TaylorMade Milled Grind Wedge
I’ll just come right out and say it – the TaylorMade Milled Grind wedge is the best wedge TaylorMade has ever made. With a great design inspired by the best players in the world, and a process that consistently delivers a “precisely crafted” wedge, TaylorMade nailed it. There are certainly Milled Grind options for everyone with multiple finishes, a wide range of lofts, bounces, and grinds.
The Looks
The overall shape and look of the TaylorMade Milled Grind wedge is very “tour inspired.” A traditional pear shape, thinner topline, and crisp leading edge give the Milled Grind a classic look but still maintains a modern aesthetic. If the black finish pictured isn’t your style, TaylorMade also offers the Milled Grind in Raw, Antique Bronze, and Chrome.
How Does it Feel?
Getting the Milled Grind wedge’s feel just right was a major target for TaylorMade, and they did a pretty damn good job with it. I believe the greatest accomplishment in the Milled Grind is how crisp the wedge feels through the turf. Of course, you need to have the right grind/bounce for your game to achieve this.
Full shots with the Milled Grind wedge have a soft, but responsive, feel. A short pitch or chip is nice and crisp with perfect feedback. While this statement is probably ridiculous, I felt like I could feel the face gripping the ball. Whether hitting a full or short shot, the Milled Grind has a precise balance and is easy to control.
How Does it Sound?
I love a wedge that has that nice “rip” sound through the turf like the TaylorMade Milled Grind does. Not every wedge has this sound, but when you get one that does, the sound is so satisfying. A full shot off the face makes a combination of a “whack” and a “slap” sound. If you didn’t know any better, you might even think the Milled Grind sounds forged. Overall, the Milled Grind sounds very solid on full shots. Shorter shots result in a more crisp “click” if you pick it clean. Should you dig into the ball a bit, you get more of a thump.
On-Course Performance
So much of a wedge’s performance comes down to confidence based on feel and looks, but the the TaylorMade Milled Grind mixes in a few bells and whistles to help improve the overall performance. First, TaylorMade offers the Milled Grind wedge in three different grinds – low bounce, standard bounce, and high bounce. These grinds were all developed with input from TaylorMade’s Tour pros and are “individually surface milled for unparalleled accuracy.”
Another change from TaylorMade was the shaft bore. By making the shaft go half an inch deeper into the hosel, TaylorMade removed weight from the hosel and moved it to a more central location of the head which improved the center of gravity. What does this mean? It means the Milled Grind is more forgiving with better feel and balance.
Last, but certainly not least, for the TaylorMade Milled Grind wedge are the new ZTP-17 grooves. I mentioned earlier that I felt like I could feel the club gripping the ball. Regardless of if I really felt anything different, the spin I was getting around the greens was quite a bit more than I usually see. Is it because of the new grooves, or the overall design of the club? I don’t know, but I’m not arguing with the results.
Final Thoughts
I think the best conclusion to describe the TaylorMade Milled Grind wedges comes straight from the website.
“MG wedges are all about perfection, which is what you want for your short game. The shaping is clean, the edges are sharp, and the look gives me the confidence to stay aggressive.”
— Jason Day, Tour Professional
That about sums up the Milled Grind to me! These wedges look great behind the ball, have excellent feel, and are extremely crisp through the turf. By using an “advanced surface milling” technique, TaylorMade is able to precisely finish every wedge they make. Traditionally, finishing processes may be done by hand, but this creates inconsistencies that directly impact the performance of the wedge. With TaylorMade’s process, every wedge is going to perform consistently and have that same crisp feel. With so many options, it’s important to make sure you get the right combination for your game.
Stock TaylorMade Milled Grind Wedge Specs
Loft | Length | Bounce | Swing Weight | Grind | RH/LH |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
52º | 35.5″ | 9º | D3 | SB | RH/LH |
52º | 35.5″ | 12º | D5 | HB | RH/LH |
54º | 35.25″ | 9º | D5 | LB | RH/LH |
54º | 35.25″ | 11º | D5 | SB | RH |
54º | 35.25″ | 12º | D5 | HB | RH/LH |
56º | 35.25″ | 9º | D5 | LB | RH/LH |
56º | 35.25″ | 12º | D5 | SB | RH/LH |
56º | 35.25″ | 13º | D5 | HB | RH/LH |
58º | 35″ | 9º | D5 | LB | RH |
58º | 35″ | 11º | D5 | SB | RH |
58º | 35″ | 12º | D5 | HB | RH |
60º | 35″ | 9º | D5 | LB | RH/LH |
60º | 35″ | 10º | D5 | SB | RH/LH |
60º | 35″ | 11º | D5 | HB | RH/LH |