What is with full face grooves?

[Climbhard]

I just don’t get it?   Don’t like the looks and I don’t see what value it has.  Tell me why I’m wrong?

[Socrates]

You are right and you aren't wrong.

[Phabs]

Ever hit flops out on the toe where no grooves exist?  

[puttingmatt]

More grooves, more spin,

Especially when opening up clubface

on specific flop shots, and bunker shots.

[RogerinNewZealand]

Have bought, have tried zipcore 58. Unfortunately i hit the Sweet Spot in the middle so i'm a waste of time😪

[dmeeksDC]

Where are the hosel grooves when I need them?

[PJE]

You’re not wrong. But it’s about selling stuff for the OEMs and there’s only so much one can do with wedge design. So, there’s stuff like full face grooves. 

Edited April 30, 2024 by PJE

[Port and Starboard]

You never know when you you'll need that "high off the toe" finesse shot.........................right?

[aussieb]

3 hours ago, Climbhard said:

I just don’t get it?   Don’t like the looks and I don’t see what value it has.  Tell me why I’m wrong?

There are a few specific shots that are a little easier with full-face grooves.  If in deep rough, you may catch it high or very toe-side so there are grooves there to assist in some control.  From bunkers and any laid open-face type of shot, the ball goes diagonally across the face instead of vertically.  Is it the ultimate innovation and uber-effective?  I would say not entirely.  Does it work to some extent?  I found it to help me on my 54 and 60 Full Toe from Callaway.  They took some getting used to, but once they rusted and I made a few good passes with them, I really enjoyed the experience.  Bunker shots are ridiculously easier and I had more confidence which never hurts.

Edited April 30, 2024 by aussieb

[RangeBaller]

A lot of people seem very offended by them.  Personally I don't mind it, but reality is they aren't going to hurt you.  They also probably won't help... Perhaps psychologically

[bvanlieu]

Got over the looks with the OG PM Grind...ever since I prefer full face on any club I open up, just looks right to me and knowing those shots (and my skill level) mean there is more variability on face strikes...why not give it the best chance at having some bit of spin.

 

Totally OK if you hate them: lower sales help them go to CPO quicker and on the cheap 😄 

Edited April 30, 2024 by bvanlieu

[ChipLife]

My scores improved when I tried full face… I tend to manipulate the face a lot and found them more forgiving around the green and out of bunkers. That probably says more about me and my short game  🤷‍♂️

Edited April 30, 2024 by ChipLife

[North Butte]

I'm not comfortable or skilled at opening the face enough for those toe-grooves to matter on anything beside the occasional recovery shot from deep, thick rough during high summer. For that one shot, they really do seem to help avoid that thing where the ball just squirts up the face, off the toe and poops forward 5-10 yards from those difficult lies. 

 

Otherwise, no benefit to my game whatsoever. 

[Socrates]

11 hours ago, Phabs said:

Ever hit flops out on the toe where no grooves exist?  

Not if I can help it.  If I do, I deserve it. 

 

Full face grooves just aren't for me.  I won't buy one.

[MN Moose]

First off, why the negativity about them?  Don't like, don't buy.  I've never played a full faced wedge, but I understand the concept.  I mean, they definitely won't hurt you, but might help on some occasions.  Maybe better for higher handicappers who don't always hit the center of the face.  I just don't see this thread being helpful or constructive. 

[MattM97]

2 minutes ago, MN Moose said:

First off, why the negativity about them?  Don't like, don't buy.  I've never played a full faced wedge, but I understand the concept.  I mean, they definitely won't hurt you, but might help on some occasions.  Maybe better for higher handicappers who don't always hit the center of the face.  I just don't see this thread being helpful or constructive. 

 

Old grumpy men don't like changes and options. For me I tried one, wasn't bad but I'd rather have a proper grind and bounce 

[third-times-a-charm]

27 minutes ago, Socrates said:

Not if I can help it.  If I do, I deserve it. 

 

Full face grooves just aren't for me.  I won't buy one.

Same. Looks like a grilling spatula to me. Can't play them.

 

If I hit a bunker shot out of the toe jesus take the wheel because that's on me.

[Milfordlefty]

CBX2 Full Face 56° owner. I was carrying 54°/58°, but with the ability to open the 56° for a high lob, I reduced a wedge in the bag. With my diminishing length as I get older, it allows me to carry an additional fw/hybrid. I agree with aussieb assessment about the ball going diagonally across the face. And given my miss is usually more towards the toe, it gives me a little bit more forgiveness. I don't mind the look, but to each their own. I guess you won't be a fan of Cleveland's HALO XL Full-Face iron set either.

[Phabs]

10 hours ago, dmeeksDC said:

Where are the hosel grooves when I need them?

Ive petitioned for these for years.  No luck 

[Climbhard]

18 hours ago, Phabs said:

Ever hit flops out on the toe where no grooves exist?  

No

 

[jrdubbb]

I am a terrible wedge player, so I tend to unintentionally use the extra grooves more than intended. The tour grind on the Hi-Toe is only 8* of bounce and sits low, so I can still get under the ball on tight lies. Don't knock it till you try it. 

[gdb99]

I feel the same about a lot of clubs.

Why an 8* driver head?

Mallet putters. Why?

Don't like the look. Don't see the value. I won't buy....

 

It's nice to have options. Pick what works for you. 👍 ⛳ 🏌️‍♂️

[Binson]

Interestingly, I wonder the opposite. Why not full face everything? 

 

From a consumer perspective though, can't go wrong with having options. 

[Mikey_HACKilroy]

If you consider the fact that grooves are there to provide relief for dirt, debris and water/moisture then it makes perfect sense that the whole face is grooved.

You don't "use grooves" to generate spin. The metal club face does that on its own.

It's all semantics really, because the grooves are there to support the club's ability to generate spin but they are not themselves generating that spin.

 

[Nessism]

Go to eBay.  Search used wedges.  Look at face photos.  90% will have marks on the toe outside the score lines.

[Jim53]

8 hours ago, MN Moose said:

First off, why the negativity about them?  Don't like, don't buy.  I've never played a full faced wedge, but I understand the concept.  I mean, they definitely won't hurt you, but might help on some occasions.  Maybe better for higher handicappers who don't always hit the center of the face.  I just don't see this thread being helpful or constructive. 

Ha ha, you are new here I see. Negativity is like jet fuel for WRX, the more the better it seems. If you don't hit driver 300 yds on your bad days and play TX shafts and blades you are doomed to failure 🤠

[ac6]

1 hour ago, Binson said:

Interestingly, I wonder the opposite. Why not full face everything? 

 

From a consumer perspective though, can't go wrong with having options. 

 

Fairway woods have been full face grooves for years and nobody complains about that. 

[LCP]

Got my first Cleveland's with the full face grooves a few months ago. They're fabulous on open faced shots, where before my strike would usually be halfway on the grooves and halfway off.  They also retain spin when you hit bad shots and make contact out past the edge of the grooves too.  That can obviously happen with really bad swings, which happen occasionally with a wedge, but they can also happen a lot more frequently when hitting out of thick deep rough where the club face doesn't cut through the grass in exactly the same spot or at the same angle as you intended when you make the swing.

 

As for looks, it was odd at first (so was the large size), but I'm an adult unlike so many WRXers and their appearance obsession, so I can get over any looks issue if it works better.

[vman]

Well, if Phil Mickelson and Shane Lowry have them in the bag……..