XE1 Wedge: Have you tried it?

[rmenary]

Has anyone tested this new wedge? Is it just another gimmick? Thanks.

[boogielicious]

33 minutes ago, rmenary said:

Has anyone tested this new wedge? Is it just another gimmick? Thanks.

A friend of mine uses one very similar to this. It doesn't really help him and it is really a uni-tasker. I pitch/chip with everything from my SW to my 7 irons.

[Mr. Desmond]

56 minutes ago, rmenary said:

Has anyone tested this new wedge? Is it just another gimmick? Thanks.

Have not tested but have seen pics of the wide sole - another Hogan Sure Out - a specialty club that would work in bunkers or lush lies. A one or two trick pony.

[Gator Hazard]

Is it USGA legal?

[Tee2Trees]

A poor man's Cleveland Smart Sole or a rich man's Northwestern Shot Saver?  You decide.  I suggest using a normal sand wedge that has high-bounce if you're paranoid about fatting it in the bunker.

[newtogolf]

1 minute ago, Tee2Trees said:

A poor man's Cleveland Smart Sole or a rich man's Northwestern Shot Saver?  You decide.  I suggest using a normal sand wedge that has high-bounce if you're paranoid about fatting it in the bunker.

I was going to suggest it was a take off on the Smart Sole, but the XE1 loft is 65* compared with 42* and 58* of the Smart Sole.

[Tee2Trees]

Just now, newtogolf said:

I was going to suggest it was a take off on the Smart Sole, but the XE1 loft is 65* compared with 42* and 58* of the Smart Sole.

OK, didn't notice that.  Now the question is: what type of player needs that much margin of error on their sole yet so little margin of error on the extremely slanted face?

[newtogolf]

One of the guys in my club uses the XE1 and swears by it.  I've played a few rounds with him before and after he got it and he's a lot better out of the sand with it than he was a traditional Cleveland wedge.  I don't know if it's mental or the sole really helps to get the ball out but he's not going to take it out of his bag.

One failing it does have is when the ball is plugged in the sand, maybe he just hasn't practiced enough with it, but it appears the sole prevents him from getting too deep and when his ball is plugged he usually hits it really thin.

[JBailey]

6 hours ago, newtogolf said:

One failing it does have is when the ball is plugged in the sand, maybe he just hasn't practiced enough with it, but it appears the sole prevents him from getting too deep and when his ball is plugged he usually hits it really thin.

I always had better luck with a plugged lie using a regular wedge that was hooded a bit.  This makes the club dig a little deeper and blast the ball up and out.  It wasn't the most accurate shot, but it got it out of the bunker more often.

Later,

John

[rmenary]

I wasn't looking to buy one just wanted to know if anyone has tried it out. I am seeing a lot of commercials on the Golf Channel and I'm getting videos from Haneyuniversity emailed to me. Thanks for the replies fellas.

[Bobatl]

I asked the USGA if the wedge is approved. It was evaluated by USGA and rejected. Some people may not care, but potential buyers should at least be aware of this. 

[Golfingdad]

54 minutes ago, Bobatl said:

I asked the USGA if the wedge is approved. It was evaluated by USGA and rejected. Some people may not care, but potential buyers should at least be aware of this. 

Thanks for sharing.  They should really make them divulge this in the advertisements.

Out of curiousity, do you know the reason why it was rejected?

[Lihu]

I've seen ads for them, and saw someone at the range with them who claims they really work.

Seeing as I'm planning on swapping out my cheap old wedges out, I was thinking about getting two of these wedges. . .

[Golfingdad]

3 minutes ago, Lihu said:

I've seen ads for them, and saw someone at the range with them who claims they really work.

Seeing as I'm planning on swapping out my cheap old wedges out, I was thinking about getting two of these wedges. . .

I'm not sure that they come in different lofts ... I think it might just be the one (65 degree) club.

[Lihu]

4 minutes ago, Golfingdad said:

I'm not sure that they come in different lofts ... I think it might just be the one (65 degree) club.

I kind of wondered about that? The guy on the range seemed to imply I could get a couple lofts, or I might have just assumed it?

I guess it's a near-the-green-rescue-all-chip-all club?

http://golf.squaretosquaremethod.com/get/xe1/xe1-wedge-front-99-ggl/?utm_source=AdWords&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=SS-xE1-GDN-RMT30-US&utm_content=xalp-text-03&gclid=CIST1Oif2ckCFYlafgodpYwNTQ

[Smidd4]

7 minutes ago, Golfingdad said:

I'm not sure that they come in different lofts ... I think it might just be the one (65 degree) club.

I think you are correct. I don't really the the advantage of carrying a 65 degree club around, seems as though someone could get themselves in trouble with it more than it would help. 

[Bobatl]

The USGA is very responsive to email questions. They told me it was nonconforming due to "groove issues" They added, the responsibility for using conforming equipment is with the golfer.

[Dave2512]

I like a wide soled wedge around the greens. I bought the SGI gap wedge for my irons and use that more than anything. If the XE-1 is trying to things easier  not sure higher loft makes sense. Less loft and keeping the ball on the ground typically yields better results.