Wedge Grinds — (Charts, Comparisons, and Golf Coach's Advice) (2024)

Wedge grind is well-defined by Titleist’s Bob Vokey:

This expert states that wedge grind is the removal or manipulation of material on the sole of the wedge designed to improve contact with the turf.

Golfers should pay close attention because the proper grind of a wedge can make a significant difference in their short game.

Wedge Grind Chart

Wedge Grind Options

Wedge grind naming conventions vary between different club companies but the options still remain the same. The most well-known wedges, Titleist Vokey, are a good guide to understanding your options.

F Grind – The ‘F’ stands for full sole and is designed for full shots from a variety of lies on the golf course. The full sole means that the bottom has no grind and is used for shots played with a square face.

M Grind – This is designed for golfers that like to open and close the clubface to create different shots around the green. There is a lot of versatility in this golf club by design.

K Grind – This is the most forgiving wedge in the lineup and has the most bounce on the bottom of the club. It is a great option for high handicappers and anyone that struggles in the bunker.

S Grind – The S here comes from developing this club in conjunction with Steve Stricker. He plays a lot of shots with a square face and has little interaction with the turf.

L Grind – This has low bounce and is best for golfers with a shallow angle of attack and/or golfers that play on firm conditions.

D Grind – The D grind is designed for players with a steeper angle of attack into the back of the ball. It has a little more bounce to help keep the leading edge from digging into the turf.

M Grind vs S Grind

The M Grind wedge is designed for versatility. This means it is ideal for players that like to open and close the face when hitting shots into and around the green.

Opening and closing the clubface changes the bounce of the club and this grind is designed to try and maintain a consistent turf interaction for these types of players.In contrast, the S Grind is designed for golfers that hit their shots into and around the green with a straight face.

Unless they are in a sand trap they are going to keep the clubface squarely aligned and use the sole grind the help hit the shot. Like the M grind, the S grind is popular among PGA Tour players, but not the most played.

F Grind vs D Grind

The most common among PGA Tour players are the F grind because of its full sole. This allows players to have consistent turf interaction on full shots which helps to control distance.

While the F grind is great for your standard shots, the D grind offers versatility. There is a fair amount of bounce on this wedge allowing it to have forgiveness on a variety of shots. The way that the grind is made also allows players to open their face for different shots around the green and still have a consistent strike.

W Grind Wedge

The W grind wedges have a wider sole to accommodate steeper swings and playability in soft conditions.

This grind is wider in the center of the face to prevent digging into the turf. If you struggle with softer turf conditions or are known as a digger with your wedges, this could help you glide through the golf ball more easily than your current wedge.

There are two bounce options for different swings and course conditions. Go get a wedge fitting and see which one offers the best results.

Most Popular Wedge Grinds

The most popular wedge grinds are those that allow for repeatable divot patterns and help with consistency from the fairway, rough, or bunkers. On the PGA Tour, the most popular is the F grind because of its traditional sole and overall versatility.

The M grind is also a popular choice because it allows players of all skill levels to hit different shots around the greens. This is also Bob Vokey’s favorite grind for that reason.

For the average golfer, the K Grind is going to be a great option because of its high bounce providing forgiveness to a larger number of players. The Vokey Wedges are designed for a variety of players but this grind would fit most players.

Conclusion: Research by Tellmemoregolf.com

Whether you are currently playing a higher bounce wedge or low bounce, consider whether or not you are getting the results that you want. If there is some inconsistency around the greens or with longer shots into the green with your wedges, go get fit with a club professional.

High-bounce wedges do not perform well in the hands of someone who needs a mid to low-bounce option.

As a former champion tournament player, I can tell you without knowing your game that the quickest way to shave strokes is to get your wedges looked at; or get a proper wedge fitting. That is why TellMeMoreGolf brings you this in-depth analysis; so we can help you score better and beat your friends.