Scratch Review

Hstead · October 26, 2009

Can't Beleive It

Well, I decided to buy a couple of Scratch wedges, a 56* and a 60* 8620.

I have used Cleveland 588 wedges for the past 6 years, and before that I used Vokeys and TM RAC's. I have always gone back to the 588 for both performance and looks.

After reading some reviews on this site, I thought it might be time to experiment with new wedges since the 588 grooves are starting to get really worn. I decided to try Scratch after reading members on this site raving about them. Here is what I found.

Customer service was awesome. I called Jon and he answered every question, which I had many, and he talked me into the KBS shaft and the DD grind. I took the online survey which recommended the DD grind, but I was very skeptical because I did not consider myself a digger. I was going to switch shafts to the X100 too, but after talking to Jon, he convinced me to try the KBS. One of my biggest concerns was the swing weight. I have always played my wedges at 35.5" and they were always too heavy. Especially the 588's becuase the 60 is made to be 34.5", so it feels like an anvil in your hands with the X100. Jon stamped my initials on them, let me pick the paint fill and ferrule colors, and he also hand picked some heads that were lighter so he could get the D5 swing weight I wanted when he built them to 35.5". I also wanted GP Velvet Full Cords grips. The cool thing here is that Scratch put the grips on with the Golf Pride logo facing down, just like I like them, though I never requested them installed that way.

The quality and finish is very good. I must admit, when I first put them down, they appeared a little small and the leading edge was a little rounded. I was hoping they would be just a little more square. I have been so used to looking at 588's I just couldn't get over the looks at first.

Then I hit them. I can't tell you how impressed I was with them. I had no idea that a wedge could be that much better than another wedge. In the past, all of my wedges seemed to play farily similar. Not these wedges, they are WAY different. Now, I am not sure that it is just the head and the grind, I believe most of the difference is in the swing wieght and the shaft. These wedges so much lighter feeling than the 588s it isn't funny. The shaft is much more balanced too. I have read that the KBS was a higher flying shaft so that was why I was hesitant to go with it at first. But, I found that these wedges fly much lower than my 588's. I like to hit a lower draw, and it was effortless with these wedges. That was the biggest difference that I found, these wedges were SO much easier to hit. When I would change back and forth with the 588, I felt like it took a lot more effort to swing them. My shot dispersion was 10x's closer than the 588 too. I couldn't believe how low the 60 flew as well. I could hit them high if I wanted, but the standard stock swing, the ball really flew flatter and lower than my 588 with the X100's.

After hitting a few buckets at the range, I went to my favorite practice green for an hour. Again, I wasn't dissappointed. With the grind on the 60, it was so easy to lay it open and flop it. I had always thought I needed a low boounce 60, and the 588 only had 3*. The Scratch 60 has like 14*, but it is much easier to hit and it actually sits lower when you open it up. I was hitting flop shots off of the tightest, hardest lies I could find with little effort. Again, the lightness was shat made them so much better I think as well as the grinds.

Overall, I think the combo of the shaft and the swing weight is what made the biggest difference. I truely feel like these wedges will shave the last 3 shots off of my handicap. They are just thay much easier to hit. I really think these two clubs will be the biggest game improvement clubs in my bag. I can't wait to get them on the course.

60

56

ahl3bomber · October 26, 2009

they look real nice...go and stick some shots now!!!!

CosmosMpower · October 26, 2009

Just curious, why would you want your wedges to fly lower, especially your 60*?

gqjeff · October 26, 2009

Very nice I know my 1018 feels like butter with the KBS shaft. Just had a 53 bent to 52 and a 60 show up today. They have the white iomic grips on them also and they are money.

bradkv · October 26, 2009

I just picked up a pair of 1018's and could absolutely NOT be any happier. These things are just wonderful. All the check I want on chips and pitches, no chewing up of the covers, and less spin on full shots than my old Nikes, which just spun the ball entirely too much. I switched from S400 shafts to the KBS Tour 6.5, and was concerned about the weight difference as well, but that concern was put to rest shortly after getting these in. Jon upsold me on the 1018's, feeling that the 8620 might dig a little too much. They apparently have less "playing" bounce than the 1018 wedges, and I am definitely a digger. I noticed immediately the difference in my divots and how the club reacted at impact with the turf, but despite the 14* bounce, hitting high soft flops off of tight lies is not an issue. The grind on my 60* is just awesome. And the feel!!! I have never hit a softer wedge in my life, whether it's a result of the type metal used or the feel of the shaft, I don't know, but I also don't really care. I simply love these wedges.

oregongolf · October 26, 2009

[quote name='CosmosMpower' post='2027440' date='Oct 26 2009, 03:00 PM']Just curious, why would you want your wedges to fly lower, especially your 60*?[/quote]
Easier to control

putt4_66 · October 26, 2009

[quote name='CosmosMpower' post='2027440' date='Oct 26 2009, 05:00 PM']Just curious, why would you want your wedges to fly lower, especially your 60*?[/quote]

Have you ever heard the quote: "Hit your wedges low and everything else high."?

It's a phrase Alan Doyle and Dana Quigley like to use when they are asked about being a good/great player.

Hstead · October 26, 2009

[quote name='CosmosMpower' post='2027440' date='Oct 26 2009, 06:00 PM']Just curious, why would you want your wedges to fly lower, especially your 60*?[/quote]

[quote name='j0npeterson' post='2027488' date='Oct 26 2009, 06:26 PM'][quote name='CosmosMpower' post='2027440' date='Oct 26 2009, 03:00 PM']Just curious, why would you want your wedges to fly lower, especially your 60*?[/quote]
Easier to control
[/quote]

[quote name='EatSleepBreatheGolf' post='2027534' date='Oct 26 2009, 06:42 PM'][quote name='CosmosMpower' post='2027440' date='Oct 26 2009, 05:00 PM']Just curious, why would you want your wedges to fly lower, especially your 60*?[/quote]

Have you ever heard the quote: "Hit your wedges low and everything else high."?

It's a phrase Alan Doyle and Dana Quigley like to use when they are asked about being a good/great player.
[/quote]

Exactly. I am a high ball hitter for the most part, but my favorite shot is to take a little off, grip down a half inch and 3/4 swing a punch draw. For me, the wedges are all about control. I rarely take a full full swing with a wedge. When I can lower the flight, I feel like it is pointing a gun and shooting, vs throwing it way up in the air.

I was truely amazed at how low the 60 was flying. My stock 60 shot, about 90 yards, was flying lower than my 588 56* wedge would fly if I were punching it 90 yards. I just couldn't believe how low the 60 could fly.

Something else I forgot to mention was my divot. The divot was 2 inches longer with the Scratch wedges vs my 588. I thought the DD grind was supposed to get the clubhead out of the ground quicker, but my divots were longer with these than the 588.

I am serious, I can not explain how much better these are than my old wedges. Again, I think it is mostly the swing weight and shaft, but the grinds are better for flop shots for sure. I have never seen such a big difference in two clubs, with the exception of maybe a driver where I go from an X flex to a R flex maybe. It is that much of a difference for me.

SALUKI LEFTY · October 26, 2009

Very nice looking wedges and nice review. What is the finish on those, the smoked satin?

I just got my 53 degree 1018 last week and was able to play Sunday with it. Unbelievable feel; the best way I can describe the feel, is the Mizuno buttery feel x 10. I love the KBS shafts as well.

I now have a set of Tour Dept irons being built with KBS shafts.

Hstead · October 26, 2009

[quote name='SALUKI LEFTY' post='2027796' date='Oct 26 2009, 08:32 PM']Very nice looking wedges and nice review. What is the finish on those, the smoked satin?

I just got my 53 degree 1018 last week and was able to play Sunday with it. Unbelievable feel; the best way I can describe the feel, is the Mizuno buttery feel x 10. I love the KBS shafts as well.

I now have a set of Tour Dept irons being built with KBS shafts.[/quote]

Nickle Satin Chrome I think they call it. I believe the 8620 only comes in this one finish.

As far as feel, it is so subjective. I could tell a big difference in "feel" between the 588 and Scratch when I would change clubs on each shot side by side. I can't say that I really liked one better than the other as far as the actual "feel" of the contact on the face. I think the 588 had a slightly softer, duller, thud type "feel" vs the Scratch which was a little cripser, clicky, sharp kind of feel. Now the feel of each shot was night and day due to the swing weight and shafts.

rebby · October 26, 2009

[quote name='Hstead' post='2027772' date='Oct 26 2009, 07:21 PM']Something else I forgot to mention was my divot. The divot was 2 inches longer with the Scratch wedges vs my 588. I thought the DD grind was supposed to get the clubhead out of the ground quicker, but my divots were longer with these than the 588.[/quote]

The way that I understand it is that the D/D isn't supposed to "get the clubhead out of the ground quicker" but instead prevent the clubhead from digging into the ground. Your divot shouldn't be as deep with the D/D. I can understand why it might be a few inches longer since it's not going to be as deep.

Dan Lau · October 27, 2009

Anybody know what the FAW grind is? I did their online fitting tool and I was either a D/S TNC grind, D/S CTG grind, or a S/S FAW grind depending on how I answered 1 or 2 questions..

Anyone know the differences between these 3? I take divots with my wedges but with anything longer than a 7 iron, divots are very small to not there... Not completely sold on S/S though as I dont' think I quite sweep my wedges.

Also, whats best way to try scratch wedge without purchasing one at MSRP that you're not sure will work?

floyd · October 27, 2009

Very nice, I have a Scratch wedge and I was really surprised how soft they feel.

Hstead · October 27, 2009

[quote name='Dan Lau' post='2029383' date='Oct 27 2009, 04:48 PM']Anybody know what the FAW grind is? I did their online fitting tool and I was either a D/S TNC grind, D/S CTG grind, or a S/S FAW grind depending on how I answered 1 or 2 questions..

Anyone know the differences between these 3? I take divots with my wedges but with anything longer than a 7 iron, divots are very small to not there... Not completely sold on S/S though as I dont' think I quite sweep my wedges.

Also, whats best way to try scratch wedge without purchasing one at MSRP that you're not sure will work?[/quote]

I would call Scratch and speak with Jon. He will ask you enough questions to make a recommendation on the grind. If you go with a 8620, I think they are basically DD, SS, or DS. I would buy one and try it after Jon gives you his opinion. The worst case scenario is you would not like it and could sell it on here for about $70 quickly and you spent $30 to find out you didn't like it. I will bet you $30 though that you will. LOL

Dan Lau · October 27, 2009

haha good advice, I might try it. Honestly though, I play to a 16 HC and I started about a year ago. I switched from the 588s to the vokey SM, to the CG14s and I feel like the CG14s are the easiest and most consistent wedges I've ever played. Not sure if a scratch wedge would be as forgiving and not sure I'd actually love it. I read all these great reviews but most people on here are better ball strikers and boatloads more consistent than me.