Hot List 2009: Wedges: Golf Digest

CLEVELAND
CG12/CG12 DSG

STREET PRICE: $110
WEBSITE: clevelandgolf.com
LOFTS/BOUNCE: CG12: 46/8, 48/8, 50/10, 52/10, 54/8, 54/12, 54/14, 56/10, 56/14, 56/16, 58/8, 58/12, 58/14, 60/4, 60/10, 60/14, 64/12; DSG: 52/10, 54/12, 56/14, 58/10, 60/3, 64/3

TECH TALK: DSG (dynamic sole grind) technology adds another element to the classic CG12 design. The leading portion of the sole is narrow and has a high bounce angle. The wider trailing edge has a low bounce angle. This allows a square face to deliver the performance of standard bounce yet lowers the leading edge when the face is open.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "These grooves are amazing -- one, two hops, then fffft." ... (L) "The way it nips the ball, there must be something to this DSG sole." ... (M) "It hits every ball crisply. Automatic out of the sand."

HOT: Cleveland continues to take its classic designs and make them more versatile. The finishes are appealing, and the grooves are effective without ripping up the cover of your golf ball. If you can't find what you need in the many lofts and bounce angles available, then you're beyond hope.

NOT: The DSG model might require care on especially tight lies.

CLEVELAND CG14

STREET PRICE: $110
WEBSITE: clevelandgolf.com
LOFTS/BOUNCE: 46/6, 48/6, 50/8, 52/10, 54/9, 54/12, 56/11, 56/14, 58/10, 58/12, 60/8, 60/12, 64/12

TECH TALK: A lightweight viscoelastic "gelback" material has been positioned behind the hitting area to improve perimeter weighting, diminish vibration on mis-hits and provide feedback. It features the same "zip groove" technology used in the Cleveland CG12. Zip grooves are designed to have the most volume and sharpest edges of any groove in company history. In addition, the CG14 has the familiar toe-and-heel sole grind for improved club-ground interaction.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "A perfect shape and a very stable head through any type of shot." ... (L) "You can feel this club more in your hands than others." ... (T) "Very forgiving. If you hit it fat, you'll still get it on the green."

HOT: The cavity gel enhances this classic design and improves the feel, something that any caliber player can appreciate. The "standard" and "low" bounce options are distinct and easily understood.

NOT: There are fewer options than the CG12.

TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SPIN MILLED

STREET PRICE: $110
WEBSITE: titleist.com
LOFTS/BOUNCE: 48/6, 50/8, 52/8, 54/8, 54/11, 54/14, 56/8, 56/11, 56/14, 58/4, 58/8, 58/12, 60/4, 60/7, 60/10, 62/7, 64/7

TECH TALK: The retooled Spin Milled line features grooves that are made using a small circular saw that produces deep, precision cuts with a tighter groove-edge radius. This increases the volume of the grooves to help retain spin from the rough. The groove angle is steep on higher lofts (for spin) but less extreme on lower lofts (to avoid excessive spin on full shots). The soft 8620 carbon-steel heads come in three finishes (tour chrome, oil can and black nickel).

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "An all-around terrific wedge. Whatever you need it to do, it does: bump-and-run, flop or spin. And it's perfection on the long shots." ... (L) "The face is neither too hard nor too soft, and it's easy to open the face or close it." ... (T) "It lives up to its name. It's very adaptable."

HOT: Sixteen majors have been won with Bob Vokey clubs. This updated set reflects everything he knows about wedges.

NOT: Left-handers don't have access to all of the 17 loft/bounce options.