Gear: Wilson Staff Model Tour Grind wedge
Price: $129.99 each with True Temper Dynamic Golf X100 120 shaft and Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip
Specs: Forged 8620 carbon steel with milled face. Available in 56-, 58- and 60-degree versions.
Wilson has made it easy for golfers to get a feel for which clubs are designed for various types of players, with C Series gear being control-oriented and D Series products made with distance in mind. Over the past few seasons, new Staff Model irons and wedges also appeared, and they are constructed with accomplished golfers in mind. The irons tend to have thin toplines, narrow soles and less offset than other Wilson clubs, so they have found their way into the bags of players such as 2019 U.S. Open winner Gary Woodland, Brendan Steele and recent signee Kevin Chappell.
In keeping with that tradition, Wilson’s new Staff Model Tour Grind wedges were designed for golfers who want versatility around the greens, tend to sweep the ball and find themselves needing to play shots from tight lies.
Forged from 8620 carbon steel for a soft feel at impact, the Staff Model Tour Grind wedges are available only in sand wedge and lob wedge lofts (56-60 degrees) and have moderate bounce (10-12 degrees). A significant amount of material has been ground out of the heel and toe areas, which should make it easier to open the face, get the leading edge under the ball and still receive the benefit of the bounce.
To enhance spin, Wilson mills the face of each Staff Model Tour Grind wedge before machining the grooves into the hitting area. This helps ensure the face is perfectly flat for consistency.