Go with DTC wedge, or major brand? Which is better bang for the buck, and which is the better product?

[hidrives]

I'm looking for a good, moderate priced wedge ($100-$175). I asked a while ago about people's thoughts on DTC and a consistent response was go with the Callaway preowned site and get a used major brand. Unfortunately, shipping to my home on that site costs $25, which kind of negates the value of getting used.

 

So now I'm going to buy new, but wonder if people see DTC as just as good as major brands, or more questionable because there are inconsistencies in production or the good performs more poorly. (And of course there are a wide range of both, so if people use one they think to be 'great,' please identify it.)

[ShortGolfer]

I've bought  a couple of like new wedges for $100 to $150 off eBay.  Including tax and shipping.

Downside is the waiting for it to arrive, unlike Amazon Prime, which has a fabulous delivery service.

 

If you are on a budget you may want to look for older models, rather than a closeout of last year's model.

Some very highly rated wedges don't sell for much because they are old. 

But, as long as the grooves are legal, why not buy an old wedge and put on a new grip?

Edited July 10 by ShortGolfer

[hidrives]

3 minutes ago, ShortGolfer said:

I've bought  a couple of like new wedges for $100 to $150 off eBay.  Including tax and shipping.

Downside is the waiting for it to arrive, unlike Amazon Prime, which has a fabulous delivery service.

 

If you are on a budget you may want to look for older models, rather than a closeout of last year's model.

Some very highly rated wedges don't sell for much because they are old. 

But, as long as the grooves are legal, why not buy an old wedge and put on a new grip?

To be honest, shipping is a killer for me. I live in Hawaii so buying ebay or most brands is ridiculous shipping, so I'm looking at DTC so I can get a decent price (assuming the product is good), or buying a major brand which I can get at a local shop.

 

I also am super leery of buying used wedges. Of all the clubs in my bag, that tends to be the one I buy new most consistently due to worries about worn groves. I'm fine spending an extra $30 to know I'm getting a club that will last longer, vs. buying used and hoping the grooves aren't so worn that I lose some action on my chips. 

[CROUSE99]

I bought two Sub 70 wedges a couple of months ago.  The 286 model in 52 degrees and 56 degrees.  I am very pleased with them.  These work as well or better for me than any other wedges I have owned.  They have a lot of shaft choices and the price can't be beat.

[GDB67]

New Level wedges are cool. And  2 for $260 or 3 for $360

not sure on shipping. 
Sub70 makes good wedges as well. The TAiii  is sweet. Awesome people to deal

with as well. 
SM9 can be found for $149 new. Plentiful too. Depends on your shipping and from what store. etc.. 

happy hunting. 🍻
 

[ShortGolfer]

Oh, you live in Hawaii.  I grew up there!  I remember when Kauai getting UPS service was a Big Deal! 

Expensive today, but I recall when there was no alternative to the US Postal Service.

I'd need a year to downsize my stuff before returning to the Islands.

 

In that case you may want to see if you can have more than one club shipped to you.  Maybe a buddy needs a new wedge as well?

If someone is closing out SM9s maybe you can put together a group order to reduce shipping to something reasonable?

 

I play ladies flex clubs.  It isn't hard to find ladies clubs with mint condition faces!  Don't buy unless you  can carefully examine a photograph.

Slow swing speeds.  Low compression soft balls.  Ladies that only play once in a while all combine to make mint condition clubs available.

I don't put a lot of wear on my clubs unless a rock gets stuck between the club face and the ball.

Edited July 10 by ShortGolfer

[naj959]

When my 56* vokey got stolen I put the Maltby MG tour grind I stashed into the bag. Quality is every but as good as the Vokey. Previously I was using this club for practice bunkers and the grooves have held up very well. I still have a Vokey lob wedge and the grooves don't seem to be holding up as well. Maltby might spin a fraction more then the vokey it replaced. My only complaint is the MG has a sharper leading edge that can dig if you get really steep.

[ShortGolfer]

18 minutes ago, naj959 said:

My only complaint is the MG has a sharper leading edge that can dig if you get really steep.

I have an old Big Bertha 54* SW and noticed it had a leading edge very similar to my 56* M grind.

It only took ten minutes with a file to change the leading edge of the SW to match that of the M grind!

 

Now I basically have a 54* M grind with perimeter weighting! 

Three years ago that SW only cost me $36, including tax and shipping!

It was my full swing 37 yard club around the greens until I got fitted for new clubs.

Having a club like that gave me confidence that I could learn short game golf.

Just like holing ten foot putts for birdies.  It is a binary in that you either have the confidence to make the shot or not.

 

 

Edited July 10 by ShortGolfer

[ANimz]

1 hour ago, hidrives said:

I'm looking for a good, moderate priced wedge ($100-$175). I asked a while ago about people's thoughts on DTC and a consistent response was go with the Callaway preowned site and get a used major brand. Unfortunately, shipping to my home on that site costs $25, which kind of negates the value of getting used.

 

So now I'm going to buy new, but wonder if people see DTC as just as good as major brands, or more questionable because there are inconsistencies in production or the good performs more poorly. (And of course there are a wide range of both, so if people use one they think to be 'great,' please identify it.)

Grab some Kirklands.  Well reviewed and a lot less expensive.  

[ANimz]

Or look for sales on older models.  The S23's are marked down in the $120's now.  

[NJBigFish22]

I bought Sub70 and can’t tell any real difference between the Cleveland or TM I have used previously.  I like a particular wedge shaft, so having it built by Sub70 for a $10 up charge versus a $169 wedge turning into $200 with the Cleveland’s made sense to me.

[LoopySwing13]

1 hour ago, ANimz said:

Grab some Kirklands.  Well reviewed and a lot less expensive.  

Are these store only? I debated trying them as a cheaper 52/56/60 experiment but don’t see them online.

 

edit - out of stock! 

Edited July 11 by LoopySwing13

[ANimz]

1 minute ago, LoopySwing13 said:

Are these store only? I debated trying them as a cheaper 52/56/60 experiment but don’t see them online 

Online through Costco new.  But you have to have a membership, or know someone that has one.  I see a set on Amazon as well, but a priced $70 more.

[TUCKITIN]

I've played Sub70 in the past and have loved them. Still practice with them. You won't be disappointed.

[larryd3]

Another recommendation for Sub70 wedges.  I've got 2 in the bag and am very pleased with them.  They have several different choices and then lots of shaft, grip choices to customize them.  Give them a call and talk thru your needs.  Great products and people.  

[ShortGolfer]

If you have to spend a lot in shipping, I would buy a closeout SM9 Vokey.  The prices are really good for new in plastic clubs as the SM10s are now available.

Vokey has a reputation that should make it easy to sell or trade for something else if it turns out you made  bad choice.  Vokey also has a wide selection of choices to fit just about any need.

Edited July 11 by ShortGolfer

[speedeuphoria]

Maltby? Not sure on shipping

 

 

Just got 2 TSW DRM and they are great!

Edited July 12 by speedeuphoria

[RolandofGilead]

 

On 7/10/2024 at 3:16 PM, hidrives said:

So now I'm going to buy new, but wonder if people see DTC as just as good as major brands, or more questionable because there are inconsistencies in production or the good performs more poorly. (And of course there are a wide range of both, so if people use one they think to be 'great,' please identify it.)

I can only speak for Maltby but the wedges I have played are every bit as good as major OEMs (played great Vokey and Cleveland wedges in the past). The TSW series are a high quality players wedge backed by the company’s strong history of club head design innovation. There is only one grind but I find it to be very versatile and playable. They don’t have great photos on their website so here are a few of mine - this is the 56* with darker DRM finish.

 

 

Edited July 12 by RolandofGilead

[HeftyLefty5]

I'm carrying 4 Sub70 wedges in the bag right now and am enjoying them quite a lot! Two hole outs in the first two weeks made for a nice honeymoon phase lol!

[Springsteennut]

Another vote for Sub 70. 

[Liveonce]

Picked up 3 brand new jaws raw wedges for $300 with tax from CPO can’t beat that.

[fang510]

Cleveland makes great wedges that are available on Amazon. Hope that takes care of the shipping part

[bgfgolf]

I have 3 Maltby TSW wedges (52, 56,60) and a 48 degree sub70 286 wedge. I’d give the nod to Maltby just because sub70 steel is too soft and the wear has been much more rapid than on the maltbys. The “feel” is no different, so there isn’t any upside to sub70 using such a soft metal.

 

performance wise all four have been excellent. I got the sub70 on sale and value for all 4 can’t be beat.

[Mako J]

If you build your own gear, the ability to buy high performing great looking heads for <$60 is a no brainer to me. At that price, hell, buy two and some bbfs of your choice and stay in fresh grooves.

[dmeeksDC]

The latest New Level SPN wedges are excellent. The Versatile sole is good for all shots. Like the beveled sole. They do not dig. You also can buy just the heads. 
 

Also like the Maltby TSW wedges. 
 

I usually go with new clubs but not new releases. When Ping Glide 4’s (same wedges Bryson plays) went on sale they were cheaper than the DTC. 
 

In my bag I’ve got a New Level gap wedge at 50, with Glide 4 standard grind at 54 and their high toe E grind at 58 lob wedge. The E grind is essentially idiot-proof from bunkers or really, any difficult lie. 

[AZstu324]

Cleveland RTX Zipcore, Vokey SM8, TM MG3 TW grind.. these are all wedges that I've played over the last few years BUT none of them compare to my Maltby MAX milled. These things are better feeling, higher spinning, and really good looking at address. Being a pretty decent wedge player, using these is like a serious cheat code. Yeah they're GI style wedges but from address they're a pretty nice profile. 

 

 

 

 

 

[GDB67]

This thread convinced me to buy a set (50,54,58) SUB70 TaIII wedges in satin. I put the project x wedge shaft in em 

Pics when I get em. 👍🏻
They’re gonna replace my vokey sm9 in the bag currently. 
Fresh grooves rulez !!! 🍻

[vietnameeh]

Maltby TSW are awesome

[brutusflash]

Another Sub 70 vote here- 58 JB full face.  Good mix of bounces as well.

Flash

[bopper53]

I have owned all of the major companies wedges. I dumped the SM10's .

 

I settled on Edison Wedges.  I love the feel and the bite.  awesome out of a bunker or hard pan.

 

They are very forgiving and good looking wedges at a great price.