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Every golfer knows the importance of optimal spin in the wedge game, and at TaylorMade it's been quite a journey to achieve performance that exceeds our expectations - and yours. We’ve come a long way from the original Milled Grind to the newest kid on the block, Milled Grind 4 (aka, MG4). In the story below, we dive into the evolution of these wedges, with a special focus on how we've improved spin performance in wet conditions through engineering and design breakthroughs.
We’ve all been on the course battling wet conditions. Whether you’re dew sweeping or it’s pouring rain, a little water between the ball and the face can turn your trusty wedge into an unpredictable wild child. That's where wet spin comes into play and why it matters so much.
When moisture is in the mix, the ball tends to launch higher on the face with less spin. You may have heard drivers need high launch and low spin: Wedges need the opposite. Low launching, high spinning shots give you the best chance at controlling distance and knocking the ball close to the pin. Groove technology is a crucial component of this ongoing challenge.
Let's talk about the early days of tackling this issue. Grooves are the go-to solution for managing moisture in wedges. Wanna know a secret? Almost all wedge grooves perform just fine in dry conditions, but when the course is wet, it’s a completely different story. With the OG MG, engineers ventured into new territory to boost performance and introduced the ZTP-17 groove design, which had steeper walls and a sharper edge radius. Its performance laid the foundation for the modern TaylorMade wedge groove.
Fast forward a bit, and we arrive at the MG2 wedge, a real game-changer. This bad boy introduced raw faces to Milled Grind family, exposing the sharpest edges of the grooves. Furthermore, we used laser etching to supercharge spin performance. Compared to its predecessor, the MG1, the MG2 boasted an impressive 50% increase in spin rate in wet conditions. This breakthrough meant players had better control and improved playability when the weather was against them. What was the major difference? The use of raw faces and face etching for added friction.
Here's an interesting tidbit: professional players absolutely love raw wedges. Why, you ask? Well, in addition to optimizing spin performance in wet conditions, the natural rust oxidation reduces glare – which is super handy when playing in different lighting conditions. On top of that, the unique feel of a raw head adds to the overall wedge experience, giving a softer impact compared to those shiny chrome-plated faces that many players describe as “clicky.”
Building on the success of the MG2, the MG3 wedge took things up a notch by addressing the durability concern associated with the prior model. You see, the previous MG2 face etching tended to wear off around the triple digit bunker shot mark. So, engineers introduced Micro Ribs, which were placed between the grooves. These clever little ribs replicated the wet performance achieved by laser etching, but with superior durability. They kept those spin rates higher for an impressive 200+ additional shots compared to the MG2.
MG4 | Laser Etched Spin Tread
Our wedge development team wasn't done yet. They realized that ribs alone couldn't fully tackle the moisture concerns. So, they went back to laser treatments and did some serious research. This led them to develop a deeper laser etching technique, dubbed Spin Tread, by creating sharper burrs on the edge of the laser textured surface.
The angled the laser treatment encourages a perpendicular impact between the Spin Treads the ball, effectively improving moisture channeling away from the face. Think of it like a tire on a wet road, systematically pushing water out of the way so your car stays snug to the pavement. This breakthrough in moisture management “paved” the way for MG4. Where will you see the most impact? You'll notice the added spin on full swings, but it’s particularly helpful on partial shots in wet conditions - as the combination of Spin Tread with a raw face imparts the control you need to get the ball closer to the hole.
TaylorMade’s evolution from MG1 to MG4 showcases the relentless pursuit of better spin and progressive wedge performance. With advancements in groove technology, laser treatments and raw faces, our engineers have truly taken wedges from good to great. What’s our goal? Giving you the control, playability and confidence to deliver crispy wedge shots in all conditions.