I know you can easily get the likes of the Vokey Spin Milled, X-Tour MDs, RAC TPs, etc but wondered if the UK also has the more exotic high-spin wedges seen in American and the far east. If not, why not? Ones I've seen mentioned on US forums include: Tom Wishon CX Micro MilledEidolon V-SoleGauge Design GAS1-SQBTSolusScratch Golf JLMSakamoto Golf (S.M.G.) SMSpin Doctor RII guess you could say the SMT Durometer is quite exotic as you don't see it around much, but has spin milling marks. Also the Sonartec t35 and Adams Puglielli are supposed to be high-spin wedges and a few places have them. The Eidolon V-Sole looks interesting. It's low bounce for tight lies, but the leading 1/4" has aggressive bounce. So prevents digging and can be used out of the bunker/rough as well. Looks like a nice wedge with some forgiveness for the average player scared of low bounce. Saying that the Tom Wishon CX is meant to come with a heel relief grind, so when opened up has low bounce for flop shots but standard grind on the leading edge. Also one golfer said the CX spins even more than the Adams Puglielli that is used a lot on the Champions tour. One US golfer stated with the Solus 61 LW and 71-72mph swing, they were getting 13,000+ rpms figures on the launch monitor. While the Spin Doctor RI manufacturers claim to be able to spin a range ball off a car park (although using their illegal reverse groove insert no doubt). Check out the Spin Doctor video for a laugh.
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| Edited: 22/03/07 18:32 |
 Lol,I notice the only ball that backed up uphill only moved about 3 feet,the others were on huge slopes and those greens looked like about a trillion on the stimp.Funny though:)
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You can find the Scratch JLM wedges at Urban Golf in London. We are also working on a UK distributor that will help bring our clubs to more stores across the UK.
Ari Techner
President/CEO
Scratch Golf Co.
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 Have you tried the Snake Eyes 600W-B - Black Oxide - spins very well, looks sleek, too.
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Great news Ari, thanks.
No Parky, haven't tried the Snake Eyes 600W-B, but will if I get a chance.
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 It might be because the money spent on equipment alone in California and Florida far outweighs the entire spend in the golf market in Europe that they decide to focus on cracking that market first. No trade barriers, time differences, cultural differences, types of courses, shipping, etc...just a thought...
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 Had a look at the Solus wedge round a mates tonight as he obtained it from a friend on the Tour and have to say I've never seen a wedge sit so true and straight.. I WANT ONE>>>>
Anyone know where I can get one in the UK???
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The new Solus 7.1 wedges look interesting. Blade-style wedges compared to the previous cavity back 4.1s. Same vercitile cresent cut sole grind, which varies the bounce for different shots. Supposedly lets you do flop shots (less bounce) and sand/rough shots (more bounce) with the same wedge. But supposedly with more, smaller grooves for extra spin (a la Tom Wishon CX Micro). Also while not exotic, the new Cleveland CG12/CG14 with zip grooves seem to be getting good reviews. With some US magazines and websites listing them as the top wedge overall for usability, although maybe not the highest in spin.
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| Edited: 04/12/07 00:02 |
 Another vote for the CG12 zip grooves. Scary stopping power.
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 Which is the more accurate technique for a handicap golfer - playing a ball into the green with some release, or flying the ball well over the pin and sucking it back with backspin? 
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 ^^ being confident enough in the first instance they could hit the green I'd have said ..... ?
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Scratch wedges seem to have a strong following in the US. Not only do they offer a fully customized tour model, but also a JLM series in 5 common grinds to suit most golfers. So can still benefit from their grinds even if you don't want to a full custom fitting. I've heard one golfer comment how easy their properly fit Scratch wedge is to hit compared to their Vokey. Scratch wedges are even used on tour. What seems to be especially good is the interactivity they offer in the selection process. You can personally talk to someone or use their online fitting guides to select a suitable grind: Scratch JLM series wedge fitting guide Scratch Tour series Custom Design Wedge Studio
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Release might be the safer option for inconsistent and lower-spin golfers, gives you room the play with if you don't generate enough spin. But think it really depends on how much spin you naturally generate and which shot you feel most comfortable playing. Someone who generates more spin normally, might struggle to get it to release enough and come up short a lot. For me wanting spin is more about controlling the first bounce and getting some check on the ball so it doesn't release too far, rather than sucking it back from past the pin. So if for some that means using a high-spin wedge, so be it. Just as some golfers choose urethane golf balls for more greenside spin and control or a high-lofted driver with more spin to help get the ball in the air.
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| Edited: 04/12/07 15:23 |
I reckon I'd need to be playing golf for a living before it was worth immersing myself in all this techno babble. I've got mates who treat the researching and buying of new gear as a bit of a hobby, no problem with that, it doesn't hurt anyone. I just hope that no-one reading this thread is going to start thinking that all this "heel grind/variable bounce" stuff is going to do anything for their scores. Bah humbug!
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With all this talk about grooves you would have thought they made a big difference off the fairway.
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I think correctly fitted clubs can be a benefit to many golfers, not just serious ones. Some might not be interested in all that which is fine and some might have a swing that benefits very little. But for me at least I've personally experienced the difference a better fitted wedge can have. I was inconsistent, fearing thin mishits, often coming up short. Thought it was just poor technique, but a Pro commented I might get on better with a lower bounce due to having a shallow swing. Straight away I felt more confident hitting shots with it. Even if my scores don't drop drastically because of it, it has benefited my short-game with less mishits, more confidence and enjoyment.
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| Edited: 05/12/07 11:39 |
The new NV MD Low Bounce wedges are real nice.
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www.pureforged.co.uk carries the Scratch golf wedges as well as the following exotics: Chikara designs Gauge Design Epon Fourteen Vega Yururi Ikasu I think he carries the largest selection of Japanese Wedges in Europe. Very knowledgeable and helpful, didn't try and sell me the most expensive ones. Spent about 30 minutes on the phone talking about the course conditions I play at, to my build and bad shot.
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I bought one of the 56 degree Eidolon wedges from the States and it does what it says on the packet, more spin than have had with any other wedge, great looking, nips the ball off tight lies, fabulous in bunkers its now my instrument of choice round the green, never seem to fat/thin (but whisper this ' have hit a few off the metal bit that joins the head to the shaft') but I reckon thats my technique!!!
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| Edited: 07/03/08 20:27 |
