Wedges

CLUBS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

: CALLAWAY X-FORGED; STREET PRICE $110
WEBSITE: callawaygolf.com

TECH STORY
Forged from 1020 carbon steel, the 56- through 64-degree models feature wide and deep grooves to help boost spin and control. Designers tightened the heel-to-toe radius to improve versatility in shotmaking around the green. The C-shape sole grind provides smoother turf interaction when opening the clubface. Comes in the usual chrome or a rustable "vintage" finish.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"Shots really checked nicely. Very easy to manipulate for different shots and different lies... Excellent spin. Bounce is perfect for just about any job... My goodness, this performs so well out of the sand. The sole configuration allows you to lay it open as much as you want without bouncing it off the turf, making it ideal for flop shots."

HOT
The regular tweaks to these wedges, not the least of which is the sole grind, continue to improve them. Philly Mick wannabes take note: four options at 60 degrees or higher.

NOT
Only one bounce option at 56 degrees seems odd, if not deficient.

: MIZUNO MP-T; STREET PRICE $110
WEBSITE: mizunousa.com

TECH STORY
To make its wedges buttery soft, Mizuno constructs them from the same 1025E mild carbon-steel alloy used in its forged irons. The 1025E has less phosphorous and sulphur and therefore can be made to feel softer. The C-shape sole grind is designed to provide more relief in the heel and toe for better turf interaction. The teardrop shape is designed to make it easier to maneuver.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"It was so easy extracting shots from the sand, and the trajectory on the full shots was a little lower than the others, which I actually liked. Could easily put this in play... Real playable out of the high grass. Hits the low sizzle shot better than any wedge out there... Has a nice, muted feel -- good for controlled aggression."

HOT
Nobody does forging like Mizuno. We like the look of the two finishes a lot better than other attempts, too, and the teardrop head shape is as comfortable and reliable as your favorite rain vest.

NOT
Would like more loft-bounce combos, and the odd-numbered lower lofts are confusing.

: NIKE SV TOUR; STREET PRICE $100
WEBSITE: nikegolf.com

TECH STORY
Nike's staff of tour players contributed to the design of the SV Tour. The wedge uses a cast construction from soft 8620 carbon steel (45 percent softer than 17-4). Its machined flat face is designed to improve ball-flight consistency and control ball compression at impact.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"Out of the sand this pops it straight up and out every time... The spinniest of all the wedges on full shots, which really appeals to me. But it's not as if it's an out-of-control, rip-it-back-off-the-green spin... Chips so pure it's almost like lag putting... Great weighting, feel and balance. Getting through the turf wasn't an issue."

HOT
It doesn't take a lot of fireworks to make a solid wedge.

NOT
There appears to be no especially new or cool groove technology, and compared with the field, there's a woeful dearth of loft/bounce options on the black satin model, which has only three and none less than 52 degrees. Also, just three choices for left-handers.