With the soon to be released and Limited Edition Fourteen V5 Forged T.S Wedge coming april 1st we decided to begin a new weekly series called Inside the Fourteen Tour Van. As of right now we hope to have enough information bi weekly to keep Fourteen fan’s updated on the latest on the PGA Tour
I posted a video last week reviewing the new V5 T.S wedge and at the very end mentioned on tour they were doing custom grinds for the PGA tour players. On March 10th at the WGC Cadillac Championship a few of these wedges showed up, have a look at the pics below, Fourteen will not comment on who’s they were but TSG easily put two and two together and figured out the below wedge was recently produced for Matt Kuchar. In the below image it shows a heavy weighted V5 T.S Wedge in 60* that has had a leading edge rounded off then bent to 62* letters custom stamped 62* and KK as were added in the last pic. In april there is a retail version 62* coming out so were unsure why they didn’t just start with that raw head vs bending a 60*.
we don’t know how many V5’s are in play on tour but between these images and the pics of the tour wedges at the Japan Golf Fair we have seen some stamped KUCH, some AA, a wedge stamped RB or BEEMER, and one marked CC and speaking of BEEMER or RB, I think we can safely assume that’s Rich Beam.
Above are some spy shots of some V5 T.S wedges custom ground for RB that feature a lot of offset and lots of crazy stamping, I personally don’t mind some offset in my wedges yet understand that the majority of our customers don’t like it. The V5 T.S wedge being released april 1st has no offset but I’m curious as to why people tend to stay away from the trend RB enjoys.
Which leads me to the question why do so many people NOT like offset in their wedges when in many cases it would support their short game? Is it the visual aspect, the macho less offset is better attitude, or they have never tried it? Sound off in the poll below…
[poll id=”40″]
Having offset in your wedges makes it difficult to play wide-open, sliced, cut-under flop shots. You want a decent leading edge, almost an on-set to do those kinds of shots, to make sure you’re going to slice under the ball first with the blade ahead of the hosel so that you eliminate the chance of any shanks or the hosel turning over too quickly. At least, that is how I prefer it, knowing that the blade gets there ahead of the hosel is reassuring.
I’d be scared to let, or see, the hosel leading first into the ball and then the leading edge coming behind it, in that order. Unless, you are able to bend the club way flat, for me that would be like 4 degrees flat, so that I can really slice it. But why not just get a wedge with on-set or face-forward, so that you don’t have to worry about that?
one thing that is not mentioned in the poll above and also the reason i didnt vote is that offset here gives you lower trajectory and i bet thats the reason for it in this case. do you really think tour players need help closing the face with their wedges ?! also do agree with Geet, flop shots are more difficult with those but if you have a grind that allows to open its just a matter of adjustment. have offset in my wedges as well.