Indi Golf Wedges - 2023 Forum Review

[BMart519]

Initial on course review after 4 rounds:
Improved SG Short Game (<50 yd) by +1.0 SG exactly. Up/down improved to 28% from 26% (while losing 1.2 strokes putting which hurts the up/down rate)
Improved SG Approach by +1.47 SG from 50-150 yards (and 0.79 SG from 50-100 - these wedges only used up to about 110...)
- These 2 distances were a priority for improvement this season as the main approach distances I lose strokes vs a 5 index. I am now +0.17SG from 50-150 vs -1.3 SG since the change which is giving me plenty to think about in staying with a 5 wedge setup. Especially since GIR is up 5% in this range vs season average while playing new courses at the Wilderness Club in Montana and Indian Springs Ranch with tucked pins after club championship. 

Sand play has been hit and miss, some really good shots were offset by a greenside skull OB. I need more data to see if the 60 is justified for limited greenside rough and bunker work vs another club at top of the bag. 

Suffice it to say, there is little risk in these not being gamed after gaining 1.8 shots inside 100 yards since the transition. I was unable to log 3 rounds during this time due to technical issues or would have nearly double the data. It will be interesting to see if these numbers regress with less practice time spent learning the carry distances and behavior around the green. 

[BallsLeon]

@BMart519 have you played any rounds yet without the 60°? Curious if you had any thoughts on that.

Really enjoying the reviews from everyone so far!

[Dead Solid Bogey]

Any of the testers or anyone else playing the NONconforming Indie wedges? If so, your thoughts on the results. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

21 minutes ago, Dead Solid Bogey said:

Any of the testers or anyone else playing the NONconforming Indie wedges? If so, your thoughts on the results. 

For this test we kept it to only conforming grooves.

It was part of the larger discussion with Indi and future member tests. Which we hope will include a non conforming only wedge test!

[Nunfa0]

After playing these in anger a few times, a couple of things are sticking out.

Around the greens these wedges are super forgiving. I have a terrible habit of hitting chips and pitches off the toe when I open the face, and with the Indi's this is not a problem. Yes, there is a drop off of in performance, but it is small and manageable.  This feeds into the second thing...

These wedges are fuelling a boost in confidence in my short game!! I actually feel good when eyeing up a difficult chip and feel confident that I can pull it off. 

More testing still to do but these clubs are looking like they have found a home in my bag.

[Willie T]

Been a few days since posting.  Played today with my niece’s husband, they’re down for the Labor Day weekend.  We played at one of his preferred courses. The scores were nothing to boast of, therefore I will just talk wedges.  First opportunity - hole 2, after the PW comes a little short, opt for the 58*.  About 4 yds off the green in the short rough, make a smooth clip of the ball with just enough spin to finish about 5’ from the hole.  Two putt (putting was a lot of near miss 1st putt).  Two holes later and I’m about 50 yds short of the green.  Again I opt for the 58* and again I finish below the cup about 10’ out.  At six I’m pin high right, first mistake of the day - pulled the 50* and should have went 58*.  Still to chip the ball and see it ease just by barely missing the hole is sweet.  Second shot on 8 puts me in the greenside bunker.  Line up the 54* straight on, ball comes out with a splash of sand and finishes less than 3ft from the ball. Tap in par!  Short on nine and 58* again.  Again easy pitch and a 3’ tap in for par.  (Can we say confidence).  Back nine - ten, 10yd short, 54* to 6ft; thirteen, second shot ends on greenside bunker edge, awkward stance and I hit it into the far bank and rolls back to middle. Hit a second 54* and we are less than 2’ for a tap in bogie; fourteen, second shot on greenside mogul.  Ball below feet, 58* delivers an easy pitch to within 3’ of pin, putt lips out for bogie; seventeen, par 3 tee shot pulled left, in a slot below the green.  58* to the rescue with a solid pitch about 30yds to 3’ and eighteen, laying 3 on the par 5 need a solid pitch from about 47yds to get an up and down par. The 54* delivers to 5’. The putter fails to sink the par.  
I know that was a lot of details but it shows the confidence that I have with the Indi wedges.  The course conditions were from slightly soft to very firm.  Loving how the wedges work in all conditions. 

[RichL85]

Nothing too specific for a check-in with the Indi wedges for me. I will mention that I am now a little bit conscious of opening the face of the club a few degrees at address and it has been giving me better results. I'm seeing less of the 3-5 yard left pulls and more importantly, I'm not seeing the wedges dig into the turf randomly. I will echo @Nunfa0 and his comments on the forgiveness with chipping around the green. I don't see a huge drop off in distance if I'm a little out towards the toe. It's there, but it's not quite as penalizing as I have seen with past wedges. They are finally starting to come around for me after the initial adjustment period and putting up a serious fight for a spot in my bag.

[BMart519]

On 9/3/2023 at 10:33 AM, BallsLeon said:

@BMart519 have you played any rounds yet without the 60°? Curious if you had any thoughts on that.

Really enjoying the reviews from everyone so far!

SMALL SAMPLE SIZE ALERT:

I still only have 4 rounds logged in Shot Scope with these wedges at 3 different courses (2 of which I never played before). 1 round I did not use the 60 and gained 2.5 shots in short game vs my index. The other 3 I lost an average of 0.7 shots, but these rounds were all on newer courses with tougher pins and green complexes comparitively. There is also some bias in those numbers as the 60 is usually reserved for short sided situations and greenside bunkers where I want maximum height and stopping power over the 56. During the round I only used the 56 I was also in less trouble and 1 of the weaknesses of strokes gained is not differentiating for short sided and severe slopes greenside.  

The 60 has been my go to for greenside bunker shots due to the wider sole even with lower bounce after some initial success with it in practice and rounds that I was unable to track. But I should experiment with the 56 more. This is something I will look to try in the future as I get a couple last rounds in before some big golf trips starting at the end of September. 

[Willie T]

Played today, but with a twist, I purposely played short going into all 18 holes.  The plan was to be “near GIR” to where I had to wedge on.  I knew this would be a challenge to not let the potential for bogie and double bogie get to me, but man it was fun.  Here’s my log sheet - love making notes: 

All in all the wedges delivered predictable distance control inspiring confidence to go flag hunting. 

[BMart519]

On 9/5/2023 at 9:43 AM, BMart519 said:

SMALL SAMPLE SIZE ALERT:

I still only have 4 rounds logged in Shot Scope with these wedges at 3 different courses (2 of which I never played before). 1 round I did not use the 60 and gained 2.5 shots in short game vs my index. The other 3 I lost an average of 0.7 shots, but these rounds were all on newer courses with tougher pins and green complexes comparitively. There is also some bias in those numbers as the 60 is usually reserved for short sided situations and greenside bunkers where I want maximum height and stopping power over the 56. During the round I only used the 56 I was also in less trouble and 1 of the weaknesses of strokes gained is not differentiating for short sided and severe slopes greenside.  

The 60 has been my go to for greenside bunker shots due to the wider sole even with lower bounce after some initial success with it in practice and rounds that I was unable to track. But I should experiment with the 56 more. This is something I will look to try in the future as I get a couple last rounds in before some big golf trips starting at the end of September. 

Played a quick 9 at a familiar course to try and sharpen up my tee shots prior to a big golf trip in 2 weeks and work on my new CBX 119 16 deg hybrid (which is a bomber). I intended to avoid using the 60 but ended up facing 30 (from trees/fescue), 40 (rough), and 50 (fairway) yard shots over bunkers into the greens. Overall, the 60 performed excellent from these various lies/distances as I executed each shot as I imagined but chose improper landing areas. This gave me more confidence using the 60 moving forward and it will likely be a course specific choice whether I carry the 60 or replace it with a longer club. 

I do think the 60 is more of a specialty club for these types of situations and looking to use the 56 when close to the green is the better play. 

[Willie T]

Squeezed in another round today as son was off and wanted to play.  Had some very good swings with the Indi’s, my son hit a few as well along side his Mizuno’s.  He really likes the feel of the Indi wedges, but if he were to get them it would be steel shafts as he uses steel in his irons and wedges.  Time to collect thoughts on the past few rounds.  

[tony@CIC]

On 9/3/2023 at 12:36 PM, Dead Solid Bogey said:

Any of the testers or anyone else playing the NONconforming Indie wedges? If so, your thoughts on the results. 

I've got the 54* and 60* but just had them out about 4 times. I'm struggling with tight lies here in Fl along with distance control. However, I think it's a function of me vs the wedges. I'm playing several times next week so I can provide a better response. Note: I've gone from a SM9 54* and a Ping Glide 3.0 60* both with steel shafts to the FLX with F3 Recoils (which I have in my irons).  

[Dead Solid Bogey]

31 minutes ago, tony@CIC said:

I've got the 54* and 60* but just had them out about 4 times. I'm struggling with tight lies here in Fl along with distance control. However, I think it's a function of me vs the wedges. I'm playing several times next week so I can provide a better response. Note: I've gone from a SM9 54* and a Ping Glide 3.0 60* both with steel shafts to the FLX with F3 Recoils (which I have in my irons).  

Thank you…. Will be interested in your thoughts from your results… 

[BMart519]

Lip out from the bunker with the 60... And another sand shot executed exactly how I wanted. But 1 shot from each of 40 & 50 yards lost me strokes today though after leaving both short. Given my lack of self control, I will definitely need to leave the 60 in the trunk if I am ever going to try and play without it. 

 

[RichL85]

After an interesting testing period with the Indi wedges, my final review has been posted. Did they live up to the claim of being the Kings of Spin?

[BallsLeon]

Solid work @RichL85! Good review and analysis 

[Willie T]

Final review thoughts posted this morning....did they take over the bag?   Thinking its time to play a "non-test" round with the INDI's in tow. 

Edited September 14, 2023 by Willie T
grammar

[Willie T]

5 hours ago, Willie T said:

Thinking it’s time to play a "non-test" round with the INDI's in tow. 

Well first non-test round in the books.  Had some really good wedge shots today, the best was the 54 from 44yds dropping just past the pin and stopping less than 3’ for an easy par.  Getting really comfortable with the INDI wedges. 

[tony@CIC]

I'm struggling with distance control on the FLX. Not sure if I made a mistake getting the Recoils like what I have in my irons. My other wedges have all been steel shafts, but admittedly I only have about 1/2 doz rounds with them so time will tell. One other thing I did notice is, at least with the FLX, you better have a brush handy as the grooves tend to clog up easily.  

[BMart519]

Final review is up! Thanks again to MGS for the selection and Indi providing guidance on the fitting and the excellent sticks! An under the radar company that deserves more attention in the wedge space! 

[Willie T]

17 hours ago, tony@CIC said:

I'm struggling with distance control on the FLX. Not sure if I made a mistake getting the Recoils like what I have in my irons. My other wedges have all been steel shafts, but admittedly I only have about 1/2 doz rounds with them so time will tell. One other thing I did notice is, at least with the FLX, you better have a brush handy as the grooves tend to clog up easily.  

Are you long or short on distance control?  I found that I tended to be long to start with and eventually worked the swing to where I am much closer to the target.  I am curious about the Recoil side as I am considering updating the shafts in my irons (TM SLDR) from the stock composites to Recoils.   Just wondering if you think the non-conforming grooves load up easier than conforming - did your previous wedges tend load up like you're seeing here?  

[tony@CIC]

4 hours ago, Willie T said:

Are you long or short on distance control?  I found that I tended to be long to start with and eventually worked the swing to where I am much closer to the target.  I am curious about the Recoil side as I am considering updating the shafts in my irons (TM SLDR) from the stock composites to Recoils.   Just wondering if you think the non-conforming grooves load up easier than conforming - did your previous wedges tend load up like you're seeing here?  

Definitely shorter on the 54*. Both 60 and 54 load up quickly - I think the vertical groves exacerbate it. 

[revkev]

Hit a lot of wedges today.  I’m still having a tendency to catch these closer to the hossel than I’d like. Are any of our testers still experiencing that?  If not and you did at first what adjustments did you make? 
 

Im getting more and more comfortable around the green with them. Hitting reasonable sand shots with the 56 which is nice. 
 

 

[RichL85]

21 hours ago, revkev said:

Hit a lot of wedges today.  I’m still having a tendency to catch these closer to the hossel than I’d like. Are any of our testers still experiencing that?  If not and you did at first what adjustments did you make? 
 

Im getting more and more comfortable around the green with them. Hitting reasonable sand shots with the 56 which is nice. 
 

 

I'm hitting mostly center with a slight tendency towards the toe, which is normal for me. I was definitely hitting them off the hosel when they first arrived. As mentioned before, I ended up cutting between 3/8-1/2 inch off each one to get the length progression matched up with my irons. It was probably mostly a mental thing, but that extra length did create a different feel for the swing. 

[Willie T]

22 hours ago, revkev said:

Hit a lot of wedges today.  I’m still having a tendency to catch these closer to the hossel than I’d like. Are any of our testers still experiencing that?  If not and you did at first what adjustments did you make? 
 

Im getting more and more comfortable around the green with them. Hitting reasonable sand shots with the 56 which is nice. 
 

 

During the initial process of learning the clubs - I had some hosel rockets.  But then again, I would do that with the CBX's on occasion as well, therefore I figured it was me and not the clubs.  Curiously it seems that it is the LW lofts (58* or 60*) that I see it more often.  Adjustments - I would move the club to where the ball is more toward the toe area.  Then hit a few to "settle me down" - working my way back to the the regular setup positiong.    Going to hit the wedges this afternoon - been a day or so of not hitting the INDIs....having wedge withdrawl.  

[Dead Solid Bogey]

For those few of us that have a significant attention deficit issue compounded by a very probable impending huge reduction in husband allowance ( due to certain recent behavioral actions )…….

Who of the testers would BUY Indie wedges if they were replacing their current wedges? Thanks for doing the testing. 

[Nunfa0]

Right folks, I have put in my final thoughts. Yes I am a little light on photos but I will add as the season goes on.

[Nunfa0]

4 hours ago, Dead Solid Bogey said:

For those few of us that have a significant attention deficit issue compounded by a very probable impending huge reduction in husband allowance ( due to certain recent behavioral actions )…….

Who of the testers would BUY Indie wedges if they were replacing their current wedges? Thanks for doing the testing. 

Simply put, yes I would.

[Nunfa0]

On 9/17/2023 at 6:58 AM, revkev said:

Hit a lot of wedges today.  I’m still having a tendency to catch these closer to the hossel than I’d like. Are any of our testers still experiencing that?  If not and you did at first what adjustments did you make? 
 

Im getting more and more comfortable around the green with them. Hitting reasonable sand shots with the 56 which is nice. 
 

 

I haven't had an issue that at all. But my Indi's were exactly the same set up as my Cleveland's so there has been no real adjustment for shafts or length

[Dead Solid Bogey]

4 minutes ago, Nunfa0 said:

Simply put, yes I would.

Thanks, that is a great boost in helping me decide between the Indie’s and the Edison’s…. Now all I have to do is hope the spousal power on high agrees with my appeal and cancels her financial judgment she enacted against me.