PING Glide 4.0 Wedge
PING Glide 4.0 Wedge Review: The Forgiving Wedge That Actually Performs
Overall Score: 8.5/10
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Forgiveness | 9.0 |
| Spin | 8.5 |
| Feel | 7.5 |
| Versatility | 9.0 |
| Looks | 8.0 |
| Value | 7.5 |
| Bunker Play | 9.0 |
| Consistency | 9.0 |
| Distance Control | 8.5 |
| Workability | 7.0 |
The Bottom Line
The PING Glide 4.0 is one of the most forgiving wedges ever made, and that's not hyperbole — it's backed by thousands of user reviews and independent testing data. Across 587+ reviews from Amazon, Reddit, GolfWRX, professional review sites, and retail platforms, the consensus is clear: if you're a mid-to-high handicap golfer who prioritizes consistency over shot-shaping wizardry, the Glide 4.0 belongs in your bag.
But it's not perfect. The cast construction means feel-obsessed players may be disappointed, the chrome finish wears faster than competitors, and the lack of full-face grooves is a genuine limitation for creative shotmakers. At $180+ per club, value is debatable when alternatives like the Cleveland CBX ZipCore exist at $130.
What People Love
Forgiveness That Changes Scores (~80% of reviewers mention this)
The word "forgiving" appears in the majority of reviews, and for good reason. The Glide 4.0's design philosophy — perimeter weighting, elastomer insert, and thoughtfully engineered sole grinds — means mishits don't punish you like blade-style wedges do.
"Even when I hit it fat, the ball still gets airborne and lands on the green. My short game scores have dropped by 5+ strokes per round." — Dick's Sporting Goods reviewer, 25 handicap
"I could easily hear when I hadn't struck a shot well, but the results barely showed it. Ball speed and carry distance were remarkably predictable." — Matt Saternus, Plugged In Golf
Multiple reviewers specifically noted that the distance loss on mishits is dramatically smaller than competitor wedges. One Trackman test showed the Glide 4.0 with a spin standard deviation of just 380 RPM vs. 620 for the Vokey SM9 — that consistency translates directly to more predictable distances.
The Eye2 Grind is a Bunker Cheat Code (~35% of reviewers)
The Eye2 (E) grind — inspired by Karsten Solheim's iconic 1980s sand wedge — gets the most passionate responses of any individual feature. The concave sole design channels sand in a way nothing else replicates.
"I used to leave balls in bunkers regularly. Got the 56° Eye2 grind and I get out first time every time now. The sole just won't let you dig. It's like a cheat code." — Reddit u/BunkerBob
"While impossible to definitively confirm the claim, it is undoubtedly one of the best sand wedges on the market due to its forgiveness from various lies and distances." — Golf Monthly
"I was averaging about 3 shots to get out of greenside bunkers. With the Eye2 56°, I get out first time 95% of the time now." — Dick's reviewer
Spin Consistency, Not Just Spin (~45% of reviewers)
The Glide 4.0 doesn't always win peak spin comparisons, but it consistently wins on spin consistency — which matters far more for scoring.
"Not the highest peak spin — that goes to Vokey SM9 — but the most consistent. For the average golfer, consistency matters more than peak numbers." — TXG Tour Experience Golf
The precision-milled grooves and Emery face blast create higher friction, and the Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish helps maintain spin even from wet lies and rough. Golf Monthly noted: "Even when hitting shots that came off a little hotter and lower than expected, the ball sat to attention almost immediately, and quicker than most new wedges."
Four Meaningfully Different Grinds (~40% of reviewers)
PING's four grind options — S (Standard), W (Wide), T (Thin), and E (Eye2) — get universal praise for being genuinely different rather than marketing fluff.
"You don't need to have Tour-level feel to notice the way that the W Sole resists digging or how easy it is to open the T Sole." — Plugged In Golf
A GolfWRX fitter offered this practical guide:
The Longer Grip (~15% of reviewers)
The 11.5-inch Lamkin Crossline 1150 grip is a subtle but appreciated feature. When choking down for partial shots, you're still on the grip rather than the shaft.
"Nobody talks about the 11.5 inch Lamkin grip enough. When you choke down for 50-60 yard shots, you're still on the grip, not the shaft." — Reddit
What People Hate
Cast Feel Isn't Forged Feel (~20% of negative reviews)
The most common complaint: the Glide 4.0 is a cast 8620 carbon steel wedge, not forged. While the elastomer insert softens impact, discerning players notice the difference on delicate shots.
"Coming from Vokey SM9s, the feel of the Glide 4.0 is noticeably firmer. The elastomer insert helps but it's still a cast wedge and it plays like one." — Amazon reviewer
"The feel off the face was a little firm. It surprised me initially and some may prefer a softer feel from more of a blade-style design." — Golf Monthly
Players coming from forged Mizuno, Vokey, or Titleist wedges will likely notice — and potentially dislike — the firmer feedback.
Chrome Finish Durability (~15% of negative reviews)
The Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish looks great out of the box but draws consistent criticism for wearing quickly.
"After 20 rounds my wedges look like I've played 200 rounds." — GolfWRX
"The Hydropearl chrome looks great out of the box but after 10 rounds it looks like I've had it for 3 years. Bag chatter marks everywhere." — Amazon reviewer
Multiple reviewers wish PING offered a raw or stealth finish option (as they did with the Glide 2.0).
No Full-Face Grooves (~10% of negative reviews)
In 2024/2025, most premium wedges offer full-face grooves for open-face shots. The Glide 4.0 does not.
"When you open the face for a flop shot, you're hitting off smooth metal. Callaway JAWS and TaylorMade Hi-Toe have grooves all the way to the toe. This feels like an oversight from PING." — Reddit
Price (~15% of negative reviews)
At $180+ MSRP, the Glide 4.0 sits at the top of the wedge market. Many reviewers question whether the premium over alternatives like the Cleveland CBX ZipCore ($130) is justified.
"$180 when you can get a Cleveland CBX ZipCore for $130? The CBX is arguably more forgiving for high handicappers." — Amazon reviewer
The good news: street prices have dropped to $129 at some retailers, and used Glide 4.0s can be found for $80-100 — an excellent value at those price points.
Limited Workability (~10% of negative reviews)
Low handicap players consistently note the head is too large for creative shotmaking.
"As a scratch player, I found them too chunky behind the ball and the lack of workability bothered me." — Amazon reviewer
Common Complaints Summary
Comparison to Competitors
vs. Titleist Vokey SM9/SM10
The Vokey is the market leader for a reason — superior feel (forged), full-face grooves, more grind options (6 vs. 4), and better workability. But the Glide 4.0 wins on forgiveness and spin consistency. Choose Vokey if you're single-digit; choose Glide 4.0 if you're 10+ handicap.
vs. Cleveland CBX ZipCore
The most direct competitor. The CBX is a true cavity-back wedge — arguably even more forgiving than the Glide 4.0. It's also $30-50 cheaper. The Glide 4.0 wins on spin, looks, and integration with PING iron sets. Choose CBX for maximum forgiveness on a budget; choose Glide 4.0 for better spin and aesthetics.
vs. Callaway JAWS Full Toe
The JAWS offers full-face grooves and excellent versatility. The Glide 4.0 is more forgiving and more consistent but less creative. Choose JAWS for shot variety; choose Glide 4.0 for reliability.
vs. Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore
More of a players' wedge with excellent spin. Less forgiving than the Glide 4.0. Choose RTX6 if you want blade-like performance; choose Glide 4.0 if forgiveness matters more.
vs. PING s159
PING's own players' wedge. Smaller head, forged feel, less forgiveness. Choose s159 if you're a single-digit PING player; choose Glide 4.0 if you're 10+ handicap.
Who It's Best For
Who Should Avoid It
Price Context
The Glide 4.0 has been on the market since 2022 and remains in PING's current lineup as of 2025. Prices have dropped from the original MSRP at many retailers, making it better value now than at launch. The used market offers exceptional value at $80-100 for lightly used models.
Key Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Construction | Cast 8620 Carbon Steel + Elastomer Insert |
| Finish | Hydropearl 2.0 Chrome |
| Grooves | Precision-milled (20° sidewall ≤52°, 28° sidewall ≥54°) |
| Grinds | S (Standard), W (Wide), T (Thin), E (Eye2) |
| Lofts | 46°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60° |
| Stock Shaft | PING Z-Z115 Wedge (steel) |
| Stock Grip | Lamkin Crossline 1150 (11.5") |
| Available | RH and LH in all configurations |
Final Verdict
The PING Glide 4.0 earns its 8.5/10 by doing what PING does best: engineering forgiveness without making it look or feel like a game-improvement club. It's not the softest-feeling wedge, it's not the most workable, and it's not the cheapest — but for the vast majority of golfers who need help around the greens, it delivers where it counts: consistent spin, predictable distances, and confidence-inspiring turf interaction.
The four grind options are genuinely differentiated and easy to understand, the Eye2 grind is a legitimate game-changer for bunker play, and the overall build quality is outstanding. If you play PING irons and carry a 10+ handicap, this should be your default wedge choice.
Based on analysis of 587+ reviews across 14 sources including Amazon, Reddit r/golf, GolfWRX, MyGolfSpy, Golf Monthly, Plugged In Golf, Today's Golfer, Golfalot, GolferCraze, PGA Tour Superstore, Dick's Sporting Goods, 2nd Swing Golf, Golf Avenue, and YouTube.
📊 Review Sources (587 reviews analyzed)
Sample Reviews
I've been playing for about 10 years and hover around a 15 handicap. These Glide 4.0 wedges have transformed my short game. Got the 54° W grind and 58° S grind. The forgiveness is unreal — even my mishits around the green get decent results. The wide sole on the 54 just glides through turf without digging. Spin is excellent too, balls actually check up on the green now instead of rolling 20 feet past.
Had the Glide 3.0 for two years and loved them. The 4.0 is a refinement, not a revolution, but the milled grooves definitely generate more spin. Feel is a touch softer thanks to the bigger elastomer insert. If you're a PING iron player, these match up perfectly. The Z-Z115 shaft is great too.
Performance is excellent. Spin, feel, consistency — all top notch. My only gripe is the price. At $180+ per wedge, buying a set of 3 gets really pricey. But you get what you pay for. The W grind is a bunker machine.
Got the 56° Eye2 grind and it's the most forgiving bunker club I've ever used. The concave sole just floats through sand. I went from dreading bunker shots to being confident in them. Highly recommend for mid-to-high handicappers who struggle in the sand.
Coming from Vokey SM9s, the feel of the Glide 4.0 is noticeably firmer. The elastomer insert helps but it's still a cast wedge and it plays like one. For the price PING charges, I expected forged feel. Spin and consistency are good but I just don't enjoy the feedback. Returned and went back to Vokeys.
Playing the Mizuno T22s now. Before the Mizzys I played SM8s. Considering going back to Vokeys but I've heard a lot of very good things about the Glides. Just looking to see what other peoples opinions are.
These are forgiving wedges, which is great for most golfers. But as a scratch player, I found them too chunky behind the ball and the lack of workability bothered me. The S grind is the most versatile but it's still bigger than a Vokey or Mizuno. If you're a single digit who likes to manipulate shots, look at the PING s159 or Glide Forged Pro instead.
The Hydropearl chrome looks great out of the box but after 10 rounds it looks like I've had it for 3 years. Bag chatter marks everywhere. Performance is fine but for $180 I expect better durability on the finish. My Vokeys held up much better cosmetically.
Prices
✅ Pros
❌ Cons
⚠️ Watch Out For
- Cast feel is firmer than forged competitors (most frequent)
- Chrome finish wears/scratches quickly
- No full