Premium wedges allow you to make finesse shots around the green by giving you better spin and better control. In this guide, I review the Ping Glide 4.0 wedges in detail to show you all of the different features and options available.
Specifically, I’ll go over:
- How to buy the new Ping glide wedges
- Key features in these new clubs
- A comparison of the Ping Glide 4.0 wedges vs Ping Glide Forged Pro released last year
- Key things I like and don’t like about these clubs
Make sure you read till the end and then check out a video review on these new wedges.
RELATED: Read our complete TaylorMade Stealth irons review.
How to Buy the Ping Glide 4.0 Wedges
S Grind (Standard)
W Grind (Wide)
T Grind (TS)
E Grind (Eye2)
Ping Glide 4.0 Wedges Overview
The Ping Glide 4.0 wedges is the fourth generation of Glide wedges. They have more loft options and grind than other series, making them more precise and suitable for different kinds of golfers. They are designed to bring higher-spinning and lower-launching performance around and into greens.
These wedges provide 36% more face contact than the previous generation and offer a softer feel as well. This is due to the combination of 8620 carbon steel with a larger and softer elastomer insert. The shape of the head is appealing and more rounded to provide a captured look at address.
During its design, the engineers made the size of the head of the “W” and “E” grind options larger than the “S” and “T” version, with all four options fitted with an 11 inches long grip. The long grip makes it easy for you to choke down on the club in the green.
The combination of the Ping Glide 4.0 Wedges with the precision-milled face and grooves adds more texture and creates higher friction for lower launch and more spin. The grooves are milled at a 20 degree angle in the 50 and 52 degree wedges to maximize the volume on full shots. These wedges feature a tighter radius for more spin on half shots.
There are plenty of opportunities for both beginners and professional golfers to get into their specific needs, with 17 different loft options. Plus, the Ping Glide 4.0 Wedges are available in full for both right and left handers.
So, if you are looking to tailor your wedge setup to your taste and specific needs, the new Ping Glide Wedges have got you covered. Let’s do a deep dive into some of the features I like.
Key Features
The Ping Glide 4.0 Wedges are a game-changer for every golfers’ ability. They come with lots of exciting features, including:
Lower Launch
The Ping Glide 4.0 Wedges are designed for lower launches. In combination with the precision-milled face and grooves, these wedges add more texture and create more interaction between the ball and the club, ensuring a lower launch and more spin. The hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish also adds to a lower launch and higher spin rates, which makes it perform well from out of the rough.
Elastomer Insert
The Ping Glide 4.0 Wedges have a softer and larger elastomer insert in the back cavity that combines with 8620 carbon steel to provide a responsive and soft feel. The elastomer insert also allows for more face contact, a feature which golfers look forward to in their wedges.
New Emery Face Blast
These compact wedges come with the new emery face, which creates higher friction between your club and the ball and also adds more texture to the hitting surface. This allows you to play whatever finesse shots around the green that you need to.
8620 Carbon Steel
The head of the Ping Glide 4.0 Wedges is made of 8620 carbon steel to improve the feel and save shots. 8620 Carbon Steel is a steel alloy that is highly durable and used in high quality golf clubs.
Chrome Finish
The Glide 4.0 comes with an hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish that adds to the lower launch and higher spin, especially from rough and wet conditions.
Compact Shape
With the Glide 4.0 rounded and compact design, the setup appeals to the eyes. The shape benefits from advancements to the hosel transition and lead edge.
Custom Grooves
Different lofts on the 4.0 wedges have different angled grooves on the machined face. There are wider spaces on the lower lofts to allow for good distance control. Higher lofts have a higher angle and tighter spaces, allowing you more spin on partial shots.
There is also less friction on the flat areas of the wedge to again promote more spin.
Ping Glide 4.0 Grind Options
The Ping Glide 4.0 comes in four sole grinds: S, W, T, and E (an Eye2-inspired E-Grind) to match the turf conditions you play on and your angle of attack. There are a total of 17 grind and loft combinations, giving you an option for all bounce combinations.
Let’s take a look at what each of the grind looks like and who it benefits.
S Grind (Standard)
The S Grind (46º/12º, 50º/12º, 52º/12º, 54º/12º, 56º/12º, 58º/10º, 60º/10º) fits most golfers. It has a rounded lead edge, ample bounce, and a trail edge/heel relief.
W Grind (Wide)
The W Grind (54º/14º, 56º/14º, 58º/14º, 60º/14º) has been optimized for better bunker play and square-face shots. It has a wider sole for more forgiveness. It comes with a rounded leading edge and a traditional full sole design. The W Grind is the most forgiving of the four grinds.
T Grind (TS)
The T Grind (58º/6º, 60º/6º) has an increased center bounce width and a high lead-edge bounce with half-moon sole shaping. This is a low-bounce option for those looking for better control and a soft landing.
E Grind (Eye2)
The E (Eye) Grind (54º/10º, 56º/10º, 58º/8º, 60º/8º) is inspired by the famous high-toe design christened “Eye2.” This grind features an improved lead-edge shaping along with a blended hosel and dished sole design. You get better spin with the E grind.
Ping Glide 4.0 vs Glide Forged Pro
How do the Glide 4.0 wedges compared to the Glide Forged Pro released in 2021? Let’s take a look at some of the similarities and differences.
Both wedges have a compact structure that delivers versatility and high spin. However, the Ping Glide 4.0 has a more rounded head and is more appealing to the eye, while Glide Forged Pro has a forged head.
While the Ping Glide 4.0 has four grind options to fit your game, the Glide Forged Pro has two grind options coded “S” and “T” to match your angle of attack. In total, the 4.0s have the widest assortment of 17 custom grinds, while the latter has 8 custom grinds.
Both wedges are forged from 8620 carbon steel to create a captured look at address. This gives you the leverage and confidence to manipulate the head of your wedge to drive any type of shot with maximum versatility.
Additionally, the Ping Glide 4.0 has an Emery face blast like the one seen in the Glide Forged Pro. This creates more interaction between your club and the ball for more spin and a lower launch.
What I Like
After trying out the Glide 4 wedges, I like the high level of spin I get out of them. All of the grinds gave some great control and spin on my shots.
The Glide 4.0s are better looking that the 3.0 version. As far as wedges go, these are some of the nicest looking you can buy today.
I also like the longer grips on these wedges. For bunker shots or tight situations where you need to choke down on the club, you can really get leverage down on the ball.
Overall, these are good, high quality wedges. They aren’t game improvement wedges, so they are made more for intermediate golfers.
What I Don’t Like
While these Wedges are really high quality, they aren’t for beginner golfers. They allow you to get high amounts of spin and control in your shots, but can feel flat if you have a low swing speed.
The different grind options were a little noticeable side-by-side, but I’m not sure I would pay attention otherwise. This means that the four different grind options might be a little overkill.
Finally, I have to mention the price! Over $200 per wedge is definitely in the premium zone for golf clubs.
Conclusion
Overall, there is a real winner here with the new Ping Glide wedges. They were designed in conjunction with PGA tour players like Tony Finau, and the quality is evident. They are a smaller professional-shaped iron, so beginner golfers should probably stay away.
The Glide 4.0s get a high amount of spin thanks to the emery face blast. You can control and play any type of shot with these.
These clubs are expensive, but really nice. If you check them out, make sure you comment below and tell others how you feel about them.
Once more, use the links below to get your Glide 4.0 wedges today.
