TMAdidas
Well-known member
So as you all know, the main idea being pushed each year is distance. The more the merrier. It was always there with the driver. The fairway wood and hybrid have been slowly distanc-ized with the RBZ's speed-slot (they weren't the first, but they made sure people knew about it and associated it with them) and everyone was happy with their extra 17 yards, myself included. other companies are also making their hybrids and woods go very far. This is great because we hit these clubs from far away distances.Thus, we are showing the manufacturers that we want distance where we can get it. However, the iron isn't hit from as far away. It's more about controling where we want the ball to go. But, since we want distance the companies gave it to us.The 48* PW is slowly becoming 45*, then 44*, and you get the picture. Obviously there are still many "players irons" available that retain the traditional lofts and such. But, the Rocketbladez, and X hots are now competing over iron distancce, and we are buying. Now, there's nothing wrong with distance irons and I think that they are a great idea for many people myself included. (Can't wait to get my AMP's) But, just like the driver, what happens when they are done competing for irons? They seem to be still battling with fairways and hybrids, but still went on to irons. What is the next logical (to them) solution? The answer: the wedge
The Wedge is and should always be about control. It's goal is to hit shorter shots and have the utmost control of where the ball is going. But, so was the iron. The wedge will be the next place companies will go to get distance. It's already happening with Taylormade making the Rocketballz and R11 sand wedge. They are trying to corner the market on distance in a place no one looked: wedges. This will be terrible for high-handicappers and low-handicappers alike. There will be jumpers when we try to hit delicate chips, no predictability or distance control in bunkers. This is because we proved that we want distance.
The point I'm trying to make is that companies only make what we want. And research shows we want distance. But if this craving for distance gets out of hand, then our games will eventually be hurt. Spin is the biggest part of the wedge that people are pushing and that is a good thing for our game. But, just like the iron, control was lost eventually. I'm doubtful that wedges will become about distance at all. It would be an "out there" idea, but to those in the 60's and 70's I bet distance irons were "out there" ideas too. I really wrote this to caution about getting all about distance and not about control.
The Wedge is and should always be about control. It's goal is to hit shorter shots and have the utmost control of where the ball is going. But, so was the iron. The wedge will be the next place companies will go to get distance. It's already happening with Taylormade making the Rocketballz and R11 sand wedge. They are trying to corner the market on distance in a place no one looked: wedges. This will be terrible for high-handicappers and low-handicappers alike. There will be jumpers when we try to hit delicate chips, no predictability or distance control in bunkers. This is because we proved that we want distance.
The point I'm trying to make is that companies only make what we want. And research shows we want distance. But if this craving for distance gets out of hand, then our games will eventually be hurt. Spin is the biggest part of the wedge that people are pushing and that is a good thing for our game. But, just like the iron, control was lost eventually. I'm doubtful that wedges will become about distance at all. It would be an "out there" idea, but to those in the 60's and 70's I bet distance irons were "out there" ideas too. I really wrote this to caution about getting all about distance and not about control.
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