Callaway 2019 PM Grind wedges: higher spin, lower scores

By Drew Mahowald -- 2nd Swing Staff Writer

When it comes to my short game, I like to get creative (sometimes to a fault). 

So when it was time to replace my 58-degree wedge a few months ago, I knew I needed to find a wedge that would provide the versatility necessary that would allow me to accomplish my goals around the greens.

After consulting with members of the 2nd Swing team at the Minnetonka location, I selected a mint condition Callaway 2019 PM Grind 58-degree wedge with 12 degrees of bounce.

The results, so far, have been fantastic. Granted, golf has been limited due to both the current situation and the fact that winter in Minnesota lasts until April. However, in the rounds I’ve been fortunate enough to play, the new wedge has exceeded my expectations.

I’ve always been the type of player that will use the same club around the greens no matter what. Whether I’m hitting a low, bump-and-run type shot or a flop shot, I like to use the same club and adjust my clubface accordingly. This requires a wedge with versatility.

The 2019 PM Grind has that versatility thanks to its high-toe design. This design raises the center of gravity so that shots played with a square or closed clubface will launch low for added control. 

Meanwhile, the high-toe design also helps with shots hit with an open clubface. When I open the face with my new wedge, the increased surface area of the clubface created by the high-toe design results in more contact with the grooves. The grooves, by the way, cover the entire clubface. The added contact with the grooves creates more spin when I need it on those high-launching shots.

Phil Mickelson teamed up with legendary wedge designer Roger Cleveland to design the 2019 PM Grind wedges. It’s not uncommon to see Mickelson get very creative around the greens, and this is the wedge design he uses to pull off those crazy shots.

Callaway’s Groove-in-Groove technology, originally introduced in the Mack Daddy 4 wedges, includes four micro-positive ridges machined into flat parts of the face, parallel to the grooves, creating 84 points of contact with the ball and forming micro-grooves between them. In the 2019 PM Grind, the micro-grooves have been built in at a 20-degree angle, making them roughly perpendicular to the target line when the face is slightly opened.

Plus, the C-Grind Sole provides relief at the heel and toe for smooth turf interaction and crisp contact from a variety of lies and surfaces.

I’ve especially noticed added spin and control on half-swing wedge shots from 60 to 80 yards away. My typical shot from those distances is an abbreviated-finish punch swing. In the past, I would worry about the ball rolling out too far due to the low trajectory on those shots.

However, so far, the 2019 PM Grind has proven itself reliable to deliver that one-hop-and-stop performance that has resulted in a higher birdie rate than in past years.

And of course, the new wedge also performs around the greens from any lie and smoothly glides through any turf. 

If you’re in the market for a new wedge and prefer a versatile club that allows you to play a variety of shots, the Callaway 2019 PM Grind is an excellent option.

For me, the result has been more control and lower scores.