Hot List 2010: Wedges: Golf Digest

CLEVELAND CG15/CG15 DSG

STREET PRICE: $120
WEBSITE: clevelandgolf.com
LOFTS: Twenty-two loft and bounce combinations (46 to 64 degrees), three finishes (oil-quench, black pearl, satin chrome)

TECH TALK: First Cleveland maximized groove volume with its "zip-groove" technology. Now company engineers have developed a laser-milling technique that is designed to produce consistent surface roughness on the flat area between the grooves to improve shot effectiveness.

PLAYER COMMENTS:
( M ) "It exceeded every expectation I have for a wedge."
( L ) "The head is a little heavier-feeling. I got more power on pitches and chips with less effort. The weight makes it perform well from the sand, too."

HOT: After a thorough re-examination of all facets of wedge technology, Cleveland focused on innovating where others had given up: the surface roughness between grooves. Also, don't overlook the turf-interaction improvements in the heel section of the sole.
NOT: We get that the surface roughness is "laser milled." But etching it into the face six times is Trump-like.

SCRATCH 8620 WEDGE

STREET PRICE: $100
WEBSITE: scratchgolf.com
LOFTS: Twelve loft and bounce combinations (53 to 60 degrees)

TECH TALK: Scratch's forged wedges have developed a cult status because of the craftsmanship and the company's approach to fitting swing types to one of six sole grinds. That same attention to detail is behind an affordable cast version made from 8620 carbon steel.

PLAYER COMMENTS:
( M ) "Every shot was, bounce-bounce-bite." ... "There will never be a perfect wedge, but this is as close as you'll get. Floppers, running chips, check chips. Whatever your imagination can come up with, you can accomplish with this wedge."
( L ) "It looks so simple and generic, like it came out of a vending machine, but it really performs."

HOT: Just about every wedge company offers choices, but few do a better job than Scratch Golf of matching a sole grind to a swing type. And no company makes this process easier to understand.
NOT: No loft option less than 53 degrees means Scratch leaves too big a gap between its line and the lofts of most pitching wedges.

TAYLORMADE TP xFT

STREET PRICE: $155
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com LOFTS: Ten loft and bounce combinations (50 to 64 degrees)

TECH TALK: TaylorMade says as few as 1,000 shots with a typical wedge wear down groove edges a thousandth of an inch and surface roughness as much as 40 percent. The company's response is a wedge with a changeable face insert so you can have fresh grooves without buying a new club.

PLAYER COMMENTS:
( M ) "I feel like I can really go down and be aggressive with this club." ... "Very easy to manipulate. Everything you would expect from a tour-quality wedge."
( L ) "You'd think it would have a tinny sound and feel with that detachable face, but it's solid, with a soft, dampened feel."

HOT: Do average golfers really need to replace the face of their wedge? We're not sure how important that is, but at least TaylorMade has accomplished this design feat with its usual knack for sound engineering that is pleasing to a golfer's senses.
NOT: The wedge and one replacement face cost $195, or about what you'd pay for two typical wedges.