Equipment
All-new Callaway Jaws MD5 Raw and tour-inspired T-Grind wedges
Callaway is adding to its successful Callaway Jaws MD5 lineup with a new grind and a new look: MD5 Raw and T-Grind wedges.
The Callaway Jaws MD5 story
As we covered in the original 2020 Callaway MD5 launch piece, these wedges are more than just a stepping stone for the engineering team at Callaway, and instead are a complete evolution of how they design and manufacture their wedges. Here’s why: By reinventing the overall groove shape compared to previous models, they have succeeded in increasing both spin and total control on full and less-than-full shots.
The proprietary groove design of the Jaws wedge gets the contact radius right to the limit set forth by the governing bodies. How closes are we talking?” So close that the initial response from Callaway’s manufacturing partner was “Sorry, we just can’t do this” because the failure rate was close to 50 percent of heads becoming nonconforming.
The solution for Callaway? Changing the cutting tool used on the grooves every 15 wedges. Sure, you could attempt to get more life out of each tool, but when you have everyone from recreational players to the world’s best putting them in play, you can’t make sacrifices.
The end result is the MD5 Jaws spins over 10 percent more on shots hit around the green compared to the Callaway MD4 and launches lower by one degree. Lower launch is important, because if you talk to any short game coach with a launch monitor, or Roger Cleveland, in Callaway’s case, you will quickly realize that being able to control launch with a wedge is just as important as it is with a driver. A lower-launching wedge means the coefficient of friction is higher since the ball isn’t riding/sliding up the face—and boom, you have a greater ability to hit the “low checker.”
The raw finish
After many years of limited retail availability, raw wedges have come back in style in a big way thanks to more golfers understanding the benefits of an unplated wedge—it also helps that the most popular finish option in professional golf is raw and unplated too.
The Callaway Jaws MD5 Raw is made from 8620 mild carbon steel to offer a soft feel. Over time, the unplated finish will patina to reduce glare—nothing worse than trying to hit a wedge shot on a sunny day and having the full reflection of the sun nearly blind you in the process.
The Raw MD5 maintains all the other design features of the already available MD5 wedges, including the four ports and medallions on the back of the head to raise CG for greater trajectory control—but also gives golfers the added option to customize through Callaway Customs.
The T-Grind story
Just like how raw finishes have grown in popularity, so have wedge grinds that offer greater versatility on full and partial shots around the green. The new T-Grind (available in 58 and 60-degree lofts) is a popular choice because it has a higher measured bounce in a standard neutral playing position, but thanks to the crescent sole with heel, toe, and trailing edge relief, the leading edge can get closer to the ground on shots played with an open face.
This puts bounce where you need it and takes it away from places you don’t. Compared to the similar-looking X-Grind (available in 54 and 56-degree lofts) the T has less bounce which can also help players that are more shallow or play in softer more lush conditions.
The new T Grind will also look different from address compared to the standard higher lofted MD5 wedges because they have a slightly thicker topline to raise CG for controlled ball flight.
Availability, Specs & Pricing
The new MD5 wedges will be available for purchase at retail and online starting June 4, and the retail price is $159.99
Lofts – (Italicized are the new grind options)
Right Handed:
- 50° S Grind,
- 52° S Grind
- 54° S and X Grind
- 56° S and X Grind
- 58° S, X, and T Grind
- 60° S, T, and X Grind
- 62° C Grind
Left Handed:
- 52° S Grind
- 56° S Grind
- 60° S Grind
The wedges come with 3 premium stock shaft options, Steel: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S200. Graphite: ProjectX Catalyst 80, and UST Recoil wedge F1 ( Ladies flex only )
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Whats in the Bag
David Lipsky WITB 2024 (April)
- David Lipsky what’s in the bag accurate as of the Valero Texas Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue 65 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue 75 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue 85 TX
Irons: PXG 0311T Gen5 (4), PXG 0317 ST (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour FLT 125
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II (50-10C), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-10S, 58-04T)
Shafts: KBS 610 Wedge 120
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Flatso 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of David Lipsky’s clubs in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Ben Taylor WITB 2024 (April)
- Ben Taylor what’s in the bag accurate as of the Valero Texas Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, B2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
2-wood: Titleist TSR (B2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
3-wood: Titleist TSR3 (15 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSi3 (20 degrees)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Recoil Prototype Utility 110F5
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-12F, 56-10S, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Scotty Cameron T-9 Proto
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 3.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
More photos of Ben Taylor’s WITB in the GolfWRX forums.
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Equipment
Aretera officially launches Alpha One shafts, available at Club Champion
As we reported earlier this year, Alex Dee, along with a group of industry veterans, have officially launched their own golf shaft company, leading with the Alpha One. Now you can get your hands on that shaft at Club Champion.
The Alpha One Blue and Gray series are debuting Aretera’s PowerGrid technology. Aretera is the first company to use spread tow woven carbon fabric in multiple layers at full length comprising over 50 percent of the shafts weight in design for maximum stability with a uniform feel.
These materials, novel in their application at this level, aim to offer high-level structural benefits compared to traditional unidirectional composites.
Speaking on the new shafts, Alex Dee stated:
“A lot of shafts have had to sacrifice feel to get stability. We’ve found ways to get it back. And it’s not a compromise.”
Aretera launches on April 1, 2024 at all Club Champion locations nationwide.
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Will DeMersseman
Jul 23, 2020 at 11:04 am
What’s the difference between the C grind 58* wedge (offered in other finishes) with 8* of bouce and the T grind 58* wedge (only in raw) with 8* of bounce? They both have a cresent sole with low bounce. Callaway doesn’t provide much of an explanation so it’s hard to tell much of a difference. Any info you have is appreciated.
SV
May 28, 2020 at 9:24 am
I know tour is different from real life, but can someone explain this: With Phil Mickelson on staff and his use of different lofted wedges, why do left-handers only get 52*, 56* & 60* choices? This has been a constant issue with Callaway, and not just wedges.
ht
Sep 11, 2020 at 9:33 am
limited market
stephen hall
May 27, 2020 at 9:37 am
Great wedges by Callaway