New TM Wedges

[bshack]

Wondering what everyone thinks of the new Taylor Made wedges where you can replace the grooves. I think the concept is cool but im always sketchy about products that you need exact parts to replace. Do you guys think these clubs are legit and something TM is going to stick with or just a few year fad...

I wouldnt mind forking out some dough for a few if all i had to do after a year or two was get new faces.

[newtogolf]

Saw these in Dick's but didn't try them out because they didn't have any left handed models. Typically sales will dictate if these sorts of products receive on-going support. Seems like a good concept, TM probably has higher profit margins on the face plate than clubs similar to the razor / razor blade model but that will mean they sell enough clubs to cover their R&D; costs.

I'd be concerned about the face plate getting loose during play, and the life of the face plate compared to traditional wedges. I'm assuming they can't be sharpened, so 3 face plate changes = 1 new Cleveland or Vokey wedge not including the initial investment in the club ($129).

[Gerald]

I would be very carefully with this .... TM launches new products every month orso, and it would be no big surprise if the faces aren't available within 6 months orso, so maybe if you like the concept, you'll have to buy the wedge and at the very same moment buy a few replacement faces ......

[xxsoultonesxx]

I think they are kinda gimmicky. In a club where I would look for feel, hardware and extra pieces seem like they would diminish any sensation you might receive on contact.

[eprobation]

I saw them and liked the idea, but i have the same questions... would they come loose, would you be able to find replacement faces that fit EXACTLY like they are suppose to... I will wait it out and see what others have to say. Plus i just bought Cleveland CG 14 52 and 56

[delav]

I think they are kinda gimmicky. In a club where I would look for feel, hardware and extra pieces seem like they would diminish any sensation you might receive on contact.

This has always been my thought as well. I can't help but think that these may feel differently than a solid forged or soft cast club. The last thing I'd want in a wedge or putter is a clicky or hollow feel...

Any real world input from the board?

[enis750]

Idea is neat...but does it work?
havent actually field tested one , but I would like too

got my eye on some custom Scratch Wedges though....mmmmm........ ;)

[delav]

got my eye on some custom Scratch Wedges though....mmmmm........ ;)

It never ends man... I've got a new set of irons under my skin that I can't shake right now. Wife is not happy about it.

[enis750]

It never ends man... I've got a new set of irons under my skin that I can't shake right now. Wife is not happy about it.

they never are.....i USUALLY get rid of gear

yet somehow I have 3 putters and 3 drivers and a set of wedges at home - and none of them make any difference in any way shape or form ahhh....I am hating this game right now.........

[delav]

they never are.....i USUALLY get rid of gear

Time to take it out on the impact bag. The plus side is, a 40.1 (what?!) gives you tons of room to improve ;)

[enis750]

Time to take it out on the impact bag. The plus side is, a 40.1 (what?!) gives you tons of room to improve ;)

yea cant wait to get back to a 2.8 from a 40.1.......

[jamo]

These wedges wouldn't make much sense for me. I wear out the sole of my wedges much faster than I wear out the face. I guess it doesn't really matter if the sole is rusty and stuff, but who wants a rusty, scratched, and dented wedge with an immaculate face?

[dunstert]

I have a 56 degree TM xFT wedge. There are two types of faces available (for now) - current casual grooves (square) and the pro grooves. Like all wedges, you can't get the old grooves past January '11, so I can see a shortage of squared faceplates at some point in the near future.

I like the wedge a lot - when I demoed, it was between the new Nike and the TM. Golf Galaxy was having a deal (still going on, I believe) where you buy the wedge at retail ($129) and you get an extra faceplate for free. You need the wrench from the R9 driver to change it, though GG said they'd change the face for me since I don't have the wrench.

The faces are supposed to last for 1000 shots or something like that, typically a year for a recreational golfer from what I've read. Faces are interchangeable between all the diffferent wedges, so you don't need separate replacement faces for your 52/56/60/etc.

I haven't changed the face at this point but I like the wedge a lot.

[tristanhilton85]

I have a 56 degree TM xFT wedge. There are two types of faces available (for now) - current casual grooves (square) and the pro grooves. Like all wedges, you can't get the old grooves past January '11, so I can see a shortage of squared faceplates at some point in the near future.

How do the wedges actually feel when you hit them compared to others that you have hit before? It seems like it would be a different feel due to the fact that the face is bolted on.

These wedges seem kind of gimmiky to me; however if they feel just as good then I don't see any reason not to use them. $129 is right around what a Vokey or Cleveland would cost and being able to change the face for $30 instead of having to buy a whole new wedge seems like a good idea. I wonder if this is something that TM will stick with?

[dunstert]

How do the wedges actually feel when you hit them compared to others that you have hit before? It seems like it would be a different feel due to the fact that the face is bolted on.

I don't feel any looseness or 'jiggle' when I hit them, if that's what you mean - very solid, feels like a 1-piece head to me. I couldn't tell much of a difference between the Nike and the TM from a ball striking perspective.

I was all set to buy a Cleveland w/o hitting anything but a course about 45-mins away had a demo days and I got to hit 4-5 different brands. Glad I did that b/c I hit the Clevelands like crap :). As for whether TM sticks with this or not, dunno, but I got sucked in with the free faceplate deal - figure I have a wedge I can use for 2-3 years w/o it getting too worn out.