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When OEM finishes just aren’t good enough…part 1

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Nike Golf has really improved upon their golf products since entering the OEM golf equipment realm. I like my Nike wedges so much, except for the chrome finish, I decided a change to their looks was in order. This past season I gamed a set of forged Nike Pro Combo Tours with a somewhat matching set of Nike Forged Tiger Woods 56 and 60 degree sand wedges. They fit right in with my iron set, and from inside 100 yards I was deadly (well for me anyway) accurate with these wedges. Yet, something was missing in the aesthetics department.  For me, a chromed sand wedge is akin to golf fashion faux pas.

 

I was now in search of a properly finished wedge so I wandered over to the SV wedge lineup (the Victory Red line wasn’t even a rumor at the time, and even now they are the wrong finish for me), I liked the SV’s more subdued finishes, but I liked the performance of my Tiger Woods wedges more. In short, I couldn’t stand the chrome finish on these wedges.  Many times this summer the bright sunlight bounced off the wedge face and right into my eyes. I don’t wear sunglasses while paying so this became quite a problem. In my mind there were two possible solutions. The first, and least attractive solution was to switch to a different brand of sand wedge.  A wedge with an oil can finish more to my liking, no thank you, I really like my Nike Tiger Woods wedge line up. The second solution was to figure out a way to change the finish on my wedges. Sure, we all see the guys on the forums who bust out the blowtorch in the garage and change the finish. What I really wanted OEM looking, or better because these wedges (and me) deserve it.  The finish that Nike (and other OEMs on their stuff  as well) had neglected to put on there in the first place. Spend some time on the Golfwrx forums and you’ll see a ton of refinished putters, wedges and even irons, all with aftermarket finishes better than what came on the golf club originally.

Here are my wedges, removed from the shafts and ready for shipping to Black Oxide Service.

You could also get in contact with Monica at Black Oxide Service, or also known by the acronym, “BOS”. BOS can do all types of refinishes to golf clubs. They offer options for carbon steel and stainless steel as well. Just ask via e-mail and Monica will send out a super neat power point with a ton of pictures showing new finishes and various paint fill options they have completed for their discriminating customers. The possibilities are almost endless. For me it was pretty straight forward and simple, wait until winter sets in, send of fthe Nike wedge heads to BOS for a refinish more to my personal liking, have them re-do the paintfill to my specs (this was the toughest part, deciding on paint fill colors) and then wait for them to arrive back in Ohio. Stay tuned for part two of this story, we’ll see the wedges up close and refinished and then go more in depth with Black Oxide Service and what they have to offer as well. Stay tuned!
 

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Rich Hetzel

    Jan 14, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    Here you go!

    mslivnik@sli-bos.com

  2. Nash Carr

    Jan 14, 2009 at 11:04 am

    oil can, i came close to going black oxide….decisions, decisions!

  3. Doug Albers

    Jan 13, 2009 at 10:21 am

    So, do you have Monica’s email address?

  4. w8liftr

    Jan 10, 2009 at 11:03 am

    What finish did you choose for the wedges? Looking forward to the finished product.

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Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

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Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game. 

The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag. 

At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.

The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.

“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley

In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.

To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.

“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod

An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.

Pricing & Availability

The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026. 

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Equipment

Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:

“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly. 

My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”

And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
  • MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
  • dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”

Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”

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Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.

From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo.  4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades.  5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft.   Standard Length, Lie and Lofts.  These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me.  Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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