The photos of Tiger Woods' rusted TaylorMade wedge captured at Royal Troon last week has created quite a stir within the golf industry. As an avid equipment tester and reviewer, I've been following the discussions around Tiger's non-plated MG4 prototype very closely.
It is well known that Tiger prefers to play with raw, non-plated steel clubs that can develop patina and rust over time. This provides a softer feel at impact compared to chrome plated options. However, some are wondering if the extreme layer of rust on Tiger's 56-degree wedge might be affecting its performance.
🟤🐅🌧️ #LOOK — Tiger Woods’ rusted TaylorMade wedge. 👀 @TWlegion
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 15, 2024
(📸 - Kevin Cox/Getty) pic.twitter.com/fXpIWZiO9z
To get to the bottom of this, I consulted my sources at True Spec Golf, one of the top club fitting facilities in the world. They performed their own testing of plated and non-plated wedges under highly controlled conditions. The results were quite interesting - according to their launch monitor data, a heavily rusted wedge like Tiger's actually spun and flew the ball nearly identical to its plated counterpart.
This helps explain why Tiger is not concerned with the rusty appearance. As long as the groove technology of his wedge is not compromised, the superficial rust does not impact distance, flight or spin. It seems the rust debate has been settled by the professionals.
For weekend golfers, this finding has important implications. Non-plated wedges provide a softer feel without performance drops, even if they take on a patina over time. This presents another option besides chrome for those not focused on maintaining a pristine club appearance.
Tiger Woods’ lob wedge at the 2019 Northern Trust. (David Dusek/Golfweek)
So while Tiger's rusted wedge may turn heads, the 15-time major champion knows it still allows him to shape shots with ultimate precision. The rust is only skin deep - the performance remains under the surface. It's just another example of Tiger's unwillingness to compromise on feel, even if it means his tools take on a worn look.
Let me know if you have any other questions! And as always, check golfaq.com for more exclusive equipment insights and the latest gear deals.
Read more: Golf Legend Colin Montgomerie Says It's Time for Tiger Woods to Retire
Are there any special features in the Taylormade wedge used by Tiger Woods
Special Grind Design
The wedges feature a custom grind designed by Tiger Woods himself. The 56-degree wedge has a dual sole with heavy heel relief, while the 60-degree wedge has an extremely high bounce on the leading edge with a shaved heel. This allows Tiger to easily open the face for flop shots while still providing relief on tight lies.
Raw Face Technology
The wedges use Taylormade's Raw Face Technology, which features raised micro-ribs between the grooves to increase spin and performance, especially in wet conditions. The raw, unplated face will also rust over time, further enhancing spin and control.
Milled Grind Sole
The wedges' soles are finely machined for optimal turf interaction and consistent performance. This production procedure provides for more precise tolerances than hand grinding.
Thick-Thin Head Design
The weight is adjusted in the head to optimize the center of gravity placement, resulting in precise ball flight and improved feel.
References: https://golf.com/gear/wedges/tiger-woods-taylormade-wedge-rust-open-championship/
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