MIZUNO T20

Touch and feel is of the upmost importance when it comes to short game. And it is no surprise that Mizuno excels in these two key performance areas given the company’s slogan “Nothing feels like a Mizuno”.

The T20 wedges feature a classic teardrop shape, with more weight moved higher in the blade to maintain spin on high impact strikes that occur when opening the face and playing from the rough, and are forged from ‘Select 1025E’ mild carbon steel.

When it comes to performance, Mizuno’s new ‘Hydroflow Micro’ grooves are vertically etched onto the face to counter the negative impact of moisture, while a perfectly flat face is ensured by mechanical milling and the boron-infused metal guarantees the CNC milled, loft-specific grooves are more durable and produce consistent spin.

Adding to the loft-specific performance of the T20 are soles and head shapes designed to perform the job of each wedge in a set, with the wedges offered in lofts from 45° to 62° in one-degree increments, three finishes and three sole grind options.

RRP: $269.
Website: www.mizuno.com.au

PING GLIDE 3.0

PING’s history of industry changing technology is well known, and the company’s commitment to deliver an improved option in the Glide 3.0 helps explain how the proud company continues to innovate.

The Glide 3.0 has been redesigned from top to bottom, with every component from the grip to the sole grinds offered analysed and improved by the company’s engineers, broadening the appeal of the range and offering greater differentiation within in the line and when compared to its competition.

Heads made from 431 stainless steel feature a soft elastomer ‘Custom Tuning Port’ inserts that improve feel across the entire face and help move weight to the perimeter of the head and optimally place CG.

Loft specific, precision milled grooves contain sharper edges than previous models for increased spin and control, with lofts offered from 46˚ to 60˚ in four sole grinds, including the return of the iconic Eye2, while a longer and thinner wedge specific grip designed for gripping further down the shaft adding versatility comes standard.

RRP: $270 (steel); $300 (graphite).
Website: www.americangolf.com.au

PnP GOLF RAKE

The difference in the PnP Rake wedges compared to the rest featured in this guide is immediately obvious. The dual-rail bounce of the sole is not only unique looking, but also offers a point of performance difference.

Designed here in Australia, the sole reduces resistance from sand and grass through channels that allow the materials to move through the sole unhindered for a range of benefits.

The resulting impact is higher on the face and produces a higher and softer landing flight that is ideal from around the greens, stability is increased and creates greater consistency and forgiveness, while the lower resistance creates greater speed with less loft.

Rake wedges, with their unique and effective sole design, are offered in lob, sand and gap wedge options.

RRP: $189 (each); $335 (pair); $479 (Lob, Sand & Gap).
Website: www.pnpgolf.com.au

TAYLORMADE MILLED GRIND 2

TaylorMade always aims to push technology boundaries and the company’s introduction of CNC milling in its Milled Grind wedges saw a new level of precision.

The second generation Milled Grind 2 contains the same mechanically produced leading edge and sole each and every time, that is also used to create Tiger Woods’ irons, while adding a raw face and updated grooves to enhance spin and control.

The new raw face increases friction and will rust over time, a feature derived from Tour player feedback, and new ‘ZTP’ raw grooves are sharper, deeper and narrower with a sharper radius, and are complimented by laser etching between each groove for even more spin.

Not satisfied with more spin and greater precision when producing wedges on mass, TaylorMade set about improving the feel of the Milled Grind 2 through what it calls “Thick-Thin Head Design” that is the result of utilising a design optimisation tool previously only used in metal woods.

The design features a thicker face for optimised feel and a TPU insert in the back cavity that dampens vibrations in the model offered in two sole options and finishes and is used by the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm among others.

RRP: $249.
Website: www.taylormadegolf.com.au

TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SM8

Master Craftsman Bob Vokey’s relentless mission to design and craft better performing, better feeling wedges has reached a new height of innovation with the introduction of his Vokey Design SM8 models, the most accurate and forgiving Vokey wedges yet.

The ground-breaking ‘Progressive Centre of Gravity’ design concept that originated with Vokey Design SM6, and was refined with SM7, has experienced one giant shift forward in the new SM8. By moving the CG forward, to a position that actually hovers in front of the wedge face, Vokey and his R&D team have produced a wedge that wants to square every time. The result is improved distance and trajectory control, better feel and increased stability for more consistent results.

“I am from the old school, I got the centre of gravity by balancing it on my finger tip. Do it like that then design, then make the soles. But then it was brought to my attention by our engineering department and our CAD operators and I said ‘Wait a second, prove it to me.’ So, they had to prove it to me, and I tell you they did,” Vokey told Golf Australia magazine.

Developed through decades of work with the best shot makers in the game, Vokey’s six Tour-proven sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and D – allow golfers of all skill levels to be precisely fit for their swing type (steep, neutral, shallow), shot making style and course conditions (firm, neutral, soft). SM8 continues to feature the most complete line-up of grind, bounce and loft options, allowing for more creativity and consistency, and giving players of any level the ability to create multiple shots around the green.

These advancements – enhanced by 100 percent inspected Spin Milled grooves for maximum spin – have already made Vokey SM8 the most played and most successful wedge model on the PGA Tour, continuing Vokey’s historic run as the No. 1 wedge on Tour since 2004 and counting.

Vokey SM8 wedges are now available in three finishes – Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel and Jet Black – plus the Tour preferred Raw finish in custom orders only via WedgeWorks.

SRP: $249 (steel); $274 (graphite).
Website: www.titleist.com.au