Forged Wedges

bellerivecc · March 1, 2006

What brand do you prefer?

I have been a fan of Mizuno wedges ever since I started playing the game. I am looking to replace them this spring. I am not a fan of Cast wedges. I hit my sand wedge 120 and my lob wedge 100 yards, but my gap wedge doesn't go anywhere. Which set of wedges would you like in your bag today: TaylorMade Y-Cutter, Mizuno MP, Adams, Nike, Snake Eyes, Callaway, Ping, SonarTec, or Bridgestone? Thanks in advance for the recommendations.

Sakman · March 1, 2006

Here's my choice...

Scratch

dan360 · March 1, 2006

Currently in my bag are Mizuno MP Black Ox and Vokey Spin Milled. The MP's replaced my worn out and severly thrashed 588 TG's and the Vokey's replaced the completely worn out Snake Eyes 'EV' originals.

I like all of them, but if I *had* to pick an order:

1. Cleveland 588 TG

2. Snake Eyes 'EV'

3. Mizuno MP

4. Vokey Spin Milled

...if I can round up more TG's that's what will be in play most of the time.

abc123tyler · March 1, 2006

I never thought I would say this but....

I just bought a 54.10 TM RAC BLACK and I love the thing. Can play it out of the fairway, the bunker, or the rough. It feels great but not too soft either. Oh ya, it spins

I also have a Nike raw 58.14 and it is pretty good for the soft bunkers at my home course.

willie991 · March 1, 2006

Okay, we want forged wedges so, first, let's eliminate the cast wedges from your list. Ping, TM, Adams are all cast. I couldn't find any wedges listed on Sonartec's website. So, that leaves us with Nike, Miz, Snake Eyes, Callaway, or Bridgestone. I'll catch some flack from this, but with Snake Eyes under Golfsmith's name you are virtually dependant on a clubmaker to put something together that will work for you. Ernie's original Snake Eyes were awesome. I, personally, don't have the same feelings towards the Snake Eyes componets of today.

Whew! Now we're down to 4... Miz, Nike, Callaway, and Bridgestone. I currently have MP32's in the bag. Have had Miz T wedges, and just fought with them. They seem to have a love/hate relationship with those who purchase them. Many folks love them. It wasn't the fault of the wedges in my bag... it was me... but... You asked what we would put in our bags and I wouldn't put the Miz's back in.

Bridgestone is gaining popularity, but still struggles in the U.S. marketplace. Make excellent equipment, but I don't have any experience with them. So, I would pass unless I had the opportunity to try them for a substantial time before purchasing.

Two to go! Nike or Callaway. If I was set on a forged wedge today it would be one of these two. I am dying to hit the new Callaway X wedges. Roger Cleveland is still involved in Callaway's wedge design. If these play nearly as good as they look... I would put them in the bag in a heartbeat. But, I also like what I see of the newer Nike wedges. I'm not going to choose between these two until I can "spend some quality time" with both. I honestly think it would come down to which ever of these two I could get the best deal on to get them in the bag.

Okay, I should just stop there... but... Keep in mind the bulk of wedges played on tour are cast. Vokey, Cleveland, Ping... all cast. If there was a feel issue I can't believe all of these pros would be playing cast. This game, however, is 90% mental and the other 10% all in your head. If you think forged wedges are what you want, go for it!! You will play better with clubs that you are certain, in your mind, are better. Good luck in your search for wedges.

tbowles411 · March 1, 2006

Another component if you want to go that route are KZG forged wedges. A great wedge, but of course a clubmaker needs to put them together for you.

bo2484 · March 1, 2006

First i know they are cast and that is not what you want but ping tour wedges black nickel are the best, most predictable wedge on the market IMHO, i have the x-tour md's and they are good, but i have found that they spin almost too much, kinda like the spin milled

onemomentintime · March 1, 2006

Ernie's original Snake Eyes were awesome. I, personally, don't have the same feelings towards the Snake Eyes componets of today.

..thats a dead on comment. right now they are in the bag...ones that have some custom grinding on them. but i have some new ones right around the corner coming out soon.

bencash · March 1, 2006

I have to ask onemomentintime do you have a 3 bumper sticker.

alcap26 · March 1, 2006

I prefer Scratch also. Get them made the way you want them. Great wedges.

TW1973 · March 2, 2006

You must consider the MacGregor Tour wedges in Custom Grind. Go see your local MacGregor dealer and get them to build you a wedge exactly the way you like it. I have a 54* VIP wedge custom ground to have a cambered sole, dual grind heel, *8 bounce, shorter toe and all made to look like my old Cleveland 900 Low Bounce from above. These guys are great and it is well worth the price. There are different options that are all fairly standard listed on the website for topline and toe and camber options, however when you talk to customer service directly (Don Kilkenny), they will do what ever you want. They will even send you the raw head for aproval before it gets chromed for you to tweak if necessary. They go the extra mile.

TW

chas1723 · March 2, 2006

Mizuno MP would be my choice. Actually it is my choice since I play 54* and 58* Black Ox wedges. I stripped the Black OX off of them and polished them up a little.

chisag · March 2, 2006

.. i have not hit the sonartec, but have owned all the others mentioned. for feel, the mp-t and nike stand apart from the rest...imo the raw nike forged 60* wedge is the best all around lw ever made. if you play fluffy sand, it probably won't work. but for all other conditions the thinner sole and drop away heel are perfect for virtually any lie from the bunker to hardpan. if you like to open the face and hit full swing flop shots from close range, this is your wedge. the feel is as soft as any wedge i have hit. i bought 3 so as they wear out i can just replace them with the same wedge.

... my second choise would be the mp-t. the slightly wider sole performs well in fluffy sand and most other conditions. the feel is equal to the nike, and they are a little more durable. the black nickel was my favorite, and wished i still had it. both have a pretty straight leading edge which is my preference. if you prefer a rounded leading edge the mp and callaway would be a better fit.

mr_divots · March 2, 2006

Get some more Miz if you like them. I have MP Black Ox and love them. I got a set of the TM Rac TP's, but they're gonna have to be pretty darn good to knock the MP's out of my bag.

I'm curious though: You said forged wedges, but gave many examples of cast wedges? Why is forged so important? Personally, I like the Miz because of the sole design and head shape, not the fact that they're forged.