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Notebook: New wedge face from TaylorMade adds 'grab'

By Jennifer Gardner

GPA Equipment Editor

 

Third-place CA Championship finisher Martin Kaymer was one of a handful of players using a new TaylorMade xFT wedge face for the week.

 

TaylorMade's tour department created the new wedge face in response to player requests for a wedge that would "grab" the ball better. The xFT wedges, which stand for Exchangeable Face Technology, allow players to swap out the face of the wedge without changing the entire club. This is especially effective for players who use special or custom grinds on their wedges, so they can keep the same club but have fresh wedges for play.

 

The new wedge face has 14 grooves instead of 16, like the other wedge faces that TaylorMade offers; it also has slightly different plating.

 

Kaymer had a 58-degree wedge with the new face built for him by the TaylorMade tour van staff. Mike Weir, Peter Hanson and Sean O'Hair also had new wedges made, while Retief Goosen replaced the face in his existing club.

 

SCHWARTZEL NEARLY NABS THIRD WIN: Charl Schwartzel came close to his third win this season with a runner-up finish at the CA Championship. Schwartzel, a South African, has two European Tour titles already this year.

 

To finish second at Doral, Schwartzel, who is a Nike Golf staffer, had a new Nike VR Tour driver, SQ fairway woods, VR Blades, VR wedges and a Nike One Tour D golf ball.

 

DROPPING THE 60: Rory McIlroy, who carries Titleist Vokey Design wedges, mentioned at Doral that he has dropped his 60-degree wedge in favor of a 58-degree model, partly due to the effect of the new grooves mandated as of Jan. 1.

 

"I felt that with the 60-degree lob wedge with the new grooves, the ball sort of just popped up in the air too much with not enough spin," McIlroy said. "Not even rolled up the face, but being sort of bounced off the face, so (I) went to 58 degree to keep the flight down and that give me a little bit more spin and a little bit more control."

 

McIlroy made the change a few weeks ago at the Match Play event, and noted that it worked particularly well in Florida at last week's Honda Classic.

 

 

 

 

 

© 2010 Golf Press Association. All Rights Reserved.

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Cobra King FLYZ+ 10.5* w/ Aldila Rogue 125 R 44.5"

Tour Issued TM M2 10.5 w/ Mitsubishi Tensi CK Pro Blue 60S

Tour Issued TM M2 15* w/ GD Tour AD 7S 43"

TM R7 17.5 HFS w/ Tour AD 7S Stiff 42"

Cobra S3 Pro's 4-pw w/ Aldila RIP Tours SLT 115 Reg. 5i 38.5"

Titleist Vokey Proto's

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TM TP5 X

Scotty Cameron SSS Tiffany 009 350 34.5" or Bettinardi BB1 DASS Proto

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If I remember correctly, TM was originally going to be a conforming face and a non-conforming face. So is TM now offering a third xft plate that offers more "grab"?

 

I took it to mean that the 3rd one was a tour only face because it said that their tour dept. created it.

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I took it to mean that the 3rd one was a tour only face because it said that their tour dept. created it.

 

I wasn't really asking if they are going to be offering it at retail, it was more a question of "am I reading this correctly? does a 3rd face exist?" I'm sure if a third face exists, it will be available somewhere, everything is.

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I wasn't really asking if they are going to be offering it at retail, it was more a question of "am I reading this correctly? does a 3rd face exist?" I'm sure if a third face exists, it will be available somewhere, everything is.

I read it like a third face or lots of tour spec 3rd faces. The dropping 2 grooves for more spin is the part that got me. Is the ruling total groove volume so with 14 rather than 16 the individual grooves can have more volume?

 

Laughed at the second part. OMG hurry and buy a 58, Rory dropped his 60. Sad thing is that this probably happened.

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I read it like a third face or lots of tour spec 3rd faces. The dropping 2 grooves for more spin is the part that got me. Is the ruling total groove volume so with 14 rather than 16 the individual grooves can have more volume?

 

I believe so, yes. They use a formula that takes it into account.

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I read it like a third face or lots of tour spec 3rd faces. The dropping 2 grooves for more spin is the part that got me. Is the ruling total groove volume so with 14 rather than 16 the individual grooves can have more volume?

 

Laughed at the second part. OMG hurry and buy a 58, Rory dropped his 60. Sad thing is that this probably happened.

 

I've never heard of the rule being about total groove volume, but I'm sure someone more technical will shine a light on this for us.

 

You're right about that second part. Some chopper will blame his lack of spin on playing a 60...yeah, that's why I can't spin it, yeah. Need to switch it out because I play just like Rory.

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Maybe the groove rule video addresses the total volume vs. single groove volume issue. will watch again

maybe 1 big groove is next.

 

Someone posted a video from Sports Science recently on a different thread, and I think they included the formula that I mentioned. Is that the video you meant?

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Someone posted a video from Sports Science recently on a different thread, and I think they included the formula that I mentioned. Is that the video you meant?

that is the one. it had some of the calculations, I think.

Volvo Intorqueo

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This groove thing is really starting to wear me out. I am so tired of telling 22 handicappers that "No Sir, Your new wedges are not conforming, but it shouldn't matter, unless you are playing in the US open this year." It's fun, but tiring.

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

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This groove thing is really starting to wear me out. I am so tired of telling 22 handicappers that "No Sir, Your new wedges are not conforming, but it shouldn't matter, unless you are playing in the US open this year." It's fun, but tiring.

 

Do average golfers come into the store worrying about stuff like that? I would have guessed that 90% of the golfing public would have paid no mind.

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Do average golfers come into the store worrying about stuff like that? I would have guessed that 90% of the golfing public would have paid no mind.

Every day, 5 times a day. that would be 25 times a week, for the last year. 1300 discussions about grooves....

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

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Every day, 5 times a day. that would be 25 times a week, for the last year. 1300 discussions about grooves....

 

Do they all want to play with conforming grooves or are they just asking for an explanation of the rules? If the former, do they say why?

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Do they all want to play with conforming grooves or are they just asking for an explanation of the rules? If the former, do they say why?

They feel the need to play conforming grooves, and look at me like I'm an alien if I suggest otherwise. to each his own i suppose. I am going to play the biggest deepest grooves i can for as long as i can.

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

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They feel the need to play conforming grooves, and look at me like I'm an alien if I suggest otherwise. to each his own i suppose. I am going to play the biggest deepest grooves i can for as long as i can.

 

I'm with you, but I'm pleased to see that my expectations about "regular" golfers hold true. They all want to play what they see on tv whether it fits them or not.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus

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I'm with you, but I'm pleased to see that my expectations about "regular" golfers hold true. They all want to play what they see on tv whether it fits them or not.

This is a true statement. People are still duped by the marketing departments of the major companies. If it didn't work, they wouldn't do it.

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

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This is a true statement. People are still duped by the marketing departments of the major companies. If it didn't work, they wouldn't do it.

Zolex?

 

Seriously, have you thought about making brochures that has all the rules and making a display of them next to your wedges?

My gift to you.

 

So Nic, if I am going to the US Open this year do my wedges have to have the new grooves?

Volvo Intorqueo

All the cool kids follow me on twitter: @GolfspyDave

If you are not a cool kid, following me on twitter will make you cool...

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This is a true statement. People are still duped by the marketing departments of the major companies. If it didn't work, they wouldn't do it.

 

Exactly right. Whenever I'm afraid that people are seeing through the nonsense of golf marketing I go and talk to my friend who runs our Sunday morning group. He always reaffirms my faith in the gullibility of golfers.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattSaternus

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Zolex?

 

Seriously, have you thought about making brochures that has all the rules and making a display of them next to your wedges?

My gift to you.

 

So Nic, if I am going to the US Open this year do my wedges have to have the new grooves?

only if you have an onsite parking spot....and a locker.

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

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"I felt that with the 60-degree lob wedge with the new grooves, the ball sort of just popped up in the air too much with not enough spin," McIlroy said. "Not even rolled up the face, but being sort of bounced off the face, so (I) went to 58 degree to keep the flight down and that give me a little bit more spin and a little bit more control."

 

OK... I need a ruling on this one. I thought reducing loft decreases spin. I think this is a bunch of marketing crap.

Callaway FT-9 Driver 10.5* Grafalloy Prolaunch Axis Blue

Callaway FT-9 Driver 9.0* Grafalloy Prolaunch Platinum

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Wilson FYbrid 19* UST Proforce AXIV Core

Cobra Baffler Rail H Hybrid 22* Fujikura Motore

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Ping Redwood ZB Putter, WRX Starshot, 35"

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They feel the need to play conforming grooves, and look at me like I'm an alien if I suggest otherwise. to each his own i suppose. I am going to play the biggest deepest grooves i can for as long as i can.

 

Yeah, why wouldn't they be rushing out to snatch up as many of the non-conforming groove wedges as possible? The amount of mis-information out there regarding equipment is staggering.

Callaway FT-9 Driver 10.5* Grafalloy Prolaunch Axis Blue

Callaway FT-9 Driver 9.0* Grafalloy Prolaunch Platinum

Cobra Baffler Rail F Fairway 15.5* Fujikura Motore

Wilson FYbrid 19* UST Proforce AXIV Core

Cobra Baffler Rail H Hybrid 22* Fujikura Motore

Ping I15 Irons 5-UW AWT

Ping Tour-W 56*,60* DG Spinner

Ping Redwood ZB Putter, WRX Starshot, 35"

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only if you have an onsite parking spot....and a locker.

 

And a trophy wife and a harem of 30 mistresses. Sorry, just couldn't resist. :(

Callaway FT-9 Driver 10.5* Grafalloy Prolaunch Axis Blue

Callaway FT-9 Driver 9.0* Grafalloy Prolaunch Platinum

Cobra Baffler Rail F Fairway 15.5* Fujikura Motore

Wilson FYbrid 19* UST Proforce AXIV Core

Cobra Baffler Rail H Hybrid 22* Fujikura Motore

Ping I15 Irons 5-UW AWT

Ping Tour-W 56*,60* DG Spinner

Ping Redwood ZB Putter, WRX Starshot, 35"

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Zolex?

 

Seriously, have you thought about making brochures that has all the rules and making a display of them next to your wedges?

My gift to you.

 

So Nic, if I am going to the US Open this year do my wedges have to have the new grooves?

 

I wonder if Jack Hamm makes wedges. They would probably go backwards and be graphite shafted.

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Could he hit the wedge over that mountain??

Driver - Ping G430 Max 9° | Ventus Blue TR 
Hybrid - :srixon-small: ZX 16° & 18° | GD Tour IZ S

2 Iron - :srixon-small: ZU65 17° | AeroTech SteelFiber 110icw S

Irons -  :srixon-small: ZX7 MKII  4-Pw | TTDGTI S400, std length  1° flat
Wedges - :cleveland-small: RTX 6 Tour Rack 50° 54° 58° | TTDGTI S400, std length 1° flat

Putter -  L.A.B. Golf Link.1 | LA Golf P135 shaft | Garsen Quad Tour grip
 

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