New Wedge added to bag!

[InTheTwenties]

Just got the Cleveland 588 Wedge 60 degree loft in gun metal finish for 80 dollars at Golfsmith. Really drooling to get to the course and practice a few stop shots, a few draw shots, and a few pin seeker shots.

The sticker on the shaft says:" finish may rust when exposed to the elements. Some professional players actually want rust...".

Rust on the head, kinda neat. or is it?

May I ask the general population on the sand trap to give me their opinion on the 588?

[Drphil1013]

I have the same wedge; except its not gunmetal.

However, mine rusted as well. umm there are some positives and negatives about the rusting. I get more spin with the ball; this helps me stop my ball faster on approach shots. However, I don't really like the feel of the wedge when it contacts the ball. It just doesn't feel solid. That's just my opinion

[iacas]

Donald wrote a good article on wedge rust awhile back.

[cmay119]

The Rac TP wedges in my signature have also started rusting. I knew ahead of time what I was getting into with a "rusty" wedge. So I don't mind it. They look great at address, and are wonderful to hit. If you are more of a cosmetic golfer though, you may not like the way they start looking.

[DDBowdoin]

I carry 3 wedges in my bag, all Titty oil cans...

I absolutely love them, it's not that they are better clubs than other wedges but more a mental edge, confidence builder. Many people new to the game perceive new & expensive with streamline chrome clubs but showing up to a course/range with rusted clubs makes people think "Who's this guy, nice old clubs..." then a few balls later he can't believe he bought that new CG10 for 130 bucks...

good tips on soaking a rag with salt then leaving them overnight, I might end up trying that

[InTheTwenties]

It's Weird replying to myself. But I am just in love with my cleveland.
It has tour edge on the face which gives good spin. I had the Titlest oil can with spin ridge, good spin but the feel wasn't the same as the 588.

First tried the 588, when I hooked up with someone at my home course. I saw it in his bag, and having just read GolfDigest wedge review; I wanted to try it. So i asked this perfect stranger to let me try it.

I hit the pin, from 70 yards out. Beat him on the hole with his own club. (did I break some sort of golf edicate? Should I get a penalty stroke for this?).

Thanks for the replies on the rust question., and Iacas, thanks to the informative article on rust. The Trap is a great place to hang out.

[Guest]

How about deliberately making a non-raw wedge rust? What do the rules say about that? Is it considered altering the club face?

[bwinger79]

  cmay119 said:

The Rac TP wedges in my signature have also started rusting. I knew ahead of time what I was getting into with a "rusty" wedge. So I don't mind it. They look great at address, and are wonderful to hit. If you are more of a cosmetic golfer though, you may not like the way they start looking.

I have had my RAC Black TP's in my bag for almost 2 years now, and I dont have any rust at all on them..... just a spot where the constant contact wore the finish off. I dont think they are supposed to rust.

[iacas]

  bwinger79 said:

I have had my RAC Black TP's in my bag for almost 2 years now, and I dont have any rust at all on them..... just a spot where the constant contact wore the finish off. I dont think they are supposed to rust.

I don't think they're supposed to, right. But they can.

I don't even think a Vokey oilcan is really "supposed" to rust. The only times mine rust is when I've not taken care of them for two weeks and they are moist. With normal play and care, they don't rust, but the finish wears off.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

I have 3 588 Gunmetal wedges in my bag and wondered why I never responded to this post. Now I see it was from over a year ago.

Anyways, the 588's are the best, most consistant wedge I've ever played. They may not spin as much as some of the newer wedges with "spin" grooves (you can however get plenty of spin on the ball with them) but I haven't been able to find a wedge to match the versatility of the 588. I actually got a couple of CG10's earlier in the spring this year and went back to the 588.

I've had two of these for a long time, probably about 5 or so years and there really isn't much rust at all on them. My 56 is worn but only a little rust but I do take very good care of my clubs. I have the gunmetal irons and they haven't rusted at all and they're about 5 years old. So I think the gunmetal finish is more durable than one might initially think. Certainly more durable than that Black Pearl finish... my gosh, 20 shots and you've got yourself a worn wedge.

[georgeshot]

I have been playing the 588 Cleveland Gunmetal Wedges (53 GW, 57 SW, 64 LW) for eight years now and have had much success with these clubs. I really like the look at set up and the feel / feedback is keenly responsive. I did have a 60 LW, but moved to the 64 LW for the "super flop" shots and for cutting out of deep, deep rough plus the 57 SW gave me such a close option to the 60 that I  dropped it in favor of the 64. The 64 also works great on bunker shots as a few courses that I play are older and have deep green side bunkers. Plus the 64 can really pull off some incredible high and soft shots, and the ball will literally drop and stop on the green.

I think that you'll really like the look and feel and the 60 will serve you well for all kinds of shots (as creative as you want to be). I have a friend that uses his for chipping, flopping and even bump & run shots.

The 53 GW is my go-to club for chipping and all approach shots within 75 yards. It just feels so right and is extremely versatile. Maybe its just me as I have gotten accustomed to using it just as some may use their pitching wedge, but it works. If you find that you like the 60, you may consider getting the 53 or the 51 (Cleveland did not make a 52 in the 588 Gunmetal).

Like Club Champ, I also tried the CG10's and did not care for them at all. I had a set of Cleveland 797 BeNi wedges in my "back up bag" and they're great wedges too, but there is something about stepping up to address the ball with the gunmetal black club face that inspires bravado confidence.

As far as rusting, mine have not rusted and like Club Champ I take  care of my clubs (clean during and after every round) so I don't think you'll have issue with that if you clean clubs regularly. I do know the RTGs will rust and some player do desire that, but not for me. I have the TA-5s irons in Gunmetal finish (about 6 years now) and they have not rusted either.

Happy Golfing,

George