Are there any wedges that have a significantly softer feel?

[JermWRX]

On 2/23/2023 at 9:12 PM, reider69 said:

I just moved from SM8s to Mizuno S23 wedges.  Softer by a mile.  Feel like a buttery Mizuno iron.

Did a wedge fitting today. Tried a ton of wedge brands and grinds. Ended up with a set of S23. They're awesome. I don't know if it's the cg, but I hit them so much better than any other wedge. They feel incredible. So soft. And the copper cobalt color is gorgeous. I couldn't be happier.

[hammergolf]

I have CBX Zipcores in the bag and they feel very soft. I also have read that Mizuno s23 wedges are very soft also.

Edited February 25, 2023 by hammergolf

[ChipNRun]

I would suggest that wedges with softer-tipped shafts would have a softer feel. 

[dlovage]

I’ve owned 52 Sets of wedges and have tried all of them. Here is what I’ve concluded:

 

”Softest”: Kyoei raw prototype / Yururi raw 

Close second: Artisan (surprisingly I wouldn’t put the national customs in the top 5-6)

Bigger brands: Betti HLX 5.0s

Best bang for buck: Geom raw

[Red4282]

Softness is overrated… thats a quick way to lose groove integrity. Ball change is best way to get the feel you want. 

[DCMorgan89]

Mizuno without a doubt. Some will argue Miura which do feel amazing but I wouldn’t call it soft. Save some money and pick up any mizzy players wedge. 
 

I personally think the T4 wedge series was amazing. 

[EBE-GOLFIN]

I've played FourteeN wedges for several years. Playing the NEW model RM4 in 50*, 54* & 58*... Due to wet conditions went back to the Fourteen FH V1. Forgot how good the V1 is. Its a better picker in soft conditions and is actually SOFTER than the RM4. FH V1 may be in the bag for a while!!! 

 

I did hit the Bettinardi wedge at Club Champions and it was not just gorgeous but BUTTER!!!  

 

 

[el_caporal]

Where "softness" = materials/ process + perception. Glide 3.0 > TM Hi-Toe, pretty clearly IMO. Otherwise, played dated CG's, Corey Paul's, and a CBX 48*... thought CBX felt nice, probably just easy/ consistent > soft. I ended up changing irons makeup and took a set Gap.

 

I'd bag CBX 54* or less for 1/2 to full shots, easy. Maybe up to 56*... but not sure I'd make it primary green-side/ touch wedge. I was (and remain) really interested in the Fourteen wedges.

 

Corey Paul's were cool, kind of a larger Vokey... head heavy, and mine were +1/2inch long, mid-grips, Recoil wedge shaft. Happy gaming Recoils in my irons, but didn't like graphite and "muted" effect in wedges. All together they were just over my game/ fit.

[Tee1up4]

Mizuno t22. Played Vokey forever. This year went with T22. Feel absolutely incredible.

[Mp14forlife]

Bridgestone bxs ball and a Cleveland wedge. Problem solved. 

Edited March 1, 2023 by Mp14forlife

[ChipNRun]

On 2/26/2023 at 5:41 AM, Red4282 said:

Softness is overrated… thats a quick way to lose groove integrity.

 

Could you explain groove integrity? I googled it, found it mentioned in a couple of reviews, but no one came close to defining it.

[uglande]

Miura ... butter ... but bring your wallet. 

[Red4282]

4 hours ago, ChipNRun said:

 

Could you explain groove integrity? I googled it, found it mentioned in a couple of reviews, but no one came close to defining it.

Basically sharp grooves. Some “soft” wedges will start to lose that much much faster.

[TKS]

As a fitter, when building wedges for myself and highly feel sensitive players, I start with:

#1 a head that inspires confidence at address.

#2 a sole that is heel relieved, blunted edge, nice camber heel-toe, face-back. Very versatile for most conditions.

Now the fun begins; Feel

#3 softer* flex shaft (see wedge/8iron thread)

#4 dowel and inserts in the shaft (commercial and diy)

#5 consider graphite, or sleeved shafts. Don't be afraid to use inserts on graphite, you might be surprised.

#6 grips, larger to relax hands.

#7 swingweight to comfort and consistency with a 75% swing. 

-Change the heads every 75 rounds for fresh grooves.

Identify a soft, mid, and hard ball. Play for weather and course conditions.

- retire balls that you make a birdies with.

[palelefthand]

On 3/1/2023 at 3:16 PM, TKS said:

As a fitter, when building wedges for myself and highly feel sensitive players, I start with:

#1 a head that inspires confidence at address.

#2 a sole that is heel relieved, blunted edge, nice camber heel-toe, face-back. Very versatile for most conditions.

Now the fun begins; Feel

#3 softer* flex shaft (see wedge/8iron thread)

#4 dowel and inserts in the shaft (commercial and diy)

#5 consider graphite, or sleeved shafts. Don't be afraid to use inserts on graphite, you might be surprised.

#6 grips, larger to relax hands.

#7 swingweight to comfort and consistency with a 75% swing. 

-Change the heads every 75 rounds for fresh grooves.

Identify a soft, mid, and hard ball. Play for weather and course conditions.

- retire balls that you make a birdies with.

Which conditions do you recommend for a hard ball vs soft?

[dodgyman]

Wow, I may be in the minority here but my vote is for the… sm9s. I did a blind wedge fitting that had mainly, ping, tote list etc… and the one that felt softest was surprisingly the cast vokey and it wasn’t even close tbh. 
 

I was shocked and stayed with the tried and true. Maybe it’s a comfort thing.

[TKS]

6 hours ago, palelefthand said:

Which conditions do you recommend for a hard ball vs soft?

A hard ball for a warmer, (85°F+) windless day with harder/faster greens were I want to take advantage of higher spin. On the opposite is true, in cooler temps and some wind to fight, the softer ball reduces spin. These are general rules I apply to my game. So for an example the hard prov1x, mid prov1 and soft AVX have different spin and trajectory profiles. This is only for the urethane covered balls, not scientific, just practical.

[Double Dodger]

Golf snobs will not like the answer, but Cleveland CBX 2 is undoubtably the softest wedge I have ever played. Beats Vokey by a mile. Zipcores by a good bit. Taylormade crap by a mile. Don’t know about Callaway. Pings are close. Bridgestone comes closest but doesn’t last half a summer. 

[bodhi555]

Bizarrely the way I've found to get a little softer feel with the wedges is to start adding lead tape behind the sweet spot. Tried it on a Nike Engage and a Nike SV so far and had the same result both times, a "softer" feel and weight closer to my irons.

 

Might not work, but lead tape is a bit cheaper than a new wedge, so can't hurt.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On 3/1/2023 at 11:53 PM, ChipNRun said:

 

Could you explain groove integrity? I googled it, found it mentioned in a couple of reviews, but no one came close to defining it.

 

When I think of maintaining groove integrity, I think of people like Herbie Hancock and Curtis Mayfield.

 

[055]

On 3/1/2023 at 3:16 PM, TKS said:

As a fitter, when building wedges for myself and highly feel sensitive players, I start with:

#1 a head that inspires confidence at address.

#2 a sole that is heel relieved, blunted edge, nice camber heel-toe, face-back. Very versatile for most conditions.

Now the fun begins; Feel

#3 softer* flex shaft (see wedge/8iron thread)

#4 dowel and inserts in the shaft (commercial and diy)

#5 consider graphite, or sleeved shafts. Don't be afraid to use inserts on graphite, you might be surprised.

#6 grips, larger to relax hands.

#7 swingweight to comfort and consistency with a 75% swing. 

-Change the heads every 75 rounds for fresh grooves.

Identify a soft, mid, and hard ball. Play for weather and course conditions.

- retire balls that you make a birdies with.

Why retire a ball you make birdie with? For those players are there a couple wedges that typically come out on top?

[DonOmar]

T22!   I game vokey and like the Cleveland’s, but when I got fit the Mizuno t22 was the softest/best feeling to me. I didn’t choose it because the leading edge sits 35 inches off the ground, but that’s another story. 

[TKS]

4 hours ago, 055 said:

Why retire a ball you make birdie with? For those players are there a couple wedges that typically come out on top?

There is only 1 birdie in each ball. 🤣🤣

[Pepperturbo]

On 2/23/2023 at 3:42 PM, sheezymaneezy said:

Are there any wedges out there that feel much softer? 

Check out forged wedges, like Miura Tour Wedges.  They don't get any softer.

[CinqueValvole]

8 minutes ago, TKS said:

There is only 1 birdie in each ball. 🤣🤣

I put the ball away for the next hole, so that it doesn't over exert itself... 😁

[Yuck]

On 3/1/2023 at 3:16 PM, TKS said:

As a fitter, when building wedges for myself and highly feel sensitive players, I start with:

#1 a head that inspires confidence at address.

#2 a sole that is heel relieved, blunted edge, nice camber heel-toe, face-back. Very versatile for most conditions.

Now the fun begins; Feel

#3 softer* flex shaft (see wedge/8iron thread)

#4 dowel and inserts in the shaft (commercial and diy)

#5 consider graphite, or sleeved shafts. Don't be afraid to use inserts on graphite, you might be surprised.

#6 grips, larger to relax hands.

#7 swingweight to comfort and consistency with a 75% swing. 

-Change the heads every 75 rounds for fresh grooves.

Identify a soft, mid, and hard ball. Play for weather and course conditions.

- retire balls that you make a birdies with.

If I did that, it would get more expensive than the wedge itself.  (Between Birdies & Lost Balls) I would go through a half dozen a round.

[baudi]

Softest wedge I ever experienced are Crews wedges. No longer in business 

 

[THT28]

I know they're pricey . . . but Artisan makes a pretty soft wedge.  I've played Vokeys my whole life and the Artisans took some getting used to.  But the soft feel is great combined with crazy spin . . . They get my full endorsement.  

[b_rizzle]

Edels wedges before newest release were buttery af I hvnt tried series that have adjustable weights I have not swung but all Edels b4 that were softer than the mizuno 22 line and they are pretty soft feeling but like say it's all subjective

[buckeyefl]

I'm not sure about the latest model but Fourteen are fantastic in both feel and control IMO. I alternate between those and Vokey. Vokey beats them in grind options but nowhere close for me in feel and control.