What are the most durable wedges, and why?

[eric61]

Are there any current wedge models that anyone here has found to be more durable than others on the market? Or do their grooves wear down at roughly the same pace? 

 

I'm asking this question because there's some chatter in the MG4 thread about the faces feeling like sandpaper at first, but wearing quickly. I haven't played them or their previous iterations, so I'm not commenting on that at all -- I have no idea if it's true. But seeing that chatter, and knowing that Vokey typically recommends swapping wedges out after 75ish rounds, did get me wondering if there are any wedges that stand out as being particularly durable. 

 

Any thoughts on what about the construction of wedges causes them to either wear more quickly or hold up longer? Whether it's material they're made with, finish, the way the grooves are designed, or anything else? 

 

Just something I've wondered about -- curious to know if anybody has any observations along these lines.

[caniac6]

I just got some Mizuno wedges, not sure of the model, but they have a small cavity, and they are advertised as lasting longer. I can’t remember the exact reason, but it is on the website. I’m happy with the results, and the ball checks better than any wedge I’ve ever played. 

[Kmagnuss]

I don't have anything to back this up, but would cast wedges last longer than forged, since the metal would typically be softer on forged?

Case in point, is there a single Ping Eye 2 ever made that has been worn out?  I don't knot this for fact... just sort of a guess.

[kmay__]

I would think a cast wedge like the Vokey, with chrome plating, would have the potential to be the longest lasting. And opposite to that a forged wedge that is "raw" would likely be the quickest to wear. 

[Moonlightgrm]

The Cleveland RTX ZipCore wedges are very durable for a forged wedge. I have played over 300-rounds with 3 ZipCore wedges (46*, 50*, 54*) and they still perform giving me plenty of “juice/zip” on the greens.

[tlehmann]

Wiping the face between each shot when practicing, and minimizing range time with a 60* is what I do.  I keep my previous 60* in my bag as a "range wedge" as well.

[Nelson.br.1515]

Most durable (insert whatever golf equipment) normally goes to PING. So I’ll throw my vote in for the PING glides, especially the 2.0s. 

[chinaski]

5 minutes ago, Moonlightgrm said:

The Cleveland RTX ZipCore wedges are very durable for a forged wedge. I have played over 300-rounds with 3 ZipCore wedges (46*, 50*, 54*) and they still perform giving me plenty of “juice/zip” on the greens.

Those aren't forged. I have bothe Raw RTX4 and Zipcore. Great wedges though. The LOW 60 is fantastic. 

[Cwebb]

These are extra durable for a forged head....https://www.golfworks.com/maltby-tsw-drm-forged-wedges/p/ma0332/

Edited September 18, 2023 by Cwebb

[obsessed_golfer]

Don't forget Vokey is also saying replace your wedges every 75 rounds so he can sell more wedges! 

[b.mattay]

1 hour ago, Nelson.br.1515 said:

Most durable (insert whatever golf equipment) normally goes to PING. So I’ll throw my vote in for the PING glides, especially the 2.0s. 

They are okay but I find wedges just don't last long. My Ping Glide 3.0 has no grooves left after 100 rounds, and the sole looks like I took a grinder to it. To be fair, I find Vokeys do this after about 70 rounds. I find regardless of the wedge, that browning starts occuring after about 50 rounds. 

[jholz]

5 minutes ago, b.mattay said:

They are okay but I find wedges just don't last long. My Ping Glide 3.0 has no grooves left after 100 rounds, and the sole looks like I took a grinder to it. To be fair, I find Vokeys do this after about 70 rounds. I find regardless of the wedge, that browning starts occuring after about 50 rounds. 

 

Good gravy man. I assume you play in dry river beds?

 

In any event, you confirm that Ping tends to last longest. I'd put cast Cleveland's at a close second. 

[Kmagnuss]

1 minute ago, jholz said:

 

Good gravy man. I assume you play in dry river beds?

 

In any event, you confirm that Ping tends to last longest. I'd put cast Cleveland's at a close second. 

I have some old REG 588's that have thousands of shots on them.  The chrome is gone but they still stop just fine.

[pitchnputt]

Seems like re-finishing wedge faces should be a more common thing than just getting new ones all the time. What am I missing?

[elwhippy]

Got to be Ping. Especially older models. Would survive the apocalypse and still spin. 

[MChamberlain]

You should give Bettinardi HLX wedges a try. Search for some 3.0 on the bay. You won't be disappointed. 

[Ger21]

7 hours ago, eric61 said:

I'm asking this question because there's some chatter in the MG4 thread about the faces feeling like sandpaper at first, but wearing quickly.

There are two kinds of wear when dealing with wedges.

A lot of modern wedges have additional "treatments" to increase spin. These can include lasered features, rough face milling, or blasted faces to give them roughness. These will wear fairly rapidly, depending on conditions and what you do with them.

Grooves themselves will usually wear much more slowly, but again, it depends on conditions.

Sandy ranges are the enemy of wedges. Hitting balls with sand on them, or not cleaning sand off the faces after every shot, is similar to sand blasting the faces. It's the sand that removes the chrome "browning" and wears out the grooves.

I rarely hit off sandy ranges, and when I do, I keep everything as clean and sand free as possible. I've played wedges for nearly 10 years with practically zero wear on them.

My current wedges, with a black nitride finish, have very little wear, with about 70 rounds on them. And most of the wear is from bunkers.

[dubbelbogey]

I'm pretty convinced that raking ball after ball on the range without cleaning the clubface is a main cause of rapid wedge wear.

 

Ranges tend to have very sandy soil (some are so sandy they're about like hitting out of a fairway bunker). 

 

Give your wedges a quick wipe with a towel between shots and your wedges will likely last a lot longer. I know they have for me. Plus the short pause between shots is probably beneficial for your practice routine, anyway.

 

[kthomas]

9 hours ago, caniac6 said:

I just got some Mizuno wedges, not sure of the model, but they have a small cavity, and they are advertised as lasting longer. I can’t remember the exact reason, but it is on the website. I’m happy with the results, and the ball checks better than any wedge I’ve ever played. 

 

I believe Mizuno uses Boron in their wedges to increase longevity. Not sure what that translates to in the real world for extra longevity though. 

[Kale_m]

I have rtx4 with like 175 rounds on them and lots of practice and they still spin like crazy.  Don’t listen to a manufacturer.. they are a buisness remember.. they sell wedges 

[regiwstruk]

Artisan…no idea why they last as long as they do but I play a lot and get at least two years out of every batch. Best in the world.

Edited September 19, 2023 by regiwstruk

[gibbyfan]

I have Edel wedges and they are pretty solid as well. I also have a set of Miura's that are pretty good too. Like others I don't practice with my gamers. I use older wedges to take the beating. 

[Moonlightgrm]

10 hours ago, chinaski said:

Those aren't forged. I have bothe Raw RTX4 and Zipcore. Great wedges though. The LOW 60 is fantastic. 

Directly from the Cleveland website: These wedges are forged from 8620 carbon steel so the extreme heat removes impurities and makes the grain structure more uniform and durable.

[goje22]

All of the ping wedges will be the best in their class in my opinion. Stainless steel is just better (ignore glide 4.0 and the pro models which are outliers to me). 
 

Glide OG - 3.0 were all excellent in durability + outstanding with respect to feel. However the 17-4 Gorge Tour / Tour-S stainless wedges are pretty darn good feeling with even more wear resistance.  
 

if you have a tumbled Ping wedge head (like the eye2 Gorge or XG, G20, etc) you know those are the true pinnacle of durability. Ping will completely refurbish those for a super reasonable price too. 

Edited September 19, 2023 by goje22
Spelling, oof.

[MChamberlain]

After you purchase a new set of wedges keep your old set to use at the range...prolong the grove sharpness of your newer wedges by using them only on the course and warming up before your round.

Edited September 19, 2023 by MChamberlain

[Kai Slater]

 

 

[chinaski]

9 hours ago, Moonlightgrm said:

Directly from the Cleveland website: These wedges are forged from 8620 carbon steel so the extreme heat removes impurities and makes the grain structure more uniform and durable.

 

They are cast. The heat treatment is not a true forging. The only forged wedges they make are for JDM. 

[oskaru]

I have two raw, forged Cleveland REG 588's that still work fine and get enough spin to hold greens despite being 10 years old. Keeping the grooves clean and wiping them with a towel after every shot does wonders.

 

Sure, I haven't done a ton of bunker practice over the years, but I'm still pretty amazed by the durability. I dabbled with some Nike Engage wedges for a season and a half and they got more scuffed up and faces appeared more worn than the Clevelands. All this while striking the perfect balance between softness and feedback.

[eric61]

5 minutes ago, oskaru said:

I have two raw, forged Cleveland REG 588's that still work fine and get enough spin to hold greens despite being 10 years old. Keeping the grooves clean and wiping them with a towel after every shot does wonders.

 

Sure, I haven't done a ton of bunker practice over the years, but I'm still pretty amazed by the durability. I dabbled with some Nike Engage wedges for a season and a half and they got more scuffed up and faces appeared more worn than the Clevelands. All this while striking the perfect balance between softness and feedback.

Seems like these older Clevelands are coming up a lot. I've been looking for some used ones, just to try since so many people seem to love them. Hard to find many for lefties, though.

[eric61]

9 hours ago, goje22 said:

All of the ping wedges will be the best in their class in my opinion. Stainless steel is just better (ignore glide 4.0 and the pro models which are outliers to me). 
 

Glide OG - 3.0 were all excellent in durability + outstanding with respect to feel. However the 17-4 Gorge Tour / Tour-S stainless wedges are pretty darn good feeling with even more wear resistance.  
 

if you have a tumbled Ping wedge head (like the eye2 Gorge or XG, G20, etc) you know those are the true pinnacle of durability. Ping will completely refurbish those for a super reasonable price too. 

What was the difference in your view with the Glide 4.0 and Forged Pro vs. older models? I never hit any of the previous models, so just curious!