Raw wedge questions

[JSSPRADLIN]

I have a few random questions for those who have games raw wedges before:

 

• Do you notice that they are softer than finished wedges?  How does that help performance?
• Do you notice a difference in spin?
• How do you keep them clean?  Or do you just let everything rust over?

 

I originally thought it was time to convert to raw wedges for my next set, but don't plan on any additional grinding to what I'd purchase.  I'm curious if there are actually any performance benefits or if I should just stick with a finished wedge.  

[SteelieD]

I play raw wedges. I don’t think there is any real performance benefits other than feel (which is obviously subjective). I like the way they look. 
 

I just wipe after most shots them as I do with all my clubs.

Edited February 18, 2022 by SteelieD

[lookylookitzadam]

No performance or feel differences. They do help with glare if that is ever an issue for you. 
 

In regards to maintenance, I let them rust, that’s why I got raw finish. 

Edited February 18, 2022 by lookylookitzadam

[ShupeSC]

No performance difference.  All looks.  I like mine to look like rusty nails.  I have a friend that cleans them up constantly and they look great.

Edited February 18, 2022 by ShupeSC
Huge thumbs.

[wam78]

I play raw wedges and love them!  I always have my builder put custom grinds on my wedges which is the biggest reason for playing raw.  Plus, I love the rusted bronze look.  No glare, which is helpful playing in Dallas.  I just wipe them down normally and let them rust over.  The face will not rust as much.

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, JSSPRADLIN said:

I have a few random questions for those who have games raw wedges before:

 

• Do you notice that they are softer than finished wedges?  How does that help performance?
• Do you notice a difference in spin?
• How do you keep them clean?  Or do you just let everything rust over?

 

I originally thought it was time to convert to raw wedges for my next set, but don't plan on any additional grinding to what I'd purchase.  I'm curious if there are actually any performance benefits or if I should just stick with a finished wedge.  

I’ve played raw wedges since the 90’s. In my opinion they do feel a little softer than coated wedges. I don’t find they spin more, I think that’s a myth. I have custom grinds on my wedges and I don’t use coated ones. I also like that there is no glare. As far as having them rust too much, I just make sure I clean them after each round and make sure to dry them very well. If they start to get a little rust on them I just use a little comet and a toothbrush and it usually comes right off. If there are some stubborn rust spears, I just soak them in vinegar for a few hours then it just rubs right off under running water. The pic below is a Stealth 2.0 raw. I try to keep them just a dull grey and not let them get tons of rust on them.

Edited February 18, 2022 by hammergolf

[bevans0222]

I've used a set of raw wedges for the last year.  The only difference that I've noticed from non-raw wedges, is that they don't look like they've worn as much.  I'm fairly certain that the "extra" wear I've seen previously in "plated" wedges was the "plating" wearing off.  So one benefit that I would currently say about raw wedges is that I'm not fooled into thinking they are worn out as quickly as "plated" wedges.  Plus, they look cool.

[zaccaf]

In rust we trust! I just have always loved the look of raw wedges. Currently contemplating turning an old backup iron set to raw as well

[benclab]

I've been playing raw wedges since I started playing golf in 1996. I don't think there's any difference at all.

 

I personally let them rust out. I only clean the grooves. 

[MrCook]

For me they felt ever so slightly softer, though I wouldn't have noticed the difference without hitting them side by side. It's very subtle.

 

TXG as well as some others have done extensive testing regarding the effect of rust on spin rate: there's none. In dry conditions, it performs essentially the same as any kind of finish. In wet conditions, the raw wedges even perform worse, since the water doesn't pearl off as easily as it does off a finished face. 'Lotus'-style finishes (i.e. Ping hydropearl) perform the best in that case. Also the grooves on raw wedges wear and go dull faster.

 

So unless you value the looks of a raw/rusted wedge and minimized glare over the performance and longevity benefits of a finished wedge, there's no point.

Edited February 18, 2022 by MrCook

[dcmidnight]

10 hours ago, lookylookitzadam said:

No performance or feel differences. They do help with glare if that is ever an issue for you. 
 

In regards to maintenance, I let them rust, that’s why I got raw finish. 

 

I cant tell one difference in feel or playability. I just like the look and they are much better for me in the sun. Thats all.

 

In fact I never wait when I buy raw wedges, I throw them right in Coke overnight, then wrap them in salt.

 

I love the look so much.

 

[amace04]

27 minutes ago, MrCook said:

For me they felt ever so slightly softer, though I wouldn't have noticed the difference without hitting them side by side. It's very subtle.

 

TXG as well as some others have done extensive testing regarding the effect of rust on spin rate: there's none. In dry conditions, it performs essentially the same as any kind of finish. In wet conditions, the raw wedges even perform worse, since the water doesn't pearl off as easily as it does from a finished face. 'Lotus'-style finishes (i.e. Ping hydropearl) perform the best in that case. Also the grooves on raw wedges wear and go dull faster.

 

So unless you value the looks of a raw/rusted wedge and minimized glare over the performance and longevitiy benefits of a finished wedge, there's no point.

Interesting,  so if you play a lot of morning golf where there's dew, raw wedges in theory are actively hurting your performance.

[MrCook]

52 minutes ago, amace04 said:

Interesting,  so if you play a lot of morning golf where there's dew, raw wedges in theory are actively hurting your performance.

 

Exactly, the whole 'rust for max spin' thing is just marketing blah and might hurt your game if you play in wet conditions a lot. They found them to be hugely inconsistent with some outliers spinning really low.

 

Interestingly, even though Ping wedges performed the best (which is to be expected) in wet conditions, Ian mentioned during one of their Q&A's that specifically Vokeys held up really well. He didn't specify the finish, but I guess he was talking about the regular satin finish most people will buy. Unfortunately he didn't dive deeper into other brands.

[cgasucks]

I have a few Cobra Trusty Rusty wedges (late 90s version) and to me, they feel very slightly softer than chrome plated or satin finished wedges but I don't see a big difference in spin.  For cleaning, I treat it as any other wedge (cleaning the grooves before every shot and after a round).  Since rusty wedges are made of carbon steel with no chrome or satin layer, there's nothing you can do to stop it from rusting further as it is constantly exposed to air.

Edited February 18, 2022 by cgasucks

[pccasstpro]

Raw unplated wedges have been in my bag for years. When I was a junior (1990"s) everyone had the bright polished chrome, I hated it practicing out of bunkers cause of the glare. Then my dad had taken my wedges to one of his friends that did Black Oxide, once the black wears off it is raw.   

 

As far as feel, it is more of a sound issue, plated always sounded like a "click" at impact. 

No spin difference

Let them rust up, they deserve to be "Battle Worn" it is a badge of honor!   

[thezinfan]

I use raw wedges for glare reduction.

[ALIF]

Satin all day long for this ho.

[m3fuz]

My old RTG588s were the best wedges I ever played.  Loved those.  Played those when I lived in FL, and as others have noted, it's great that the glare is eliminated.  I didn't feel any difference in playability either.  I also played in the mornings there and never noticed an issue with morning dew or after a rain storm (but that's just me).  

[iNeedMoreGolf]

No spin difference really. Maybe a bit more spin retention from the rough but nothing mind blowing. Im sure the pros use them soo much for some reason. They feel maybe just a tad softer. You can soak them in coke or vinegar.. lots of things can clean them up. I cleaned up a rusted wedge came out nice. I just dont care for raw overall though. 🤷

[Jwin323]

If you buy chromed wedges and have the chrome stripped off, that’s where the real benefits show up.

[third-times-a-charm]

I use raw because that’s what the cool guys use. Seems to work fine.

 

callaway has a new raw md5 finish that looks raw but doesn’t rust. Almost like a matte chrome or satin.

[PEI_Golfer]

Performance wise, no difference.  Feel is subjective, so not a fair comparison really.  I love the look of raw wedges and have 2 sets of them, I usually just let them rust away and if I bother to clean them, they get a vinegar bath over night and a wire brush treatment the next day.  Gives them a good look as well until they start to rust up again.

[Sub_Roc]

My beater practice wedge is a Nike Engage Toe Sweep 56* raw copper/gunmetal finish custom grind.  The feel is nicer than some of my more expensive wedges and I love the artisan look.  It can look like a well used gardening implement after a good practice session, but cleans right up with some WD40 and grout brush.

Taje a look:

 

[ProStryker]

I read an article yesterday where Bob Vokey said that most of the Tour pros are using raw.  I have never owned or hit  a raw wedge before, so it made me curious about the benefits.

[Flip4000]

On 2/19/2022 at 8:12 AM, ProStryker said:

I read an article yesterday where Bob Vokey said that most of the Tour pros are using raw.  I have never owned or hit  a raw wedge before, so it made me curious about the benefits.

I assume the use it for glare reduction but mostly because they get custom grinds on their wedges 

[95124hacker]

From a pure design standpoint, non-plated grooves CAN have sharper corners because plating doesn’t stick well to non-radiused grooves. Whether or not OEM’s actually take advantage of this design rule, I don’t know. Also I’m sure there’s a USGA limit on sharpness of grooves from the Ping Eye2 ruling, so there’s that.

[JSSPRADLIN]

On 2/19/2022 at 8:12 AM, ProStryker said:

I read an article yesterday where Bob Vokey said that most of the Tour pros are using raw.  I have never owned or hit  a raw wedge before, so it made me curious about the benefits.

 

That's what made me ask the question.  I've always been under the impression that was because they could make adjustments to the grind week to week.  If you aren't going to do that I was curious if there were any other benefits.  Doesn't sound like it.  If I wanted glare reduction I could just go with black.  

[kepeollie]

8 hours ago, JSSPRADLIN said:

 

That's what made me ask the question.  I've always been under the impression that was because they could make adjustments to the grind week to week.  If you aren't going to do that I was curious if there were any other benefits.  Doesn't sound like it.  If I wanted glare reduction I could just go with black.  

I’m sure it’s also because the only way you can get a Vokey is via Wedge Works, and that makes more$$ for Titleist. 

[14max]

I preferred raw over plated because they sounded less clicky which translated to them feeling softer...

[JNewsted]

Cally Jaws Raw.  Only play em because they look cool not for any performance bump.  A decent scrub and keeping them dry does the trick.