Equipment
TaylorMade Tour Preferred EF wedges
TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred EF wedges use chemistry to offer golfers longer-lasting, higher-spinning grooves.
Instead of milling or casting the grooves, like most wedges on the market, TaylorMade uses a chemical process called electroforming — thus the “EF” — to make a face insert with grooves that are consistently sharper and more durable than their predecessors.
The science is complicated, so I’ll do my best to simplify it.
Nickel and cobalt materials go through an ionization process in an electrolytic solution, then ions get plated onto a master model. The “master” is a mold that forms the grooves and micro-milling of the face insert. When the nickel cobalt solution lifts off the master, what’s left is a sheet of material that has taken the shape of the mold.
Think of a loose leaf piece of paper, but the lines are grooves.
The material is 0.25 millimeters thick — about the size of a piece of paper. Face inserts are then laser-cut from the sheet, and adhered to the 1025 carbon steel body.
[quote_box_center]”The insert material feels like a credit card,” says Clay Long, TaylorMade’s Director of Product Creation for TaylorMade Putters and Wedges. “You can bend it with your fingers.”[/quote_box_center]
The electroformed nickel cobalt insert is about 50 times harder than carbon steel, but according to Long, the increased hardness doesn’t mean a harder feel than the TaylorMade’s previous wedge models.
[quote_box_center]”The feel of the face when hitting a shot is no different than carbon steel,” he says. [/quote_box_center]
Since the insert is made from a master mold, each of the grooves are consistently sharp and won’t dull as fast as milled or cast grooves. The dark PVD finish will show signs of wear, but the grooves will last “for what seems like forever,” Long says.
While PGA Tour players like Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia don’t have a problem getting their hands on fresh new wedges whenever they want, both players have put the new wedges in the bag. Johnson won the Northern Trust Open with three Tour Preferred EF wedges (52, 56 and 60 degrees).
The shapes and sole grinds of the EF wedges are consistent with the original Tour Preferred models. They’re offered in two sole grinds, “Tour” and “ATV,” although the ATV grind has a slightly more narrow sole than the original. Also, a few more loft and bounce combinations have been added.
Tour Grind
The Tour Grind will be available in eight lofts (47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62 degrees) with bounce options ranging from 8 to 15 degrees.
ATV Grind
The ATV grind will be available in five lofts (52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees).
The Tour Preferred EF wedges ($159) come stock with KBS Shafts, and will hit stores on April 10.
For more information, click on the spec sheet below.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the wedges in the forums.
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.
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”
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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Nevin
May 24, 2015 at 7:39 pm
I played with two friends who have these in their bags now. Both are extremely happy with them and they are clearly spinning it more with these grooves. I think I’ll keep my SCOR’s for now but the do look and feel great.
Desmond
Apr 19, 2015 at 4:13 am
The insert gives it an odd look at address. The grooves should extend more outwards towards the toe so you actually hit a groove when opening the club face. TM can’t hit a home run with wedges… they are always fishing.
Gary
Apr 10, 2015 at 1:26 pm
I am very much into the Cally Mack Daddy 2 wedges and also like the Vokey SM5 very much. If the spin on these wedges is pretty good and the grooves are indeed long lasting, would have to say they would be very much worth a try. Hopefully the feel would be pretty decent too.
MRC
Apr 8, 2015 at 11:22 pm
Sticking w my Mizuno wedges….their forged.
Ken N
Apr 8, 2015 at 6:39 pm
While I like the overall look of the wedge on the back, I can’t help but look at the insert on the face and think “plastic insert.” Maybe it’s because there’s a tiny space between the bottom edge of the face and the insert, but the thing just doesn’t look clean to me. I suppose I expected better execution from TaylorMade. But if it’s good enough for DJ, shouldn’t it be good enough for us (a)’s? I just wonder, if he wasn’t bound to contractual obligations, which wedges would he choose from Titleist, Cleveland, Ping, etc?
Tom Duckworth
Apr 7, 2015 at 4:26 pm
Really like the finish. It sounds like a good idea I’m not a TM guy but not a hater. I would give them a honest try. I like the ATV grind on a 58 or 60.
Tom Stickney
Apr 7, 2015 at 1:05 am
Have them in my bag…flatter trajectory as well.
Jason
Apr 7, 2015 at 11:26 pm
I wouldn’t think most of us average golfers would need a flatter trajectory, especially with a wedge. Is that a good thing in your case?
Dan
Apr 6, 2015 at 9:29 pm
Not that it has anything to do with the wedges, but DJ lost the Northern Trust Open in a playoff to James Hahn.
Jeffrey Trigger
Apr 7, 2015 at 12:56 am
So, you’re saying he has a second place, to go with his first place, and his sixth place, and his top ten world ranking…
Gary
Jun 8, 2015 at 7:11 pm
DJ played great in that tournament but the winner hit two great putts in the playoff.
Gubment Cheez
Apr 6, 2015 at 6:29 pm
These wedges are junk
Might as well be pinemeadow
R
Apr 6, 2015 at 5:20 pm
The science, rather chemistry, is far from complicated. It’s a very simple “positive is attracted to negative” process.
Matt
Apr 6, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Nothing bad to say about these, love the finish and how they seem to sit at address from the pictures. Props TM, thumbs up from me
Chuck
Apr 6, 2015 at 1:10 pm
Very nice looking wedges. Props to TM on some very thoughtful design.
I still wish I knew why TM gave up on its old replaceable-face wedge designs. I never bought one; I never even played with one! But I always admired it as a good design idea. It came and went so fast, I just never found the opportunity to try one.
sgniwder99
Apr 6, 2015 at 4:47 pm
Some of their tour guys still use them, too.
christian
Apr 7, 2015 at 4:38 am
Still? Are they an old model or?
Chuck
Apr 7, 2015 at 3:18 pm
Yeah, an old design. From about 2010-11. I seem to recall their being around for about two years or so. Cleverly built, such that you could use the standard TM hosel torque wrench to replace faces. Here’s the great Wade Liles from the TM tour van way back in 2009(!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COPH6spfiKw
I always had a sneaking suspicion that both the introduction and the discontinuation had something to do with the 2010 groove rule. If I recall correctly, they came into the marketplace when the groove rule had been passed but had not yet gone into effect. Then there would have been the issue of whether you were using a conforming-groove wedge. Were the replacement faces marked for conformity? I don’t recall. Obviously, that is the whole idea, conforming or not; to be able to keep a wedge whose weight and shape and bounce and shaft were all perfect for you, but the grooves were worn out. So just replace the face. Still seems like a pretty cool idea to me.