Zebra Tour Grind Raw Wedge Review: A welcome surprise!

Zebra is a name that may evoke nostalgia for golfers who remember the brand’s classic putters. After their hiatus away from the game, Zebra has re-emerged with a fresh approach, and their latest offering, the Zebra Tour Grind Raw Wedge. Here’s how it performed out on the course and what we made of Zebra’s comeback wedge…

National Club Golfer and National Club Golfer magazine

NCG SUMMARY

The Zebra Tour Grind Raw Wedge marks a confident return for the classic brand. It offers exceptional spin, solid construction, and clean aesthetics at an accessible price point. While it lacks some customisation in bounce and grind options, its dual sole design and forged carbon steel make it a fantastic choice for golfers looking for a quality wedge that performs consistently across various conditions.

PROS

Enhanced spin
Tour-inspired shape
Excellent feedback and control around the greens

CONS

May not suit highly specific turf conditions

£99.99

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Zebra Tour Grind Raw Wedge Review: First Impressions

Understated elegance

The first thing that strikes you about the Zebra Tour Grind Raw Wedge is its understated elegance. There are no distracting graphics or over-the-top logos, just the Zebra name, the loft, and bounce clearly etched on the head.

This minimalist design is a breath of fresh air in a market often dominated by busy branding. Available in 52°, 56°, and 60° lofts, the wedge provides enough variety for most short-game scenarios, although some may wish for more options.

Quality shaft

The club is available with KBS shafts, which are well-regarded in the industry for their consistency and feel. Unlike some budget wedges that compromise on shaft quality, Zebra has chosen a reliable partner here, ensuring performance is not sacrificed.

NCG Verdict

All round performance

During my testing, I found the Zebra Tour Grind Raw Wedge showcased a well-rounded performance. Around the greens, the soft carbon steel provided excellent feedback, while the precision-milled grooves delivered the kind of spin that meant I was able to hold the green when hitting into it.

High chips were also controlled and nicely predictable. The wedge also held up impressively out of the bunker shots were smooth and consistent.

Compared to top brands

Crafted from 1025C forged carbon steel, the Zebra Tour Grind Raw Wedge is built with the same material Mizuno uses in their acclaimed irons. This to me was somewhat of a surprising and impressive inclusion for what was once considered a budget brand. The CNC-milled face ensures precision and enhanced spin, aligning it with the technology found in top-tier wedges from brands like TaylorMade and Callaway.

Shape and design

What I think truly sets this wedge apart is its tour-inspired shape and dual sole design. While it lacks multiple bounce and grind options, the sole is engineered to fit a broad range of players, offering versatility across different turf conditions. Whether you’re playing a high chip, a low bump-and-run, or a delicate flop shot, the sole design holds its own.

Grind options

The lack of alternative grind options is noticeable, especially for players who prefer customized bounce for specific turf conditions. However, for the majority of golfers, the versatile sole design manages to accommodate most scenarios quite well.

Final Verdict

A welcome surprise

Overall, I was impressed. The Zebra Tour Grind Raw Wedge is definitely a welcome surprise from a brand making its return to the golf scene. With minimalist aesthetics, high-quality construction, and a competitive price point, it’s an excellent choice for golfers looking for solid performance without the premium price tag. While more bounce and grind options would be ideal, the current offering is versatile enough for most players.