Wedges

Fall Gear Guide

Fall is just around the corner, and with its arrival, we turn our attention to one of our favorite seasons on the golf calendar. Shirt sleeves give way to quarter zips, and golf pants typically make their debut at some point in October. So why wait until the holiday season to refresh your links-look or restock your golf bag? Here’s a roundup of cool golf gear we have our eye on this autumn.

TRUE Linkswear FS-01 + OG 1.2

Walking golf shoe brand TRUE linkswear is introducing its Future Staples line this fall with the debut of the FS-01. Featuring a timeless, minimalist style with what the company describes as “hidden technology,” the FS-01 is hitting the ground running with six colorways in men’s sizes 7-15 and women’s 5.5-12. TRUE’s Future Staples line is inspired by classic sneaker looks infused with the company’s legendary technology. If you need a pair of TRUEs ASAP, the Original 1.2s are optimized for fall golf – super supportive and fully waterproof.

MSRP: $175 (FS-01), $170 (Original 1.2)

Website: www.truelinkswear.com.

RADMOR Higgins Bobrad Loop Terry Hoodie

Fall is prime golf hoodie season, and no brand does hoodies quite like Seattle-based RADMOR Golf. The Higgins Bobrad Loop Terry Hoodie is made from 100% sustainable cotton and features an athletic fit and range of motion stitching that allows golfers to swing freely. It’s offered in six colors, including classics like Navy and Heather Grey, and sizes small through XXL. Pair your Higgins Hoodie with a pair of RADMOR’s Five-O Knit Performance Pants, the closest thing to wearing pajamas on the course.

MSRP: $120 (Higgins), $128 (Five-O)

Website: www.radmorgolf.com.

OnCore Golf 2022 ELIXR + VERO X2

The 2022 ELIXR from OnCore provides golfers with perimeter weighting for greater accuracy and reduced side spin off the driver. A unique polybutadiene core delivers an outstanding coefficient of restitution (CoR) for higher ball speed, resulting in more carry and roll. A slightly firmer cover with a 350-dimple pattern and mid-compression rating (85) delivers a pure feel off the club face and gives the ELIXR superior greenside control, durability and unmatched performance in its category. Golfers should also be looking for the new VERO X2, dropping this fall. This four-piece Tour-level offering is a follow-up to the wildly popular VERO X1, which topped several big names in launch monitor and on-course testing.

MSRP: $29.99 per dozen (ELIXR), $50 (VERO X2)

Website: www.oncoregolf.com.

PXG Sugar Daddy II Wedges

PXG’s Sugar Daddy II wedges are the brainchild of Mike Nicolette, the company’s director of product creation since 2013. Nicolette spent 24 years with PING and developed a relentless passion for wedge design. The Sugar Daddy IIs feature 100% CNC-milled construction on top of a 3X forged base, making them one of the most beautifully wrought wedges on the market. Full-face groves and high-toe weighting combine with two grinds – BP and C – for soft or firm turf conditions.

MSRP: $449

Website: www.pxg.com

PXG 0311 Irons

Yes, we are doubling down on PXG this fall. The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company owned by GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons made a name for itself upon launching in 2014 with its technologically superior irons. Fast-forward to 2022, and the GEN 5 0311 series carries on that tradition and then some. The 0311s are offered in three clubhead options, T (minimal offset), P (moderate offset) and XP (significant offset), for golfers of varying skill levels.

MSRP: $449

Website: www.pxg.com

Bushnell Tour V5 Patriot

The Tour V5 Patriot is Bushnell at its category-leading best. Easy to unbox, simple to start up and sporting a sleek-yet-powerful design that is sure to get more than a few looks from your playing partners. Aesthetics notwithstanding, avid golfers want two things out of their rangefinder: speed and accuracy. The Tour V5 delivers both in abundance.

MSRP: $299.99

Website: www.bushnellgolf.com

GolfForever Swing Trainer

GolfForever has surged to the head of the golf fitness class over the past two years, buoyed not only by Justin Leonard, Scottie Scheffler and Ryan Palmer’s involvement but also by its undeniable results. In 2022, the company rolled out its new Swing Trainer, taking the entire system to new heights by offering dozens of new warm-up routines and drills. The full kit includes a bevy of helpful stuff, all designed to make you a better, stronger golfer within a few weeks.

MSRP: $199

Website: www.golfforever.com.

Sun Mountain Pushcarts

Sun Mountain’s PX3 and PX4 push carts have made a big splash with members of #pushcartmafia. Offering improvements on the company’s past Pathfinder models, PX3 and PX4 feature advancements like a new handle and accessory tray while retaining the main benefits of smaller folded size and easy opening. Both models include a continuous handle for pushing with one hand, an accessory console, a mobile phone holder with a slot for a charging plug, dual umbrella holders, and a mesh basket and velour-lined pouch for additional storage.

MSRP: PX3 $249, PX4 $259.

Website: www.sunmountain.com.

PuttView Yardage & Green Maps

Technology isn’t just reserved for smartphones and wearable GPS devices. PuttView’s yardage and greens maps have become staples for serious golfers of all skill levels, and the upstart company continues to improve upon the original each year. Tournament organizers relish PuttView’s new Event Books, which are customizable for charitable events and other outings.

MSRP: $49.99 (yardage + green map)

Website: www.puttviewbooks.com.

PXG Plots Wedge Dominance with Sugar Daddy II Line

PXGM-3886-Performance-Benefits-Sugar-Daddy-II-Milled-Wedge-840x600

If golf equipment sales were represented in a pie chart, the wedge category would be a very small … wedge. If it were a pizza, wedges would be that little slice that results from a few asymmetric rolls of the pizza cutter. Get the point? How about some real data to drive home the point?

Golfers purchase roughly 2.5 million drivers and putters every year, according to Golf Datatech. The only things they change out more frequently are their golf gloves (no, we weren’t going to go there). Similarly, they buy a million sets of irons, which equates to around 7 million total clubs.

As for wedges? Since 2020, golfers have purchased around a million wedges annually. Considering most players carry between two and four non “stock” wedges in their bags, this figure is proportionately minuscule. And while they have no issue forking over $500 for drivers and putters and upwards of $1,500 for a set of irons, they spend $150 (on average) for a wedge.

Which begs the question, why has rebel with a cause OEM PXG not only joined the wedge party, but potentially crashed it with its Sugar Daddy line? Introduced earlier this year, the Sugar Daddy II wedges are the brainchild of Mike Nicolette, PXG’s director of product creation since 2013. Nicolette spent 24 years with PING and developed a relentless passion for wedge design.

With the blessing of PXG founder Bob Parsons, Nicolette set out to create 100 % CNC-milled construction on top of 3X forged, an expensive and exacting process that drive the Sugar Daddy II price point to $499 per club (editor’s note: as of this writing, they were on sale for $449). Ask any member of the PXG army if they’re worth it, and the answer is a resounding “yes.” That includes the PGA TOUR’s Hudson Swafford.

“I added PXG Sugar Daddy II 46- and 56-degree wedges to my bag at the American Express,” Swafford said after winning the tournament in January. “The added bounce matches my patterns and helps me flight it a whole lot better. Also, they don’t dig as much. With my first win of the year on the books the same week as putting them in, I think it’s fair to say Sugar Daddy IIs are in to stay.”

PXG Sugar Daddy II Wedges present golfers with two versatile sole designs, the BP-Grind (13) and C-Grind (10). Optimal for lush turf conditions and sand, the BP-Grind features a wide sole and slight taper from heel to toe, offering more bounce. Designed to perform in firm turf conditions, the C-Grind presents a narrow sole and aggressive taper from heel to toe, offering a moderate bounce. Both sole designs are available in every loft across the PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II Wedge lineup – 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62 degrees.

“I’ve never had a wedge spin more around the greens,” PGA TOUR winner and PXG professional Joel Dahmen added. “The look and feel of Sugar Daddy Wedges are the best in the game.”

The Science Behind the Sugar

Precision Milled Grooves are designed at the USGA limit to support extreme shot-making, while the new “Full Face Groove” technology expands the hitting area for shots played toward the toe side of the face. The expanded groove length helps golfers land it softly and ensures more consistent results on impacts across the face.

“High Toe Weighting” creates a high moment-of-inertia (MOI) and helps position the center-of-gravity (CG) more in line with open face shots for enhanced consistency. At the same time, new Precision Weighting Technology introduces swing weight adjustability to the PXG Wedge fitting experience. A large weight near the CG enables golfers to achieve fine-tuned performance through various head weight configurations.

PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II Wedges are triple forged from 8620 soft carbon steel and then CNC Milled to their final form. The innovative process ensures every geometry is produced to exacting specifications for consistent performance today – and when golfers are ready to refresh their set.

“We’ve taken our signature 0311 Forged Wedges to the next level, perfecting every surface, curve, and groove to help you master your short game,” said Parsons. “Without a doubt, these babies are some of the sexiest, best-performing wedges on the market. Period.”

Testing the Sugar Daddy IIs

We went through the PXG fitting process – a blend of art, science and the best customer service we’ve experienced in the industry, period (to borrow a line from Parsons). Based on the results, we were sent three wedges, 50, 54 and 58 degrees, with the BP grind for softer playing conditions. Unlike many equipment companies, PXG can custom fit and ship clubs (even a full set) in less than two weeks.

On full wedge shots from 80, 100 and 110 yards, the Sugar Daddy IIs spring to life with a firm “click” (note: we used OnCore’s four-piece VERO X1 during testing). They were extremely forgiving, especially on shots hit off the toe. We used FlightScope’s Mevo to track distance and spin, and the full-face grooves produced more spin than the two leading OEM brand wedges we tested alongside the Sugar Daddy IIs.

Around the greens, the Sugar Daddy IIs take some getting used to, but in a good way. The faces on our wedges were “hot,” meaning very little clubhead speed was required to get the ball in the air and online. The 54 and 58-degree wedges were absolute magician’s wands, accommodating a wide variety of shots from all sorts of lies. The 58-degree is the best wedge we’ve tested in fluffy sand, and out of the thin stuff, it just needs the clubface closed a bit to perform optimally.

The Bottom Line

If you’re on a golf equipment budget, PXG has plenty of affordable options via its 0211 and GEN 4 lines. If you’re not, or if you’re an enlightened golfer of any skill level who understands just how important the short game is to game improvement, you’ll want to make the investment in Sugar Daddy II set. For more information, visit www.pxg.com.

Cleveland CBX Zipcore: a Superior Game-Improvement Wedge

Historically, the wedge category has been as resistant to change as the Dutton family on Paramount’s wildly popular series “Yellowstone.” After all, the top PGA TOUR players hit greens in regulation 85% to 95% of the time from 125 yards and in. So, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, as the adage goes.

The only problem with that cliché, as it pertains to average golfers, is that it’s entirely and utterly inaccurate. For most mid-to high-handicap players, the proverbial scoring zone – a mere 1.22 football fields in length – is a veritable Bermuda Triangle where good shots get lost and end up somewhere other than the green.

And that’s where Cleveland and its new CBX Zipcore line enter the conversation. It stands to reason the “OEM” steadfastly committed to crafting the world’s best wedges would say “enough is enough” and create a club that works for the rest of us. Not just on approach shots, but around the greens and out of bunkers.

The CBX Zipcore is a cavity-back wedge that offers many of the same benefits of a player-improvement iron. Its decidedly larger profile delivers a high level of comfort as golfers set up for full, pitch and chip shots. The club’s ultra-wide sole helps the clubhead slide through the grass like a knife through butter and reduces both chunks and skulls, according to Cleveland.

After testing a 54-degree CBX Zipcore over three 18-hole rounds, we couldn’t agree more. On 100 to 110-yard approach shots, the wedge reacted like a true cavity back iron and was spectacular time and time again. It took a little more getting used to around the greens, visually, with its larger profile and wide sole. But it was especially adept at chip shots calling for run out on the green.

Cleveland’s Ultzip Groves are sharper, deeper and packed closer together than on traditional wedges to the point there are two additional groves. And based on testing from a variety of equipment testing services impart just as much spin as their blade brethren.

In terms of the name, “Zipcore” refers to Cleveland’s lightweight, vibration-dampening material at the core of the wedge. It enables the clubface to max out the moment of inertia (MOI) thus creating one of, if not the, most forgiving wedges on the market.

Retailing for $149.99 to $159.99, the CBX Zipcore is available in lofts ranging from 44 to 58 degrees and in steel and graphite shafts. For more information, visit www.clevelandgolf.com.

Dial in with Takomo’s Skyforger S20C Wedges

S20C Forged

The Skyforger wedges are forged from S20C carbon steel with progressively tapered blade thickness and are designed for players who are always looking to control their trajectory.

Soft feel, versatility, precision

Higher lofts have more weight on the top of the blade to promote more spin and better height control, while lower lofts have more weight at the bottom of the blade to make full shots easier to execute.

Specs

The stock setup is designed for high launch and distance. The stock shaft, KBS WEDGE, is designed for players seeking maximum control.

loft	shaft	swing weight	bounce	lie angle
48	35.5″	D3	8	63
52	35.5″	D4	10	63
56	35.25″	D5	12	63
60	35″	D6	12	63

The stock grip, Lamkin Crossline, is designed for golfers who demand Tour-proven performance with classic looks.

The Takomo Golf Company makes premium golf gear and sells them directly from the manufacturing line to the customer over the internet. They design products to last and avoid fast product cycles. No, they don’t have sponsored players on tour or run TV and magazine ads. Yes, that cost-saving goes directly to their consumers’ pocket. Takomo’s sole mission, is to offer the highest quality golf products at an affordable price.

After testing their 48 & 56 lofts, I can report back with confidence that they easily stand up against the best in the industry. Their clean design and solid feel helped me dial in my wedge game. One of the best wedges I’ve played. I plan on keeping my Takomo Skyforger wedges in the bag for a long while.

With an affordable price ranging from $89 – $99 for the wedges, their definitely worth a serious look. You might want to check out their 101 & 201 irons too.

Start dialing in your wedge game: www.takomogolf.com

TaylorMade MG2 Wedges Get ‘Raw’

TaylorMade’s second generation of its globally successful line of Milled Grind Wedges – Milled Grind 2 (MG2) — build upon years of research.

Working closely with many of the best players in the world, MG2 expands on the success of the Milled Grind franchise while introducing a new raw face designed for optimal spin for precision wedge play.

Similar to its predecessor and also found in the new P·7TW irons is the company’s proven CNC milling technology, which allows for the production of wedges to exacting specifications; each leading edge and sole grind is individually CNC milled for unparalleled accuracy and consistency from club to club and grind to grind. This process faithfully reproduces the master design of the surfaces most impactful on the performance of the wedge.

With the new MG2 wedges, engineers have utilized the combination of face and groove design to create the ultimate spin for ultimate performance. Raw Face design produces a more precise geometry designed to optimize spin and feel.

ZTP Raw Grooves offer sharper, deeper and narrower grooves and a sharper radius, which further combined with a rougher surface from the laser etching between the grooves, enable the golfer to create more friction between the clubface and the ball generating more greenside spin. Compared with plated grooves, the raw face design increase in friction reduces the ability for the golf ball to potentially skid up the clubface before it grips the face leading to a more consistent ball flight enabling golfers to get closer to the hole.

Unique to the MG2, each raw wedge head will feature an air-tight 3M adhesive sticker which has been specially designed for the wedge and is applied on the face to prevent rusting before purchase/use. When the golfer removes the adhesive sticker, the face will immediately begin oxidizing, which in turn, begins the rusting process.

TaylorMade’s engineers have altered the geometry of the clubhead to create a Thick-Thin Head Design using a design optimization tool previously only used in the metalwood and irons design processes. This tool illustrated that having a thicker backing combined with a thin outer section optimized frequency and duration for the desired sound and feel.

The implementation of machining technology, first introduced in Milled Grind Wedges but more recently in the new P·7TW irons, enables each leading edge and sole grind to be individually CNC milled for unparalleled accuracy and consistency from club to club and grind to grind.

Likewise, the sole geometry, consisting of contour, angle and surface area must be designed and maintained to interact properly with the turf in the desired manner. Different ground and sand conditions also require variations in sole geometries to facilitate play depending on player type. A low effective bounce (LB) grind provides the least amount of ground resistance and a standard grind (SB) has a median ground resistance.

$169.99 | www.taylormadegolf.com

Cleveland Offers New CBX 2 Wedge

Built for the vast number of golfers playing cavity back irons, the Cleveland CBX 2 offers spin, control and all the forgiveness you need. The new Cleveland Golf CBX 2 wedge will launch in North America on Aug. 30.

For far too long, wedges have been stuck in a top down approach of designing for the world’s best players at the expense of the many everyday golfers who define the sport. With the CBX 2, Cleveland Golf designed a forgiving, cavity back wedge built for the everyday player. While it still features tour wedge technologies that Cleveland Golf is renowned for, the CBX 2 offers additional forgiveness to help serious golfers upgrade their short game.

“The short game is critical to playing your best golf, and playing wedges designed for your game — and the shots you like to hit — is key,” said Brian Schielke, Marketing Director at Cleveland Golf. “That’s why CBX 2 wedges were created. They make the short game easier and more forgiving for the majority of golfers out there playing game-improvement equipment.”

The CBX 2 features a new Hollow-Cavity design with a hollow chamber near the heel and a heavy weight placed in the toe. This unique structure maximizes MOI and perimeter weighting for unrivaled short game forgiveness, while still maintaining a sleek, attractive profile at address.

Additionally, the CBX 2 offers the latest iteration of Feel Balancing Technology that achieves a new milestone: a toe-biased center of gravity. Combined with a Gelback TPU Insert for vibration reduction, it provides a soft, satisfying feel and crisp feedback at impact.

“The Cleveland CBX 2 gives you 25 percent more shots on the sweet spot,” said Dustin Brekke, Engineering Manager, Research and Development. “This helps you hit better shots, but also drastically improves feel at impact.”

With the CBX 2, three distinct sole grind offerings arranged by loft deliver more versatility to execute any short game shot. Meanwhile, a staple of Cleveland’s wedge philosophy is spin. It features fourth generation Rotex Face Technology that delivers the sharpest Tour Zip Grooves, laser milling and aggressive face milling for maximum spin and short game control.

“It’s remarkable seeing the performance improvements when golfers switch to the extra forgiveness, better sole designs, and overall weighting that blends perfectly with their cavity back irons,” Schielke said.

Cleveland’s CBX 2 wedges are offered in a variety of different lofts and sole grinds. The V-Shaped Sole grind is offered in 46-52-degree lofts. Meanwhile, the S-Shaped Sole grind is offered in 54- and 56-degree lofts, while the C-Shaped Sole grind is offered in 58- and 60-degree lofts. The wedges are available in left and right-handed options.

$139.99 men’s steel and women’s /$149.99 graphite | www.clevelandgolf.com

Ping Glide 3.0 Wedge Flies High

In developing the new Glide 3.0 wedges, Ping’s engineers took a grip-to-grind approach, re-designing every component of the club to create a higher-spinning, more forgiving, lighter overall design that offers multiple sole grind options to custom-fit golfers of all skill levels.

The tour-proven Glide 3.0 wedges are available for custom fitting and pre-sell beginning today at authorized PING golf shops around the world.

“In the Glide 3.0 series, we’re broadening the appeal of our wedges and providing more differentiation within our own line and the rest of the marketplace,” said John K. Solheim, PING President. “We approached the design with a goal of creating higher-spinning, great-looking wedges that also deliver more forgiveness with the improved feel from our other proven technologies. Every detail in the Glide 3.0 is designed to improve short-game performance, from the longer grip for choking down to the Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish that helps the wedge glide through the grass.”

“From a fitting standpoint, we engineered four distinctly different sole grinds, including an Eye2 sand-wedge-inspired option, to ensure that trained Ping club fitters can properly match a Glide 3.0 to a golfer’s swing and playing conditions,” Solheim said. “We’re excited about getting it into golfers’ hands. It had a win its first week on the PGA Tour when Nate Lashley used one in his amazing and inspiring victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.”

Ping’s engineers put a premium on the feel and forgiveness by leveraging the multi-material construction that combines a 431 stainless steel head with a larger and softer elastomer Custom Tuning Port (CTP) insert. Similar to the popular i210 irons, the additional volume of the CTP allows for a larger insert covering more of the back of the face, resulting in activation of the elastomer at impact to produce a soft yet solid feel. The new, patented cavity design and larger CTP expand the perimeter weighting to increase the MOI and position the center of gravity higher to yield lower-launching, higher-spinning trajectories for more control.

Patented wheel-cut grooves developed by Ping’s engineering and manufacturing teams enable grooves with a sharper edge radius, which increases interaction with the ball at impact, creating more friction for improved spin and trajectory control. The grooves in the lower-lofted wedges (46, 50 and 52 degrees) are milled with a 20-degree sidewall and a .005-inch edge radius for optimal full-shot performance. The higher-lofted versions (54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees) feature an extra ½ groove at the bottom of the face for added spin and are milled to a .004-inch edge radius with a 28-degreee sidewall to impart more spin, especially around the greens.

With an emphasis on expanding the wedge sole options to better custom-fit golfers, PING engineers crafted four differentiated sole grinds in the Glide 3.0 series. Each is designed to best match a player’s angle of attack and typical turf conditions while providing performance and versatility on full and partial shots around the green.

The Glide 3.0 wedge’s grip and shaft have been lightened by six and five grams, respectively, contributing to an overall weight reduction of 15 grams for the entire club. The Dyla-wedge Lite grip, which is ¾-inch longer than a traditional grip and features a reduced taper, allows golfers to choke down for more versatility and trajectory control. The Ping Z-Z115 wedge shaft is made by Nippon and custom engineered with a lower balance point closer to the tip to provide lower launch with more control and enhanced feel.

$160 per club (steel); $180 per club (graphite) | www.ping.com

Miura Unveiled Milled Tour Wedge HB

Premium club manufacturer Miura Golf has revealed the newest addition to its equipment lineup: the Milled Tour Wedge High Bounce (HB). Delivering the soft feel golfers covet, the new wedge is a striking example of Miura’s dedication to producing the finest equipment in the industry.

The new tour inspired head shape confidently aligns the golfer allowing for pinpoint accuracy. Using premium soft carbon steel, the Tour Wedge HB boasts a wider sole that tapers from toe to heel, allowing for a more effective bounce along the middle of the sole. The added C Grind (heel and toe relief) and camber (front to back relief) increases playability and forgiveness.

Miura’s new PGA Tour Ambassador, Abraham Ancer, added the new wedge to his bag ahead of its official release, and is playing it at the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black.

“We have had high demand for this wedge for a long time,” said Miura Golf CFO Lawrence Place. “The Miura family has produced an exceptional wedge that meets our customers’ expectations.”

Utilizing its renowned forging process in Himeji, Japan, Miura, an 8AM Golf brand, produced a grain structure within the head that is the tightest in the industry. The new high bounce wedge does not pursue distance like other clubs, but rather the precision and control necessary for scoring.

“We’re extremely excited to expand upon the success of our Tour Wedge product line with the introduction of Tour Wedge High Bounce (HB),” said Miura Executive Vice President, Jason Rutkowski. “The new design elements should appeal to more golfers, specifically those that have a steeper angle of attack on wedges.”

The head design of the Tour Wedge HB will match with any of Miura’s iron models. Lofts are available in 50-62 degrees in two-degree increments to configure the perfect set. Golfers can purchase the Milled Tour Wedge HB and all other Miura products at authorized club fitters around the globe or by visiting www.Miuragolf.com.

Golf Equipment: 2019 Wedges

Though the industry seems to have taken a year off from the 2019 wedges parade, we did find a couple new short game sticks from two well-known companies that are worth a look, along with the new Indi ATK Grind Wedge that earned an Editor’s Pick, and the new Ben Hogan Black Equalizer wedge.

BRIDGESTONE XW-1

Created for better players, The XW-1 Wedges feature Bridgestone’s proprietary, new Biting Rail Milled grooves the company says leads to more spin on approach and greenside recovery shots. Each of the wedges is made from forged 1020 mild carbon steel.

“We can’t touch the grooves because they have to conform (to USGA rules) but we can do is change the groove pattern,’’ said Zack Kupperbusch, Golf Club Marketing Manager for Bridgestone Golf. “So when you look at it really close, you notice little parallel rails between each groove. What that does is keep the ball on the face a little bit longer and increases spin. Our testing show between 250 and 300 increased spin greenside. If we can get that much more spin without touching the grooves so we can remain conforming, it’s pretty exciting.”

Kupperbusch also points to more variety in the sole grind department. “We’re getting away with a single sole grind for all models. On the new 50-degree, there’s what we call the “F” grind, very flat with little heel or toe grind. With that wedge we assume you’re not going to be opening the face, up, hitting from the fairway. We want it to be as stable as possible. In the 56 degree there’s the A grind; you may have short-sided yourself, may be in the bunker or just in a situation where you have to open the face a bit. All other lofts have the M sole — the same heel grind as the 56, but also a toe grind to reduce the surface area of the sole and smooth out the turf interaction, do what you need to do on a wide variety of shots.

The XW-1 wedges a satin chrome finish and a Modus Tour 105 stiff shaft. As with every Bridgestone product, consumers can now “test drive” what they want to try, and send back what they don’t want to buy. “They can try it for 21 days on the range or their home course, and return it to us,” Kupperbusch says. “It’s a way to get our product into consumers’ hands; if we can do that, we will impress them.

$139.99 for each wedge | www.bridgestonegolf.com

VOKEY SM7 WEDGES

What some call the best performing wedges in the game – Vokey SM7 – are now available in a stunning Slate Blue finish.

For years, Master Craftsman Bob Vokey has stressed the importance of players having confidence in their wedge at address – “A player has to love their wedge when they look down at it” – and finish plays a key role. The finish on Vokey SM7 Slate Blue wedges is applied like a PVD finish but with a unique material and more time intensive process that in combination provide a deep, rich slate blue color that is extremely durable.

“Very often wedge finishes can be beautiful, but they won’t last,” Vokey said. “At the same time, the most durable finishes often aren’t stunning. Slate Blue combines the two. Not only will golfers love their wedge when they see it in the shop, the finish will last through the course of normal play.”

Consistent with all Vokey SM7 finishes, Slate Blue is available in all 23 loft, bounce, and grind options (both RH and LH), while supplies last. This exemplifies the Vokey Design commitment to fitting. Finding the proper loft gapping, bounce and grind are critical to execute all of the necessary wedge shots.

www.vokey.com | Check the price on Amazon!

Miura Improves On Classic K-Grind Wedge

Miura Golf has introduced the latest addition to its growing product line by giving one of its most iconic clubs a modern upgrade. Following in the footsteps of the original 1957 K-Grind wedge, the new K-Grind 2.0 features the signature knuckled sole of the 1957 model, but adds cutting-edge milling techniques for an unrivaled combination of functionality and feel.

Given the proven staying-power of the K-Grind, the Miura family craftsmen sought to maintain the integrity of the original design by preserving the fluted sole that enables the clubface to remain square at impact. The three knuckles deliver increased playability through every type of turf. The K-Grind 2.0 sole grind features increased bounce and roll along with heel and toe relief designed to stabilize golfers’ swings of all skill levels.

Club Face Now Fully Milled

The other significant evolution of the line is evident on the clubface of the wedge. To keep in line with the modern style of play, the face and grooves of the K-Grind 2.0 have been fully milled to provide increased spin on intermediate and full shots.

The K-Grind 2.0 is hand-forged in Himeji, Japan, using Miura’s time-honored 14-step manufacturing process. It is offered in five lofts, from 52° to 60°.

“The K-Grind 2.0 is the next generation of the trusted and distinctive product line that performs dependably through every turf,” said Hoyt McGarity, President of Miura Golf. “With this club, we have produced a superior wedge that is just as versatile as it is visually striking.”

Golf makes the world’s finest forged golf clubs, which are designed and manufactured by the Miura family in their factory in Himeji, Japan.

The K-Grind 2.0 is available at Miura Golf authorized dealers around the globe or at www.miuragolf.com. On the manufacturer’s website, customers can also design a custom K-Grind 2.0 with a choice of 19 branded shaft options and 14 diverse grips.