Tag: Wedges

  • First Look – Callaway JAWS Full Toe Wedges

    First Look – Callaway JAWS Full Toe Wedges

    Callaway Golf has been a solid player in the wedge market for years, especially since adding legendary wedge designed Roger Cleveland to their staff. It would be easy to rest on your laurels after releasing a popular wedge line like the JAWS MD5 and PM Grind series wedges, but they continue to work on new designs and technologies to give golfers more options.

    Callaway’s new JAWS Full Toe wedges are designed to give you control on all types of wedge shots, from chips, pitches, flops,
    bunker shots, and full shots into the green. The JAWS Full Toe wedges combine four technologies to maximize spin.

    • JAWS grooves – The most aggressive groove in golf. These JAWS grooves are extended across the face to provide spin anywhere that you make contact.
    • To increase surface roughness of the clubface, Callaway added offset groove-in-groove technology and then combined it with a raw face, a first for Callaway. The wedges give you the spin and control you need to approach any shot with confidence, and the raw face will rust over time to reduce glare and give you that worn look many players prefer.
    • The Full Toe shape and a specialized C-Grind make bunker shots, high flop shots, and short pitches and chips easy to hit, from any lie you face on the course.
    • The JAWS Full Toe Wedges also provide enhanced control on full wedge shots. The JAWS toe pad moves weight and pushes the CG higher, for a design that creates a lower, more controlled trajectory. The Variable Weight Port System moves the CG away from the hosel for solid contact and enhanced feel.
    • The JAWS Full Toe wedges come stock with a premium Lamkin UTX grip, True Temper’s newest Dynamic Gold Spinner shaft in steel, or a Project X Catalyst wedge shaft in graphite. Available in two finishes: Raw Face Chrome and Raw Black.

    Features & Benefits

    Spin Machine – Jaws Full Toe wedges combine full face JAWS grooves, offset groove-in-groove technology and an allnew raw face, giving you the spin and control you need to pull off every shot around the greens.

    Confidence and Versatility – The Full Toe shape provides more face area with an enhanced toe peak. The shaping works with the specialized C-Grind to make short shots around the green easy to hit, especially bunker shots and high flops. This wedge is built to perform on mid and full wedge shots too, with great turf interaction through the ball so you can stick it close.

    Enhanced Control – The Full Toe pushes the CG higher, for a design that creates a lower, more controlled trajectory. Our Variable Weight Port System helps us locate the CG away from the heel, for solid contact and enhanced feel.

    Premium Components and Finishes – JAWS Full Toe Wedges come stock with a premium Lamkin UTX grip, True Temper’s newest Dynamic Gold Spinner shaft in steel, or a Project X Catalyst wedge shaft in graphite. Available in two finishes: Raw Face Chrome and Raw Black.

    The JAWS Full Toe wedges will be available for pre-order on 8/26/2021 and in retail stores on 9/9/2021. MSRP will be $169.99 each.

  • Father’s Day 2019 Gift Guide

    Father’s Day 2019 Gift Guide

    Father’s day 2019 is less than 2 weeks away, and in case you feel inspired to shower dear ‘ol dad in golf gifts, we have some great ideas for you! Happy shopping!

    Bombas Ankle Socks

    Bombas Socks – Yes, get your dad some socks! Socks are very underrated, and a way better gift than ties. Bombas’ Performance Golf Ankle Socks look great, perform great and Bombas donates a pair for every pair sold!

    Callaway Big & Tall Apparel

    Callaway Apparel Big & Tall – You know Callaway best for drivers that hit bombs, top selling irons and colorful golf balls, but their classy and timeless apparel collection can’t be overlooked. Their big & tall choices are diverse, and for larger men like me, that’s a big bonus because it’s tough to find good looking golf clothes in larger sizes.

    Stamina Pro Patches – Let’s face it, dad isn’t getting any younger. Give dad a little help getting those joints moving so he can play his best. These “active recovery” patches contain no drugs or synthetic chemicals, come in three different sizes and last 24 hours. The patches reduce inflammation, promote recovery, and optimize performance according to the company. Used on tour by Justin Rose, Tony Finau and others.

    Enveed Hemp CBD

    Enveed Golf CBD Blends – CBD/Cannabidiol products are all the rage these days, but not without controversy. Enveed Golf’s CBD blend is non-psychoactive and does NOT contain THC, so it will NOT get you high. Instead their full spectrum hemp extract is said to organically help alleviate pain, improve focus and help you relax in those anxious golf moments. CBD products are being used with increasing frequency on tour by players like Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson. I’ve been using their tinctures for a few days and it seems to be helping!

    Bushnell Pro XE

    Bushnell Pro XE Rangefinder – Our 2019 PGA Show best rangefinder is a range topping technological marvel for golfers. In slope mode, the Pro XE uses temperature and barometric pressure to more accurately adjust distances. It is the only 7x magnification rangefinder on the market and can hit a reflective flag at up to 500 yards. Plus it has magnets built in so it’ll stick to the roof posts on that golf cart to be at arm’s reach anytime you need it.

    SX500 IntelliGreenPro RangeVue

    SkyCaddie SX500 – Not the rangefinder type? Get the best golf GPS device on the market – The SkyCaddie SX500. It has a huge, bright and responsive touch screen display, impressive battery life and a huge database of courses with detail info on hazards, bunkers and even green contours on select courses. The only place you’ll get more information about a course than the SX500 is in tour player’s yardage books.

    Indi Golf Stingray Wedge

    Indi Golf Stingray Wedges – Indi Golf makes high-spinning wedges for all kinds of players. Their Stingray TT wedges offer 2 grind options, 2 finish options and they look & perform great. Things get really interesting when you pick up the USGA non-conforming Stingray wedge with huge box grooves. The spin you can produce around the greens is hilarious, and addicting!

    Revo Descend N

    Revo Eyewear – It’s time to ditch the old aviators. Instead, get dad a cool pair of sunglasses from Revo! They make modern, technologically advanced polarized sunglasses that are great for golfers, boaters and everyday wear. Check out their many styles and lens options here.

    Tour Edge Exotic EXS Driver

    Exotic EXS Driver – Everybody wants a new driver, right? Why pay the premium for a big name brand when you can get the same or better performance from a driver that costs $100 less? Tour Edge Golf’s Exotics EXS is packed with technology and advanced materials, and sells for $399. Most of the competition sell their new drivers for $449, $499 and even $549. The Exotics EXS driver is simply the best bang for the buck in golf right now.

  • PING Introduces New Products For Spring 2018

    PING Introduces New Products For Spring 2018

    The Engineering and R&D teams at Ping have been busy in the last year. Following the release of the awesome new G400 driver and fairways, Ping just introduced the G400 Max driver along with G700 irons, Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges and Ping Vault 2.0 putters. All the new stuff is available for pre-order right now (Jan 15,2018). First, let’s look at the photos, and we’ll go into more detail after.

    PING G400 Max Driver

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    PING Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges

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    PING G700 Irons

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    PING Vault 2.0 Putters

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    Technical Details

    Now for the important stuff – The specs and pricing! Below I’ve removed some of PING’s PR talk from their recent press releases and kept just the details that people want to see.

    G400 Max Driver

    In the G400 Max driver, PING achieved its all-time high MOI measurements by optimizing the crown and face design in the larger-profile, multi-material head. The forgiveness gains are attributable to the 460cc head and nearly four times the discretionary weight created by Dragonfly crown technology and the thin, forged face. Its high-density tungsten back weight wraps around the back of the sole to help bring the combined MOI (heel/toe and high/low) over 9,900 gram cm2. Its CG position is lower and farther back than any current driver on the market to make it the most forgiving driver in golf – surpassing the current G400 driver.

     

    G400 Max Driver Technology and Specifications:

    Multi-material construction: Cast Ti 8-1-1 body, forged T9S+ face, high-density tungsten back weight, lightweight aluminum/thermoplastic adjustable hosel

    Loft options: 9⁰ & 10.5⁰

    Head weight: Std. (206g)

    Head volume: 460 cc

    Std. length: 45 3/4″ (Alta CB); 45 1/4″ (PING Tour and aftermarkets)

    Loft adjustability: Up to +-1⁰

    Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)

    U.S. MSRP: $435

    Shaft options: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) 55 (SR, R, S, X), PING Tour 65, 75 (MSRP: $35 upcharge) (R, S, X), Alta Distanza 40 (MSRP: $35 upcharge)

    Aftermarket shaft options (MSRP: $75 upcharge): Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver Dual-Core TiNi 60 (R, S, X), Project X HZRDUS Yellow 75 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5), Aldila X-Torsion Copper (50R, 60S)

    Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges

    The Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges’ 8620 carbon steel head and precision-milled grooves deliver a softer feel and higher-spinning shots for greater control. The tour-inspired Stealth finish, which yields less glare and makes the head appear smaller, is applied using a QPQ (Quench Polish Quench) process for added durability. This wedge fits the game and the eye of players for whom performance and appearance go hand in hand.

    A patented precision wheel-cut half groove near the lead edge on the 56⁰, 58⁰ and 60⁰ improves engagement with the ball (specifically low on the face) to significantly increase spin and control from all conditions. The wheel-cut milling process was developed by PING’s engineering and manufacturing teams to enable grooves with a sharper edge radius, which increases interaction with the cover of the ball at impact, creating more friction for improved spin and trajectory control. The grooves in the lower-lofted wedges (46°, 50° & 52°) are milled with a 20° sidewall and a .005″ edge radius for optimal full-shot performance. The higher-lofted versions (54°, 56°, 58° & 60°) are milled to a .004″ edge radius and a 28° sidewall to impart more spin, especially around the greens.

    The patented design is offered in four sole grinds (SS, WS, ES and TS) to ensure Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges can be fit to a golfer’s divot depth or attack angle and most common turf conditions.

    SS GRIND  (46°/12°, 50°/12°, 52°/12°, 54°/12°, 56°/12°, 58°/10°, 60/10°)

    An all-purpose mid-bounce sole with heel and trail edge relief to create versatility on touch shots around the green. Ideal for moderate attack angles and divots. Fits most golfers.

    WS GRIND (54°/14°, 56°/14°, 58°/14°, 60/14°)

    Full-sole design that provides turf security for players with a steep angle of attack. The reduced camber and added width prevent digging.

    TS GRIND (58°/6°, 60°/6°)

    A PING WRX-inspired design based on the Tour-proven half-moon grind. The TS grind facilitates shot making and precision from even the most difficult lies. The heel relief allows shots to be executed with an open face to difficult pins or from firm lies without fear of the lead edge sitting too high.

    ES GRIND (54°/8°, 56°/8°, 58°/8°, 60°/8°)

    Eye 2-inspired sole design provides the ultimate in bunker performance, resulting from the classic dish profile and the tapered hosel. A refined lead edge upgrades all-around performance with the iconic ES grind.

    Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges Technology and Specifications:

    Std. grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)

    Shaft options: Stock steel shaft — PING AWT 2.0 Wedge; Stock graphite shaft — PING CFS 65/70/80 (Soft R, R, S)

    Aftermarket steel shaft options (no upcharge): True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 105 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100) Project X LZ (5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5), True Temper XP95 (R, S,), Nippon NS Pro Modus 105 (S, X), KBS Tour (R, S, X)

    U.S. MSRP: $150 per club w/steel shaft; $175 per club w/graphite shaft

    G700 Irons

    In the G700 iron, PING engineers put a high priority on creating an iron that offers power and forgiveness by leveraging the advantages of a hollow-body design and a thin, maraging steel face, creating PING’s longest, highest-flying iron to date.

    The hollow-body construction of the 17-4 stainless steel head allows for an internal geometry design that positions weight away from the face, creating a frame for metal-wood-like flexing and high COR to greatly increase ball speed and produce launch results that will amaze golfers.

    Maraging steel, which is also used in the G400 fairway woods, hybrids and crossovers, is one of the strongest alloys in the world and is commonly employed in the aerospace industry, where strength and flexibility are necessities. Those properties make it an ideal face material to deliver more flexing for faster ball speeds that launch shots farther and higher.

    G700 Iron Technology and Specifications:

    Multi-material construction: Hollow-body 17-4 stainless steel head, C300 Maraging Steel face, HydroPearl finish

    Available 4-9, PW, UW, SW in 10 color codes (lie angle). Black is standard.

    Std. grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)

    Shaft options: Stock steel shaft — PING AWT 2.0 (R, S, X); Stock graphite shafts — Alta CB (counter-balanced) powered by AWT, UST Recoil 760 ES SMACWRAP (A), UST Recoil 780 ES SMACWRAP (R, S)

    Aftermarket steel shaft options (no upcharge): True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 105 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100) Project X LZ (5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5), True Temper XP95 (R, S,), Nippon NS Pro Modus 105 (S, X), KBS Tour (R, S, X)

    U.S. MSRP: $160 per iron w/steel shaft; $175 per iron w/graphite shaft

    PING Vault 2.0 Putters

    The next generation of PING’s 100%-milled putters are crafted and engineered to provide tour-caliber touch and performance through proven innovations like precision-milled, patented True Roll Technology (TR), plus a new custom-weighting system. The new system offers sole weight options in steel (standard weight head), tungsten (15 gms heavier than standard) and aluminum (15 gms lighter than standard) to match a golfer’s feel and balance preferences.

    Precision-milled TR technology ensures full-face forgiveness for consistent speed off the face. The individually milled face pattern varies in depth and pitch across the face, which speeds up off-center impacts, improving consistency and ultimately leading to fewer three-putts.

    Golfers can choose from three premium finishes (Stealth, Platinum or Copper) in five models precision-milled from 303 stainless steel, including the new Dale Anser, which is inspired by one of the original Anser putter molds created by Allan Dale Solheim and detailed by his father, Karsten Solheim. The award-winning Ketsch mallet (Stealth or Slate finish) combines a fully-machined 6061 aerospace-grade aluminum body with a stainless steel sole plate for an extremely high MOI and offers exceptional alignment features. All the models are fit for stroke and designed with varying alignment aids to fit a golfer’s preferred look and alignment style.  As part of the custom building process that ensures optimal balance, putters between 34″ and 36″ in length are built with steel sole weights; models 34″ and shorter feature tungsten weighting; putters built 36″ and longer use aluminum weights.

    Four proprietary PING Pistol tapered grips provide golfers with variances in shape and feel. The PP60 is a midsize, lightweight design with a foam under-listing and dominant flats for face awareness. The PP61 has an exaggerated pistol to fit the contour of the golfer’s hands, and a rubber under-listing for a softer response. The PP62 is a lightweight, oversized grip with a rounded profile. The CB60 is standard on custom counter-balanced putters in the line.

    PING Vault 2.0 Putter Technology and Specifications:

    Dale Anser (Blade)

    • 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

    • Available in Copper, Platinum or Stealth finish

    • Slight Arc

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

    Voss (Blade)

    • 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

    • Available in Stealth finish (Copper or Platinum available special order)

    • Slight Arc

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

    B60 (Blade)

    • 355g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

    • Available in Stealth or Copper finish (Platinum available special order)

    • Slight Arc

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

    ZB (Blade)

    • 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

    • Available in Platinum (Copper or Stealth available special order)

    • Slight Arc

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

    Piper (Mid-Mallet)

    • 360g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

    • Available in Stealth finish (Copper or Platinum available special order)

    • Slight Arc or Straight

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-2º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

    Ketsch (Mallet)

    • 365g, fully machined 6061 aluminum head, stainless steel sole plate

    • Available in Stealth finish (Slate finish available special order)

    • Slight Arc or Straight

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-2º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

  • WITB – June 2017

    WITB – June 2017

    My very first WITB post was written in September of 2015 before I left for the WAGT National Championship in Pennsylvania. Since then a lot has changed. In fact, nothing from that bag remains in play for me today, including the bag itself! All fourteen clubs have changed, I got a new staff bag from the WAGT and I’ve even switched golf balls.

    I love to tinker with equipment, but being a low handicap golfer with a self-taught swing means that in order to play my best I need custom fit clubs. This makes testing new clubs a bit of a challenge. Variations in a shaft’s weight, kickpoint and flex can send shots way offline if not fit properly. I’ve worked hard with my amazing club builder to get every club in my bag set up perfectly for my game, and I can’t tell you how important it is for your game to have your clubs properly tuned and fitted by a competent club fitter.

    Now – Let’s dive into my golf bag(s) and talk about my clubs, and how they’re set up as well as my favorite gadgets and gizmos that help me play golf.

    My Golf Bags, Accessories & Favorite Gadgets

    While I would prefer to walk, I play golf using a motorized cart most of the time since it is mandatory at many Florida golf courses, and most of my golf buddies are too lazy to walk with me at the courses that allow it. For that reason, I alternate between a custom 10.5″ Burton USA staff bag I got when I qualified to represent Team USA at the World Amateur Golfer’s Championship in 2015 and a new Sun Mountain 4.5 LS carry bag.

    Burton Team USA Staff BagSun Mountain 4.5 LS Carry Bag

    I’ve only had the Sun Mountain 4.5 LS carry bag for a few months, but I’m a big fan of the innovative design and efficient use of space. It’s the heaviest of Sun Mountain’s carry options, but also adapts well to life on a golf cart and holds everything I need to bring with me with ease. My Burton “Team USA” staff bag is huge and heavy, but I can pack it with everything I’ll need for tournament golf like some snacks, 32oz sports drinks, extra towels, rain gear and more. Despite the large size, I can shoehorn it nicely into my Club Glove Last Bag travel case and go anywhere in the world with it easily. So far I’ve logged over 20,000 miles of international travel on in without incident.

    SkyCaddie TOUCH

    I like to have as much information as possible when playing, so I frequently combine the use of a GPS distance device with a laser rangefinder to get accurate yardage information and help plotting my way around the course. To that end, my distance measuring devices of choice are the SkyCaddie TOUCH and the Leupold GX-5i³ laser rangefinder. Both devices are one of the best available in each category, and function flawlessly. Adding Frogger Golf’s Latch-It rangefinder strap makes using the rangefinder that much easier, and the Latch-It ecosystem is my favorite new golf gadget in years. While I haven’t posted a round with it in a while, GAME GOLF is still a fun and easy way to track stats and help you improve. Since most of my clubs have changed, I plan to start using GAME GOLF again this summer to see how the newer clubs perform compared to the older ones.

    Driver – Ping G LS-TEC 9°

    Ping G LS-TEC Driver

    Ping gave us one of the best drivers in the game a few years ago when they introduced the G30 and G30 LS-TEC drivers. I was fortunate to see amazing accuracy gains of 30% with it while still getting more distance over my old driver. Also fortunate for me, Ping later introduced the G LS-TEC driver that I now use. It is fitted with the Ping Tour 80 shaft in X-Flex, which is a custom option. They updated the head and made it sound a little different, but I haven’t gotten enough data to know if it’s really longer and straighter as they claim. Either way, I hit it great and recommend it for anyone that wants the best blend of distance with accuracy and forgiveness.

    Fairway Woods – Tour Edge Exotics EX10 Beta

    Exotics EX10 beta 3-Wood

    My recent struggle to find the perfect three-wood has been well documented, but when Tour Edge came out with the Exotics CB Pro f2 last year thought I had found my new fairway howitzer. It is a very high performance, versatile three wood that averages almost 260 yards and I couldn’t be happier with it. But – Tour Edge being one of the leading golf club companies when it comes to technology, they took some of the best design features from previous fairway wood designs and combined them using new a manufacturing process and created the Exotics EX10 and EX10 beta fairways. I immediately ordered the EX10 beta in 13 degrees with the new Project X HZRDUS Black shaft. I had my club fitter tweak it to my specs with a spine-alignment and swing weight adjustment, re-gripped it with my preferred Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips and it is now ready for prime time. It’s very new and I’ve only played 18 holes with it so far, but the results have been impressive and I’ve already hit some tee shots with it to places I’ve never seen before. I can’t wait to try it out on the launch monitor.

    Hybrids/Long Irons – Srixon Z H45 & U45

    Srixon Z U45 Long IronsSrixon Z H45 HybridI got my Srixon Z H45 hybrid and Z U45 utility irons back in 2015 and from the first ball I knew I had something special in my hands. Even though it is marked with a number two, the Z H45 hybrid has 16 degrees of loft which makes it more of a one iron. As a result, it hits low, piercing bullets which makes it great for use off the tee, but not very versatile for approach shots. Depending on the course, this club may be swapped for a 50 degree gap wedge. It is fitted with an amazingly consistent Aerotech hls880 hybrid shaft.

    I have two Srixon Z U45 long irons in the bag – The 20º and 23º models, which are my three iron and four iron. I absolutely love hitting these clubs. Forget about traditional long irons, these utilities are amazingly easy to hit while being more versatile and just as forgiving as a hybrid. My only regret is not replacing my old long irons with utilities like these much sooner.

    Irons – Srixon Z745 (5-PW)

    Srixon Z745 Irons

    My irons are the 2015 model year Srixon Z745 cavity back forged irons. They replaced my Cleveland CG16 Tour Concept irons from 2010. The Srixon irons have a little less offset than the Cleveland irons which took a wee bit of adjustment for me, but I adapted to the new clubs quickly. I’ve been playing Aerotech Steelfiber shafts in my irons for over 5 years and I saw no reason to change with these clubs. I fitted them with the Steelfiber i110 constant weight shafts. There’s nothing like the feel you get from a forged iron with a graphite shaft, and with Aerotech you get that awesome graphite feel with the consistency and control of steel. I keep saying it over and over, but Aerotech really does make the best shafts in golf.

    Wedges – Hopkins CJ1 (54 & 60)

    Hopkins CJ1 Wedges (54 & 60)When Greg Hopkins left Cleveland Golf in 2012, took one of Cleveland’s lead designers with him and formed Hopkins Golf, I became an instant fan. What Hopkins was doing essentially was selling a Cleveland look-alike wedge cast from soft 8620 steel direct to the customer that you could customize with various grind options and plenty of paint fill and stamping choices. I got a raw lob wedge with the channel grind and fell in love instantly. Sadly, Hopkins Golf seems to have shut down operations since mid 2016, so I took to the interwebs to find some and discovered a website that had the discontinued wedges I wanted in stock, so I ordered two for $60 each.

    The other change I made in my wedges was going to a softer shaft. After consulting with my club fitter, we decided it would be best for me to switch from a Dynamic Gold X100 to the softer S400 that is so popular on tour. After a half-dozen rounds with the new wedges I’m glad I did and a little peeved that I didn’t so it years ago. At least now I have a three-wedge setup that works well for most situations. I still swap the 2 hybrid or 3 iron out for a SCOR 50º gap wedge on occasion if the course demands it, and will be replacing the SCOR 50º with a Hopkins 50º soon for a matching set.

    Putter – Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Notchback Dual Balance

    Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Notchback DB Putter Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Notchback DB PutterThe most important club in my bag is the putter. It is also the club I struggle with the most, and as a result it becomes the club that changes most often. I have a bad habit of changing putters whenever I have a bad day on the greens, and these frequent putter changes only compound the problem by hurting consistency. I suppose that’s one of the drawbacks of being a golf blogger and having a couple dozen putters in the garage, all fighting for my attention.

    When I really think about it, I’m being unnecessarily hard on myself because my putting statistics are very good compared to other players of my ability, but that’s the point – I’m trying to improve, not be average. Using a tool like GAME GOLF has shown me that I need to make more putts in the 5-15 foot scoring range. I think just sticking with one putter will help, so that’s my goal.

    GAME GOLF Putting Stats
    GAME GOLF Putting Stats

    The putter I’ll be sticking with is a good one, even if the name is way too long and complicated – In my bag is the Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Notchback Dual Balance. It is like the standard Newport 2 Notchback but measures 38 inches long, has a 50 gram back-weight in the handle and features a larger head with an additional 50 grams of weight – hence the name Dual Balance. The idea with all the extra weight is to help slow down your stroke and eliminate the small muscles that tend to sabotage putting strokes. I love the heft and balance of this putter and if it’s a Scotty you know it rolls the ball well. My only gripe with Scotty Cameron is that they tend to have more loft (3.5º) than I like in a putter.

    The Golf Ball

    Bridgestone B330 Custom Logo Golf Balls

    Last but certainly not least, since our last WITB post I have a new golf ball. In 2000 Titleist introduced the legendary Pro V1 golf ball and killed my beloved Titleist Tour Prestige and Tour Professional, effectively ending the wound golf ball era. In the coming years I struggled mightily adjusting to the new solid core golf balls. Eventually I found the Srixon Z-UR balls in 2005 and most recently played with the Srixon Z-Star & Z-Star XV until early 2016.

    In early 2016 at the PGA Show in Orlando I met with the folks from Bridgestone to talk about their new B330 line and came away impressed. After a few rounds of testing the new B330, I switched. I ordered a case of the B330 balls with my logo, and an additional ten dozen without a logo so I’m set with enough golf balls to last me several years. The B33o is very similar to the Z-Star XV I used to play, but spins a bit more around the greens and flies a bit straighter in the wind. It’s very durable for a “tour” ball and I’ve been very happy with it so far.

  • First Look – Harry Taylor Wedges

    Harry Taylor WedgesChances are good that you haven’t heard the name Harry Taylor before. Chances are also very good that (much like our friend Clay Long) at some point you’ve probably played golf with clubs that he designed or helped design.

    In the 1980s while playing on the PGA Tour, Mr. Taylor helped launch the TaylorMade Golf company with legendary golf industry pioneer Gary Adams. In case you haven’t figured it out yet – Yes, the company is indeed named after him.

    After leaving TaylorMade, he once again helped Adams launch a new company. This one was called Founders Club, and Taylor brought with him a club design partner named Bob Vokey. Yeah, THAT Bob Vokey. Taylor later helped establish Mizuno as one of the premier iron makers in golf – a reputation they still have to this day. During his tenure at Mizuno they also became the #1 iron manufacturer on tour for eight straight seasons.

    Harry Taylor WedgesBy now you should be starting to understand how significant Harry Taylor’s role in the golf club industry is. After a stint on the Champions Tour, a health scare and some soul searching, he returned to golf club design. The result of his years of experience and passion for the game are the new Harry Taylor Design 305 series wedges.

    Harry Taylor Wedges

    Harry Taylor’s 305 series wedges are milled from 303 stainless steel and available in lofts of 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees. They are available in black or satin finishes and are fitted with True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 shaft, which is a very popular choice on the PGA Tour for wedges.

    We’ll be putting our tester through some heavy play testing for the next several weeks and we’ll be back soon with a full review of these beauties!

     

  • Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind Wedge

    Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind WedgesPhil Mickelson has a lot of influence in the design and construction of his clubs, and his relationship with Callaway has greatly benefitted them both. These days, Callaway has one of the hottest (and longest named) drivers on the market in the Big Bertha Alpha 815 Double Black Diamond. It also has possibly the best new golf ball on the planet in the Callaway Chrome Soft.

    Phil Mickelson’s influence has never been more apparent than in his feedback during the design of the new Mack Daddy PM-Grind wedges. According to Callaway, Phil gave his direct input to Callaway wedge maker Roger Cleveland on the design of these wedges. They have a unique shape and design that make it easier to hit aggressive shots out of deep rough, bunkers, on flops, and all the toughest shots that players face around the greens. 

    [slideshow_deploy id=’5248′]

    The Mack Daddy PN-Grind wedges will be available in loft & bounce combinations of 56-13, 58-10, 60-10 and 64-10. Pricing starts at $129 and several custom shaft & grip options are available. The Mack Daddy PM-Grind wedges will be available starting May 15, 2015.

    PM Grind Evolution Graphic
    Click image to zoom

    Check out the 3D view of the new wedge below.

  • 8 Golf Products You Can’t Live Without

    8 Golf Products You Can’t Live Without

    Drink_CaddyThe golf industry is no different than any other industry in that there is no shortage of copy-cats, corner cutters and imitators out there. Every major golf equipment manufacturer has had their products cloned, and anyone with a good idea better cash in fast because you can bet someone out there will try to copy it at some point. I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of new products introduced over the years with varying levels of success. Some are upgrades of existing products or ideas, and others are totally new concepts. Here are eight cool products that I have come across lately that deserve your attention!

    Drink Caddy

    The Drink Caddy (seen above) is part novelty item, part useful gadget. Many golfers like to have a drink or three when they play golf. This wouldn’t be much of an issue, other than the policy many courses have that don’t allow outside food or beverages on the course. They want to sell you their $3 Gatorades and $5 beers. Instead of stuffing beer cans in your bag, the Drink Caddy helps by disguising a drink dispenser as just another club in your bag. There is a pretty large 52oz (1.5 liters) reservoir that hides away in your bag, attached to the dispenser that pumps the liquid of your choice on demand. It works great and is easy to clean and use. You can’t use it with carbonated drinks, but other than that it is a great option for those hit-and-giggle scramble events to carry rum, vodka, wine or boring old water. You decide!

    NexbeltNexbelt – The Belt With No Holes

    My new favorite apparel accessory is Nexbelt belts. Just like the tagline says, they have no holes. Instead, Nexbelt has designed a belt that uses a kind of ratchet system to size the belt. This system helps in a couple of ways. First, it allows a more precise fit than the old fashioned holes, and can be easily adjusted without drawing attention to your crotch. The other bonus of this design is that it allows them to make one belt for everyone up to 50″. You buy the belt, size yourself and then cut the extra length off yourself. They have dozens of styles and colors for men and women, work, casual and golf. Give them a look and access the online shop here.

    magnecaddyMagneCaddy

    This is as simple as you can get for a golf accessory. Have a bad back? Hurts to bend down and pick up your clubs around the green? Just install the MagneCaddy on the end of your putter and pick up those wedges with ease. The device screws into the little hole on the butt end of your grips and uses a powerful magnet to pick up anything metallic. When I say powerful, I mean it. I picked up a sand wedge with it and shook it in the air, but the MagneCaddy held it strong. The only problem with a magnet this strong is that it will cling to anything made of metal, including your car, the golf cart, other clubs in the bag, etc.

    polara golf ballsPolara Self-Correcting Golf Balls

    “Dammit, that golf ball flies too straight!” Ever hear anyone say that on the golf course? Yeah, me neither. The average golfer still hits the ball all over the place, despite all the wonderful technology in those $400 drivers that promise we won’t. Polara Golf is the only company that can back up those claims. They make a golf ball that flies so straight it’s illegal. The Polara golf ball has dimples of different sizes and depth arranged in a specific way as to self-correct in flight. As a result, when properly aligned to the target these golf balls fly on a flatter, knuckleball-like trajectory and they go very, very straight. The shallow dimples around the center of the ball are what help them fly straight, but they also reduce lift, meaning they will fly lower and carry less than regular golf balls. However, the lower spin also means they will roll more after landing. Overall I noticed a small difference in distance over a normal golf ball. Use a high lofted driver to counteract the lower ball flight and spin and these balls are awesome. They even make their own (illegal) driver to use with them that helps even more. Obviously you can’t use them in any USGA sanctioned events, but for the casual golfer they can certainly help make the game more fun!

    Renegar Golf WedgesRenegar Wedges

    Bob Renegar has been around for a while, but you may never have heard of him. He first designed his unique wedges under a different name, but he’s now selling his scoring clubs under the Renegar Golf brand. The Renegar wedge has a sole grind that is unlike any other on the market. According to Renegar, it allows the golfer to produce virtually any kind of shot around the greens, from any lie. The grind allowed them to lower the leading edge of the club without losing bounce. This permits the club to perform well from a variety of lies and circumstances around the green. This versatility is key for a good short game. I’ve used a similar sole grind for years, even if it isn’t exactly like his. In early testing, Renegar wedges are a joy to chip with and can handle closely mown collars, deep bermuda rough and sand with ease. Look for a complete play test and review of these cool wedges soon!

    Bushnell Tour Z6 JoltBushnell Tour Z6 Jolt

    I have become attached to my rangefinder in much the same way that many people are to their smartphones. I’m so dependent on it that I can remember the exact date and course that I last played without one. Over the years they have greatly improved on the technology that was originally borrowed from range finders designed for hunting. Now, most models from all the major brands have some sort of flag-lock feature to be sure you are hitting the flag, not the trees behind the green when shooting a yardage. The Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt is one of the best. Not only does Bushnell’s Pinseeker technology work well, but the unit also vibrates when lock is established so you can be sure. The Z6 Jolt is also light and the display is very bright, so you can use it in all conditions. A review on this one is also coming soon!

    Swiftwick SocksSwiftwick Socks

    Socks are socks, right? Except when they aren’t. Swiftwick makes compression socks for all sports including golf. No matter what sport you play, you want your feet to be comfy. Swiftwick socks fit like new every time you put them on, and provide support and moisture wicking for your feet. Not only that, but they look cool, come in many different sizes, colors and styles and they are made in the USA. What more do you need? Try them out!

    Personal Golf TotePersonal Golf Tote

    From the “Why didn’t I think of that” department comes the simple but very handy Personal Golf Tote from Cynwark. We’ve all had to share a golf cart with a basket hog at one time or another. You know the type – they throw all their stuff in the basket behind the seats, leaving you no room to toss your empty beer cans and head covers. The nerve of some people. So you do what we all do, throw your stuff in the front storage compartments and end up leaving your sunglasses and keys behind. Well, now you don’t have to fight over the basket or forget stuff in the cart. Simply hang the Personal Golf Tote over the side of the cart from the seat handle and put your keys, wallet, snacks, golf balls, tees, your range finder, sunscreen and whatever else in it for safe keeping. At first I was afraid of the guys making fun of it, but they all thought it was a neat idea, and the ladies absolutely love it. Simple but thoughtful. It’s the perfect golf gadget!

  • 5 Golf Companies to Watch in 2014

    GolfboardWhile the golf industry as a whole isn’t doing as well as in years past, 2014 is shaping up to be a decent year for new golf products. While many were underwhelmed with the new product launches at the PGA Show, that doesn’t mean there is nothing worth watching in the coming months. Here are 5 companies we are keeping an eye on, as we expect them to have an impact on the market in the next twelve months…

    5 Golf Companies to Watch in 2014

    1. Hopkins Golf – Greg Hopkins knows all about wedges. After all, he was CEO of Cleveland Golf for 16 years. With his new company Hopkins Golf, he’s combining his knowledge of the golf industry with fresh ideas to market high quality, custom made wedges direct to the consumer. Cutting out the middle man allows Hopkins to charge less than his competitors. There are seven different grinds to choose from, and all kinds of shafts, grips and custom stamping options to help you design a true one-of-a-kind wedge. I’ve bought a Hopkins 60 degree “channel” grind wedge and put it in the bag almost immediately. They are that good. Plus, we’ve struck a deal with Hopkins to get readers a free custom grind on their next order by using promo code ITG20! Check them out, they will be the fastest growing wedge in golf this year.
    2. Wolsey – Wolsey is a British apparel company that has been around since 1755. Once a very popular golf brand in the U.K. with stars like Peter Alliss and Tony Jacklin, Wolsey is relaunching their golf line and coming to the US. The era of bright colors and flashy patterns in golf fashion isn’t for everyone. For those who aren’t fans of that style, Wolsey is a perfect fit. I’m starting to see a shift from golf specific fashion to more of a “wear every day” style that works both on and off the golf course. Wolsey’s entire line is representative of that philosophy. You’ll feel just as comfortable on the course or in the office wearing Wolsey’s classic designs while taking advantage of modern technical fabrics and performance. I predict that Wolsey will be one of the fastest growing apparel brands in 2014.
    3. Golfboard – “Surf the Earth” is the best way to describe the hottest new product at the 2014 PGA Show. Golfboard is basically a cross between a golf cart and a surfboard. The Golfboard allows a rider to “surf” along the golf course while having less impact on the turf than a golf cart. The golfboard weights 600 pounds less than a golf cart and uses the same tires as most common mowing equipment. The four wheel drive golfboard can handle 18 holes on any course while giving the rider two options for riding. You can get one with a bag stand for stability or free ride with the bag on your back. While the $4000 price tag may not be right for you, Golfboard is hoping that many progressive golf course operators will soon offer these for rent instead of a traditional golf cart. I for one, can’t wait!
    4. Ernest Sports – Until recently, expensive doppler radar launch monitors have been reserved for high-end club fitters and tour pros because of their huge price tags. Those same systems also required a laptop, special cabling and AC power, making them inconvenient for quick sessions on the run. Of all the technology in golf these days, launch monitors and swing analyzers have made the biggest leap forward. While the typical setup for a Trackman costs about $20,000, Ernest sports is launching their new ES14 launch monitor for under $500. It’s also portable (1.5 lbs), uses AC or battery power and connects wirelessly to your phone or tablet with a custom app to display all the data. The much more expensive Trackman is able to track more info and the ES14 derives some values (like spin rate) rather than measuring them like the Trackman, but for the price difference that is understandable. The Ernest Sports ES14 can show the golfer their club speed, launch angle, ball speed, smash factor, spin rate and carry distance, which is more than enough for most people wanting to get fit for new clubs or help them improve their game. The price point makes it affordable and the compact size make it practical to carry in your bag every day.
    5. Hack Golf – Hack Golf is not a company, but a movement led my industry leaders to make the game more fun, affordable and accessible, Hack Golf was introduced at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show by TaylorMade CEO Mark King. We’ve seen many of these so-called growth initiatives in the past and none of them had much impact, so our skepticism is only natural. Nevertheless, Hack Golf has potential to make a real impact by crowdsourcing the movement and with ideas to grow the game like tournaments with 15″ diameter holes and non-conforming oversize clubs and balls for beginners to learn the game. I recently wrote about the state of the game and presented some of my ideas on how to make the game more fun. Hack Golf shares some of these ideas and invites people to make their voices heard, which I applaud. Head on over to Hackgolf.org and join in the movement!

  • Cleveland 588 RTX Wedges – First Look

    Cleveland 588 WedgesCleveland Golf has been a leader in wedges for a long time. While the basic design of a wedge has remained more or less the same since Gene Sarazen invented the modern sand wedge, many new technologies have hit the market to help players get the most out of their wedges. CNC milling is one of those innovations that allowed manufacturers to make deeper and sharper grooves, and eventually led to the USGA’s adoption of a new groove rule to combat the technology.

    Cleveland 588 RTX

    Now there is a new version of the timeless Cleveland 588 wedges, with a few technologies that will help players spin the ball. This new wedge is called the 588 RTX, and features their new Rotex Face. Not only have they increased the groove volume by 16%, but they have made their laser milling marks more durable, and added a directionally milled face pattern that adds roughness and imparts maximum spin on open-face wedge shots where impact tends to be closer to the toe.

    I have hit a number of balls with the new wedges and my initial impressions are good. The Rotex face certainly does produce more spin initially than a wedge who’s grooves are simply stamped into the face. The feel is the same classic Cleveland 588 feel as always; Solid impact and a mid-soft feel. The sole grind has been modified a bit from last year’s model to allow the wedge to perform better with an open face.

    Cleveland 588 RTGLong term testing will probably reinforce my initial feelings, that this is just another solid, playable and reliable wedge from Cleveland Golf. There are no less than 7 models to choose from in the 588 line. There are satin and black pearl finishes available, blade or cavity back styles, forged or cast heads, a special RTG grind and even the option to create your own custom wedge at http://www.clevelandgolf.com/mycustomwedge/ All told, there are well over 100 different head, finish, loft, bounce and grind options available.

    We’ll have a more detailed look at the 588 wedges soon. In the mean time, check them out at your local retailer or online at Cleveland Golf.

  • 10 Club Companies That Fly Under The Radar

    James Patrick WedgesHere in the US, spring is approaching and some of us will be out to buy new clubs. Considering the beating the golf industry has been taking in a down economy, the major brands are still spending millions in advertising to get your business. Everybody knows about the big boys like TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist, Cleveland and a few others who dominate the market, but there are many more companies out there that make great golf clubs that you won’t see in the pages of Golf Magazine or on the Golf Channel. Here are just ten club companies that tend to fly under the radar.

    1. Piretti Putters – Founded in 2008 by Mike Johnson, Piretti makes top notch milled putters. His designs are a little different, in that they tend to use more weight (15-45 grams more) in their putters and less loft than most for a smooth, consistent roll. As a result, their putters are some of the best feeling flat sticks I’ve ever used, and the Cortino LN model is a personal favorite of mine.

    2. James Patrick Golf – Having studied under some of the finest club builders and grinders in the world, James Patrick started grinding his own wedges a few years later and the rest is history. His wedges are forged by Kyoei in Japan, one of the finest forge houses in the world. Building custom, hand ground wedges isn’t cheap, but the finished product is more than a golf club. For serious golfers, his wedges are works of art. Update 2017: James left for a job at Titleist/Acushnet for a number of years and his website went away, but he’s back and partnered with Titleist to continue pushing the envelope and making awesome scoring clubs.

    3. Royal Collection – While virtually unknown in the USA, Royal Collection has been ranked #1 in the fairway woods and hybrids category for 7 consecutive years, according to the Darrel Survey. Once known outside Japan as Sonartec, they’ve since dropped the brand. Known mostly for their fairway woods, they offer a full line of premium quality clubs, including the popular and gorgeous looking Tour VS forged irons. Editors Note – June 2017: This article was written in 2012 and from what I can tell, Royal Collection has pulled out of the US market to concentrate their efforts on the Japanese golf market.

    4. Feel Golf – Having designed and built clubs for PGA Tour winners for years, Dr. Lee Miller has created some interesting clubs over the years. The most popular club in their lineup is the 73 degree wedge. Feel Golf is maybe the only company out there to reject the latest USGA groove rule  and is still designing and selling square-grooved irons and wedges. Since the average golfer won’t have to switch until 2024, why not? Editors Note – June 2017: Feel Golf is no longer in business. My efforts to reach Dr. Miller were unsuccessful and I can’t find any presence on the web for his clubs.

    5. Tour Edge Golf – Many readers will be familiar with Tour Edge, but I feel that they probably don’t get the credit they deserve. Their premium Exotics CB4 and XCG5 line of clubs are as good or better than any on the market, especially the fairway woods. Priced at $499, the Exotics CU irons are probably the best “bang for the buck” iron set in golf.

    6. Henry Griffitts – Since the 1980s, Henry-Griffitts has been a pioneer in custom club fitting, and those who have played with their clubs tend to remain loyal for many years. Available only at select golf clubs, each player is fit for his set by a certified club fitting professional. Their new T12 forged blades are sure to appeal to the purists and low handicappers out there.

    Byron Morgan Putters7. Byron Morgan Putters – Another small putter maker, Byron Morgan has built a cult following on golf websites such as The Putter Place and Puttertalk.com. Byron’s putters are all made one at a time to the exact specifications of the buyer. If you’ve always wanted a putter made just for you, Byron Morgan is one of the few people out there that can make it happen.

    8. SCOR Golf – President Terry Koehler has come up with a short game scoring system that is unlike anything in the golf industry. His system replaces your short irons with his, which are precisely fit for your swing and set makeup. They offer every loft available from 41 to 61 degrees to come up with the best-matched set of scoring clubs available. There’s too much info to go over here, but check out their website for more info, and look for a full review of SCOR very soon! Editors Note – June 2017: Terry Koehler joined forces with Ben Hogan golf to revive that brand with his designs, which were an evolution of SCOR. While the company’s clubs were very well received, sales sputtered. While the Ben Hogan brand is still limping along during a restructuring, Mr Koehler has long since moved on to other opportunities.

    9. Carnahan Golf – Carnahan is a boutique golf brand, available only in select golf course pro shops around the US. Carnahan’s wedges are as good as any major OEM’s offerings. In fact, my good buddy Tony from hookedongolfblog.com swears by them. Using heavier head weights and a longer shaft for versatility, these wedges are great scoring clubs. If you get a chance to try these clubs, don’t miss out!

    10. Fourteen Golf – Another Japanese brand, Fourteen is picking up momentum in the competitive US golf market. Having signed PGA Tour players Ryuji Imada and Arjun Atwal to endorsement contracts, their awesome new RM-11 wedges are being played by many other touring pros without an endorsement. I’m also playing the RM-11 wedge, and I try dozens of different wedges every year. Fourteen’s wedges really are that good.

    Well there you have it. Just ten of the golf industry’s lesser known brands. I’m sure I left off some good companies. There is also the accessories, apparel, golf balls and more. Maybe we’ll cover those next time. What company did I leave off? Which do you think belong or don’t belong on this list? Let me know what you think!

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  • Cleveland CG Black Irons & Woods – Sneak Peak

    Cleveland CG Black Driver
    Click photo to enlarge

    For golfers who have lost distance over the years or are looking for a few extra yards (Who isn’t?) with forgiveness on off-center hits, Cleveland Golf is introducing the new CB Black line of woods, irons and wedges as a solution. The CG Black line is the next logical step from Cleveland’s ultralight drivers that debuted last year with great success.

    The Cleveland CG Black driver weighs in at a paltry 265 grams, making it the lightest driver on the market. Using an aerodynamic crown design called “Speed Crown Design” which is shaped like a teardrop helps to generate more swing speed by optimizing airflow around the head during the swing. Cleveland’s “MaxCOR2 Variable Face Thickness Technology” increases the trampoline effect on off-center hits, increasing distance. The CG Black driver features the ultra-light Miyazaki C. Kua 39 shaft and a Golf Pride Tour 25 grip, a combination that decreases the overall weight of the club. In my experience with several models of Miyazaki shafts, they have been very stable and consistent at weights from 39 grams all the way up to 85 grams. The minimum advertised price for the CG Black driver is $399.99

    Cleveland CG Black Fairway
    Click photo to enlarge

    Like the driver, the Cleveland CG Black fairways are among the lightest in golf. The teardrop crown shape increases swing speed and the weight screw at the rear of the sole plate to create a deep and low center of gravity, helping shots get airborne. As with the driver, the CG Black fairways are draw biased for greater distance and a strong trajectory. The same Miyazaki C. Kua 39 gram shaft is in the fairways. The minimum advertised price for the CG Black fairways is $229.99

    Cleveland CG Black Irons
    Click photo to enlarge

    The Cleveland Golf CG Black irons and wedges feature a multi-material construction that incorporates a thin titanium face for maximum forgiveness and distance. CG Black irons and wedges have an undercut cavity that positions the center of gravity low and deep to optimize trajectory, spin and playability. The irons are available with optional Miyazaki 59 gram graphite shafts or the Nippon NS Pro 850GH lightweight steel shaft. All irons and wedges sport Cleveland’s Tour Zip Grooves and Laser Milled treatment to maximize spin. The Cleveland CG Black irons carry a minimum advertised price of $999.99 (graphite) and $899.99 (steel) for a set of 7 irons. the CG Black wedges will be $139.99 (steel) and $149.99 (graphite)

    The prices are a minimum advertised price, but I suspect when the CG Black line is released on November 25, 2011 that the retail prices will be slightly lower. We’ll be getting a set of these very soon and posting our review as soon as we can so stay tuned!

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  • Fourteen Golf On The Rise

    Fourteen Golf TC-910 IronsFourteen Golf, a Japanese golf club manufacturer, established itself in 1981 as a golf equipment design company. The highly successful venture developed exclusive designs for Titleist, Yamaha, Srixon (formerly Dunlop Japan), Wilson, PRGR, and many more. The original team was credited with developing the first hybrid iron and the highly popular “Citation” cavity iron by Power Bilt which was one of the most popular irons of the 1980s. In the year 2000, the business transitioned into a branded design and manufacturing company, known now as Fourteen Golf.

    You may not have heard of them in the USA or Europe yet, but they make very high quality golf clubs, and they are on the rise! So far they are well known in Asia for very playable forged irons and wedges, and their most popular wedge design (MT-28 V5) has really caught on with the professional tours all over the world. The MT-28 V5 wedge features a classic design which features its signature Fourteen “reverse taper design” but has been improved by adding a groove strategically located in between the club sole and blade portion of the wedge. This structural change allowed the engineers to move the CG to a higher more stabilizing position for more precise shots.

    In preparation for the new groove policy on the professional tours such as the PGA and LPGA, the company spent years engineering a new head and groove combination for the MT-28 V5 that would be in compliance with the USGA’s requirements and yet maintained the ultimate spin rate. The company not only met that objective but exceeded their expectations.

    Fourteen GolfAccording to a recent press release, for spin and control the unique trapezoidal shaped groove works in unison with the MT-28 V5’s highly engineered head. This combination was tested in a variety of conditions and it outperformed the older MT-28 V4 in wet soggy conditions and maintained the same spin rate in dry conditions. The trapezoidal groove also undergoes a mirror-face milling process that precisely and carefully mills each groove for optimal spin.

    According to an independent equipment survey, the Fourteen Golf TC-910 Forged Irons continue to dominate the Asian Tour with the number #1 ranked iron model played. At the Queens Cup in Thailand, Fourteen Golf had almost twice as many TC-910 Irons in play as compared to Srixon, Titleist, and TaylorMade and three times more than Ping and Callaway. Fourteen Golf MT-28 V5 WedgesAccording to Fourteen Golf COO Marcy Kamoda, "We are proud that the professionals on the Asian Tour use our TC-910 irons weekly. It helps the company on many levels. First, it exposes our product to the golfing fans or spectators who attend the tournaments and it also brings a level of credibility to the performance of our products." These traditionally shaped irons are manufactured with soft Forged S20C steel and are slightly offset. The CG moves progressively higher as the clubs get shorter, creating optimal spin rates for each club. Initially these irons were designed specifically for the professional, so fittingly they look like a "Players Irons." They are designed with a clean muscle-cavity back iron head that produces a classic forged feel. "In addition to receiving praise and support from the professionals, our TC-910 Forged Irons were included in the highly coveted 2010 Golf Digest 'Hot List'. The judges graded them with four and half stars for performance as well as in the look/sound/ feel category," added Kamoda. In addition to the success Fourteen Golf and their TC-910 Forged irons are enjoying on the Asian Tour, the company has been credited with many tour victories and Top-10 finishes. Fourteen Golf Victories: Including the recent victory at the Bentonville Open at Lost Springs Golf & Athletic club, Fourteen Golf has celebrated seven professional tour victories during the 2010 golf season; The South Georgia Classic on the Nationwide Tour, The Maybank Malaysian from the European Tour, the Carolina Series on the Hooters Tour, the Cyber Agent Cup on the LPGA, the Ladies Titan Tire Challenge and the Teva Championship on the Duramed Futures Tour. Fourteen Golf Top-10 Finishes: Fourteen Golf has received recognition for Thirty-six Top-10 finishes this year, they are as follows: (8) PGA Tour: (1) Verizon Heritage, (1) Shell Houston Open, (1) PLAYERS Championship, (2) at the HP Byron Nelson, (1) The Memorial Tournament Presented by Morgan Stanley, (1) St. Jude Classic and (1) another at the US Open. (4) Nationwide Tour: (1) BMW Pro-Am, (2) at the Stadion Athens Classic at UGA, and (1) Fort Smith Classic on the Nationwide Tour. (24) LPGA Tour: (3) Top-10 finishes were captured at the HSBC Women's Champions, (2) clinched at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, (2) from the Honda PTT LPGA Thailand, (3) at the Kia Classic Presented by J Golf, (1) secured at the Mojo Jamaican Invitational, (1) at the Tres Maria Championship, (1) from the Bell South LPGA Classic, (6) impressive Top-10s at the Sybase Match Play Championship and (3) at the LPGA State Farm Classic and (2) from the Shop Rite LPGA Classic. Tour success usually equates to retail success, so we are eager to see how this record helps sales. Fourteen makes very high quality clubs, but they are priced in the ultra premium price range. The TC-910 Forged Iron set is offered in three through pitching wedge. They are finished with a Nickel chrome satin finish and are built with a tour weighted Dynamic Gold Steel Shaft. They began shipping in the early spring and suggested retail is $1,199.00. Keep a lookout for Fourteen golf. If you are looking for top of the line clubs and something a little different, these will be a must hit!

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  • Scratch Golf Tour Department – Behind The Scenes

    Raw Scratch wedge head, ready to be ground into shape for a customer.
    Click to enlarge photos - Raw Scratch wedge head, ready to be ground into shape for a customer.

    Scratch golf was founded in 2003 by Ari Techner, and in recent years their wedges have become some of the most sought after by touring pros and amateurs. Several players on the PGA, Champions and LPGA Tours are using Scratch wedges and most are doing so without endorsements. By the end of 2007 Scratch wedges were the number one wedge on the Nationwide Tour. Last year PGA Tour rising star Ryan Moore switched to Scratch irons and wedges the week after the final FedEx Cup tournament and now owns part of the fast growing company. Scratch Golf still makes most of its wedges one at a time, grinding them to the desired shape by hand. Scratch Golf employs two of the best grinders in golf – Jeff McCoy and Don White. Mr. White joined Scratch in January of 2010 and brings with him almost 40 years of club design experience. He has personally hand ground irons for players winning 14 major championships while at MacGregor golf, including Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and many of the game’s greats. Scratch Golf has managed to combine classic workmanship and materials with modern design and fitting methods better than any other golf company. The result is a line of clubs that are highly customizable and perform brilliantly.

    [caption id="attachment_2050" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Scratch Wedge being hand stamped for a customer"]Scratch Wedge being hand stamped for a customer[/caption] I had a chance to visit Scratch Golf's Tour Department in Chattanooga Tennessee recently. They have a small shop in an old industrial part of town that is being remodeled. Patrick Boyd, VP of Custom Sales and Director of Tour Department Operations gave me a tour of the facilities. The tour department turns out about 8 clubs per day, working with various professionals and amateurs who custom order wedges. Each raw wedge head is hand ground, finished, stamped and shafted according to the player's need. [caption id="attachment_2055" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Your's truly getting fit for a wedge"]Your's truly getting fit for a wedge[/caption] Scratch Golf offers wedges in two different metals - 1018 forged carbon steel and 8620 milled carbon steel. The 1018 carbon steel is regarded as the softest metal currently used in golf today, and the 8620 carbon steel is CNC milled to ensure a perfectly flat face. Scratch also offers many custom grind options based on three basic swing types: Digger / Driver: Players in this swing profile tend to be very “steep and deep” with the club at impact. Their aggressive angle of attack causes the club head to dig into the ground requiring greater bounce angles to get the club head back out of the ground and maintain contact between the face and golf ball. Miss-hits for this profile are commonly fat. Driver / Slider: This swing type encompasses a vast majority of golfers. These players will try and trap the ball between the clubface and ground, taking a shallow, even divot. Driver/Slider’s moderate angle of attack requires a mid-bounce angle providing assistance in maintaining the club head’s path through the turf and ensuring crisp, clean contact. Driver/Sliders tend to miss both thin and fat. Sweeper/Slider: Often a favorite of course superintendents, Sweeper/Sliders have a very shallow angle of attack and take little to no divot at all. This swing profile requires a low bounce angle, which helps combat the thin miss-hit for Sweeper/Sliders. [caption id="attachment_2051" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Scratch iron heads ready for polishing/finishing"]Scratch iron heads ready for polishing/finishing[/caption] Depending on your swing style, there are about 20 or so different grind options available. For those who are not familiar with what a grind is I'll try to explain in basic terms. The grind of a wedge is basically the shape of the sole area which comes in contact with the ground during a swing. The type of golf swing you have and the grind of a wedge affect its playability. For example, a player who tends to sweep the ball off the turf and take very shallow divots will have trouble making consistent contact with a wedge that has more bounce and a grind designed for players that take deep divots, like Scratch's XDG grind. [caption id="attachment_2052" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Irons with the antique finish, designed to look aged"]Irons with the antique finish, designed to look aged[/caption] In order to make sense of all these swing types and grinds available, it takes a very knowledgeable club fitter like Patrick. We spent a little while on the range and chipping green at The Black Creek Club, home of the Nationide Tour's Chattanooga Classic. Patrick had me hit a few shots and observed the size and shape of my divots, as well as sound of impact to see if I was hitting solid shots. I started with half swing pitch shots and worked up to full swings, trying different grinds and head shapes. Moving on the the chipping area, I hit a few different grinds and immediately he could tell which grind was better suited for me. I could also tell, as a club with too much bounce was leading to inconsistent contact and bad results. We determined I would be best suited to the SLT grind in a 58 degree lob wedge. Amazingly, I was able to slide the club under the ball with ease, even on very tight lies. I felt like I could be very aggressive, knowing I would not hit the ball fat or bounce the club into the ball. [caption id="attachment_2053" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Gold Plated wedge for a tour winner's collection"]Gold Plated wedge for a tour winner's collection[/caption] The great thing about this company is that the custom fitting experience is available to everyone, not just touring pros. If you can't make it to Chattanooga, they also have demo days nationwide following the PGA Tour event schedule. For more information and to schedule a custom fitting, just contact the Scratch Golf Tour Department! I can't wait to get my custom wedges. I think these will be the best I've ever hit. Of course, a review will be posted as soon as possible! Scratch Golf's 8620 wedges carry an MSRP of $99. The 1018 wedges are $149 and the Tour Custom wedges are $349. Special thanks goes out to Patrick Boyd and the entire Scratch Golf Tour Department in Chattanooga for allowing us to take photos are share the Scratch Golf story!

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  • 5 Questions with Master Clubmaker Clay Long

    Clay Long and Jack Nicklaus
    Jack Nicklaus & Clay Long

    Clay Long is one of the most experienced and well respected club designers in golf. Little known to much of the golf world, he has been designing clubs for over 25 years, serving as the Vice president of Research and Development of Macgregor Golf Co., chief designer to Progroup and The Arnold Palmer Co., Vice President of Research and Development of Cobra Golf Co., and Vice President of Golf Club Development for the Acushnet Co. In 1992 he founded his own company – Plus 2 International – and today is responsible for Nicklaus Golf Equipment and Jack Nicklaus’s personal golf club designs. Many of Clay Long’s putter models were created on demand for Mr. Nicklaus himself. Mr. Long owns 26 golf related patents and is also a charter member of Golf Digest’s Technical Advisory Panel.

    Recently, I wrote to Mr. Long to get some information about his fantastic and hard to find Personal Edition Putters and a new series of hand crafted wedges that he is releasing this spring. I asked him a few questions, which you can see below. Once we get a few samples of the new wedges, we’ll post a review! I for one can’t wait to try them out. They look beautiful, and if they perform as well as his putters they will probably go straight in my bag!

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    p style=”text-align: center;”> [caption id="attachment_2013" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Click to zoom"]Clay Long B201.5 Personal Edition Putter[/caption] 1. Your putters are as well made and designed as any from some of the more well known putter craftsmen out there, why don't more people know about your putters? I have been very low key since I introduced these putters. I’ve seen so many companies promote a new product heavily and spend beyond their means, only to see a product die when the money stops flowing. I didn’t want to do that to these products.  They are outstanding in both quality and design and also timeless in style.  They aren’t going to become obsolete or out of style, so there is no need to be in a hurry. [caption id="attachment_2005" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Click to zoom"]Clay Long B201.5 Personal Edition Putter[/caption] 2. Has there been a deliberate effort on your part to remain small and exclusive, and not mass produce your designs? Do you plan to grow? Yes, small is just fine as far as I am concerned. As long as my customers return I am quite satisfied. I would love to be a little bit bigger in volume, but not too much. My putters aren’t for everyone, they are at the upper end of putter price points so they have to be placed into the right places to be successful. I have never tried to “sell” putters into a shop. I’ll show them and explain what I am trying to do, but an account must be interested in selling them, otherwise I won’t even ask for an order. Now that’s the engineer in me not the salesman, and I have learned that I am not a very good salesman. I really need to spend more time on promotion I admit. I think part of that mentality comes from playing competitive golf for so long. You don’t go around telling people you are a good player, you let your scorecard do the talking, and if you are good people will know it.  If you see one of my putters you will know its good, it’s the scorecard. (or you could ask Jack Nicklaus) [caption id="attachment_2008" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Click to zoom"]Clay Long B201.5 Personal Edition Putter[/caption] 3. Some collectors are willing to pay $300-$400 for putter covers and $1000+ for a limited run putter from certain well known designers, do you think this is a clever marketing strategy or simply the true market value placed on these products? It’s just a matter of what someone thinks it is worth today and possibility tomorrow. I think there is some clever marketing involved behind the scenes, but in the end, someone thinks it is worth something. Collectors are an interesting bunch and they set the prices by example.  I certainly believe that some of these limited edition runs I have made for Jack Nicklaus will be very valuable in the future. I mean we are talking about 10 and 25 piece runs. You don’t get more limited than that, but I admit there isn’t an abundance of information out there about them either. I’ve seem one sell for $1200 though nonetheless. [caption id="attachment_2009" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Click to zoom"]Clay Long Personal Edition Wedge[/caption] 4. Several well known putter designers are back on their own this year, including Bobby Grace and Bob Bettinardi. In your opinion, what are the benefits/drawbacks of being independent, as opposed to being in a contract with a club company? That is a great question. It’s a complex relationship being a sub brand of a larger company. A large company has a number of wonderful assets that a putter sub brand can benefit from. A larger sales force, distribution (number of accounts), a credit department, marketing and other promotion the sub brand can tag along with to increase its exposure. The down side is that it’s a profit and margin game in a big operation. There is always pressure to reduce the costs of the goods, and to ship more product to maximize profits. In the premium putter market there is a limit to both cost cutting and volume, beyond which the product begins to die. The trick is to balance the two to sustain status and demand and acceptable margins. The best use of a high end putter brand is image advertising for the company  as a whole, where margins are a secondary consideration. The best example of this is of course the Cameron putter line at Titleist, not that I’m sure they don’t make plenty profit as well. [caption id="attachment_2010" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Click to zoom"]Clay Long Personal Edition Wedge[/caption] 5.  You have been making putters for years, now you are releasing wedges. What's the next step for Plus 2 International? Well, Plus 2 is going to continue to develop some outstanding products in these classic, timeless  categories. Products that are difficult to make and produce at these high quality levels and products that don’t go out of style. Wedges are perhaps the most difficult club in the bag to make well. They are art for the most part along with some very difficult geometry to get right.  They are incredibly hard to polish correctly as well, so a perfect master is just the first part of the process.  We started this wedge process about six years ago with no completion schedule just one goal, near perfect wedges. Now, 90 masters later, we have our first four lofts completed and we think they will be very very good.  No gimmicks, nothing tricky, just perfect.

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  • TaylorMade TP xFT Wedge Review

    TaylorMade TP xFT WedgeSince Gary Adams launched the metalwood revolution in the late 70s, TaylorMade Golf has been at the forefront of golf club technology and innovation. I got my first taste of TaylorMade’s clubs back in the early 90s when I picked up an Original One 12 degree driver. It quickly became my favorite club. I used it off the tee and in the fairway as a strong 3 wood to great effect. There have been many more technological breakthroughs from TaylorMade since then, and I could write an entire article about that alone.

    Fast forward to 2009, and TaylorMade has again shaken up the world of golf equipment with an idea that may very well revolutionize the short game – The TaylorMade TP xFT wedges. Let’s take a closer look at these short game weapons and see how they perform!

    Appearance

    TaylorMade TP xFT WedgeIf you are looking for a traditional, clutter-free wedge, this is not it. As soon as you pick it up you know there is something different about this club. The shape and grind of the wedge are in fact a traditional looking shape, but the back of the wedge has a lot going on. From the recognizable "TP" logo in the middle of the head to the two set screws that fasten the face, to the cut through showing the back of the exchangeable face and what grooves it has, to the loft and bounce numbers, the graphics and features are busy, but not overwhelming. If not for the borders of the exchangeable face plate on the face of the club, this would appear to be a traditional wedge at address. TaylorMade has never been shy about pushing the envelope with it's club designs, but when it comes to a club with the "TP" designation, they are always careful to retain a more classic appearance at address, since the TP line is designed primarily for better players and pros who prefer this look.

    Technology

    TaylorMade TP xFT WedgeThere is only so much technology you can pack into a wedge. Most of the advances in technology recently have come in drivers and Hybrid clubs. With the exception of grooves, wedges have remained pretty much the same for decades. Until now that is. TaylorMade has managed to take a wedge head forged from 304 stainless steel and come up with a way to change the face of the wedge at will. With the xFT (Exchangeable Face Technology) wedge, players can change the face of their wedge, giving themselves fresh grooves and maximum spin whenever they want. This is achieved by milling out the face of the wedge and creating a faceplate. The face is backed with a soft, urethane foam that TaylorMade calls Poron. The benefits of this design are twofold. It allows the face to fit very snug in the cavity of the wedge, and the cushion it creates reduces vibration and increases feel. With today's milling machines it is possible to get extremely tight tolerances, within .0001 of an inch. The face can be tightened and loosened with the white R9 torque wrench in a matter of seconds, and comes with either the new ZTP grooves that conform to the new USGA Groove Rule, or the current Z grooves that are still allowed for most golfers until 2011.

    Specs, Options & Pricing

    TaylorMade TP xFT Wedge FaceIn addition to the two available groove configurations, the xFT wedge is available in 10 different loft and bounce combinations. (50.06, 52.09, 54.12, 56.12, 56.16, 58.09, 58.12, 60.06, 60.10, 64.06) The standard shaft in the TP xFT wedges is a KBS High-Rev shaft which was specifically designed for wedges to increase spin potential. It is slightly heavier and has a longer tip parallel region compared to other wedge shafts. The High-Rev shaft promotes more spin because of its increased weighing, the way it kicks and the way it presents the head to the ball. There are several custom shaft options available as well, including Dynamic Gold, Rifle, Project X, Nippon Steel and KBS Tour, among others. The TP xFT wedges will be priced in the $129 range, which is certainly higher than most wedges, but in the long run you'll probably end up keeping it longer that your other wedges too. Individual faces with either the ZTP or Z grooves will be sold separately for around $39 each.

    Performance and Feel

    TaylorMade TP xFT Wedge FaceDo these wedges with the exchangeable faces really live up to the performance claims? In a word, yes. The xFT wedge was born of the idea that touring pros wanted fresh grooves without giving up a wedge that they had become accustomed to and comfortable with. PGA Tour pros are a fickle bunch. Once they find something they like they don't let it go, and conversely if they don't like the way a club feels or performs they'll drop it like a bad habit. When it comes to wedges, players are very demanding. Some pros changes wedges a few times a year or every month, and some even get new wedges every week! However, some pros that have dialed in the perfect weight, feel and grind to a wedge don't want to change it once they get it just right, and sacrifice spin for feel and playability. Having a trusty old wedge in my garage that has a smooth circular wear spot on the face from years of play and practice, I know how hard it is to give up a wedge you really like. TaylorMade's new TP xFT wedges allow anyone to get a wedge with fresh grooves every week or month, or whenever they want. I started out hitting chip shots and short pitches with the xFT, and right away I noticed that the feel of the ball off the face of this wedge was a little softer and more muted sounding than other wedges I have tried lately. The spin was similar to most brand new wedges. The ball comes off the face of a new wedges a bit lower and with more spin that that of a used wedge. Moving on to 10 - 20 yard pitch shots and then full shots from 100+, again the feel was soft and muted. Clearly the soft foam backing behind the face of the wedge has a dampening effect that is unique to this club. The spin potential was very high, but not more or less than other wedges I've used. The results are predictable and consistent. The sole grind is pretty standard stuff, and allows you to open the face and play a variety of shots. My test unit is the 56.12, so the bounce is right in the mid range for a standard sand wedge. The performance out of bunkers and the rough were pretty much as expected, with the club sliding through the rough and sand with relative ease. The performance of a wedge often comes down to the skill of the player of course, but these wedges perform admirably and the only question mark for me is the long term durability of the faces. Will they last as long as a typical wedge or will they need to be replaced more often? PGA Tour data from Taylor Made tells us that the edge radius of grooves and surface roughness of the face on most wedges starts to decline at about 1000 shots. To me, it isn't unreasonable to assume I would be changing faces at least once a year, but it depends on how much you play and practice. When the USGA Groove Rule mandates that manufacturers stop making clubs with the current grooves in 2011 you won't have to buy new wedges at least.

    Overall Impressions

    TaylorMade has always come up with new and innovative ideas to help golfers play better and hit the ball further. With the introduction of the TP xFT wedges, they are helping touring pros and amateurs alike gain control around the greens and lower their scores. The exchangeable face technology is a great idea and TaylorMade has executed it very well. These new wedges spin the ball, have great feel and perform on par with all the best wedges on the market. Being able to replace the face only will make these an economical long term club for serious golfers that wear out wedges fast, and give players the choice of two different groove configurations in one club. What's the next step? I'm sure we'll see these wedges evolve as suggestions for improvement are implemented and perhaps TaylorMade will carry this idea forward and create an entire set of irons with exchangeable faces in the future. That would be interesting for sure!

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  • Club Review – Cleveland CG15 Wedges

    Cleveland CG15 w/ Black Pearl Finish
    Cleveland CG15 w/ Black Pearl Finish

    Cleveland Golf has a long history of making great wedges. The almost iconic 588 wedges are still in play all over the world for pros and weekend hackers alike. Founded in 1979, Cleveland Golf was purchased in December of 2007 by SRI Sports, the parent company of Srixon Golf in Japan. Over the last few years the wedge market has become very competitive, with the tour success of Titleist’s Vokey wedges taking a slight edge in weekly wedge count on the PGA Tour. The founder of Cleveland Golf – Roger Cleveland, sold the company in 1990. Later, he hooked up with Callaway Golf and now designs clubs for them. Even Taylor Made has gotten into the act, and several smaller companies also seek to steal some market share in the wedge world. Still a market leader, Cleveland Golf has a new wedge offering for late 2010. The CG15. Last month I first wrote a preview of these wedges, and Cleveland was nice enough to loan me a few to test out in person. Let’s take a look at these beautiful new wedges and see how they perform.

    Appearance

    With the exception of advances in CNC machining that led to sharper and deeper grooves, technology in wedges hasn't changed much since Gene Sarazen invented the modern sand wedge back in the early thirties. Subsequently, little has changed in Cleveland's wedge offerings in the past few years. From the CG10, to the CG12 and now the new CG15, Cleveland retained the same basic look. There isn't much you can change on a classic wedge design, so most companies relocate the text or change the graphics. With the new CG15 wedges, they have moved the bounce angle number and dots from the hosel area to the sole of the club, just below the loft number. They've also moved the company name from the sole to the back of the club, replacing the logo that was there on the CG12. Cleveland has also rolled back the trailing edge of the club to make it more playable when opening the club. DPP_0003Cleveland's new CG15 Wedges are offered in 3 distinct finishes - Chrome, Oil Quenched and Black Pearl. The chrome finish is the classic treatment that we are all used to seeing in a wedge or forged iron. The Black Pearl finish is a dark matte finish similar to Cleveland's gunmetal finish. This dark finish has become familiar to Cleveland fans. The other finish being offered with the CG15 wedges is called Oil Quenched. This finish has a beautiful reddish brown tint to it, and like other non-chromed clubs, it will rust over time. Many players have come to prefer a rusty style wedge, one for the glare resistance, and two because many players believe a lack of polish makes the clubs softer. Either way, a choice of three finishes certainly is more than most companies can offer.

    Performance

    The good folks at Cleveland Golf sent me three wedges of different lofts and finishes to put through their paces. I had a 52 degree Oil Quenched, 56 degree Black Pearl and 60 degree Chrome wedge to test out. The timing of my play testing was almost perfect. I was fortunate to have a fantastic venue to test out the wedges at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club in Ocala Florida. I was in town competing in the Florida State Mid-Amateur Championship and I had several friends available to hit some balls with them and give me their opinions. The short game practice facility at Golden Ocala is second to none, featuring three beautiful practice greens with bunkers and plenty of space to hit from all angles. In fact, there is enough space to hit short chips all the way out to 100 yard shots, making it a perfect place to try out new wedges. I put the CG15 wedges through their paces, hitting everything from basic chips and bunker shots to pitch shots, knockdowns and full wedges from a variety of lies. To sum things up, these wedges are very solid. They have the predictable feel common to Cleveland wedges. It's soft and muted, and vibration is kept to a minimum, even on mishits. The feel almost reminds me of a forged cavity back iron, even though these wedges are neither forged nor cavity backs. This is a common misconception among consumers. Cast and forged clubs differ only in the manufacturing process, not in feel or performance. The reason many cast clubs feel harder than forged ones is simply that harder metals are easier to cast than softer ones. Cleveland has never made a forged wedge, and neither has Bob Vokey, who's Titleist wedges combine with Cleveland to dominate the wedge market. They use soft carbon steel to cast their wedges, and they feel every bit as soft as a forged club of the same metal. DPP_0007Cleveland's Zip Grooves have been augmented with a new feature called Laser Etched grooves, introduced for the CG15 wedge. Using a laser, 4 texture lines are milled between each groove exactly to the conforming roughness limit. This roughness application optimizes ball-to-face friction and maximizes spin under the rules of golf. In my experience, the ability to produce spin depends less on the club or grooves, and more on the golfer's ability and the golf ball used. Having said that, these wedges can put some serious spin on the ball. From a fairway lie the spin produced is similar to most other wedges. On chip shots executed with proper technique, the ball skids and grabs hard, trickling the rest of the way to the hole. From the rough is where the modern box grooves really shine. Because of the increased groove volume and shape, more grass and dirt is trapped by the grooves and balls hit from the rough spin much more than when hit with wedges with more traditional V grooves. I had no problem stopping the ball reasonably quickly from lies in all but the thickest rough. I found that the initial finish on the face of the Black Pearl and Oil Quenched wedges wears quickly, but this is normal and unavoidable, just as with any other wedges. The face of the chrome wedges also wears just as fast, but because of the finish its not as noticeable. The grooves and even the laser etched grooves micro grooves held up well in my 4 days of testing, and I predict they will wear well for at least a season for most golfers. It remains to be seen how long the laser etched grooves last under normal use. I always recommend new wedges every year for serious golfers. These wedges are very well balanced, and in the hands of a skilled golfer they become deadly scoring weapons. I was able to hit low spinning shots and high flops alike with ease. The multiple bounce and loft options ensure that they have a wedge for everyone's needs or wants. Another option that has been in Cleveland's arsenal for a few years is the DSG wedge, which stands for "Dynamic Sole Grind". These wedges have a sole that is beveled to allow the leading edge to sit closer to the ground when the face is opened. This allows for more versatility for a variety of lies and turf conditions.

    Specs and Options

    With three finishes, two different grind options, lofts from 48 to 64 degrees and several bounce options, there is sure to be a CG15 for everyone. The most popular lofts have several bounce options to make the wedges more versatile for different players and turf conditions. The 56 degree loft for example is offered with 10, 14 or 16 degrees of bounce, and the DSG version has 8 degrees. There are also several custom shaft options available to upgrade the stock shaft, which is the now very popular "wedge flex" shaft that many companies are selling wedges with. This is a shame, because these shafts are garbage. I have seen wedge flex shafts flex all over the place on a shaft deflection board, and the weights are also not tightly controlled as they are on a shaft like the Dynamic Gold. I would highly suggest ordering wedges with the same shafts that are in your irons for consistent feel. CG15_spec_chart

    Overall Impressions

    I think Cleveland has a winner with the new CG15 wedges. They feel very solid and well balanced, and Cleveland offers more loft, bounce and finish options than any other manufacturer. The Zip Grooves with Laser Etched micro grooves generate plenty of spin, and they look great in the bag. My personal favorite is the Oil Quenched finish (seen at far left below), which has a gorgeous red tint that is unlike any other club out there. I wish the stock shaft was of better quality, and I also would love to see a comprehensive wedge fitting system available to help match players with all those loft and bounce combination for best performance.

    DPP_0006

    Pros: Soft, solid feel, tons of loft/bounce options, good spin potential Cons: Stock "wedge flex" steel shafts are disappointing. Laser etched grooves may wear fast. With so many loft/bounce options, Cleveland needs a comprehensive wedge fitting system. The Cleveland CG15 wedges will become available after November 13, 2009 for an MSRP of $119 each. For more pictures, see my preview article here.

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  • New Cleveland CG15 Wedges – Coming Soon!

    Cleveland CG15 w/ Laser Etched Grooves
    Cleveland CG15 w/ Laser Etched Grooves

    Cleveland Golf is introducing their new CG15 wedge, which will be launched November 13th. Cleveland was purchased by Srixon earlier this year, but there doesn’t seem to be any melding of technology between the two companies. Cleveland’s current wedge choices include the CG14 which is a cast cavity style wedge, and the CG12 which looks like a more traditional wedge. The New CG15 looks a lot like the current CG12 from the back, with one exception: The dots that used to denote the bounce of the club used to be on the hosel and now are on the sole of the club, along with the bounce measurement. The CG12s don’t tell you what the bounce angle is, you would have to look it up. The new wedges will be available in 4 finishes. Black Pearl, Chrome, and Oil Quenched, with the latter coming in a DSG or regular sole grind. The will retail for $119 each.

    The other new feature of the wedges are the new laser etched grooves. Between the already spin happy Cleveland Zip Grooves are laser etched mini-grooves, designed to create even more spin. Using the precision of a laser, 4 perfectly calibrated texture lines are milled between each groove exactly to the conforming roughness limit. This roughness application optimizes ball-to-face friction and maximizes spin under the rules of golf

    In other words, you’re gonna spin these babies! Either way, if you are a casual golfer and want to take advantage of the current groove technology for the foreseeable future, I suggest you start stockpiling wedges like NRA members do Guns after a Democrat victory.

    Enjoy the pictures, and CLICK HERE for the first review of these new wedges – before they come out in stores!


    Cleveland CG15 w/ Black Pearl Finish
    Cleveland CG15 w/ Black Pearl Finish

    Cleveland CG15 w/ Laser Etched Grooves
    Cleveland CG15 w/ Laser Etched Grooves

    Cleveland CG15 w/ Chrome Finish
    Cleveland CG15 w/ Chrome Finish

    Cleveland CG15 w/ Oil Quenched Finish
    Cleveland CG15 w/ Oil Quenched Finish

    Cleveland CG15 DSG w/ Oil Quenched Finish
    Cleveland CG15 DSG w/ Oil Quenched Finish

    One of the things that has made Cleveland wedges so popular over the years is there diverse selection of lofts and bounce angles, making it possible to fit just about any player to the right wedge. My only gripe is that there isn’t enough effort put into fitting wedges properly. The wedge fitting on the Cleveland Golf Website tries, but it’s more of a novelty to me. I would love to see a comprehensive wedge fitting system to match a two, three or four wedge system to the proper loft and bounce for players of all abilities, but I’ll go into this a bit more in my review of the CG15s. For now, here’s the spec sheet:
    CG15_spec_chart
    Just a quick explanation of the dot system Cleveland uses for the bounce angles on their wedges. Since most golfers don’t really know how bounce affects their wedges, Cleveland dumbed down it’s specs by using dots on the hosel instead of the actual bounce number. With the new CG15s, they have added the actual bounce number along with the dots to the sole of the wedge. Below is a simple explanation of how it works:

    Low Bounce –  1 dot

    Good when playing from firm turf conditions and tight lies.Also, fits players with shallow attack angles.


    Standard bounce – 2 dot

    Accommodates the largest variety of sand, turf and swing types.


    High bounce – 3 dot

    Excellent from softer turf conditions and bunkers. Good for players with very steep attack angles.

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  • Taylor Made XFT Wedges – Spied!

    Taylor Made XFT Wedge
    Taylor Made XFT Wedge

    The crack equipment investigators over at Mygolfspy.com have uncovered Taylor Made’s new XFT wedges, which have interchangable faces. Check out their full article about them here:

    http://www.mygolfspy.com/taylormade-xft-wedge-2010/

    View the updated story about the official intro of these wedges here!

    The concept is to allow players to replace the face of a wedge when it wears out, or for a different level of playability. Most golfers don’t get new wedges that often – maybe once a season or less, but many of the guys on tour get new wedges every week to maintain that new wedge bite. A wedge with interchangable faces would allow the player to simply change the face to bring the wedge back to like-new playability. For amateurs who aren’t affected as quickly by the new USGA Groove Rule, they could switch back and forth between conforming grooves and non-conforming grooves, depending on whether they are playing in a USGA event that requireds the new grooves or not.

    Photo courtesy of golftoimpress.com
    Photo courtesy of golftoimpress.com

    We’ll see if these wedges, when released,  catch on with the public or not. I for one am not a huge fan of this design, mostly because I’m a traditionalist and I think I would tinker too much. I also question the durability of the wedges and the mechanism for keeping the faces secure on the club through impact. Go over to www.mygolfspy.com to read the full article, and subscribe to their RSS feed, they are on the cutting edge of new equipment and it’s worth a read for sure!

    What do you think of these new wedges? Will it catch on or be a fad that goes the way of the Carbite wedge or interchangable face putters? Let us know by leaving a commment.