Wedges

: PING TOUR-W; STREET PRICE $110
WEBSITE: pinggolf.com

TECH STORY
Starting with a head size and shape that good players prefer, the Ping Tour-W also incorporates elements for forgiveness and control. The use of a light polymer-filled insert with a tungsten weight in the toe is designed to position the CG low and to control the rotation of the head.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"Small and sleek. Real confident with this. Like you can hole a chip at any time. Great in the bunker, too... Good spin, good bite. The bounce is big, and it slides through the sand. It's creamy... I found this to have the best balance of all the wedges. And it's so traditional in shape that you would never know it's a Ping... You can't have it all with any one wedge, but this one has the most."

HOT
One of the most technologically savvy wedges out there (three separate materials in the head), and the performance is just as strong. Two finishes and 13 loft/bounce options are very impressive, too.

NOT
Grooves are milled but don't break new ground, if that's your thing.

: TAYLORMADE RAC SATIN TP; STREET PRICE $110
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com

TECH STORY
Radiused pockets in the back of the face help dampen vibrations for better feel. The Y-cutter milled groove yields 3 to 4 percent more spin than the company's previous groove. Because of the softly radiused leading edge and the heel-and-toe relief grind on the sole, opening and closing the face at address is more aesthetically appealing.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"Leading edge is nice, crisp... Grabby. Really zipped back from full fairway shots... Love the control. It's like a putter with loft. And through the sand there's no resistance... The ball really got up when I tried flop shots. That was impressive. Never felt like I couldn't pull that shot off."

HOT
You might not understand rac technology even with a scientist as your caddie (it stands for relative amplitude coefficient, or vibration control), but the truth is, these wedges have a residence on Main Street in Feel City, U.S.A.

NOT
This tech-rific company hasn't significantly enhanced its groove technology in two-plus years. Limited loft/bounce options, too.