Whether you are a long time reader of THP or a more recent consumer of our breadth of releases, reviews, interviews, or brand-stories, you have likely heard the name Terry Koehler and most recently his endeavor founding Edison Golf. We were on top of the story when Terry came back to golf after his hiatus post Hogan Golf with a detailed brand story here from Josh Babbitt as well as a sit down with Terry on Dan Edward’s Off Course Podcast.
The Edison wedges were a continuation on everything we had come to know and expect performance wise from a TK design, from the Koehler Sole to the unique weight placement philosophy, Edison was immediately among the most unique designs on the market. What is more, our forum testing done by golfers just like you showed that they worked well from a variety of skills and applications. So, where does Edison go from there? Why, Edison 2.0 of course.
Edison 2.0 Wedges
Yes, we have seen sequels a fair amount recently in golf, and though at times it feels a bit under-thought from a naming convention aspect, for Edison it aptly describes what is going on. Take what was a rock solid wedge with a unique story, and continue to evolve and tweak it as only Terry Koehler can. There is no wholesale revolution here, Edison is not throwing everything out and starting over, they are seeking to improve and make their designs even more playable for golfers of all skill levels.
When it comes to the Edison 2.0 wedges, there are a lot of changes, both performance based as well as aesthetics and story focused. Aesthetically, the company has moved to a new finish, rather than a traditional chrome plating, the 2.0’s use a glass bead blasted chrome which they call “Pearl Chrome”, and I can tell you with the wedges in hand already as well as a previous user of the 1.0’s, the change is a very good one.
Outside of that, the looks will be mostly familiar to those who used or tried the original wedges. There is some weight movement which we will talk about on its own, but beyond that the paint, ferrules, and engraving style all remain the same. There is a “5X Forged” that has been added to the back of the club which doesn’t signify a change in production processes, but rather to denote to people that these wedges are forged where most of the leaders in the category are cast. This is definitely a feel and precision driven argument by Edison, as subjective as that is, hitting the 2.0’s does offer a shotmaker’s feedback that checks the dense yet pleasing nature of a forged clubhead.
According to Edison, performance wise there has been some tweaking of the Koehler Sole but the biggest changes surround Terry’s belief in designing a wedge that offers forgiveness without sacrificing shot making. It may surprise, but the changes in the Edison 2.0’s are the culmination of multiple years of studying how amateurs hit the golf ball. While you may not always agree with some of the stances which TK takes, you have to respect the fact that he is not at all Tour driven, he is amateur driven trying to look out for everyday golfers like you and me above all else.
The story of how that is being accomplished this time can be seen on the rear of the Edison 2.0 wedges, where there was a cavity look in the originals, there is now a visual double-cavity look which comes from the carving out and movement of 14 to 17 grams of weight depending on the wedge loft in hand. That weight has been moved higher in the clubheads which moves the CG higher and aims to add more forgiveness while creating a flatter trajectory and maximizing spin. This is something (the moving of mass higher) we have indeed seen other manufacturers start to implement, but Edison is quick to comment on the differences:
“I’ve been pursuing dramatic changes in wedge design for over thirty years. While it’s flattering to see all the major brand wedges finally beginning to position a bit more mass higher in their wedge clubheads, none are anywhere close to the EDISON 2.0. In fact, none of today’s wedges are even to the point where my Reid Lockhart® wedges were in the 1990s,” said Koehler. “A caliper measurement comparison of top-of-blade face thicknesses of any major brand wedge to my historic wedge designs proves that I have led this design concept for decades. The EDISON 2.0 wedges are generations ahead of everyone else.”
As I have received 45, 49, 53, and 57 degree Edison 2.0’s in hand for a future full-review to come, I can already comment on the general feel and performance. They are exactly what I would expect from the TK design, the sole is as effective as ever and initial testing has definitely shown the flatter trajectory compared to more “traditional” weighted wedges and impressive spin jumps. Compared to the 1.0’s, there is an initial data difference which we will discuss in time, but the biggest difference for me thus far is in feel through impact. These are thumpy yet crisp, a bit more crisp than the 1.0 on well struck shots in particular, which could have something to do with the additional material removal in these.
The Details
Edison Golf’s new 2.0 wedges will initially be released in odd numbered lofts from 45 to 59 degrees. The plan is eventually to include even lower lofted options (37, 39, 41, 43) and create an even broader set of options for golfers. That addition combined with the offering of only odd numbered lofts aims to further accentuate the differentiation of Edison compared to every other wedge maker out there, though you can request even numbered lofts which will be met by adjusting odd numbered heads. The Edison 2.0 wedges will be priced at $199.95 (steel) and $214.95 (graphite) with various shaft options at release.
For more information, make sure to check out their website at www.edisonwedges.com.
