Today PING announced the introduction of the Glide 4.0 wedge series, its next generation of specialty wedges engineered to bring golfers lower-launching, higher-spinning performance into and around greens.
The tour-proven Glide 4.0 wedges are available for custom fitting and pre-sell beginning today at authorised PING golf shops around the world.
“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,” said John K. Solheim, PING President. “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.”
In developing the Glide 4.0 wedges, PING’s engineers focused on expanding the grind and loft options to make custom fitting easier and more precise.
“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,” Solheim said. “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.”
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.
“This is the first time we’re using 8620 in the investment casting of a Glide series wedge,” said Solheim. “It makes a big difference. When we combine it with the activated elastomer, it delivers an amazing feel.”
Precisely Sized and Shaped
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” grind versions smaller than the “W” and “E” options.
“The first impression a golfer gets when they look at a wedge is vitally important,” said Solheim. “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.”
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.
“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,” said Solheim. “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.”
Four Grinds, More Loft Options
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.
S Grind (46º/12º, 50º/12º, 52º/12º, 54º/12º, 56º/12º, 58º/10º, 60º/10º)
-Trail edge/heel relief
-Ample bounce
-Rounded lead edge
-Fits most golfers
W Grind (54º/14º, 56º/14º, 58º/14º, 60º/14º)
-Traditional full-sole design
-Most forgiving through the turf
-Rounded lead edge
-Optimised for square-face and bunker shots
T GRIND (58º/6º, 60º/6º)
-High lead-edge bounce
-Half-moon sole shaping
-Increased center bounce width
E GRIND (54º/10º, 56º/10º, 58º/8º, 60º/8º)
-High toe
-Improved lead-edge shaping
-Dished sole and tapered hosel for bunker performance
Eye2-inspired E-Grind
The PING Eye2 wedge face profile inspired the “E” grind, which is distinguished by 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.
Glide 4.0 Specifications
Material/Manufacturing Process: Investment-cast 8620 carbon steel head; elastomer insert; precision-milled face and grooves; Emery face blast; hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish
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 STOCK 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)
RRP: Steel £160, Graphite £170
Available to order now from authorised fitters.