TaylorMade

What it does: For the discerning eyes of better players (like TaylorMade’s impressive tour staff), a wedge needs to embrace minimalism. That’s why the aggressive efforts here on creating spin stay fairly hidden. This includes an unplated finish on the face that allows the grooves to be cut closer to the edge. Between the grooves, tiny ribs (0.02 millimetres) protrude to generate additional friction on the shortest shots for maximum spin.  

Why we like it: Of course, the shape here is a technology. The way the upper part of the blade increases in thickness as lofts increase yields a flatter trajectory with more spin. And of course the milled soles make those bounce angles and curves precisely consistent from Rory McIlroy’s wedge to yours. 

Specs 17 options (46-60 degrees); 4 sole grinds; 2 finishes