When two of golf's most-renowned wedge masters get together, great things things tend to happen. The new Callaway PM Grind 2019 is a product of such a collaboration.
Phil Mickelson, one of the all-time great wedge players, has teamed up with Roger Cleveland, one of the all-time great wedge designers, to make improvements to the PM Grind 2019 wedges that promise to allow golfers to hit wedge shots they never could before.
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For Mickelson, the latest effort is a continuation of the special relationship he has had with Callaway wedges since back in 2014, when Callaway designed a prototype PM Grind just for him. The prototype was a true original -- it had a uniquely-shaped head with an expansive face area, grooves covering the entire face, and an exceptionally high toe that all allowed Phil to hit his famous high flop shots around the green.
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The PM Grind 2019 (Callaway photo) |
The next year, Callaway introduced the PM Grind wedge to the public and it has taken off ever since.
“Working with Phil on the PM grind wedges has been a fantastic experience,” said Cleveland. “His
insights are always spot-on, and implementing them to create something innovative like the PM Grind
2019 is incredibly satisfying.”
Mickelson contends that there are three shots that every golfer needs to score well (and we've seen him play all these shots many times):
(1) The Knockdown -- this shot flies low but has a lot of spin, making it easier to attack pins regardless of wind or turf conditions
(2) The Hit & Check -- this is a short pitch that bounces twice and stops dead
(3) The "Phlop" -- this is the shot that he is most known for, the ridiculously high-flying flop shot that comes in steep and stops quickly
Mickelson and Cleveland worked together to refine the PM Grind into a wedge that will help players hit all three of these shots.
Here's how they did it:
Mickelson tweaked the Groove-in-Groove technology in which micro-grooves are machined into the flat parts of the face, creating more points of contact with the ball and, consequently, more spin. He wanted those micro-grooves at a particular angle to optimize spin when the wedge face is opened for slop shots.
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This view really highlights the
groove coverage (Callaway photo) |
Knowing that keeping your hands ahead of the ball is essential for hitting effective knockdown shots, Mickelson and Cleveland increased the amount of offset between the front edge of the hosel and the leading edge of the clubface. They then raised the toe, taking weight out of the bottom of the club, to pull the center of gravity upward and promoting a lower trajectory.
Finally, they implemented a C-Grind sole, with increased relief on both the heel and the toe, which should improve contact from just about any lie.
KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS
Offset Groove-in-Groove Tehnology for High Spin Lob & Pitch Shots
Positioning the micro-grooves on a 20º angle in relation to the standard grooves promotes added spin on chips, pitches and lobs.
Increased Offset & Higher Toe for Crisp, Flag-finding Knockdown Shots
Increased offset and higher center of gravity from the higher toe together help players control trajectory on full and partial shots.
C-Grind Sole Configuration for Crisp Contact from a Broad Range of Lies
Generous relief at the heel and toe promote crisp, clean contact from a variety of greenside lies.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
Loft/bounce options
54º/14º, 56º/14º, 58º/12º, 60º/12º and 64º/10º. All available in righthanded and left-handed.
Shaft
Tour-proven KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 steel wedge shaft designed to deliver and optimum balance of feel, spin and control.
Grip
Tour-proven Lamkin UTX grip in black with green highlights.
Finish
Platinum Chrome and the new Tour Grey, each with the circular PM Grind medallion on the back.
AVAILABILITY
The PM Grind 2019 wedges will be available to the public on February 15, 2019. Each will retail at a price of $159.99.