By now, everyone knows the story of how Callaway’s PM Grind wedge came into existence, from the literal Frankenstein like beginning to becoming one of the most successful yet polarizing specialty wedges in golf. As time went on, interests have seemingly leveled off, and at the same time Callaway has found themselves with many competitors in the very high-toe full-face segment that they created.
So, what is a company to do? Well, if you are Callaway, you go all-in on building a better wedge, one that they themselves are touting as their most advanced wedge ever. The Callaway JAWS Full Toe Wedges.
It is time to say hello to the new Callaway JAWS Full Toe wedges, and believe me, there is much more than meets the eye.
“Every Shot in Full Control”
The above is the official tagline for the new JAWS Full Toe wedges from Callaway, and there is a whole lot of truth there regarding just how they approached designing this one. The PM Grind created the segment and has continued to be a bit of cult classic. It has also been a club that since day one you either loved or loathed the look.
The stagnation of the design as well as the indifference of some golfers and even Tour Staff towards the PM Grind brought forth the desire to not just create an evolution, but a revolution by throwing all the tricks and tech that Callaway has at it. So, to be crystal clear, this is not a rehash of the PM Grind, not at all.
Callaway JAWS Full Toe Wedges
As mentioned, Callaway is considering this wedge design to be their most advanced ever. They are also adamant that they are bringing better performance and unparalleled looks to the high-toe category. This release is aimed at a much wider group of golfers from the PGA Tour to the casual weekenders. It is interesting to hear the company admit that they believe the PM Grind became too specialized and kept something that could be beneficial to all golfers from being playable for them.
Now, before we dive in to the nitty gritty of the design here, I want to be clear that the JAWS Full Toe wedges are not replacing the MD5 JAWS. This is a wider lineup that Callaway considers to be complimentary of the MD5’s and that can plug into those setups seamlessly in a variety of configurations.
Obviously, there is PM Grind DNA present in the JAWS design, the high-toe is alive and well, albeit more refined than ever. You see that “toe peak” as Callaway refers to it is key for versatility and confidence, but this time it is blended with the very traditional MD5 shaping. What that means is much less offset than the PM Grind as well as a straighter leading edge to increase the full swing playability which really limited its predecessor. Add in the return and tweaking of the specialized C-Grind to keep the impressive versatility for bunker and flop shots, then you have the makings of a much more balanced design.
Beyond the shape there has also been a lot done where weighting is concerned. The decision was made to utilize the rear weight ports in a variable system to shift the CG more towards the toe and align the balance more with the impact location most golfers see in a club where the face angle is manipulated. Additionally, one will notice the muscle cut out look on the flange of the wedges which has the technical name “JAWS Toe Pad” which aims to move the CG more up and help control the trajectory while increasing spin potential.
Speaking of spin, Callaway is referring to the JAWS Full Toe as a “spin machine”, even going so far as to state that they will spin more than the MD5’s, so let that sink in. Obviously, the full-face grooves are in effect here combined with JAWS grooves which Callaway believes are the most aggressive in all of golf. But the big trick is in the implementation of “offset groove in groove” technology which are micro grooves that are angled to provide additional spin on partial shots where the face is commonly being opened. No, these won’t add spin to full swings, but the closer you get to the green, they do add zip.
Rounding it all out is the decision to offer a Raw Black finish along with a new “Raw Face Chrome” in which Callaway has gone through extensive steps to keep the face raw while still having one of the best satin chrome finishes in the entire industry on the rest of the clubhead. This adds glare reduction as well as initial roughness according to the company and is something highly sought after from their Tour Staff.
These recently made their Tour debut and immediately went into play for about 12% of their total wedge count, impressive considering none of the staff had seen them prior to that. These are going to hit pre-sale on 8/26/2021 and retail on 9/9/2021. All lofts and options will be listed below, but the Callaway Customs will also be an option on these with a variety of new stamping choices for golfers.
What do you think about the newest wedge release from Callaway? Be sure to jump into the conversation and let us know either below or on the THP Community!
The Details
Available: 8/26/2021 Pre-Sale, 9/9/2021 Retail
Price: $169.99
Finishes: Raw Black, Raw Face Chrome
Shaft: True Temper DG Spinner Black/Silver or ProjectX Catalyst Wedge
Grip: Lamkin UTx
Loft and Bounce: 54.12, 56.12, 58.10, 60.10, 64.10
Dexterity: RH and LH in all
It’s that same aggressive grind that made the PM so useful there. I spent time working various depth bunker shots on Thursday and saw nothing that would lead me to believe this is a less effective design.
Frankly, I’m already a believer this design is superior in all areas.
My pleasure. I should have some data shortly. Need to get 1-2 more range sessions and compile.
Funny you should say that. The feel reminds me a bit of the Vokey the few time’s I’ve stolen… errrrrr… borrowed…my friend’s 60*.
I wish I had a trout stream :/ Always wanted to try fresh water fishing.
I committed today and took the 60* out of the bag entirely to force myself to play the JFT. I can comfortably say that 2 sand shots I took were both sniped. The first I put to 12” from the pin (not intentionally). The second was a surprisingly high greenside bunker with a downhill roll off the lip and a very tight pin. I had no issues getting out to about 8′ from the pin with the annoying downhill. That’s a win for me but I have a nagging suspicion that with some practice I can get it tighter/ straight up and out.
I also had two opportunities to engage the high-toe area out of rough and while the shot was not my best work, I definitely saw the grooves in action and they def helped keep the ball in check. Very happy with the results.
All afternoon while I’ve been trying to check out – "There was a problem connecting with our payment provider. Please try again shortly."
Bleh.
For those of you (if any) that have hit both the MD5 and Jaws Full Toe, thoughts or comparisons between them?
Is it the same grind? The pictures make it look different?
It is the same C-Grind at heart and tweaked like the rest of the design:
There was plenty of bite. I love the grinds. If I had to sum it up in a sentence, I would say that these are an easier to use PM grind wedge. They also look so much better at setup, imo. I am excited to keep using them and get some full swings in out on the course.
I’m glad to hear that nobody seems to be having any issues with full swings.
I am debating with this similar set up as far as the lofts but sort of sitting on the fence as far as the 54°, either go FT or MD5 or it’s successor. Were you able to do everything including full shots with your 54° that you did with your older one? Due to the time left in our season I’ll be waiting until the new year before I order anything so I’ll follow your experiences in the next couple of months.
It’s honestly had me doing it more than I should, breaking my own rules if you will.
It started on the range where I started with 40 yard swings, then 60 and finally full swings which are 80 yards for me. The club sits beautifully behind the ball. It definitely looks smaller than the PM grind or the CBX Full face that is in my bag right now. I found the club moved through the ground much better than the PM on the longer swings. For me it digs a bit more than the CBX but is something that is definitely playable.
I shifted to the practice trap and I really like the way the club moves through the sand better than the CBX FF I have been playing. I think I am going to really like the FT out of the sand.
I shifted to the golf course and on the second hole I had a 55 yard shot into the green and the club performed really well. I came up about 3 yards short on the swing leaving a 15 footer but the club moved through the turf well. It didn’t dig on me like the PM does. It may dig a bit more than I would prefer but that is a me issue not a club issue.
On 8 I had my first sand shot and hit it to about 5 feet from a tough position. The club performed just the way I expected it to.
I had two different situations where I had to pretty much flop shots which I generally try to avoid. In both cases the grind of the club worked great and the club slid nicely under the ball giving me the result I was looking for. I landed the ball within about a foot of where I was trying to and these were short sided shots to downhill pin positions.
The only thing I think I would like is perhaps a bit more bounce for my swing. I am half wondering if a 56* bent to 58* would get me exactly what I am looking for. At the moment the FT is firmly in the bag though.
That was well done Chef, don’t sell yourself short!
I don’t have a ton of swings on it yet but it still looks good. I don’t really care if the face wears on it I like the lack of glare.
This is exactly how I feel too. This will be a fun thread to follow along with.
The 58* performs well on full shots I would expect the 54 would be at least as good.
Unfortunately, because I am a club ho, I have quite a few wedges. I haven’t really been able to hit full shots on the course yet, but I believe that these wedges will handle full shots well, based upon what I was experiencing when hitting full shots with my shag bag.
Great summary.
Looking forward to your thoughts
I think it is going to stick in the bag. I would like to compare it to a 56* bent to 58* but not enough to buy another one.
I’ve played two rounds so far and I really like this wedge. I have the 58° and I found it very versatile. I have the Catalyst Graphite Wedge flex shaft and it feels just fine. Not really missing a steel shaft. Haven’t got any “Hop N’ Stops” however I’ll get one soon.
Sorry, it took me a day or so to get to this. Below, you will see a Cobra Snakebite (full face) 56 degree versatile and a 58 degree Jaws full toe. Given the difference in lofts, they are not an exact apples to apples, but they are close.
I was surprised to see that the grinds are very similar. the Cobra has that notch cut out of the middle in the back, but I would call the versatile grind a “C”-type grind. I think the sole is a tad wider on the Cobra. The toe on the Jaws is more pronounced, but even the faces are not horribly different. The weighting on the Jaws is probably more refined, at least in reading about it seems to me to be so.
I have been very happy with the Snakebite wedges and picked up the Jaws, because I am awaiting a new set of irons and will go with 54 and 58 degree wedges, rather than the 56 and 60 that I have been playing most of the summer. Honestly, if you like the Snakebite, you will like the Jaws Full Toe, imho. However, one could also ask why replicate a wedge that is going to play very similarly.
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The bottom is definitely seeing some character. I also noticed very small rust dots on the bottom (grind area) of the club, which I did not expect and wanted to ask about. I’m a bit meticulous with the club, wiping it down and using the plastic bristles instead of the metal ones to clean the grooves. I don’t want the finish coming off! I know this is somewhat counter-intuitive to the raw face, but I’ll likely be vain with the club until the rust comes in earnest, or the finish is clearly fading.
From my understanding, only the face is supposed to be raw and rust, not the back/bottom of the club. Thoughts?
Unfortunately? It’s one of the times I fully endorse hoe-ing (of the clubs, of course)
Great comparison and spot on. The snakebite has just a touch more rounded shape while the JFT has the lopsided pear. I hit one of the snakebite wedges out of my buddy’s bag because my playing partner took the cart for a joy-ride through the woods and I have to say I really liked it. A very solid feeling club with a definite "thunk". I think the SW was up to D5 on that bad-boy but it gave me the impression that it would bulldoze through any rough or sand without pause.
The grooves on this bad boy are effective and sharp. I shredded a bunch of range balls to the point that I had to scrub surlyn? off the cross-groves before playing my round. I rotated through about 6 different balls yesterday since we had time to kill on a slow round and the JFT bit into almost all of them. The PV1s survived. TP5 was ok too although less than the PV1s. The Chrome Soft, Srixon, and Kirkland took some abuse if I really ripped into the ball and played a shot with intentional extra backspin.
The cons: I find that with full swings it’s a bit easier to push right than I’m accustomed to. I’m not seeing the fade I usually account for when swinging full, but rather a straight push. Small adjustments to fix it, but in the moment It cost me 2 birds
The Pros- I’m noticing the more I play with this wedge the less I’m partial to the sound and firm feel of the club. Maybe I’m associating the feel and firmness with bite on the ball because it seems to be playing very well and slotting into the bag without issue.
I looked at a snakebite yesterday for the first time and didn’t love the rounded leading edge that much. I prefer the leading edge of the JFT. That is totally personal preference though.
I can say I think I prefer the Jaws out of the two, but both are pretty darn good. One note on the King wedges is while the leading edge might appear more rounded, the scallop in the back allows it to sit closer to the ground, thus eliminating some of those fears.
I have a feeling these will be replacing both my 54 MD5 and my 58 PM Grind when I need new wedges and I haven’t even hit these yet!
I could see replacing my current 54 with a new one. My 54 is bent to 53 I think I would go 52 and bend it to 53 to add to the bounce a bit.
Not sure if you have looked on the site, but I see picking a grind is not an option…I thought different grinds were available with these.
You are correct. The C grind is the only available grind with this new wedge. However, the PM wedges only had one grind as well and these are a replacement for that wedge.
Only C grinds on these right now. It will be interesting to see if additional grinds get added. They could put different grinds on the JFT where it might have been difficult with the PM grind.
I would love to see an X grind on the JFT.
See the article above.
Along with the jaws tech this is a win win. The jaws interests me for the chip shots for sure that extra spin is heaven sent.
This release looks clean too , great design to them
I must have just mid read. C grind is my jam though!
Managed to avoid the sand for the round, so no update there. Out of the rough though these were pretty spectacular. Rough more than a few feet off was tall enough that you had to be near on top of it to find it. Other than a couple of user errors I was able to play most of these shots with no issues, which was nice as I’m used to playing from a totally different type of grass.
These continue to perform very similar to my MD5s on fullish swings from a distance. Like @Jman I may be breaking my normal rules a bit, using my 60 where I may normally use a 54, etc. but the results have been great and it’s good to know I can trust these to perform in those instances where you need the extra height.
Flops aren’t a mainstay for me, but I’ve been hitting some in the practice area. Not super comfortable with them yet, but these wedges are not hard to elevate in any sense.
Over two rounds, these have been pretty much plug and play for me. Coming off of MD5 54S/60X. I’ve found the 54 JFT to compare favorably to the MD5 and the 60 is an improvement for me as I use/need the extra grooves and the high toe.
I’ll grab some pictures, but over two rounds mine still look pretty darn new.
Perfect! Great feedback.
Why? It maintains almost all the versatility but now makes it playable from further out without fears. It’s a shape at address that everyone can love, not just it’s mother.
It’s still a little more firm than I expected, but that’s just a me thing, overall it’s a pleasing feedback still.
Spin for days. Easy bunker outs for days. I’m really impressed.
Things to note:
– 4mph avg accounts cleanly for the difference in distance.
– Take a look at the dispersion in green. Wow.
– Take a look at the Spin RPMs difference– and that’s with 2* less loft. Wow.
– Massive difference in height with similar/same stopping power—-1.7y roll on JFT 2.4y on KSig (not displayed)
If someone has a spare 58* PM grind they’ll lend me I’m happy to do a data comparison ?
10 yard roll out on a LOB Wedge would drive me nuts.
Those won’t roll out ten yards coming into a green, given the spin numbers. The launch monitors always show more rollout when hitting onto a range.
The spin on the JFT 58? looks considerably higher. I wouldn’t obsess over rollout numbers on a sim/monitor with wedges.
1.7y and 2.4y are less than 10 feet. We’re talking hop and stop.
I can vouch from personal experience that unless there’s a significant slope my wedge shots stop within 5′ of their craters. I’d venture to say it’s within 10′ for anything up to a 7i due to a very steep descent angle. Add the extra RPMs on the JFT and you’re looking at a scalpel if you can wield it.