NIKE SV Wedge

The Nike golf juggernaut rolls on with the release of a new line of tour level wedges: the Nike SV.

These clubs are constructed from 8620 carbon steel, which is 45% softer than 17-4 stainless and have a CNC milled face for shot precision. Nike says that the grooves, using what they call the Optimal Radium spin, are designed to increase the golf ball’s spin. The design features a sharper top groove for more control around the green.

And no weird sling bars or such for these babies: they have a classic shape and satin finish.

SONARTEC t35 Wedge - Satin Finish

Sonartec, the company which made such a splash a couple of years ago with its hybrids has entered the wedge market with its good looking Proto t35 forged wedges.

The clubheads are made from forged 8620 carbo steel for the feel that players prefer and they offer a couple of neat design features. The Trailing leading edge and heel grind are supposed to allow the leading edge to be flush with the turf to minimize thin shots. Thin shots is precisely why I typically don’t hit a high flying wedge shot unless I absolutely have to. I much prefer to hit a pitch or run the ball up to the green. So the grind of this club may be the thing.

The club also is designed with a transition that keep smore mass behind the ball as you open or close the face.

CALLAWAY X-Tour Wedge - Vintage

Here are the clubs played by the Wizard of Wedges himself—Phil Mickelson. Designed by Roger Cleveland (now isn’t that interesting. Cleveland designing for Callaway), the X-Tours offer a super soft feel with their 1020 carbon steel forging. You can even get them with a special Phil Mickelson (PM) Grind.

Goofy smile not included.

LOVETT GOLF Tour Standard Wedge w/Steel Shaft

You have no doubt seen the Lovett Wedge on The Golf Channel. It’s got a rounded bottom, a curved leading edge, and a set back hose, all of which are suposed to make it easier for you to play those tricky wedge shots. I have a club that’s similar indesign from the Maltby GolfWorks, and that one, at least works well. The real question with these is whether your short game is poor enough to warrant placing such a specialized club in your bag.

SOLUS GOLF RD 4.1 Series Wedge

I saw my first Solus wedge recently as I took a walk through the Caddy Shack in Livonia, Michigan. It’s intriguing.

Solus Golf claims to have the first new wedge technology in 70 years. It comes, they say, from the recognition that most sand wedge plays are NOT made from the sand. Rather, they are made from a variety of lies around the green, not all of which benefit from the sand wedge’s flanged bounce.

To create a more versatile wedge—they call it a “utility wedge”, Solus has introduced a crescent cut sole contour. A camber added from heel to the toe around the crescent cut creates a “negative Bounce” angle, which reduces the danger of a skulled shot on a tight lie. At the same time, when you open the face, teh club offers increased bounce on sand shots.

The club also has full perimeter weighting to help keep off center shots steady.

It’s an interesting concept, and if it works, could free up a spot in your bag. I know plenty of players who carry an additional wedge just for those tight lies around the green that a sand wedge doesn’t really work for.

SOLUS GOLF RD 4.1 Series Wedge

I love black finish clubs. There’s something about them that says “it’s time to get serious.”

The new TaylorMade rac Black TP Wedges are really sharp looking clubs for the serious business of getting up and down.

And TaylorMade has introduced a variety of technologies and design features to help you get there.

First, the wedges have milled Y-cutter grooves to grip the cover of the ball more effectively. This, TaylorMade says, generates up to 300 additional RPM than the Dual-Draft grooves, resulting in enhanced bite and control from shot-to-shot.

The sole of the wedges are ground low on the trailing edge and at the toe and heel. It’s called a C-Grind because, when viewed from above, the trailing edge resembles the letter C. This design allows players to open the clubface more effectively. Even more versatilty is offered by the radiused leading edges, allowign players to hit punch shots. (I personally have never been able to hit a punch shot with a wedge. ).

Annd finally, the wedges have the “feel pockets” that are designed to redirect vibrations to improve feel. I play with softer balls precisely because I like the feel, so I appreciate this design feature.

TAYLORMADE rac Black TP Wedge

Cleveland’s wedges are justifiably considered among the best in the industry. I’ve got a couple of older Cleveland gap and sand wedges and have had a great deal of success with them.

The Cleveland CG10 Black Pearl Wedge is Cleveland’s latest offering, and it was a 2006 Golf Digest Editor’s Choice. The wedge is constructed with a carbon metal matrix allow that allows Cleveland to put more mass behind the sweet spot. It’s said to be the best feeling wedge Cleveland has yet produced.

One thing that I really like about the Cleveland Wedges are the gunmetal finishes that reduce glare at address. There’s something about the black finish that says “I mean business”. I’d like to see some companies offer a black finish on entire sets of irons.

Cleveland’s wedge comes in a choice of three bounces: A low bounce for shots from tight lies and firm turf conditions, a standard bounce that’s best for multiple types of conditions, and a high bounce for soft turf conditions and sand shots. The high bounce also works well for players with a steep swing, becuase its less likely to take huge chunks of turf.

CLEVELAND CG10 Black Pearl Wedge