S Grind vs. W Grind | Understanding the Different Wedge Sole Designs in Golf

Golfers are always in search of the best wedge that will help them to strike the perfect shot. While buying wedges, choosing the right grind is important as it helps a player to bring out his best in the game.

Callaway S Grind and W Grind are the two most popular choices for golfers. The main difference between S Grind vs W Grind is that W Grind has a wider sole with a higher bounce than S Grind.  Again they also have different lofts, turf conditions, and swings.

So, which one is best for you? To resolve your confusion, in this article we will discuss every difference between S Grind and W Grind in detail. It will help you to pick up the appropriate grind.

Overview of Callaway S Grind Wedge

Callaway S Grind wedge is famous for its usability in all turf conditions. It is even considered the standard type of grind.

S Grind is suited for those who like square-faced clubs and usually don’t change their angle of attack too frequently. 

Overview of Callaway W Grind Wedge

Callaway W Grind wedges have a wider sole that enables them to offer much forgiveness. As this type of wedges has a wider sole and extra bounce they are a good choice for making shorter and accurate shots. 

Callaway S Grind Vs W Grind: Comparison Chart

An S Grind Vs W Grind comparison chart is given below. This chart can be highly helpful while buying wedges as it gives an overview of the significant differences.

FactorsCallaway S Grind Callaway W Grind 
WidthMediumLarge
Hand Availability Right and Left Right and Left
Bounce10°12°
Preferred Swing TypeAll type Steep
Preferred DivotModerateLarge
Turf Condition Soft, Medium, FirmSoft
Forgiveness LessHigh
Wedge TypePitching Wedge, Sand Wedge, Lob WedgePitching Wedge, Sand Wedge, Lob Wedge
Available Callaway ModelsMD3, MD4, Jaws MD5MD3, MD4, Jaws MD5

What Are The Differences Between  Callaway S Grind Vs W Grind?

It’s very easy to get confused about whether you should buy Callaway S Grind or W Grind wedge. These two types have various advantages. To determine which one is perfect for you, let’s compare them for every detail.

Build Quality

S Grind wedge and W Grind wedge offer the same build quality as the difference only lies in the sole shape and bounce. 

Callaway has different models available for example MD3, MD4, and MD5. Each model offers S Grind and W Grind wedges which are built of high-quality materials like steel, chrome, and nickels.

Width of the sole

The most noticeable difference between these two types of wedges is the width of their sole. S Grind wedge has a medium-wide sole with a slight camber.

This feature makes the S Grind standard for players who like to hit various types of shots on the green.

On the other hand, W Grind wedges have a wider sole than the S Grind wedge. It is helpful for making shorter shots.

FactorsS Grind W Grind 
Sole AreaMedium-widthLarger-width
Shot typesVersatile: bump and runs, flop shots, etc.Short: chip shot, pitch shot, approach shot, etc.

Bounce

The bounce of a wedge is something you should highly consider before buying. The bounce of S Grind is 10° whereas the bounce of W Grind is 12°. 

Low bounce is ideal for playing in firm turf conditions. Low bounce enables a player to hit high, open-faced lob shots from nearly everywhere around the green. 

W Grind wedges offer 12° bounce which is pretty much high. High bounce is helpful for attacking at steep angles.

For having a higher bounce than S Grind, W Grind is easier to handle. If you want a club that can be handled easily, then W Grind is preferable.

FactorsS Grind W Grind 
Bounce typeLowHigh
SpecialtyLow bounce allows making versatile shots on the green. Low bounce helps to play on a dry golf course.High bounce is easy to handle and good for making steep shots. It is ideal for playing on a soft and wet golf course.

Playground Condition

As W Grind’s wide sole prevents it from digging through, it is ideal for playing on soft wetter grounds.

On the contrary, the S Grind wedge tends to dig through impact. So S Grind is ideal for playing in medium or firm turf conditions like dry golf courses.

Loft Size

Loft sizes impact the way you handle and swing your club. S Grind wedge offers a wide range of loft sizes compared to the W Grind wedge. 

FactorsS Grind W Grind 
Available loft sizes46°, 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°, 62°50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°

Low lofted wedges are comparatively easy to swing. As you can see the W Grind wedges aren’t available in a lower size than 50°, so if you want a lower size only S Grind is the option you have.

So, considering the comparison of all the specifications of S Grind and W Grind wedges, it is hard to raise a debate over which one is best as both have their strong points.

S Grind Vs W Grind: Which Wedge To Choose?

As we have learned all the differences between Callaway S Grind Vs W Grind wedges, it is seen that your playing habit becomes a factor when choosing the best one for you. 

If you are playing for a long time, are fond of making versatile shots, and playing in different courses the Callaway S Grind wedge is ideal for you.

If you are still learning the golf game and want an easy-to-handle but good club then you should go for the Callaway W Grind wedge. 

W Grind provides more forgiveness which helps highly at the beginning. Again you can have both of them if you wish to experiment with your playing style. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Though we explained the difference between S Grind and W grind, it is very common to have a few questions still roaming in your mind. Here, we tried to provide answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

S Grind Vs W Grind: Which One Is Better For Beginners?

W Grind wedges are a better choice for Beginners. W grind wedges have an extra bounce that helps beginners to make bunker shots.

Is S Grind Better For Bunker Shots Than W Grind?

W Grind wedge is more suitable for making bunker shots. A higher bounce is good for bunkers. W grind’s bounce is 2° greater than S grind which makes it a better choice for bunker shots.

S Grind Or W Grind Which Is More Forgiving? 

Wedges that have a higher bounce angle are more forgiving.  W grind’s bounce is 12° and S grind’s 10°. So, W Grind is more forgiving. 

S Grind Vs W Grind: Which One Is Better For Playing In All Types Of Weather? 

The condition of the golf course depends highly on the weather. Depending on the climate, the ground condition can be soft or firm.
W grind is suited for soft turf. But S grind wedge’s low bounce makes it suitable for playing in soft, firm, and medium conditions. So, S grind wedges are the best choice for playing in all weathers.

Which One Offers Higher Spin S Grind Or W Grind?

W grind has a higher bounce than S grind. A higher bounce provides a higher spin. That’s why the W grind offers a higher spin during play.

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