The Future of Wedges?

[GolfSpy_X]

Adjustable Wedges?

 

There's a lot of talk right now about adjustability when it comes to different golf club designs…it's the new catch-phrase in golf for 2009. But when you hear the term adjustability…people are usually referring to drivers or shafts being adjusted.

 

Although…a company by the name of S. God which we spoke about earlier on MGS (developed the first adjustable loft + face angle driver) has come up with another one of it's golf firsts. This one is called the “Viper Wedge”…and what makes this thingamawedge different is the fact that you can adjust it's bounce. Great for those wedges that have a ton of bounce and are good for the trap but are rendered useless for the average golfer in the fairway.

 

 

But will anyone actually use it you ask? Probably not…but it's still the most outside the box design idea I have seen so far when it comes to the recent golf club ajustability allowances by the USGA…well at least since Nike and Taylormade had you believe that they invented the adjustable driver. I am sure S-God would beg to differ…and it just makes you realize that so much of our US golf technology comes from (aka: stolen) both from small golf companies and overseas manufacturers that you might never have heard of.

 

Look For This Wedge Design To Be Stolen in 2010!

 

Yes…Nike and Taylormade want you to believe that they were the first to invent the new catchy adjustable loft and face angle drivers that you are hearing about…like the Taylormade R9 and the new Nike Str-8 FIT…but I don't think S-God or Nakashima would agree with that. Just another great marketing pitch based on hype to generate and boost sales for the two big US golf companies.

 

Now…this doesn't mean that we feel the S. God clubs perform better…we have tested them and they really don't…but from what our research shows they should at least get credit for being the first. It's always blew my mind, how two golf companies can come out with the exact same technology at the exact same time and both claim it was their idea first…makes me laugh. It has happened so many times…just in the last few years it has happened twice…first with the square head designs and now with the adjustable driver heads.

[mcbush25]

Well, with adjustability being a large selling point in the market today I can see this design being taken and used in some form by some OEM's. I think adjustability will be a large selling point for wedges in years to come, but obviously OEM's are going to have to figure out some design ideas to help generate more spin since the groove rule changes. I really think wedges will become a battle ground of designs over the next few years and replace the battle ground that we have seen in the driver market over the past few years.

[Moecat]

I could see the recessed area where the screw is placed being potentially exacerbating to clean because of clogged dirt/sand/grass/etc. But it's definitely an intriguing idea.

[dmarshal17]

I'm just not in to all of this "on the fly" adjustments I guess. This would be one more thing for a buddy of mine to pull out his "adjustment tool" in the middle of the round to "fix" his wedge. He already does it with his driver, now this would be another thing for me to sit there and drink more beer while he worked on his club. In fact, maybe that's his tactic...get me buzzed and I play worse. I see it now!

[Black Label Johnny]

I think they have a ways to go... Those gaps are like the grand canyon.

 

I think TM is on the right tack with the xft... You can hardly tell the face pops out.

[Matt Saternus]

Would it even be legal to adjust this mid-round? I'm pretty sure it's illegal to change a driver's settings during play, so I imagine the same would be true of wedges. It is an interesting idea, though.

[GolfSpy Dave]

Would it even be legal to adjust this mid-round? I'm pretty sure it's illegal to change a driver's settings during play, so I imagine the same would be true of wedges. It is an interesting idea, though.

I think that the adjustment would be done prior to the round. Casual golfer is hosed though. Adjust driver, swing, adjust fairway, swing, adjust wedge, swing, change putter face, putt, change putter face...

 

At least the TM face one seems like a way to almost reuse a wedge by just changing out the face. I wonder why you can't just walk into a store and buy a new wedge head to put on the still good shaft from your worn out wedge.

[Jballmn]

I think they have a ways to go... Those gaps are like the grand canyon.

 

I think TM is on the right tack with the xft... You can hardly tell the face pops out.

 

Agreed...I think that TM has something in the removable face technology. Replace the face instead of the whole club....brilliant!!

[GolfSpy Dave]

Agreed...I think that TM has something in the removable face technology. Replace the face instead of the whole club....brilliant!!

I think that the new face is almost the price of the complete wedge though...

[TWShoot67]

Sorry I'm a traditionalists. I want my wedges ground by a real craftsman and I really don't want to see guys on the course in between shots adjusting their wedges for each type of shot they feel they need a new bounce on. Just my thoughts!

 

Tim

[Shambles]

The design looks clumsy.

 

 

Shambles

[jamo]

I don't think it would even need to be adjustable, just replaceable sole plates. I would buy the Taylor Made xFT, but my sole would only last 1 or maybe 2 face replacements. Being able to pop a new sole in would be great.

[Addicted2Golf]

I think that the new face is almost the price of the complete wedge though...

 

Yeah, that's what I was going to say. Taylormade got everything right with that club except for the price point.

[Addicted2Golf]

Sorry I'm a traditionalists. I want my wedges ground by a real craftsman and I really don't want to see guys on the course in between shots adjusting their wedges for each type of shot they feel they need a new bounce on. Just my thoughts!

 

Tim

 

Yeah Tim, but the vast majority of amateur golfers will never play a wedge ground by a real craftsman. I've been in Golfsmith a hundred times over the past year and I've never once seen anyone grinding a wedge in the back for a customer...

[Shambles]

Yeah Tim, but the vast majority of amateur golfers will never play a wedge ground by a real craftsman. I've been in Golfsmith a hundred times over the past year and I've never once seen anyone grinding a wedge in the back for a customer...

 

That's only because you guys cost too much. Take a look at the carpentry that MSaternus does as a hobby. I'm pretty sure there are lots of Americans like him.

 

I think many of you could develop the skill to do good grinds if you had the time to try but it's just not worth it to you because you're too busy earning a real living. By the time you retire and can give the time to such a hobby, it's more fun to be out there playing. If you take the time to understand what you want in a wedge, I'm pretty sure many of you will be able to find your way to one either through a friend who hobbies or by developing the hobby yourself.

 

 

Shambles

[NGage]

Can't change it during the round....so I don't see any advantage over just having a different wedge. It's not like an adjustable driver where you'd want to maybe change based on wind or ground conditions (roll vs carry).

[Stephen_Peszel]

I too prefer a simpler system, I cannot imagine changing the face or even angles during a round or at the range, if I need a different club what I do is put the club I am using back in the bag and take out another one, no tools needed, nothing to go wrong...except when I pull out the wrong one and don't read the label.

I will stick to my trusty Wood Bros wedges, the only thing wrong with them is the idiot swinging them.

[Golf & Martial Arts]

I like the idea, many people do get attached to their wedges, so why not hold on to the one for like ever? then again golf equipment is like computers, something is always going to be new, better and faster

[JohnBarry]

It is the future of all golf clubs, adjustable and aerodynamics

[captseadog]

Has anyone ever tried to "regrove" a wedge? I keep thinking I could do it with my dremel tool but I do not know if it is even legal to do it.