Which SMALL Company Makes the Best Wedges?

[R5Two]

13 hours ago, PEI_Golfer said:

https://www.coreypaulfunctionalart.com/products.html

 

I kind of want to take a flyer on one of the sets of blanks to play around with.

 

https://ca.haywoodgolf.com/products/signature-wedges

 

Second would be if I order a set of the new Haywood CB/MB's, I would likely do a set of the wedges then.  I already have one of their putter heads that will get shafted if I can find a UST frequency filter shaft (always wanted to try one out).  Then I would have irons, wedges and a putter from them.

I have two sets of Coery Paul wedges now. I originally grabbed them to have a quick turn around to test an x100 in a wedge. They are sweet, plain forged wedges. You will notice a difference in feel from the cast wedges like Vokey. Kind of like hitting a blade in wedge form. Spin is still great (I've never had issue there) and I prefer the feel of them. Just more dense feeling. Mine rusted up fast too. 

 

Don't get me wrong these are not some high tech piece of equipment, just a forged wedge that does exactly what I need it to. I think wedges try to do too much these days. These are cool. 

[Yoshifan151]

NCW

[stevehj]

If you are talking about the best wedges, it seems to me you must differentiate between best looking vs best performing wedges.  I believe the best performing wedge on the market is the Edison wedge.  

[chussey]

22 hours ago, sirbigspur said:

Enjoying my Miura HB 58 black I put in the bag recently. Not cheap either and you want to make sure you get from authorized seller. Do not buy Miura’s on eBay 

this. I heard a story of a guy who got fitted at Club Champion in to Miura’s but thought the price was too high. Found heads on eBay and bought them. Took em to Club Champion to fit them to shafts and the guys were like “sorry bud. These are fake.” 

[Hawkeye77]

@joey3108 

 

Joe Kwok.  Assume he's been mentioned already but the ones he ground for me a year and one-half ago are the best I've ever had.

 

Context:  prior experience after Pings many, many years ago was with various models of spin-milled Titleist up to the point where I bought the SM7 and didn't like them.  SM6 was my favorite.

[Phabs]

I’m a fan of new levels tri weights.  They feel awesome and the adjustable weights are a nice touch 

Edited November 12, 2021 by Phabs

[JD3]

Yururi, their wedges and the Ping putter only thing to have managed to stay in my bag for almost a decade

[Hoyoymac]

I’m on my third set of Corey Paul Functional Art wedges now.  Switched to them after playing Vokeys for several years.

 

The feel around the greens is excellent.  Just enough spin when using a premium urethane ball for full and partial shots.  The sole grinds and bounce is a good fit for me.

 

I’ve probably collected a dozen sets of his heads now from his Ebay store.  I enjoy building them up with my preferred shaft and grips.  Adding BB & F ferrules to them to make them stand out a little.  I use my buddy’s loft and lie machine to bend them to my final specs.   Have sold a few sets, given some away to friends and donated some for charity auctions. 

 

The stamping, grinding and milling work he does is outstanding.  These forged clubs do rust quickly though even when kept clean.  So not for the guys that don’t like that look.

 

I’m also playing a set of his cavity back irons right now which I really like except for the pitching wedge.   Waiting on a recently purchased set of muscle back blade heads to arrive to maybe make a combo set using the 9 and PW.

[hanbergb]

I've been playing National Custom Works this year.  Great feel (Japanese Forged and hand shaped heads), very versital grinds and very minimal.  

 

I just checked out Corey Paul on Ebay and WOW!!!  Is Ebay the best place to find them?  Might be in the market for new wedges this year.  

[Michaeljrosa]

New Level Type M wedges

[hagimihale]

I picked up some Vega wedges a few months ago when 2ndswing had a crazy deal.  Now gaming a VW-10 (52*) and VW-08 (50*, turned down to 48*).  

 

I've hit my buddy's Miura wedges, and the feel is similar to me: soft yet dense.

 

Also have a Yururi Gekku in 58* that holds up to the Miura, my prior (Mizuno) wedges or anything the "big box" brands have put out in recent years.

[Kingcat990]

Nakashima made one of the best wedges I have used. Scor was awesome. Eon makes a wonderful wedge as well. 

[Pepperturbo]

Miura makes some fine wedges, but they cost.  I have a few collecting dust in my office.  Boutique wedge makers do mostly custom-builds; BEST costs.  I have been keeping my eyes open as replacing my SM6 Vokeys gets closer.  Every forged wedge I've looked at was $250-$400, depending on configuration. 

 

Scratch went out of business; I'd be surprised if any tour guys are still playing them. 

[cmy]

Fourteen RM4 all the way. Perfect balance in bounce and sole grinds. Two options in the sole grinds between S and H. I also have gamed Miuras. 
 

The RM4 also even landed in the top 2 of the Not allowed because of spam wedge testing behind the new Taylormade MG3.

Edited November 13, 2021 by cmy
Auto text correction from phone.

[ANGC Caddie]

I’ve owned most of these wedge makers clubs at one time or another but one is heads and tails above when it comes to performance.  Buy a plain ticket, go to Ft. Worth and pay the 300+ per wedge, and get a set of Artisan.  They don't do a Champions Club, get em in-get em out, fitting.  I spent 2.5 hours to get fit, hitting every kind of shot from 120y and in.  Tried every type of grind and every shaft combo with master fitter, Jamie Pipes.  He will dial you in and then Mike Taylor will grind you the perfect wedge tailored to you and your swing only.  The chosen wedge builder of Tiger, Rory, Bryson… I’m just sayin.

[doc52]

If Artisan made left-handed wedges I would be all over them. 

[jerryo]

6 hours ago, ANGC Caddie said:

I’ve owned most of these wedge makers clubs at one time or another but one is heads and tails above when it comes to performance.  Buy a plain ticket, go to Ft. Worth and pay the 300+ per wedge, and get a set of Artisan.  They don't do a Champions Club, get em in-get em out, fitting.  I spent 2.5 hours to get fit, hitting every kind of shot from 120y and in.  Tried every type of grind and every shaft combo with master fitter, Jamie Pipes.  He will dial you in and then Mike Taylor will grind you the perfect wedge tailored to you and your swing only.  The chosen wedge builder of Tiger, Rory, Bryson… I’m just sayin.

Does the $300+ per wedge include the fitting?

[ANGC Caddie]

2 hours ago, jerryo said:

Does the $300+ per wedge include the fitting?

Fitting itself is 300. You get a 100 credit when you buy two or more wedges.  FYI their fitting facility is the former Nike Oven.  World class facility.  Best part is once you’ve done it, they have all your info and you dont need to do it again.  I wanted another wedge for the winter season at a our club with a different sole grind.  Called Jamie up, told him what I was looking for and they built it perfectly. Felt and looked exactly like my other wedge, but with the new grind on the sole.  

[tannyhoban]

10 hours ago, ANGC Caddie said:

I’ve owned most of these wedge makers clubs at one time or another but one is heads and tails above when it comes to performance.  Buy a plain ticket, go to Ft. Worth and pay the 300+ per wedge, and get a set of Artisan.  They don't do a Champions Club, get em in-get em out, fitting.  I spent 2.5 hours to get fit, hitting every kind of shot from 120y and in.  Tried every type of grind and every shaft combo with master fitter, Jamie Pipes.  He will dial you in and then Mike Taylor will grind you the perfect wedge tailored to you and your swing only.  The chosen wedge builder of Tiger, Rory, Bryson… I’m just sayin.

Hahahaha.  I love such practical advice.

 

I’m just sayin.

[golftech]

On 11/12/2021 at 8:13 AM, Hawkeye77 said:

@joey3108 

 

Joe Kwok.  Assume he's been mentioned already but the ones he ground for me a year and one-half ago are the best I've ever had.

 

Context:  prior experience after Pings many, many years ago was with various models of spin-milled Titleist up to the point where I bought the SM7 and didn't like them.  SM6 was my favorite.

Another vote for Joe Kwok’s.  Best wedges I’ve had.

[bad coffee]

On 11/12/2021 at 12:39 PM, hanbergb said:

I've been playing National Custom Works this year.  Great feel (Japanese Forged and hand shaped heads), very versital grinds and very minimal.  

 

I just checked out Corey Paul on Ebay and WOW!!!  Is Ebay the best place to find them?  Might be in the market for new wedges this year.  

I sent an email asking about a custom set like one of his old sets that sold on eBay.  The reply is basically he isn't taking commissions now, and he really doesn't like duplicating a design.

So I won a set on eBay. I really like that he makes 51/55/59 sets along with the 52/56/60's

Grips, shafts, and ferrules are in the mail, should get them assembled the week after Thanksgiving.

[Robkingasu]

I’ve had Miura for years but Artisan are by far the best. If worried about cost two things to consider. 1. Fitting experience is perhaps the best lesson I’ve ever had. 2. Product delivered well beyond my expectations AND they’ll blast the face for free whenever you want. 
 

getting my putter was also phenomenal. Even stamped it as my Texas wedge. Haha

[caniac6]

What’s wrong with the wedges made by the big companies?

[lefthack]

1 hour ago, caniac6 said:

What’s wrong with the wedges made by the big companies?

 

What's wrong with supporting little companies?

[OnTheBag]

On 11/11/2021 at 11:14 AM, caniac6 said:

Hogans look good.

A semi regular partner of mine (who is a + guy) plays Hogan wedges and won't play anything else.  Never hit them myself, but he is a true believer.  

[caniac6]

7 hours ago, lefthack said:

 

What's wrong with supporting little companies?

Nothing, but I would want to keep all options open. Plus, I really don’t care about supporting a company. I want the best product, at a reasonable price, for me.

Edited November 14, 2021 by caniac6

[lefthack]

2 hours ago, caniac6 said:

Nothing, but I would want to keep all options open. Plus, I really don’t care about supporting a company. I want the best product, at a reasonable price, for me.

 

Were you unaware of major OEM's that made wedges before this thread started? 

 

<edit> this is the original question.

 

As we all look to re-tool our bags this winter, are any of these wedges ones that should be on our radar? Are there some we should not waste our time with?

Edited November 14, 2021 by lefthack

[caniac6]

1 hour ago, lefthack said:

 

Were you unaware of major OEM's that made wedges before this thread started? 

 

<edit> this is the original question.

 

As we all look to re-tool our bags this winter, are any of these wedges ones that should be on our radar? Are there some we should not waste our time with?

I just asked a question. 

Edited November 14, 2021 by caniac6

[lefthack]

14 minutes ago, caniac6 said:

I just asked a question. 

 

I'm just pointing out the concept of the thread was to bring attention to smaller companies that some folks might not be aware of but maybe should. Had I not been browsing WRX, I might not have discovered any of the companies I have bought from this year. It was threads like this that lead me to seek out what they might offer (spoiler alert, not much lefty love). 

 

But I can walk into Dicks, or Golf Galaxy and see a number of very valid options. All of which might fit my needs. But I'm not going to see an Artisan wedge on the shelf, either. 🤣

 

 

<edit> nor am I going to see an ad for Artisan in Dicks, either. So thanks again, WRX. I blame my club ho'ing on the community.

Edited November 14, 2021 by lefthack

[Bdck]

On 11/12/2021 at 8:48 AM, stevehj said:

If you are talking about the best wedges, it seems to me you must differentiate between best looking vs best performing wedges.  I believe the best performing wedge on the market is the Edison wedge.  

Doubt