TESTED: Nike Engage wedges

Cost: $230 each.

Tested by: Steve Sanders, Golf Australia reader (GA handicap, 15.8)

MODEL & LOFTS PLAYED: Nike Engage wedges, firstly the 60° Dual Sole lob wedge and later the 56° and 60° Toe Sweep gap and lob wedges.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I liked the way the Dual Sole lob wedge lay, it seemed to naturally fall open a little bit. The Toe Sweep wedges felt good in the hands at address; it felt like there was some good weight at the end of the club. They sit beautifully square, too. I was surprised how square they sat for a clubhead design with additional weight in the toe.

HOW THEY PLAYED: I found the Nike Engage Dual Sole wedge dug into the turf a little at impact, but when I struck it cleanly impact was sweet – it’s not a bad club. I’d prefer a little more bounce, but I suspect a better player than me would be able to be a bit more creative with it.

The Toe Sweep models, on the other hand, were pretty close to the best wedges I’ve ever used. They were seriously awesome. They glide through the turf effortlessly and I’ve never hit a 60° wedge with that much confidence.

I loved how well the ball came off the clubface and distance control was easier than other wedges I’ve tried, plus the ball really ‘zipped’ when it hit the green.

I found myself using the Engage wedges wherever I could – any shot from 50 metres in, flop shots, pitch shots, chip-’n-runs and bunker shots all felt great. It felt like that extra weight in the toe genuinely helped the club release better regardless of the surface. It’s clever because you don’t sense that weight but any shot I hit felt crisp and square. That weight works for you without you even knowing it.

THE SPECS

Suitability: With three different sole grinds, these wedges suit any golfer.

Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 is standard.

Lofts: The Square Sole model comes in 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58° and 60° in right-handed and 52° and 56° in left-handed. Toe Sweep comes in 54°, 56°, 58° and 60° in right-handed only. Dual Sole comes in 58° and 60° in right-handed and 60° in left-handed. Various bounce options are available.

Nike says: “With three sole grinds, Nike Golf Engage wedges are the newest solution to help players such as Rory McIlroy score and escape adverse conditions on the course.

“The name Engage comes from three important interactions between the club and the turf, the clubface and the ball and the connection between the golfer and his or her equipment.

“Engage wedges are available in three distinct sole grinds: Dual Sole, Square Sole and Toe Sweep. Square Sole was designed to be played with a squared-up clubface while the Dual Sole offers two distinctive surfaces for a wide range of shots. The Dual Sole is inspired by grinds used by Tiger Woods and McIlroy. The second-generation Toe Sweep grind maintains its superior performance as the best wedge from the worst lie on the course while improving versatility on tight lies.”

Contact Axis Golf on 1800 777 793 or visit www.nikegolf.com