The scoring clubs : New wedge designs for 2001

Golf Digest, March, 2001

You heard it in this month's cover story by Phil Mickelson: Most golfers are ill-equipped when it comes to wedges. To help you make the right choices, here are new offerings from two of the biggest wedge makers, plus a sporty new model from the Porsche Design team and a lefty version of a popular make. For reviews of the latest wedges from Titleist Vokey, Pixl, Maxfli and other club companies, check the most recent issues of Golf Digest, or visit www.golfdigest.com.

Mizuno goes with the flow on its MP Series wedges. A 60-ton hammer press forms the clubhead from mild carbon-steel, then a 70-ton press is used to align the grains and produce more consistency throughout the clubhead. These "Grain Flow Forged" wedges are available in five lofts, from 52 to 60 degrees, with computer-milled "U" grooves. The standard shaft is a 35-inch True Temper Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex. Retail is $99. Phone 800-966-1211 or visit www.mizunogolf.com.

Cleveland Golf asked its tour players for input on its new 900 Series FormForged wedges. The result is a classic, compact clubhead with an innovative sole. A "shelf grind" narrows the sole for versatility while maintaining correct bounce for consistency, says the company. The wedges have a standard or low-bounce option, in four lofts and three finishes ($125 to $140). Phone 800-999-6263 or visit www.cleveland-golf.com.

From the flanged cavity back to the scoring lines, the PD Forged Milled wedges from Porsche Design Golf are computer milled to exact tolerances. How exact? The clubface is milled to five-thousandths-of-an-inch flatness for maximum consistency, says the golf offshoot of the German automaker. The flange lowers the center of gravity, and a "C Grind Sole" moves additional weight from the heel and toe for solid contact. The wedges come in 52-, 56- and 60-degree lofts, with bounce angles of 2, 10 and 6 degrees, respectively. Retail is $190. Phone 888-881-8944 or visit www.porschedesigngolf.com.

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Southpaws have plenty of wedge options. Phil Mickelson plays Titleist Vokey and Ping Eye2 models and has designed lefty wedges for Yonex. Retailer Lefties Only carries dozens of iron sets with wedges, plus 19 specialty-wedge lines from 14 club companies. Among them are the Polar Balanced wedges from Carbite. The wedges ($130 with steel shafts) feature patented high-friction face inserts and come in a range of lofts and bounces. Phone 800-LEFTIES or visit www.carbitegolf.com.