If you don’t think that golf manufacturers pay attention to the people, then you might not be paying attention yourself. For this one, I really recommend you pay attention.
What’s the big deal? Well, after a lot of internet outcry, pandering, and flat out begging, Callaway Golf is bringing more MD5 wedges to the people…in a raw finish. You read that right, MD5 in raw. Now, some are wondering if this is going to be like previous raw releases from Callaway that were a little on the limited side where options and grinds are concerned. That can be put to bed, as multiple lofts and grinds are on their way, even with a few new options.
The MD5 Story
As a refresher, the MD5 is the brainchild of wedge legend Roger Cleveland, and an outside the box take on design. From the shaping to the finishes, the MD5’s were painstakingly crafted while also implementing new techniques like the “JAWS Groove” which has created a sharper edge radius increasing spin potential and creating what Callaway is calling “The Most Aggressive Groove in Golf”.
The big picture remains not just high spin, but consistent spin that is optimized throughout the lofts. From the moment of their release, the spin has been the showstopper here, and that is about to get expanded with the new Raw release.
Why Raw? Why now?
First, lets get the obvious out of the way, no, the offering of a raw wedge is not about more spin, it’s about giving the people an option that they have been literally begging for while also making a Tour Preferred option available to the masses. Raw is very much a feel and glare reduction thing, and to some of us, raw wedges are just cool. Options are always a win, and this is a big move from Callaway to eliminate the upcharge and make the raw finish accessible.
But this is more than just a finish, and what better explanation than from the chief designer himself:
“The launch of the JAWS MD5 wedges was the most successful wedge launch in Callaway history. Since that launch I’ve been working with Tour players on some additional models and grinds. So, we’re excited to be able to offer those to the public through our JAWS MD5 Raw Lineup”
Roger Cleveland
What are the new options? Callaway wedge fans will be ecstatic to see that the X-Grind is making its way into both 54° and 56° options along with a C-Grind in 62° and perhaps most intriguing, Tour T-Grinds in 58° and 60°. The Raw look however, isn’t just limited to the new grinds, for RH there are options from 50° to 62° and in LH from 52° to 60° (albeit only in S-Grind).
Are you going to give the new Raw MD5’s a look? Do you trust the rust? Be sure to comment below as well as the THP community and let us know your thoughts on Callaway giving the people what they want!
The Details
Available: 6/4/2020
Price: $159.99
RH Options: 50° (S), 52° (S), 54° (S, X), 56° (S, X), 58° (S, X, T), 60° (S, X, T), 62° (C)
LH Options: 52° (S), 56° (S), 60° (S)
Either way, it’s Callaway doing what Callaway does best: giving people what they want in a club.
More options is always a good thing for us. I don’t reay care too much one way or the other on raw wedges. I know some love them. Would be interested in learning more about the T grind.
Unplated wedges can have more precise (sharper) grooves because there is nothing added to them. With that said, they can also wear faster. So a bit of a give and take.
I discussed this in the article, rust doesn’t add spin.
But the removal of playing can play an effect, it also can wear faster.
That said, this could be enough to get me to really try the MD5’s now, and the having a 62 helps there too.
That said, I know I am in the minority and this offering will appeal to a lot of golfers.
Nah, the pro raw/rust group is the minority here. Which is what makes it impressive that Callaway is listening.
Best way to stop it from rusting? Put a plating on it.
Although I appreciate why some folks like the raw look, it’s not for me. I went Tour grey because didn’t like the chrome and when I tried the chrome plated, glare/reflection was actually an issue for me.
That being said, the tour grey is wearing in an interesting pattern and just anecdotally feel like they are getting softer on strike. Probably just in my head though. And a different thread altogether.
Okay, I’ll admit I laughed out loud when I read that
If true, that leads me to believe that more of the mainstream golfers (non forum golfers) wanted it, because it says something to release this finish "mid-season" unless the market is there for it. Especially right now.
Could also have been in the works for sometime now, or the original plan could have been as it was in past raw released and been through a limited program on their site. But, instead they’ve listened to the clamor, of which I would argue forums and social media are the largest part.
No doubt, which is a good thing when it comes to options. I gravitate to the darker finish to minimize glare, and can see where the raw finish absolutely helps there.
Either way I am sure these will sell for them.
I bet it got delayed a little. MD4 raw was released in April after the initial launch of those in the fall so the timeline isn’t that far off.
Thought about you when I was writing this one!
I didnt get along with the JAWs wedges my first go but I think that was more a shaft issue.
I’m not sure if I like the rounded look with a bit of offset that have seemed to be prevalent in the MD wedges.
I’ve read/heard conflicting reports on the spin topic.
I believe that Vosh from Miz said it adds spin, but others have said it doesn’t.
My guess is, if it does anything, it does very little.
Vosh discusses this on our live stream. He said rust doesn’t inherently increase spin. A raw wedge has no plating therefore grooves are still at their natural form, channels may be deeper, etc.
The downfall here is that they will wear faster vs a playing.
yeah, thats my thought, it doesn’t move the needle. It would be hard to test as well as your "rust" will be different than mine, and if I have a lot of range time will I knock off the rust in the ball striking area etc…
I enjoy for the look at address, definitely no glare!
It’s not about the rust, it’s about the lack of plating.
For the Spin component? So the argument is that the "no plating" or rusted surface has a higher coefficient of friction than plating, which generates more spin.
No sir. It is about plating alters the grooves slightly so there could be a reduction. With that slight increase, could come faster wear.
huh, interesting. The rules and regulation on the groves geometry remain the same, right? So is just a matter of how the plating alters the groves shape. Would you expect the same out of a milled wedge face rather than a plated carbon steel? Are there any milled wedges out there? Guess thats a fairly expensive way at getting at this question
Personally, I don’t worry about it
Yes, regulations remain the same.
Seeing the Tour grind come back on the 58* has me really intrigued. Could these lure me back to Cally wedges? Maybe X-Grind 54* w/ T grind 58*? That could be pretty fun.
Do the manufacturers account for the plating though, by increasing the size/depth of the grooves? If not, then wouldn’t it seem logical that getting more access to the full groove size/depth would increase the spin? I’m curious to know how much groove depth, size is lost to plating….?
Having said that…..I know that Ping has the hydra coating which supposedly helps retain spin in the presence of water/moisture. So….in that case, perhaps the coating is superior to a raw finish in that example?
EDIT: Sorry, seeing other posts now……ignore this one if you like. I’m not trying to go off topic here.
Many companies do something for grooves, Ping just happened to really market their coating. Cleveland started this trend years ago.
I love the raw, I trust the rust, in my mind I have to think the non plating wedges will produce more spin due to slightly more open grooves, yes the downfall maybe they’ll wear faster but I don’t worry about that. The way manufacturers produce different clubs yearly or whatever their life cycle is, we all change clubs like underwear, sometimes its daily..
Again, its not the rust that produces the spin, its that there’s no plating which can potentially create more spin with slightly more open grooves.
How much more quickly would they wear? Like many, I assumed based on things I’ve heard in the past, the rust would be adding friction and therefore contributing to more spin over time. It sounds like that is a flawed assumption.
I agree. I love the way these look now. But have an MD3 still in the bag and honestly I’m not a fan of the rust.
Totally player and even geography dependent.
For those going with the idea of more spin, does anybody need it right now with the MD5 JAWS wedges? They spin like crazy already.