2011 Wedge Test: The Results

Gold Medal

Ping Tour-S

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“The weight is good, it looks great and the feel is superb – especially for a cast club. Thanks to the forgiveness levels it will work for a lot of people, too” James

“Like a lot of Ping clubs, not everyone will fall for this immediately. But the more you use it, the more you see how good it is and build trust in the performance. Hard to find fault with beyond the lack of loft options in the Rustique finish” Dan

“This came off the face better than any club on test for me. The feel was stunning and I liked how it wasn’t impossible to hit” Geoff

“Excellent. The shape is superb, the feel is as good as almost any club on test and the sole is really versatile, allowing you to open the face without feeling like you’ll thin it” Joe

Details

SRP: £100

Lofts: 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 & 64˚

LH: Yes

Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold

w: pinggolf.com

t: 01427 615405

Silver Medal

TaylorMade XFT

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“This looks, feels and performs much better than you expect when you first look at it. The removable face doesn’t make a difference to feel’ Joe

“Very classy – my favourite TaylorMade club I’ve hit all year. You can play lots of different shots and it feels solid. Just one thing – the hosel is very close to the face!” Dan

“The overall shape and feel of the club is superb, I just didn’t like being able to see the seam where the face slots into the head” James

“The ball comes off the head really nicely. It feels very solid and reliable” Geoff

Details

SRP: £119

Lofts: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 & 64˚

LH: Yes

Standard shaft: KBS Tour

w: taylormadegolf.eu

Bronze Medal

Nike VR Pro

WHAT WE THOUGHT

Joe: The shape is great and so is the feel. The X3X grooves, although effective, do take some getting used to visually. The slate finish is the best looking I’ve ever seen.

Geoff: The satin finish was a bit shiny for me, but the shape is great.

Dan: A very impressive club, but I personally prefer the look of the Nike V-Rev wedge.

James: The feel is good and the leading edge sits nicely. I have used this on the course and seen the benefits of the grooves first-hand.

Details

SRP: £99

Lofts: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 & 60

LH: Yes

Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold

w: nikegolf.eu

t: 08000 561 640

Best Feel

Mizuno MP T-11

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“The feel is solid and soft at the same time and the head shape is gorgoeous. Utter class, but quite unforgiving” Joe

“I love the shapes, I love the feel – it doesn’t really get any better for me. A players’ wedge but not intimidating. I prefer the Black Nickel finish” Dan

“Good overall. I just found it hard to get excited about” James

Details

SRP: £105

Lofts: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 & 64

LH: Yes

Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold

w: mizuno.com

t: 01189 362 100

Best for better players

Titleist Bob Vokey Spin Milled c-c

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Good weight, good feel, but I’m not convinced by the head shape. There’s a fantastic array of lofts and bounce options – a big plus for fitting” James

“This has to be the best better-player wedge. Looks brilliant, sits great, sounds perfect and is versatile. Unless you need forgiveness, faultless” Dan

Details

SRP: £100

Lofts: 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 & 64

LH: Yes

Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold

w: titleist.co.uk

t: 01480 301 114

Best looking

Nike VR V-Rev

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Without doubt the best shape on test. The satin finish is gorgeous and the feel on offer screams forged, even though it is cast” Joe

“The feel is brilliant and the weight is nice. The looks are to die for” Geoff

Details

SRP: £95

Lofts: 52, 54, 56, 58 & 60

LH: Yes

Standard shaft: Dynamic Gold

w: nikegolf.eu

t: 08000 561 640

Easiest to use

Cleveland CG16

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“This was one of my favourites. It is easy to control” Geoff

“The more I used it, the more I liked it. Initially it felt slightly ‘clicky’ but I got used to it. Slightly large head makes it really playable” Dan

Details

SRP: £105

Lofts: 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 & 64

LH: Yes

Standard shaft: Cleveland Golf Traction

w: clevelandgolf.com

t: 01420 541709