Ping Glide 4.0 Wedge Review

Ping’s Glide 4.0 wedges have more grind and loft options than ever to make finding the perfect model for your golf easier and more precise.

The fourth generation of Ping Glide wedges have been designed to bring lower-launching and higher-spinning performance into and around greens, and we feel they are some of the best golf wedges available.

The Glide 4.0 combines 8620 carbon steel with a larger and softer activated elastomer insert, provding 36% more face contact and resulting in softer feel.

A slightly rounded, compact design benefits from advancements to the lead edge and hosel transition to provide a captured look at address. In designing the series, the engineers made the head sizes of the “S” and “T” grind versions smaller than the “W” and “E” options, with all four grinds fitted with an 11-inch long grip to make it easier when choking down on the club around the greens.

In combination with the precision-milled face and grooves, the new Emery face blast adds more texture, creating higher friction and interaction between the club and ball for more spin and lower launch.

The 46º, 50º and 52º lofts feature wheel-cut grooves with a 20º sidewall to optimise performance on full shots, while the 54º to 60º options are milled with a 28º sidewall and tighter radius for more spin and precision on greenside finesse and bunker shots.

The hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish is designed to add to the higher spin and lower launch, especially from wet and rough conditions.

Ping’s four sole grinds (S, W, T, E) are designed to match a golfer’s angle of attack and the turf conditions they typically play on. In all, there are 17 grind/loft combinations.

The S (Standard) Grind, which fits most golfers, has trail edge/heel relief, ample bounce and a rounded lead edge. The W (Wide) Grind has been optimised for square-face and bunker shots, with a traditional full sole design and rounded lead edge. It is the most forgiving of the four grinds.

The T (Thin) Grind has high lead-edge bounce, with half-moon sole shaping and an increased centre bounce width.

The E (Eye) Grind is inspired by Ping’s famous Eye2, the high-toe design made popular by Karsten Solheim’s iconic sand wedge developed in the early 1980s. It features a blended hosel and dished sole design similar to the original Eye2, along with improved lead-edge shaping.

Details: Ping Glide 4.0 Wedge

RRP £160 (steel), £170 (graphite) | VIEW US OFFER | VIEW UK OFFER

First Launched March 2022

Lofts and Grinds
S (Standard): 46°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
W (Wide): 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
T (Thin): 58°, 60°
E (Eye): 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°

Stock Shafts
Ping Z-Z115 wedge; Ping AWT 2.0 (R, S, X), PING Alta CB Slate (SR, R, S), Alta Distanza Black 40

Optional Shafts
Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 105 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100), KBS Tour (R, S, X), NS Pro Modus 105 (R, S, X), Elevate 95 (R, S)

Stock Grip
Lamkin Crossline 1150 (11.5 inches)

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Ping Glide 4.0 wedge review: The Tech

8620 Carbon Steel & Activated Elastomer

The multi-material construction combines 8620 carbon steel with a larger and softer activated elastomer insert to provide a soft, responsive feel. The additional volume of the insert allows for 36% more face contact, resulting in the softer feel golfers prefer in their wedges.

Precise Size and Shape

The Glide 4.0 features a slightly rounded, compact design that benefits from advancements to the lead edge and hosel transition to provide a captured look at address. In designing the series, the engineers made the head sizes of the S and T grinds smaller than the W and E options.

Friction Face with Emery Blast

In combination with the precision-milled face and grooves, the new Emery face blast adds more texture to the hitting surface, creating higher friction and more interaction between the club and ball for more spin and lower launch. The 46º, 50º and 52º lofts feature wheel-cut grooves with a 20º sidewall to optimise performance on full shots. The 54º to 60º options are milled with a 28º sidewall and tighter radius for more spin and precision on finesse shots around the green and from the sand. The hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish adds to the higher spin and lower launch, especially from wet and rough conditions.

Four Grinds, More Lofts

Four differentiated sole grinds (S, W, T, E) are designed to match a golfer’s angle of attack and typical turf conditions for improving performance and versatility on full and partial shots. In all, there are 17 grind/loft combinations.

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Ping Glide 4.0 Wedge Review: What Ping say

John K. Solheim, Ping President

“The Glide 4.0 series is an exciting continuation of our specialty wedge family that brings golfers the short-game performance they need to lower their scores through several advancements in wedge technology.

“We packed a lot of performance into the series to ensure it appeals to golfers of all abilities. The wedges have a great look at address and are extremely versatile in all conditions, relying on precision-milled grooves and a new face blast to increase friction and deliver high spin and consistency. The feel is greatly improved as we’re using 8620 carbon steel together with our activated elastomer insert behind the face.

“Every detail in the Glide 4.0 is designed to save shots, including a longer grip for choking down when necessary to play touch shots around the green. We’ve seen tremendous tour adoption around the world with the new wedges and look forward to getting them in golfer’s hands as we begin another golf season.”

“The four distinctly different sole grinds, including an Eye2 sand-wedge-inspired version in four lofts, ensure that trained PING club fitters can properly match a Glide 4.0 to a golfer’s angle of attack and playing conditions.

“Whether fitting our tour pros or players who just prefer the look, feel and all-around performance of a specialty wedge, we have a sole grind and loft combination to match every golfer.”

“This is the first time we’re using 8620 in the investment casting of a Glide series wedge. It makes a big difference. When we combine it with the activated elastomer, it delivers an amazing feel.”

“The first impression a golfer gets when they look at a wedge is vitally important. It must appeal to their eye and instill confidence that they can execute the shot they’re facing.  When designing the series, we decided to vary the head size of the S and T grinds to give players choosing those options a smaller head for added confidence and versatility. Conversely, the W and E grinds are a little more forgiving, with slightly larger heads.”

“The new Emery blast makes a huge difference in performance and is the result of our on-going research into the role friction plays in adding spin during ball interaction.

“We’re able to provide added spin with a lower launch that gives golfers the consistency they need to play at the pin on full shots or take on the tough shots around the green.”

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WATCH: Best 2022 Wedge video

How the Ping Glide 4.0 performed in our wedges test

We like the Glide 4.0 because it’s almost a halfway step between full-on blade wedge and a much deeper traditional cavity back.

By splitting weight low and high in the blade, stability is increased, and compared to previous models we reckon there’s a slightly shorter blade length, which definitely improves the cosmetics.

A lovely wedge that can’t be faulted, even though it didn’t quite nudge its way into the upper echelons of our data charts.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rob Jerram is the Digital Editor of todaysgolfer.co.uk

He has been a journalist for more than 20 years, starting his career with Johnston Press where he covered local and regional news and sport in a variety of editorial roles across ten years.

Rob joined Bauer Media in 2010 and worked as the Senior Production Editor of Today’s Golfer and Golf World magazines for ten years before moving into the Digital Editor’s role in July 2020.

He has been playing golf for almost three decades and has been a member at Greetham Valley in Rutland for eight years, playing off a 12 handicap.

Rob uses a Ping G driver, Ping G 3-wood, TaylorMade M5 5-wood, TaylorMade P790 irons (4-PW), Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges (52º, 56º, 60º), Evnroll ER2 putter, and TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.

You can contact Rob here.

      

Ping Glide 4.0 Wedge

RRP
£160 (steel), £170 (graphite) | VIEW US OFFER | VIEW UK OFFER

First Launched
March 2022

Finishes
Hydropearl 2.0 Satin

Lofts and Grinds
S (Standard): 46°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
W (Wide): 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
T (Thin): 58°, 60°
E (Eye): 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°

Stock Shafts
Ping Z-Z115 wedge; Ping AWT 2.0 (R, S, X), PING Alta CB Slate (SR, R, S), Alta Distanza Black 40

Optional Shafts
Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 105 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100), KBS Tour (R, S, X), NS Pro Modus 105 (R, S, X), Elevate 95 (R, S)

Stock Grip
Lamkin Crossline 1150 (11.5 inches)

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