes. When you talk with your fitter, be sure to explore the various shaft offerings and deeply discuss the way you utilize your greenside wedges to be sure you get the best bounce angles and grinds for your play style.

If you aren’t able to go through a fitting, I recommend trying to match the shaft weight and flex of your gap wedge to your iron set and going with a slightly softer flex or heavier weighted shaft in your greenside wedges. If you struggle greenside, especially from bad lies, I will urge you to try a wider sole option with more bounce. Remember, the bounce is akin to forgiveness! Make a committed, confident swing, and the bounce will help you even if the strike isn’t perfect.

You can learn more about the Ping Glide 3.0 wedges on their website here. If you’re looking for current online pricing you can check out Global Golf.

About The Author

Greg Gibson is a Staff Golf Professional, Certified Clubfitter, Instructor, and Trackman Specialist at Golf Headquarters in Louisville, KY.  He previously served as General Manager, Director of Golf, and Head Golf Professional at Shelbyville Country Club.  To make an appointment with Greg contact the GHQ Louisville staff at 502-245-8600