Ping has taken a comprehensive 'grip-to-grind' approach in the development of their third Ping Glide wedge, by redesigning each component of the club.
As a result, the new Glide 3.0 is said to be higher-spinning and more forgiving, with a lighter overall design that has multiple sole grind options so that golfers can be fit accurately to their own characteristics.
Ping President John K Solheim explains:
In the Glide 3.0 series, we're broadening the appeal of our wedges and providing more differentiation within our own line and the rest of the marketplace. We approached the design with the goal of creating higher-spinning, great-looking wedges that also deliver more forgiveness with the improved feel from our other proven technologies.
Every detail in the Glide 3.0 is designed to improve short-game performance, from the longer grip for choking down to the Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish that helps the wedge glide through the grass.
Ping's engineers have focused on enhancing both feel and forgiveness in the new wedge by adding a larger and softer elastomer Custom Tuning Port (CTP) insert to go with the stainless steel head, for a multi-material construction.
This bigger CTP is reminiscent of Ping's popular i210 irons and allows for a bigger insert on the back of the face, which gives a soft feel at impact. The design also expands perimeter weighting which raises MOI, and moves the centre of gravity up to promote a lower-launching, higher-spinning flight for better control.
The grooves on the wedge have been specially wheel-cut to ensure that they are sharper at the edges, which increases interaction with the ball at impact for more spin.
The higher lofted wedges (54 to 60 degrees) also feature an extra half-groove at the bottom of the face which adds spin and is noticeable around the greens as well as on approach shots.
As part of an effort to expand the number of wedge options available to golfers through their custom-fitting service, Ping has created four distinct sole grinds in the Glide 3.0 series, with each designed to best match the golfer's swing characteristics and typical course conditions whilst playing.
Standard Sole (SS) Grind (46°/12°, 50°/12°, 52°/12°, 54/12, 56°/12°, 58°/10°, 60°/10°)
"A mid-bounce sole with extra heel relief. Engineered for golfers with a moderate angle of attack. Exceptional performance in a variety of turf and sand conditions. Fits most golfers."
Wide Sole (WS) Grind (54°/14°, 56°/14°, 58°/14°, 60/14°)
"Most forgiving through the ground. Round and cambered sole with significant bounce. Recommended for golfers with a steep angle of attack who typically play in soft turf and sand conditions."
Eye2 Grind (54°/10°, 56°/10°, 58°/8°, 60°/8°)
"With the high toe design pioneered by Karsten Solheim nearly 40 years ago, it matches the original Eye2 SW sole/face profiles and narrow hosel transition for the ultimate in bunker performance and touch shots near the green."
Thin Sole (TS) Grind (58°/6°, 60°/6°)
"Facilitates precise shot-making and versatility from tight lies. Extreme heel relief with Ping WRX-inspired bounce grind. Ideal for firm conditions and a shallow angle of attack."
The Glide 3.0 is 15 grams lighter than its 2.0 predecessor, in large part thanks to weight-saving in the grip and shaft. There is also a new Dyla-wedge Lite grip, which is 3/4 inch longer than a normal grip to allow golfers to choke down for greater versatility and flight control.
Similarly, Ping's Z-Z115 wedge shaft is manufactured by Nippon and engineered to provide a lower launch with better control and greater feel.
The Ping Glide 3.0 Wedge is available now for custom-fitting and pre-order at £130 per club (steel shaft), and has already made it into the bag of some of the world's best players, including Bubba Watson and Cameron Champ.