Callaway released the JAWS Raw wedges in the weeks after last summer’s U.S. Open, and several of the brand’s star players, such as Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, have them in their bags. Aside from the anti-glare nature of the material, which will rust over time after it is exposed to moisture and air, pros like raw wedges because if the clubs get custom grinds, the process is hidden. If a club builder grinds material out of the heel, toe or another area on a chromed wedge, you will see scratches and a worn spot.
Initially, the JAWS Raw wedges were available with four sole configurations. Now Callaway is expanding the JAWS Raw line, or in the parlance of equipment, adding “line extensions” by combining it with the JAWS Full Toe and offering it in two new sole grinds.
As with the original JAWS Raw wedges, each of the new offerings (which arrive in stores April 7) has JAWS grooves, which are Callaway’s sharpest grooves to help golfers generate more greenside spin. The clubs are cast from stainless steel and have heavier tungsten weights in the four holes drilled in the back of the heads. By varying the depth of the holes and the amount of mass added, Callaway can manipulate the center of gravity and pull it in line with the center of the hitting area. Finally, because the hitting areas are not chromed, the faces of the new JAWS Raw wedges will rust. To preserve the face before purchase, Callaway has added a peel-off sticker that prevents rust on the hitting surface.
The Full Toe design is a high-toe wedge, but the peak in the toe area is not as severe as it is in the Callaway PM Grind. They are designed to create a larger hitting area, especially when you open the face, but for golfers who have never played a high-toe wedge, the look in the address position is not as jarring.
Because the center of gravity is higher in the JAWS Raw Full Toe, golfers can expect a slightly lower, more-piercing ball flight than traditionally shaped wedges might create.
As with the original wedges, the JAWS Raw Full Toe has grooves that cover the entire hitting area, but they are only offered in sand wedge and lob wedge lofts (54-60 degrees).
The first JAWS Raw wedges were offered in four sole grinds, and the new JAWS Raw Full Toe wedges come in two new sole configurations.
The J Grind has moderate camber (curvature) from heel to toe, with a significant amount of material ground off in the heel area. The sole grows progressively wider as it moves to the toe. With 10 degrees of bounce, the shape is designed to be versatile and especially forgiving in greenside bunkers.
The C Grind, which has 8 degrees of bounce, is designed for skilled players who like to manipulate the face on touch shots from tight lies, thick rough and other greenside locations. Its crescent shape has significant heel and toe relief and is designed to keep the leading edge low, so it excels in firm conditions and on courses where the sand is compact or hard. As with the J Grind, it is only available in 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees.
Callaway also announced that the previously released JAWS Raw X Grind wedges (12 degrees of bounce) will not be available in sand wedge lofts of 54 and 56 degrees, having previously been available only in 58 and 60 degrees.
The Z Grind (8 degrees of bounce) also will now be available in a 62-degree option along with the previously released 58- and 60-degree offerings.
Finally, Callaway is making the Black Plasma finish JAWS Raw wedges available in left-hand in 60-degree Z, X and W Grinds, along with the S Grind (52, 56, 60 degrees).
