TaylorMade's Milled Grind wedges have quietly become some of the most trusted scoring clubs in golf. With the MG5 now on the market and the MG4 dropping in price on the used shelves, plenty of golfers are asking the same question: pay up for the latest, or grab the previous generation for a fraction of the cost?
Here's the honest breakdown — what actually changed, and which one you should be playing.
What Actually Changed With the MG5
Released in 2025, the MG5 is the most significant update the Milled Grind line has seen in years. The headline change is a first for the family:
- Fully forged from soft carbon steel — every previous Milled Grind was cast. Forging gives the MG5 a noticeably softer, more consistent feel around the greens, which is exactly what better players chase in a wedge.
- New aggressive saw-milled grooves — steeper walls and sharper edges, engineered right up to the legal spin limit for more bite.
- Spin Tread technology and a raw face — TaylorMade claims roughly 13% more spin retention than the MG4 in wet conditions.
- Six grind options — SB (Standard Bounce), SC (Standard Camber), SX (the widest, best for bunkers and soft turf), plus HB (High Bounce), LB (Low Bounce) and the TW grind — so you can match sole to swing and conditions.
In short: the MG5 is a genuine step up in feel and spin, not a cosmetic refresh.
The MG4: Still a Lot of Wedge — and Now Better Value
None of that means the MG4 is suddenly obsolete. It remains one of the most refined wedges TaylorMade has made — raw face technology for maximum spin, strong performance in wet conditions, and a wide range of sole and grind options to suit different swings and turf types.
What's changed is its price. Now that the MG5 is the current model, MG4 wedges have shifted to the previous generation — which means they're increasingly available second-hand at a fraction of new-wedge money. For most golfers, that's where the smart buying is. You can browse our current used wedge range here.
MG4 vs MG5: The Honest Comparison
| Feature | MG4 (2023) | MG5 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Cast | Fully forged soft carbon steel — softer feel |
| Grooves | Raw face, proven spin | New saw-milled grooves, sharper — more bite |
| Wet-weather spin | Strong | ~13% more than MG4 (TaylorMade's claim) |
| Grinds | Multiple sole/grind options | Six (SB, SC, SX, HB, LB, TW) |
| Best for | Value — tour performance at a lower price | Feel chasers and wet-weather players wanting the latest |
| Used price | The value pick — dropping now it's previous-gen | Commands a premium as the current model |
Which Should You Buy?
For most golfers it comes down to feel versus value:
- Choose the MG5 if you want the softest feel in the family, the sharpest grooves, and maximum spin in the wet — and you're happy to pay current-model prices. The forged upgrade is real, and better ball-strikers will appreciate it most.
- Choose the MG4 if you want proven, tour-level short-game performance without the launch premium. It delivers the spin, feel and versatility that actually decide scores — and as a previous-generation club, it's now the smart-money buy on the used market.
Honest take: the MG5 is the better wedge, but the MG4 is the better value, and the performance gap is smaller than the price gap. For the average player, a clean MG4 is all the wedge you need.
Buying Wedges Used: The One Thing That Matters Most
Wedges are the single club where used condition matters more than the model name — because grooves wear out. Sharp grooves generate spin; rounded, shiny grooves don't. A worn wedge of any generation is a poor buy, while a lightly-used MG4 with fresh grooves performs like new for far less money.
That's why it pays to buy from a seller who inspects and grades honestly and shows you the face. Every wedge we sell is graded under our published grading system, so you know exactly what groove condition you're getting before you buy.
Why Wedge Gapping Beats Chasing the Newest Model
Whichever generation you choose, proper loft gapping will save you more shots than the name stamped on the sole. Most players are well served by:
- A gap wedge around 48°–50°
- A sand wedge between 54°–56°
- A lob wedge in the 58°–60° range
Matching bounce and grind to your swing and typical course conditions matters far more than a marginal spec upgrade.
Final Verdict
The MG5 is a strong release and a genuine step forward in feel and spin. But for most golfers, the MG4 remains one of the best-value wedges you can put in the bag — proven performance, versatile grinds, and now available second-hand at a fraction of the MG5's price. Buy the grooves, not the generation.
Ready to sharpen your short game? Browse our used wedges, or see the full range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TaylorMade MG5 better than the MG4?
Yes, meaningfully. The MG5 is the first fully forged Milled Grind wedge, giving it a softer feel, and it adds sharper saw-milled grooves with more spin — including around 13% more in wet conditions per TaylorMade. The MG4 is still excellent, and better value used.
Are TaylorMade MG4 wedges still worth buying?
Very much so, especially now that the MG5 has made the MG4 the previous generation. Used MG4 wedges deliver tour-level spin and feel at a fraction of current-model prices — provided the grooves are in good condition.
What's the main difference between MG4 and MG5?
Construction. Every Milled Grind before the MG5 was cast; the MG5 is fully forged from soft carbon steel for a softer feel, and it uses new, more aggressive saw-milled grooves for more spin.
Should I buy used wedges?
Yes — but check the grooves. Grooves are what create spin, and they wear over time, so a used wedge is only a good buy if the face is still sharp. Buy from a seller who grades condition transparently and shows the face.
How should I gap my wedges?
Most players do well with a gap wedge around 48°–50°, a sand wedge of 54°–56°, and a lob wedge in the 58°–60° range, with bounce and grind matched to their swing and course conditions.