Callaway MD5 JAWS Wedges Review

Roger Cleveland, architect of some of the most famous clubs in the game, has weaved his magic yet again with the creation of the new Callaway MD5 JAWS wedge range.

The new wedges are destined to become instant classics after wily old Cleveland, an undisputed master craftsman of wedges, introduced a game-changing new groove that offers more spin and increased control for golfers of all abilities.

The Callaway MD5 JAWS is the highest-spinning and most consistent wedge in the game and is equally effective generating spin on full swings and finesse shots around the green.

The JAWS Groove

Callaway’s Mack Daddy wedges – of which the MD5 JAWS is the latest incarnation – have been incredibly popular but the MD5 JAWS betters the spin levels of the previous MD4 wedge by a whopping 500rpm, or 11 per cent, from a distance of 40 yards.

It took a slightly unconventional approach from Callaway to achieve such a big jump in performance.

Back in 2010, golf’s rule makers deemed that square grooves were providing too much spin for players, particularly out of the rough.

So they introduced new regulations that essentially rounded off the corners of grooves that had a sharp wall angle, in proportion with the depth of the groove, to reduce the amount of grip and spin.

After the rule change, the design consensus seemed to be that maximising the depth of a groove was the best way to generate grip and spin in wedges. Until now.

Callaway have made both the groove depth and wall angle shallower (37°) in the MD5 JAWS wedge.

he leading edge of this shallower, V-shaped groove isn’t required to be rounded off like the squarer and deeper groove of the MD4 wedge (which had a wall angle of 5°), providing a sharper, more aggressive contact point for the ball to leverage off and then subsequently spin faster in the air.

Precision Milled Face

While they didn’t quite have to re-invent the wheel, Callaway needed to refine their milling techniques to make sharp edges and precise wall angles a reality on the MD5 JAWS wedges.

Exacting tolerances in the manufacturing process ensures consistency, reliable spin rates and performance out on the course.

Combined with Callaway’s groove-in-groove technology, in which three lines of micro ridges are added on the face, in between each groove, for additional grip, there are 84 distinct contact points that make the new Callaway MD5 JAWS wedges a tour de force of spin and control.

Grinds

Callaway appreciate that feel and appearance can dramatically affect performance – a wedge just simply won’t click with a golfer if it doesn’t look or feel right.

So having the best in the business, Sir Roger, perfect the premium shape of the Callaway MD5 JAWS wedge ensures it looks spot-on, whether the face is square or open.

The grinds offered on the Callaway MD5 JAWS are similar to what the MD4 wedge presented (S, C, W, and X) but the C has been updated and there is a new low-bounce version of the W.

• The C grind now has less bounce, a wider sole in the centre and more relief has been taken out of the heel to increase its flexibility around the greens.
• The low-bounce W grind came about after Roger was fielding requests from Tour pros for a grind where the entire sole could be used for full shots but still offered versatility around the greens.
• The W grind features either 8° or 12° of bounce in 58° and 60° lofts and has a greater sole taper.

Extra relief has been sculpted out of the heel section of the W grind to ensure greenside versatility, enabling the face to sit comfortably when playing open-faced shots around the green.

Above image shows the 5 different Grind =  C-Grind | Low Bounce W-GRIND | S-Grind | X-Grind | W-Grind

Callaway MD5 JAWS Features:

• Made from a soft 8620 mild carbon steel, the MD5 JAWS provides the kind of direct feel and feedback players expect from a premium wedge.
• And to enhance feel and flow within a set, the heads of lower-lofted wedges (46°-52°) are smaller and more workable than the higher-lofted MD5 JAWS wedges (54°-64°), which are more often used to play open-faced finesse shots around the green.
• While the stock steel shaft is a True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue 115, Callaway also offer graphite shaft options for both men and women.
• The Callaway MD5 JAWS graphite men's option uses a Project X Catalyst 80 shaft while the Callaway MD5 JAWS women's version has a UST Recoil wedge shaft as standard.
• Lamkin UTX grips are standard on the men's wedges while the Callaway MD5 JAWS women's wedge carries a Lamkin women's Comfort Grip.
• The wedges are finished in either platinum chrome or tour grey and can be customised and personalised with 10 different port colours and stamping choices.

Buy Callaway MD5 Jaws Wedge - Chrome

Buy Callaway MD5 Jaws Wedge - Tour Grey

Callaway MD5 JAWS Specifications:

Golfer: Men's/Women's
Hand: Right/Left
Material: Steel
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold 115 Tour Issue (steel), Project X Catalyst 80 (graphite), UST Recoil graphite (women's)
Flex: Wedge
Grip: Lamkin UTX (men's), Lamkin Comfort (women's)
Callaway MD5 JAWS wedge lofts: RH: 46°, 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°, 64°LH: 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°
Callaway MD5 JAWS - Loft/bounce combinations:
C grind: 54°/8°, 56°/8°, 58°/8°, 60°/8°
S grind: 46°/10°, 48°/10°, 50°/10°, 52°/10°, 54°/10°, 56°/10°, 58°/10°, 60°/10°, 64°/10°
X grind: 58°/12°, 60°/12°
W grind: 50°/12°, 52°/12°, 54°/12°, 56°/12°, 58°/8°, 58°/12°, 60°/8°, 60°/12°