Bethpage Edits: Fresh Wedges Offer More Spin & Control

*In Partnership with Titleist*

As satisfying as smashing a driver can be, I personally believe there are few things more rewarding than hitting a perfectly clipped wedge that finds its landing spot and stops on a dime. The sound, the speed, the moment of impact, when you know you hit it just right, and your next shot will be a tap-in, it doesn't get much better than that.

One of the most memorable examples of this was on Saturday of the 2023 Ryder Cup, where Rory McIlroy hit a low zipping shot from the side of the 17th green that even left his teammates in a bit of shock, and even watching it now, it's hard to believe a golf ball can stop that quickly on a green.

But how is a shot like this possible in the first place?

To hit a shot like this, there are several factors at play, including incredible technique, using a tour-level urethane golf ball that maximizes green-side spin, and fresh clean grooves to make sure that the maximum amount of friction is generated at impact to keep launch low and spin as high as possible.

(A close up of Titleist's SM10 Groves)

Low Launch - High Spin?

Yes, you read that correctly - the best way to control wedge distance is by launching the ball lower and with more spin, which is made possible thanks to the friction created when urethane meets steel. The more friction, the more spin and control which is why for many players at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, are coming armed with fresh higher lofted wedges to make sure they leave nothing on the table.

(Photo: Greg Moore, GolfWRX)

(Photo: Greg Moore, GolfWRX)

Cameron Young's newest 56° and 60° wedges (above) features Team USA Stamping, along with a single red dot to signify the number of Ryder Cups he has played in so far. Justin Thomas' new 60 T-Grind (below) also features Team USA Stamping but with four red dots to mark each time Justin has made the team so far in his career.

(Photo: Greg Moore, GolfWRX)

Ludvig Aberg's New Wedge Works L-Grind (Photo: Greg Moore, GolfWRX)

What New Grooves Mean To You

Now I am keenly aware that, unlike professional golfers, we regular folks don't just get new wedges handed to us every couple of times we go and play golf with our buddies, but to be fair, we also don't play or practice as much as professionals either. But a good way to judge if you do need new wedges is around the 75-round mark, where groove degradation will start to cause more spin and trajectory variability on wedge shots.

This will be especially noticeable on shots hit in wet conditions and out of the rough, meaning if you're a golfer who likes to tee off in the morning when the grass is still glistening from dew, and you are having a hard time getting those wedges to stop, it might be time to look at some new wedges.