So first off I'm going to copy what GolferGal has posted when they announced the release of these wedges..
"Bridgestone’s New TOUR B XW-1 Wedges Deliver Buttery-Soft Feel and Enhanced Spin Greenside
New Biting Rail Milled Finish Grooves Optimize Spin and Control Greenside
(COVINGTON, GA) – Bridgestone Golf – the #1 ball-fitter in golf, revealed today its new TOUR B XW-1 collection of wedges, its softest and highest spinning wedges ever designed for better players. The XW-1 Wedges feature Bridgestone’s proprietary, new Biting Rail Milled grooves leading to more spin on approach and greenside recovery shots. Premium forged from 1020 mild carbon steel, the XW-1 Wedges provide the ultimate in soft feel better players prefer.
“Low-Mid handicappers are going to love the control and feel that our new TOUR B XW-1 Wedges deliver,” said Zack Kupperbusch, Golf Club Marketing Manager – Bridgestone Golf. “The combination of the industry’s most premium forging and our new Biting Rail Milled grooves provide unparalleled softness and optimum spin on a variety of short shots.”
The new TOUR B XW-1 Wedge series is designed with three separate sole configurations, each intended to optimize the types of shots played with that particular club. The F (Flat) sole is found in the 50-degree gap wedge, and intended to optimize turf interaction on full or mid-range approach shots providing added stability at impact for a more penetrating ball flight. The M Sole, or the “Multi-Purpose Sole” characteristic of the 52, 54, 58 and 60-degree wedges, focuses on providing versatility for all the varying shots one would hit during a round. From hooded bump-and-runs to open-flange flop shots, the M-Sole delivers maximum controllability. Finally, the A Sole, or the “Forgiving Sole” offers supreme forgiveness in the 56-degree wedge, whether you’re hitting an explosion shot to get out of a steep face bunker, or pin-hunting from the fairway."
So after the #FitLikeaPro Bridgestone Event I received 3 wedges with my set, the 52 deg (which Iwill swap in and out with the AW), the 56 deg and the 60 deg. All wedge specs matched the same as my irons, 1 deg upright and 1/2" long. I had a chance to hit a multitude of shots with these between the first league play and then a good range session. At first during league it took some getting used to. The feel is different than my Callaway MD3 wedges I carried in the same lofts. Previously I had used a C grind of the MD3 which allowed good shot making ability with my sweeping swing. These XW-1 wedges felt a bit heavier and the weight felt more out on the toe for me. On full shots this was great for me, it allowed me to have more control of the head of the wedge and I felt it easier to play shots on full swings. Chipping was more of a challenge for me. In soft conditions the back of the wedge really grabbed for me so I had to learn to open the face up a bit more to get relief. The problem is I don't practice this enough and when I opened the face up the club would just glide under the ball. This would be good, but I don't know how to control it yet By the 8th hole I had figured out how to do this more and wasn't chunking/slipping under the ball and was making decent shots. For feel shots these are going to take some work as a mid handicapper to get used to, but the weight of the club I think will help with the feel over time. Like most wedges those feel shots take some practicing. For full shots these wedges perform really well, even better than my MD3's. Great ball flight and great stopping power. I'll get some pictures posted up after work today. Overall I'm really liking the feel and playability. Any questions, post them up and I'll do my best to answer.
"Bridgestone’s New TOUR B XW-1 Wedges Deliver Buttery-Soft Feel and Enhanced Spin Greenside
New Biting Rail Milled Finish Grooves Optimize Spin and Control Greenside
(COVINGTON, GA) – Bridgestone Golf – the #1 ball-fitter in golf, revealed today its new TOUR B XW-1 collection of wedges, its softest and highest spinning wedges ever designed for better players. The XW-1 Wedges feature Bridgestone’s proprietary, new Biting Rail Milled grooves leading to more spin on approach and greenside recovery shots. Premium forged from 1020 mild carbon steel, the XW-1 Wedges provide the ultimate in soft feel better players prefer.
“Low-Mid handicappers are going to love the control and feel that our new TOUR B XW-1 Wedges deliver,” said Zack Kupperbusch, Golf Club Marketing Manager – Bridgestone Golf. “The combination of the industry’s most premium forging and our new Biting Rail Milled grooves provide unparalleled softness and optimum spin on a variety of short shots.”
The new TOUR B XW-1 Wedge series is designed with three separate sole configurations, each intended to optimize the types of shots played with that particular club. The F (Flat) sole is found in the 50-degree gap wedge, and intended to optimize turf interaction on full or mid-range approach shots providing added stability at impact for a more penetrating ball flight. The M Sole, or the “Multi-Purpose Sole” characteristic of the 52, 54, 58 and 60-degree wedges, focuses on providing versatility for all the varying shots one would hit during a round. From hooded bump-and-runs to open-flange flop shots, the M-Sole delivers maximum controllability. Finally, the A Sole, or the “Forgiving Sole” offers supreme forgiveness in the 56-degree wedge, whether you’re hitting an explosion shot to get out of a steep face bunker, or pin-hunting from the fairway."
So after the #FitLikeaPro Bridgestone Event I received 3 wedges with my set, the 52 deg (which Iwill swap in and out with the AW), the 56 deg and the 60 deg. All wedge specs matched the same as my irons, 1 deg upright and 1/2" long. I had a chance to hit a multitude of shots with these between the first league play and then a good range session. At first during league it took some getting used to. The feel is different than my Callaway MD3 wedges I carried in the same lofts. Previously I had used a C grind of the MD3 which allowed good shot making ability with my sweeping swing. These XW-1 wedges felt a bit heavier and the weight felt more out on the toe for me. On full shots this was great for me, it allowed me to have more control of the head of the wedge and I felt it easier to play shots on full swings. Chipping was more of a challenge for me. In soft conditions the back of the wedge really grabbed for me so I had to learn to open the face up a bit more to get relief. The problem is I don't practice this enough and when I opened the face up the club would just glide under the ball. This would be good, but I don't know how to control it yet By the 8th hole I had figured out how to do this more and wasn't chunking/slipping under the ball and was making decent shots. For feel shots these are going to take some work as a mid handicapper to get used to, but the weight of the club I think will help with the feel over time. Like most wedges those feel shots take some practicing. For full shots these wedges perform really well, even better than my MD3's. Great ball flight and great stopping power. I'll get some pictures posted up after work today. Overall I'm really liking the feel and playability. Any questions, post them up and I'll do my best to answer.