Question

880 viewsApril 7, 2023

rlhdavro 37 April 6, 2023 0 Comments

I’m wondering what the actual data says about raw vs plated wedges with respect to two things: Spin rates and wear. I have heard that raw wedges spin more because there is no plating to degrade and round off the edges of the grooves. I have also heard the exact opposite, that the plating increases longevity of the grooves and the softer raw metal wears out faster.

I’m hoping Britt can shed some light on this topic and let me know whats real vs myth. Thanks in advance!

Britt Lindsey Answered question April 7, 2023

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Answer 1 · 2023-04-07T13:10:43+00:00

What you said IS what they say about the two different finishes. I would say, based on our experience and testing, that it is very difficult to find any difference is spin if the grooves on both types of finishes are conforming. Over time, I do believe the chrome plating can protect the integrity of the grooves for a longer period of time. Most people will not hit thousands of shots with their wedges from all kinds of sand and turf conditions like the pros do, so “wearing out” the face or grooves probably is not a consideration for most. Also, the USGA has strict guidelines on how rough the surface of the face of the wedge can be, so even on a raw wedge, the face surface can not exceed that limit. I think it’s more about the cosmetics and the look than any performance advantage, or disadvantage, between an raw wedge offering and a chrome offering.

Britt Lindsey