PING Glide 3.0 Wedge Review
I. Is PING Glide 3.0 wedge worth it?
PING has launched the Glide 3.0 wedge series with a focus on improving the forgiveness and playability of the Glide series. This wedge is suitable for high-handicap golfers.
The club has four sole grind options, including the innovative Eye2 SW grind that provides noteworthy bunker performance. The club’s sole has been redesigned to improve turf interaction, and it is available in multiple lofts.
If you struggle with hitting accurate shots around the green or want to add more variety to your short game, PING Glide 3.0 wedge may be a good choice.
II. My experience review with PING Glide 3.0
I gave the PING Glide 2.0 wedge a whirl and decided to give the newer 3.0 version a shot when it dropped.
The PING Glide 3.0 wedge offers reasonable control and precision, especially on short game shots around the green. The precision-milled grooves on the clubface provide maximum spin and control, letting me slam the brakes on the ball real quick on the green.
And the Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish on the clubface is the real deal. It kicks friction to the curb and repels water like a champ, giving me smoother contact and a cleaner spin on the ball.
But here’s the kicker, these PING Glide 3.0 wedges offer maximum forgiveness. The groove design is dialed in for optimal loft, ensuring consistent spin and trajectory, regardless of the lie or shot type.
The forgiveness has been helpful for me, especially when I find myself knee-deep in bunkers or rough. It has helped me boss my way out of sticky situations.
My test stats
To evaluate its performance, I played multiple rounds with Glide 3.0 wedge on both dry and wet courses. During my testing, I used the club with a 56-degree loft and 12-degree bounce, and the results are as follows:
Parameter | Wet course | Dry course |
Ball speed | 96.4 mph | 95.1 mph |
Launch angle | 32.1 degrees | 30.2 degrees |
Backspin | 9584 rpm | 11675 rpm |
Side angle | -0.3 degrees | -0.8 degrees |
Carry distance | 116 yards | 111 yards |
Total distance | 117 yards | 111 yards |
On the wet course, I was able to achieve a ball speed of 96.4 mph, a launch angle of 32.1 degrees, and a backspin rate of 9584 rpm. This allowed me to hit the ball accurately and consistently, with a carry distance of 116 yards and a total distance of 117 yards.
The Glide 3.0’s precision-milled grooves and Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish helped to provide more spin and control, even on wet turf, which resulted in noteworthy accuracy and distance.
On the dry course, the club’s performance was equally good. With a ball speed of 95.1 mph, a launch angle of 30.2 degrees, and a backspin rate of 11675 rpm, I was able to hit the ball with significant precision and control.
The club’s loft-optimized groove design and tapered hosel helped to provide consistent spin and trajectory on every shot, allowing me to hit the ball consistently, even on dry ground. This resulted in a carry distance of 111 yards and a total distance of 111 yards.
The precise control demonstrated by the club on both wet and dry courses, coupled with its notable forgiveness, make it a valuable addition to any golfer seeking to enhance their short game.
III. Performance Factors Of PING Glide 3.0 Wedge
If you want to analyze the PING Glide 3.0 Wedge’s exceptional performance on the golf course, it’s important to analyze each factor separately. By doing so, we can understand how they contribute to its overall success.
1. Forgiveness (Score – 9/10)
The PING Glide 3.0 Wedge offers good forgiveness, which means you can still get a decent shot even if you hit the ball off-center.
This is because the club’s design provides stability and consistency. Based on personal experience, even mishits were not too far off from the intended target.
2. Distance control (Score – 9/10)
The PING Glide 3.0 Wedge is a golf club that can help you hit the ball more accurately and with better distance control. Its loft angles are designed to make it easier to hit the ball the exact distance you want.
Based on personal experience, adjusting the distance according to individual needs is effortless with this club, resulting in improved accuracy.
3. Looks (Score – 10/10)
The PING Glide 3.0 Wedge has a stylish chrome finish and modern design that looks great in any golf bag.
The wedge is high-tech and has a brushed silver finish that highlights its cavity back and custom tuning port made of elastomer. I found it visually appealing and elegant.
4. Sound and feel (Score – 8/10)
The PING Glide 3.0 Wedge gives decent feedback when you hit the ball correctly, and the feel is smooth and comfortable, making it easy to swing.
The impact feels crisp and solid, with a slight click on perfect strikes depending on the ball you use. While there isn’t much audio feedback, it’s easy to feel the impact through your hands.
IV. Sole Grind Options In PING Glide 3.0
Ping Glide 3.0 comes with four attractive sole options:
1. Eye2 Sole Grind (Eye2 SW sole)
The Eye2 Sole Grind was a standout option that offered versatility and control over my shots. The grind allowed me to efficiently execute a wide range of shots, whether I needed to hit a high flop shot or a low pitch.
Furthermore, grooves with a sharper edge radius substantially enhance the ball and clubface interaction upon impact, resulting in increased friction and superior spin and trajectory control.
Available lofts: 54, 56, 58, and 60 degrees
2. Standard Sole (SS Grind)
The Standard Sole (SS Grind) was a reliable and consistent option that performed well in various turf conditions. This grind allows hitting clean shots with good spin and accuracy.
For golfers with a moderate angle of attack, it boasts a mid-bounce sole and heel and trail-edge relief, which has been engineered to provide superior performance on the course.
Available lofts: 46 to 60 degrees
3. Wide Sole (WS Grind )
The Wide Sole (WS Grind) can be a suitable option for players who struggle with bunker shots.
This grind offers more forgiveness, preventing digging and helping players escape tough sand lies with greater ease. It is advisable for golfers who exhibit a steep angle of attack and typically play on soft turf surfaces.
Available lofts: 54 to 60 degrees
4. Thin Sole (TS Grind )
The Thin Sole (TS Grind) is a good option for players who prefer to hit down on the ball, providing a crisp and clean impact with the ball. It works great in firm conditions and with a shallow angle of attack.
This grind allowed me to get more spin and control over my shots, which was particularly useful on tight lies around the green.
Available lofts: 58 and 60 degrees
V. Features and benefits of PING Glide 3.0
The PING Glide 3.0 Wedge is designed for golfers with moderate swing speeds. Its key features and benefits cater to these players, making it an ideal choice. Let’s examine each one in more detail.
1. Precision-Milled Grooves
The PING Glide 3.0 has precision-milled grooves that give golfers better precision and spin control. These grooves are sharper and closer together, providing more consistent spin and ball contact. This leads to more accurate shots, even in tough conditions.
The grooves that have sharper edges make more contact with the ball when it’s hit, creating more friction. This results in better ball spin and trajectory control.
2. Softer elastomer Custom Tuning Port
The PING Glide 3.0 has a custom tuning port made of a softer elastomer material.
This reduces vibrations and improves sound and feel when the ball is hit, making golfing more comfortable and fun. The tuning port can also be adjusted to improve launch and spin, helping golfers get the most out of their shots.
3. Light shaft and grip
The PING Glide 3.0’s design incorporates a lightweight shaft and grip, enabling golfers to achieve faster swing speeds and enhanced control, resulting in longer, more accurate shots with a lower balance point.
The use of lighter materials also reduces fatigue and strain on the golfer’s wrists and arms, leading to a more enjoyable game and improved overall performance.
4. Hydropearl Chrome Finish
The PING Glide 3.0 has a special Hydropearl Chrome Finish that helps to repel water and make the club face smoother.
This is especially useful when it’s wet or damp because it allows for cleaner and more consistent contact with the ball. The Chrome Finish also protects the club from rust and corrosion, so it can keep performing and looking great for a long time.
VI. Alternatives
After conducting a comprehensive analysis, I have identified three effective alternatives that you can consider to enhance your golf game.
1. PING Glide 4.0
The PING Glide 4.0 Wedge is a high-performance wedge that boasts exceptional spin and control. Its advanced technology, including precision-milled grooves and a unique sole design, enables golfers to hit precise shots around the green.
The Glide 4.0 is suitable for golfers of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals looking for a wedge that provides consistent performance.
2. Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedge
The Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge is a forgiving wedge that is designed to help golfers improve their short game. Its cavity-back design and oversized head provide maximum forgiveness and stability, allowing golfers to make solid contact with the ball on every shot. The Mack Daddy CB is suitable for high handicappers who want a wedge that is easy to use and provides consistent performance.
3. Cleveland CBX Wedge
The Cleveland CBX Wedge is a wedge that helps golfers hit a variety of shots around the green.
Its cavity back design and perimeter weighting provide maximum forgiveness and stability, while its dynamic sole design allows for a wide range of precise shot-making options.
The CBX is suitable for high-handicap golfers who are looking for a wedge that provides good versatility and performance.
VII. My take
PING engineers have taken a comprehensive approach with the Glide 3.0 wedges, revamping every element to develop a lighter, more forgiving design that generates more spin.
The wedges have a sleek appearance that appeals to players and provides game-improvement performance. The multiple sole grinds, including an Eye2 sand-wedge-inspired option, help fitters match wedges to the golfer’s angle of attack and common turf conditions.