Integra HL-II 72° Wedge...OK, this is nuts

[Bulldog]

I built this several years ago. Yes, it's real.  Here's my review - First, I've never used it in an actual round of golf. It's only been hit on the driving range. Read on to see why.

It has a little less loft than a spatula. You don't have to wear face protection, but you feel like you might need it.  With a nearly full swing, the longest distance I've seen is about 30 yards.  It doesn't produce much spin (I think the ball just slides over the face), but pretty much every shot stops quickly because the trajectory is high (understatement). For me, it is very difficult to use for a couple of reasons.  First, distance control is tough.  The ball she goes up.  The ball she comes down. Maybe, if I practiced with it (a lot), I could get it dialed in, but that's not going to happen.  Second, as you can see in the second picture, the effective hitting area (from the side view) is minuscule.  It's like sliding a knife under the ball.  It requires a microscopic touch for me.  If the ball is sitting up, it's likely to go completely underneath resulting in a 2 foot pop.  If you're like me and tend to automatically open the face of wedges, well the ball isn't going anywhere.  

The biggest plus for this club is that it's a great conversation piece.  If you want to meet people on the range, just offer to let them hit it.  Otherwise just open the face of your lob wedge and leave this at home.

Anyone else have one of these or a higher lofted wedge?

[GIRplus3Putt]

Lol that thing is so ridiculous that I might just need one. Why not right? Solid work sir!

[heavygolffeels]

Interesting read. My first thought was why? Thats going to be so hard to hit and control distance. But seeing the pictures I could actually see that helping that one person that could just not escape a bunker. I played with a gal the other day that would take 3 swings and then just throw the ball on the green with her hands. Her technique was an attempt as a hockey flip shot with a hooded 9 iron. I didnt want to mansplain (sp) anything so I just let her be, but I was thinking get something with some loft and open it up even more and give yourself a chance. I think this 72 would have done her wonders. 

[gavinski91]

Reminds me of golfing with my father-in-law. He carries a 64° wedge and uses it for everything around the green. I have yet to convince him to permanently remove it from his bag - it's painful watching him take a full swing from 20 yards and either catching it fat and advancing it 15 feet, or catching it thin and seeing the ball rocket across the green.

[Bulldog]

Ok, I'll take it to the practice bunker and see what happens.  Stay tuned...

[Bulldog]

I tried some bunker practice.  Bottom line, if hit well (not easy to do), the ball will fly out of the bunker a few yards.  Hitting more than 20 feet is unlikely even with a hard swing.  I also tried using a chipping motion - club way back in my stance. The ball went nowhere even when I took a big swing.   My conclusion - this club is like clown shoes... fun to play around with but not functional.