Golf Industry Online Equipment Reviews

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Seven New Wedges – 3 Specialty – 4 Standard coming to a store near you!

By: Dr. Barry Lotz

As the second most used club type in the bag, finding a great wedge is akin to finding nirvana in the golf domain.

While many of the large manufacturers have correspondingly large advertising budgets, there are those golf addicts, read inventors, who believe as real estate developers so often do, that their product is simply the best, and in the case of the developer, will always lease up before their competitors. Lots of ingenuity, money and hype are the prime motivators most employed to get their story out to the golfing public. Some will make their mark on the market, others will languish in inventory, usually at the manufacturer's factory.

Our group of 24 teaching pros, low and mid handicappers tested three new specialty wedges: These were the Black Widow, Lovett and Alien 2 wedges.

These specialty wedges have a single denominator – they are shot specific and therefore represent an additional club that needs to be carried at the expense of another club. The consensus of the testers was that with the exception of the high handicapper or beginner, the need for a specialty wedge was unnecessary. More emphasis on the type of shot attributed to these wedges could be better spent with lessons and practice with a regular wedge.

However, in the interest of presenting these products, their USP (Unique Selling Propositions), and not making decisions on behalf of others, herewith are our findings:

Black Widow – A Negative Bounce Wedge. This wedge's claim to fame is that it can be opened from 56° to 76° and that without the normal bounce associated with regular wedges, the margin of error is reduced substantially by permitting the slim blade to slide beneath the ball. Hence the negative bounce because there is no thick sole or flange. An additional feature of the wedge is that it has a "V-groove" pattern of scoring lines instead of straight across, all USGA approved. This allows for 35% more of the ball to be touched by the scoring lines resulting in more spin and control. The negatives associated with this wedge are the lightness of the head of the wedge and its total uselessness out of a soft sand bunker. Our testers felt that this was generally a club for a low handicapper who understands the playing mechanics of wedges and not for a mid- to- high handicapper. The club is priced at $149 steel and $179 graphite.

Alien2 Pro Series – This is the updated version of the original Alien Wedge. It most certainly has a following of golfers who love the wedge for its 3 in 1 attributes and consider this upgrade well worth the switch, especially for off the fairway shots. Of the 3 specialty wedges, the Alien is the easiest to use, feels the most solid, and has great customer service and information available to the consumer. This is an ideal wedge for the high handicapper especially out of the bunker and deep rough around a green. Available in 60°. The club is priced at $79 steel and $89 graphite.

Lovett Golf – Somewhat similar to the Alien2 Pro Series in design characteristics, this wedge features a curved leading edge and with the "mass" at the back of the sole. Currently being used primarily on the LPGA Tour, this wedge is an excellent soft sand bunker wedge and deep grass lies close to the green. Lots of practice will be required to become competent with this wedge. The negatives are that the user needs to take a full swing out of the bunker (from 2 –10) or deep rough. It is also very difficult to hit a tight lie shot with this wedge. Available in 56° and 60°. The club is priced at $109 steel and $129 graphite.

Also tested were four well-known traditional golf companies' wedges: Cleveland Golf, Adams, MacGregor and Wilson.

Cleveland Golf – As one of the best known wedge makers in golf and the most used wedge on the pro tours, Cleveland's new GunMetal wedge is the result of numerous requests to produce a non-glare wedge. Therefore, the only positive attribute of this wedge is simply that the glare has been reduced and the ball sits much more clearly against the black head. As with Cleveland's RTG wedges, the new GunMetals will rust over time and thereby increase spin. Available in 53°, 56° and 60°. Priced at $129 steel.

Adams – The Faldo Series wedges, having been introduced earlier this year, are a serious golfer's choice - a precision instrument. They feature a unique asymmetric sole with three distinct grinds allowing the golfer the versatility to execute a pitch, chip or open-face lob shot. The look, the soft feel and feedback, drew many positive reactions and opinions from all our testers. The set up is variable, though for a higher handicapper, rather unnecessarily confusing. Available in 56° and 60°. Priced at $119 steel.

MacGregor Tourney Forged Wedge – Of all the wedges tested, this drew the highest praise. Our testers were truly excited about the Forged Tour wedge. Their consensus was that this forged wedge series exemplified the ultimate in feel and control in a wedge. The set up of these Tour wedges is very appealing though the head is slightly smaller and rounder than the standard PCB wedge. This is a wedge for traditionalists who want the finest crafted wedges in golf. Available in 52°, 56°, 58° and 60°. Priced at $119 steel.

Wilson Fat Shaft Wedge .535" – A new entry to the wedge arena from a premier golf company, this wedge was also rated highly, especially in the "solid feel" department. The majority of our testers found this wedge to be the most accurate of all wedges tested in their opinion, they attributed this to the low shaft torque. Available in 52°, 56° and 60°. Priced at $90 graphite.

Adams Golf	www.adamsgolf.com	1.800.709.7038
Alien Sports	www.aliensport.com	1.800.989.4653
Black Widow Golf	www.blackwidowgolf.com	1.860.870.5250
Cleveland Golf	www.clevelandgolf.com	1.800.999.6263
Lovett Golf		1.888.284.3284
MacGregor	www.macgregorgolf.com	1.800.841.4358
Wilson	www.wilsonsports.com	1.800.469.4576

Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America and a contributing writer to numerous national magazines. He can be reached at www.pgtaa.com