Equipment
This PGA Tour pro is using a ridiculously expensive 1-of-1 sand wedge. Here’s why
It’s not uncommon for a PGA Tour player to use a one-off prototype golf club that’s not available to the public. If you follow our weekly photos in the GolfWRX forum threads, you know that’s the case. Some of the world’s best players simply require a different look and feel than what comes stock from the OEMs, and, for the most part, PGA Tour players are in a position to get any club modification they want.
Dylan Frittelli’s new Callaway Apex TCB sand wedge, though, is a next-level custom job that could represent a shift in equipment usage for golfers going forward.
Most tour players and mid-to-low-handicappers use what you’d consider a set of “standard” wedges, which are characterized by thick soles, thick hosels, rounded profiles and blade-style back sections. Their more angular cavity-back (or muscleback) iron sets typically stop at either the 9-iron or the pitching wedge, while their higher-lofted clubs have a standard wedge design.
Just for reference, below is a look at Frittelli’s 56-degree sand wedge from March 2021, which showcases what a “standard” wedge looks like.

Why do players use differently designed clubs for their irons and wedges?
Well, that’s what Frittelli wanted to know.
“I’m like, why do I use a sand wedge with a blade? I asked the Callaway rep and Roger Cleveland, they were all like, ‘No, there’s no reason, it’s just people do that,'” Frittelli told GolfWRX on Monday ahead of the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open.
Last year, Frittelli switched into a Callaway Apex TCB gap wedge that was a stock offering in the iron set, and he found the distance numbers to be more consistent on mishits due to the cavity-back design.
Click here for more info and conversation about the Apex TCB irons.
“The simple story is, I switched to the gap wedge in L.A. last year. I saw it on Instagram – I think it was in Austin the guys gave it to me,” Frittelli explained. “Through putting it on Trackman, hitting distances and yardages with the wedge, I figured it was way more consistent than the next wedge down, which was a blade-like sand wedge. So I’m like, ‘Why not? Can you make me the same iron head in the sand wedge in that loft and see if we can try?'”
Since Frittelli found the Apex TCB gap wedge to work well, he wanted to try a sand-wedge version. The problem was, a 56-degree Apex TCB iron-like head didn’t exist.
That’s when Callaway’s R&D team got to work on the task…and it was NOT cheap.

“It took two or three months for them to make it, but I started using it last week and it’s really good,” Frittelli said. “Roger said to me it’s a $4,000 wedge basically. I don’t know what steel it is, but they ground it out and milled it and did whatever they could to get to the shape. They 3D modeled somehow so they can reproduce it cheaper and quicker.”

A $4,000 wedge has to be the most expensive wedge on the PGA Tour. But is it worth it? According to Frittelli, he’s experiencing performance gains across the board.
“Chipping is a little different, I had to adjust a little bit there,” Frittelli told GolfWRX. “But it feels fine, on most of my chip shots I use a sand wedge. It feels pretty good on that as well. So it’s really just a question of, ‘Why do you guys use these? Well, just because they use them.’ There’s no answer. There’s no extra spin, there’s no extra distance or less distance. For me, in my head, I just see spin numbers are more consistent on the longer shots, full shots, and slight mishits just fly to the yardage a lot better. And then out of the rough you have a little more mass behind it, which again, mishits and off-center it flies a lot better.”

Based on his experience with the Apex TCB gap wedge, Frittelli says it’s unlikely he’ll switch out of the sand-wedge version. This is certainly something to keep an eye on going forward, since Frittelli is breaking new ground in the wedge category on tour by using an iron-like wedge for his sand wedge.

“I just used (a blade-style wedge) because they never had that option,” Frittelli said. “Then when the TCBs came out, I saw the gap wedge was in the list of irons, so I was like, well, let me use it. And I didn’t turn back once I used it. So I don’t see myself turning back now from the sand wedge. I don’t think anyone is gonna follow me in that trend, but that’s OK. We’ll see if my wedge numbers start going off the charts.”
For average golfers, I pose the question: Why do you use a blade-style wedge, rather than a cavity-back, iron-like construction that may offer more forgiveness? That’s the question Frittelli asked, and it led him down this road. It will be interesting to see if his performance really does improve, and if the new wedge stays in the bag.
If you’re curious to try out a wedge like this for yourself, next time you’re shopping for irons, take note of the available options. Many irons sets come with gap wedges or sand wedges in their stock offerings. They may be worth a try.
Check out more photos from the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open here!
Equipment
Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver
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.
Equipment
Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
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”
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo
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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Jeremy
Jan 26, 2022 at 12:10 am
This in not a new thing Callaway started offering the Mac Daddy CB wedge in 2020 I used them all last season they are great
steve
Jan 25, 2022 at 8:10 pm
This is the story Terry Koehler (founder of Edison wedges) has been telling for many years. I have tried his wedges and I am sold.
Garrett
Jan 25, 2022 at 11:32 am
but if he uses a CB sand wedge where will aaron dill put all those dope stampings. priorities
Aaron Dill
Jan 25, 2022 at 12:49 pm
Pay no attention to my charlatan ways.
Steve Myrvold
Jan 25, 2022 at 10:35 am
Well, sandwiches come in all shorts of different sole configurations. The set wedge may be fine for more full type shots. But, the sand wedge needs to be very versatile. Sand conditions can make a different sole design very important.
Dan W
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:57 pm
Why use a blade wedge? I’m shocked a pro doesn’t know these things. 2 reasons.
1- the wedge head has the most aggressive grooves. Plus micro grooves or face milling or face texture which adds spin on the shorter shots.
2- and most importantly. Flighting down shots and controlling trajectory.
If a pro doesn’t see these things they sucks with a wedge.
Ask any fitter, “why go with a bigger head?”…answer- yes, forgiveness but mostly, the bigger the head , the higher it makes the ball go.
So a blade style club can easily flight the ball down, which is crucial with the wedge as choosing the proper trajectory is vital with a back pin then a front pin or to combat a head or tail wind.
The reason we all use them isn’t “ well, we just do”. There’s a very important reason.
Seriously?
Jan 25, 2022 at 12:36 am
So, how many professional wins do you have and how long did you spend in the world top 50?
I’m pretty sure Dylan can flight down these wedges without an issue.
Jay
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:32 pm
I asked myself this same question not long ago. I’ve used Vokey blade wedges for years and years. I recently decided to switch to a cavity back sandwedge, The Callaway MackDaddy CB, and I have seen no performance drop off in consistency or spin, and I have gained some forgiveness. I am glad I questioned this and changed.
Born
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:29 pm
My PW is 49.5 lol so prob same loft as TCB gpa wedge
chip75
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:42 pm
“Many irons sets come with gap wedges or sand wedges in their stock offerings. They may be worth a try.”
It depends on the set. The more player orientated the stronger the highest lofted club tends to be. That’s one of the reasons why they spent $4,000 on this spanner. Ping are one of the last OEMs to offer something like a 52° with the i210s (which Westwood games). It would be neat if we saw 56° and 60° set wedges. Ping probably had some of the last 2-SW/LW sets on tour with their Eye2 line, not sure if that got to i3s.
Dan w
Jan 24, 2022 at 10:02 pm
The Ping i210 GW is 50 deg.
Golf Nobel
Jan 25, 2022 at 2:53 am
Retro Spec is 52 and he probably has this configuration.
chip75
Jan 25, 2022 at 8:14 pm
Lee’s used two U wedges in the past, one a 49.5 the other a 53, as well as a 50/54 U set-up.
I assume he uses the Sharpie yardage marks to tell the difference when they’re in the bag!
Benny
Jan 24, 2022 at 7:26 pm
Always was a fan of my sets gap wedge. Looks better with the flow. Weight is consistent and for CB’s its helps.
Great call and article Wrx.