Wedges Buyer's Guide 2007
Known as the most versatile club in the bag, the wedge is a bona fide score saver
| Mizuno MP-R Wedges Chrome: | Nickent ARC Gunmetal: |
| Nike SV Tour nikegolf.com (888) 799-NIKE | $89   Last year, four members of Nike’s Tour Staff won tournaments using the SV Tour wedge. This year, maybe you will, too. Features: Its milled flat face provides consistency and a clean, pleasing look. Its profile, bounce and groove contours came about from feedback provided by Nike’s Tour Staff. Advantages: Even though Tiger doesn’t play it, it will attract a variety of players seeking an affordable performance wedge. Benefits: The 8620 steel face is super soft to help all skill levels score better. What We Like: The price. With a street price well under $100, the SV Tour is so affordable you might buy two. Lineup: Spin Velocity, TW, SV Tour Clubhead: 8620 Carbon steel Clubface: Same Design: Cast blade Size: Standard Clubs: 50°/10°, 52°/10°, 54°/12° GW; 56°/10°, 56°/14°, 58°/10° SW; 60°/6°, 60°/10° LW; (52°/10°, 56°/14°, 60°/10° available LH) Shafts: Dynamic Gold steel (S) | PING Tour Black Nickel pinggolf.com (800) 4-PING-FIT | $125-$150  The Tour wedge from PING gets a muted, black-nickel makeover, but retains the same playing attributes that made the Tour wedge a popular addition to many golf bags.Features: A slightly smaller head size and a ferrule for a traditional look. These wedges retain Tour-tested capabilities melded with playability. Advantages: Variable bounce angles and machined U-grooves enable customized control. The slight offset and small cavity make for shotmaking versatility. Benefits: Tour professionals dig the clean, traditional look, and casual golfers will like the forgiveness. What We Like: The custom fitting, the looks, the performance—we like it all. Lineup: Tour, Tour Black Nickel, PING Wedge Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Same Design: Cast cavity-blade Size: Standard Clubs: 52°, 54° GW; 56°, 58° SW; 60° LW (available LH) Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold steel (X, S), PING CS Lite steel (S, R), PING Z-Z65 Steel (S); PING TFC 100i graphite (S, R, A) |
| PING iWedge pinggolf.com (800) 4-PING-FIT | $99  Much like the extremely popular PING Eye 2 wedge, the new PING iWedge combines playability, forgiveness and feel. Features: PING’s “sand cup” design; a deep multi-layer cavity maximizes forgiveness and positions the center of gravity toward the center of the face for a low, solid feel. Vibration dampening is a plus. Advantages: The center of gravity positioned toward the center. Benefits: The iWedge’s “sand cup” design positions the pivot point farther from the lead edge for more consistent distance control. What We Like: The nod to PING’s classic Eye 2 sand wedge, not to mention the iWedge’s extreme forgiveness. Lineup: PING iWedge, PING Tour, PING Tour Black Nickel Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Same Design: Cast cavity-back Size: Standard Clubs: 50°/11°, 52°/11.5°, 54°/12° GW; 56°/13°, 58°/11.5° SW; 60°/12.5° LW (avail. LH) Shafts: PING CS Lite (S,R), TT Dynamic Gold steel (X, S), Z-Z65 steel (S), TFC100i/909i graphite (S, R, A) | Purespin PS-3 purespinsports.com (888) 882-1580 | $60  The PS-3 features three weight ports that allow golfers to customize feel and perimeter-weighting characteristics based on personal preference. Features: The classic shape and weight maneuverability make the PS-3 among the most unique wedges on the market. Advantages: Weight kits and customization aside, PureSpin’s Diamond Face delivers serious spin for all skill levels. Benefits: All players can take advantage of four-way cambered sole for better shotmaking. What We Like: The port design makes adding weights a breeze, and for the first time golfers can fine-tune CG location in a wedge. Lineup: PS-3, Pro Forged, Tungsten Diamond, Thumper Diamond, Black Tungsten Clubhead: Stainless steel Clubface: Diamond Face Design: Cast blade Size: Standard Clubs: 48°/4° PW; 52°/8° GW; 56°/12° SW; 60°/3° LW (no LH) Shafts: PureSpin steel (wedge) |
Joining the already successful MP-T series, the new MP-R wedges are aimed at players looking for minimal offset and a classic, round head shape.
A leading name in hybrids offers a high-tech wedge with enhanced feel.
0 Comments