This is Golfer Geeks’ Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedge review.
I’m a teaching pro & scratch golfer who has played golf for 30 years. I’m always looking to improve my game, even if it’s just a shot or two here and there. I love testing new strategies both on and off the course and studying golf swings to see what actually works.
I’ve got 3 rounds, 3 hours on the range, and one session on a Foresight GC3 launch monitor with the Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedge.
Summary: The Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma is a clean-looking player’s style wedge that allows you control of trajectory and distance. This tour-proven design has a raw face that will naturally rust over time, and it features Tungsten in the head to help improve the center of gravity position, control, and feel.
In this review of the Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma wedge, I discuss my experience with the club, unique features, and benefits, as well as launch monitor data, customer reviews, and potential alternatives.
- Similar technology and feel to Jaws Raw Chrome
- Anti-glare black finish
- Stays looking new for a longer time
- Not as consistent as Chrome version
Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedge Overview
When it comes to technology in a golf wedge, the most important factor is spin. It doesn’t matter if you have been playing for a day or your entire life; a wedge must stop the ball.
The brand new raw face, milled micro groves, and the offset Groove in Groove Technology allow for complete control and a “one hop and stop” trajectory.
- Translation- Callaway may have made their highest spinning wedge yet and also incorporated an impeccable feel; you won’t be yelling “BITE!” quite as often.
Why Consider the Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedges
One of the first things that appealed to me about the Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma wedges was this new black finish combined with the raw face.
However, this was not really the main benefit of the club.
After playing with the wedge, you can see the real benefit is the versatility and precision the wedge has to offer. If you are a mid to low-handicap player looking to be able to hit a 40, 50, 60 yard shot with some level of consistency, the Jaws Raw Black Plasma wedges have the feel and control.
- Your ball stops when it hits the green, one hop, and then it stops.
- Better feel and control than the MD5 wedges they replaced.
- If you are picky about the look of a Raw finish but still want the benefits, the Black Plasma will disguise the rusting a bit.
- Forget about glare or vision issues even on the brightest days; the Jaws Raw Black Plasma eliminates that (it’s especially helpful in a bunker)
Club tested:
- Loft – 56 degrees
- Bounce – 10 degrees
- Grind – S
- Shaft – Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Spinner 115 steel shaft
Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedges Specs
| LOFT | BOUNCE | SOLE | STANDARD LENGTH |
| 48° | 10° | S-GRIND | 35.75″ |
| 50° | 10° | S-GRIND | 35.50″ |
| 50° | 12° | W-GRIND | 35.50″ |
| 52° | 10° | S-GRIND | 35.50″ |
| 52° | 12° | W-GRIND | 35.50″ |
| 54° | 10° | S-GRIND | 35.25″ |
| 54° | 12° | W-GRIND | 35.25″ |
| 56° | 10° | S-GRIND | 35.25″ |
| 56° | 12° | W-GRIND | 35.25″ |
| 58° | 8° | Z-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 58° | 10° | S-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 58° | 12° | W-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 58° | 12° | X-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 60° | 8° | Z-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 60° | 10° | S-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 60° | 12° | W-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 60° | 12° | X-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 52° | 10° | S-GRIND | 35.50″ |
| 56° | 10° | S-GRIND | 35.25″ |
| 60° | 8° | Z-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 60° | 10° | S-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 60° | 12° | W-GRIND | 35.00″ |
| 60° | 12° | X-GRIND | 35.00″ |
My Experience with the Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedge
I’m a big believer in on-course testing, but I’m also a numbers geek. I wanted to get some spin rates using a Foresight GC3 before heading out to the course to test what happens with the Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma.
However, before I get into the technology, I want to address the Black Plasma finish on these wedges.
I tested the Raw Chrome and the Black Plasma on the same day. When I looked at them, I was nearly certain that the Black Plasma would appeal to me more with the clean and impressive-looking finish.
It didn’t. Here’s why.
None of the other clubs in my golf bag have a black finish, and I struggled with the transition from a standard chrome look to black. Maybe you are different from me, but it’s something I felt like I should mention. Consistency in the wedge game is important.
The total distance was the first thing I tested with the Jaws Raw Black Plasma wedge. I’m not looking to pick up more distance on a sand wedge; I just need to hit it in the 88 to 95-yard range to replace my current sand wedge.
With a 77-78 mph swing speed, I was getting around 90-93 yards of distance. It’s all I expected.
Spin rates with the Jaws Raw Black Plasma were where I really wanted to put this wedge to the test. Callaway claims that these grooves are different, sharper, more precise, etc. I love when a manufacturer claims these things, and we can now test them.
Callaway wasn’t kidding about spin.
Full swing shots gave me between 8900 and 9400 rpm. Even when I went down to some half-swing shots, I saw spin rates in the 6300-7500 rpm range. The half-swing spin rates are higher than some full-swing spin rates from other wedges I tested. That says a lot.
Launch monitors sometimes struggle to get accurate spin rates on the half-swing shots, but the readings I was getting were very consistent. Also, I was watching the ball, and it was stopping darn near in its pitch mark.
While this is not a complete study, and I certainly wouldn’t run to Callaway with these findings, there is one more thing that I discovered about the Jaws Raw Black Plasma that I think is worth mentioning.
Compared to the spin rates on the Jaws Raw Chrome, the Black Plasma rates were about 300 rpm less on average. Not sure why this is; they both have the raw face, same shaft, same bounce, same loft. Regardless, the Black Plasma still has plenty of spin.
Out on the golf course, the thing that stands out to me the most is the control.
You know those awkward 60-yard distances when you just hope you can combine some of your knowledge and feel and get it close? The Jaws Raw Black Plasma helps pull it all together.
When you get more confident, you can really throw it in there to the pin and let it do its thing.
Review of the Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedges
Looks: Solid (A) Great looking wedge; my only caution here is to consider whether the black stands out too much if all of your wedges are chrome.
Sound/ Feel: (A+) Exceptional, exactly what I would look for in a wedge for playability, precision, and feel. Coming off the clubface, you feel in control, with no mushy feel and no click, exactly what golfers need.
Distance and Distance Control: (A) Great. One of the biggest stand-out features of the wedge is the distance control; if you work with it, you can dial in those awkward in-between yardages.
Forgiveness: (B+) Why I recommend this for mid to low handicappers is the fact that it’s not the most forgiving club on the market, it’s a little sharp (i.e., no wide sole), and it’s certainly not a large clubhead, so you have to be able to hit the center of the face.
Spin: (A++) “Hop and Stop” technology stops the ball almost exactly where it lands. Even on shorter chips and pitches and bunker shots, the ball stops.
Consistency: (A+) When looking at spin rates and total distance, the wedge was very consistent, without a doubt one of the major reasons this technology is used on tour.
Value: (A) Worth the money but by no means considered a bargain. Make sure to choose the proper wedge loft, grind, and shaft combination so you get the most out of your purchase.
Customer Reviews
The customer reviews I read were mixed here, but one stands out as my favorite overall. (I’m being sarcastic.)
One customer states that after playing with the wedge for a few weeks and taking stellar care of it, the face is starting to “corrode.” This is the RAW finish wedge!
It’s rusting, it’s normal, and it’s why this wedge costs more than others in the lineup.
You pay for that corrosion.
If that bothers you, stay away from anything that says Raw on it.
Some other comments I saw were:
- “These wedges are sneaky good, feel and accuracy are amazing.”
- “Very limited options for left-handed golfers”
- “Spin out of the sand is incredible.”
- “More precision and control than I’ve ever had in a wedge.”
- “They spin like crazy, but the balance and feel maybe even better.”
- “Callaway modified some of their grind settings; check first before replacing older wedges.”
Who are the Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma for?
Low handicap: (Yes) It takes precision and clean shots to go low, and the Jaws Raw Black Plasma has your back; if you thought 68 was out of the question, think again.
Mid handicap: (Yes) You’ll have better control around the greens; with the feel, precision, and spin, your mid handicap days could be dwindling (Look out, single digits!)
High handicap: (Maybe) You’ll want to because it’s gorgeous, but it’s a lot of wedge in unskilled hands. You’ve got better options.
Potential Alternatives
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Highly Recommended
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Highly Recommended
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Recommended
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Primary Rating:
5.0
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Primary Rating:
4.9
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Primary Rating:
4.5
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- More spin
- Superb feel & distance control
- Available in several finishes & grinds
- Less forgiveness
- Impressive distance control
- Great feel on both long and short shots
- Not too soft coming off the face of the club
- Spin, regardless of the lie
- Forgiveness is not the highest, but there is still some here
- Very fair pricing
- Nice soft feel
- Average to above average spin rates
- Less spin & stopping power
Our Verdict on the Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedges Review
As I mentioned, I was most excited about the finish of the Black Plasma wedges.
In the end, I didn’t like the finish. I did, however, find that the spin, control, balance, and feel were among the best on the market right now.
But, I could easily make the adjustment if you told me I had to play these wedges. One of the things I love about the Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma wedge is that you can get to know this club.
The performance here is deep, and when you can perfect your skills a little and combine them with this type of technology, the possibilities are endless.
- 15 handicap or less? You can play these
- >15 handicap? Probably best to find a game-improvement wedge.
I get it, though, it looks cool, and you just want it in your bag now.
Our #1 suggestion is to get your hands on it before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.
Thanks for checking out our Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma wedges review, and let us know how they work for you.
- Similar technology and feel to Jaws Raw Chrome
- Anti-glare black finish
- Stays looking new for a longer time
- Not as consistent as Chrome version
