Raw Obsession?

[wobgon]

Just sitting here bored and thought I would ask a question that i always wondered about......What is the big obsession on this forum about clubs being raw.

Do folks who like raw clubs buy, or like other things in the same state and if so what..... Example. For sale- 2020 cadillac. Beautiful raw finish.

[boycer]

They think it makes them look like players and like tour players. Some will say they feel softer and have less glare. Whatever makes you happy.

[third-times-a-charm]

Some people have been tricked in thinking it 'feels different' or some other sort of snake-oil-esque personal-feel-based reasoning. Some also say its because of glare or nostalgia or whatever.

In reality, there's no reason to want raw metal equipment and its no better or worse than chrome/satin/etc.

[EaglesGolf99]

For me it's glare. Specifically on 9 Iron down.

[BIG STU]

Yeah I like raw and battle scared rusty clubs. I also liked Rat Harleys and Rat Rod pick up trucks before they were cool. Just my style. Heck I have the only border line Rat Mercedes Benz on the beach. Yep I have a 2001 S-500 that came from up North rust and all. If it runs that long I predict it will really be right in a couple of years depending on our winter weather. Like boycer put it--- it makes me happy

[Hawkeye77]

I’ve got a half dozen chocolate glazed doughnuts soaking overnight to remove all the frosting and sugar.

I never knew raw was a thing until I discovered wrx. People are passionate about it!

[Hawkeye77]

Edit: posted a blank by mistake - lol, a raw post. I do like the look of the raw wedges, but the rust part is what holds me back in general, again some love it - will be interesting to read more of the “why”.

[AThompson_3]

I just think it looks cool. No reason other than that. I don’t particularly like chrome wedges because of the glare but they don’t have to be raw for me to play them. They can be black or satin finished and I would be able to play them. I just think the raw looks cooler.

[ffohcyaw]

I like the way it frames the ball in contrast. Black / gunmetal are too stark for me, chrome too shiny, rusty just right. Yes there is definitely a novelty to it. Does it soften feel? Nah

[denvergolf]

It's always felt softer to me, and I do prefer the darker grey look. I'm sure it's some sort of placebo effect, but given the fragile nature of our golfing psyche's, I really don't care. :)

[jons1]

I have never had glare on a wedge, and I play wedges from a variety of lofts opening and closing wedges. I think it's really just personal preference and what you like looking down at... the rest is hyperbole

[Tim Sherwood]

Shiny irons are so boring.

[DFS PFD]

Glare reduction, grinding without removing finish, and looks much better than cheap black finish that's spotty after one bunker shot.

[Carl Spackler3]

I like brushed satin irons over shiny chrome, so whats the difference, you like what you like. From a playing characteristic like most small niche tech changes, if it does, in fact, help AT ALL. its not making a difference to 9 out of 10 using it. Neverthe less play what you love to look at

[forrester_fire]

Posers trying to emulate Tour players, if you ask me. "But teh spin!"

I've never had a glare issue with any of the chromed Mizuno forgings I've played and most wedges are satin finished, so I call "shenanigans" on that. I'm assuming you guys strip the clear coat off your driver heads to avoid that glare, too.

[14max]

I always liked the feel and look of a Cleveland 588 RTG wedge. I never felt like a player, but I did appreciate those differences from the chromed wedges...

[wam78]

I play raw wedges for the past couple of years and now I don’t think I can go back. My club fitter custom grinds wedges and having raw makes it so much easier for him to shape it. Plus, if it’s plated and he grinds it then it looks weird and removes more weight than needed.

Plus, I just love the look of patina wedges. Just feels right.

[swgolf12]

Adding chrome plating is adding a layer of material which can change feel and I wish I was as lucky as some of you guys with your eyes, I can't even look at concrete with sun beating on it without my eyes wanting to squint/shut.

[SammyShaf]

Raw wedges in a bunker shoot back less glare when face is wide open.

[MattM97]

I like things that are dull looking, reminds me of my life.

But in all seriousness I'm not a huge fan of shine like the Apex Pro irons look like they have a mirror on the toe. Also I like rusty clubs because they're unique, each one is different, can rust as much or as little as you want it's your club.

I could care less what pros clubs look like I do what I like.

[vman]

It's just a glare thing and the RUSTic look.

[MtlJeff]

I thought I had mistakenly logged onto my p*ornhub forum for a second there....

I don't like chrome wedges. The glare of the sun is brutal some days. I don't care if its raw or blacked out or some kind of satin...but chrome is brutal

[scooterhd2]

Pure aesthetics. In my cases, I just think a raw wedge looks better. Also hides imperfections, or rather glorifies them. You arent as worried about bag chatter on a raw wedge or a tiny rock ding. Get the same mark on a shiny chrome finish and you have to cry yourself to sleep that night.

[QuigleyDU]

I will 100% admit it is just a cosmetic thing that I like.

off the bat before any patina sets in you get tighter edge tolerances but they will also wear quicker.

so I goo with black irons. It’s the next best thing. I guess..

[mjbfyb]

I’ve played golf for over 20 years and have never owned a chrome wedge. I used a Eye 2 lob wedge for a long time. Back in the day, I had becu and beni Cleveland wedges, but every other wedge has been raw. I’ve always liked how they wear and never saw a reason to use anything else.

[wobgon]

I notice most comments are about wedges.......Raw irons seem to be sought after also.

[Dan Drake]

I'm a raw guy, lol.

I like the look and I prefer the lack of glare. But, raw clubs also have one other huge draw for me: They can be changed up without really changing anything up. You have have them 100 different shades of rusty, clean, gun blue, whatever you want. And when you are a habitual club tinkerer, that has a certain appeal.

Chrome is just, well, chrome.

But raw can be so many different things.

[Ivyguy]

I have had raw wedges... I dont know why, other than they were on sale (cheaper than the black oxide finish).

Performance wise.... i was still a bad wedges player... it was fun to clean and maintain them. I used Hoppes... worked great and gave them a cool look...

 

I kinda think it's the same thing as stamping a wedge. Whatever u like, you'll hit better right? Lol

[Payton1020]

This thread and no pics.

[SammyShaf]