Ping Glide 4.0 wedge £160
GM verdict
The look of the Glide 4.0 has greatly improved over Glide
3.0 and the variation in size across the sole options will certainly appeal to a wide spectrum of abilities.
On nipping a few chips away, our first impression was that the ball stayed on the face for a little longer than on Glide 3.0, which meant it felt softer. But if you’re used to a muscleback design, it will still feel firmer by comparison. It improved over time and it was certainly stable and responsive, but it also sounded a little more clicky than other forged wedges we’ve tested. That aside, it was the control and versatility of the range that really stood out.
Of the four soles, the standard option offers light relief for golfers with a moderate angle of attack and would be a go-to choice on various types of turf. It performed really well on full shots and looks a little smaller than the prior version. Around the greens, it was with the wide sole where we enjoyed the most success. In the 54°, the turf interaction was exceptional on short shots and the larger profile gave us more confidence. The 14 degrees of bounce worked the kind of magic that was to be expected in softer conditions, but even when the ground was a little firmer, the strike remained crisp and consistent. The thin sole is a brilliant lob wedge option for those with a shallow angle of attack and who are used to conditions more akin to links golf.
More impressive, however, was how easy it was to spin the ball. Fresh grooves are going to generate high levels of spin regardless, but the amount on offer took us by surprise. Even when hitting shots that came off a little hotter and lower than expected, the ball sat to attention almost immediately.
Finally, unique to the line-up is the Eye2 sole, which Ping describes as the ‘ultimate bunker club’. While impossible to definitively confirm the claim, the forgiveness through the sand was obvious – golfers who struggle from bunkers will enjoy how this plays, if not the unorthodox looks. We also liked the longer 11.5-inch Lamkin grip to assist when choking down on partial shots.