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The Wedge Guy: What are the best golf club innovations?

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With over 40 years of experience in the golf equipment industry, I have naturally paid close attention to the evolution of golf equipment throughout its modern history. While I’ve never gotten into the collecting side of golf equipment, I have accumulated a few dozen clubs that represent some of the evolution and revolution in various categories. Obviously, as a club designer myself, I ponder developments and changes to the way clubs are designed to try to understand what the goals a designer might have had and how well he achieved those goals.

Regular questions from readers about this innovation or that got me thinking about my own “hot list” of the most impactful innovations in equipment over my lifetime – the past 60 years or so — so let me offer this analysis up to all of you for review, critique, and argument.

Woods

I would have to say that the two innovations in woods that made the most impact on the way the game is played are the introduction of the modern metal wood by TaylorMade back in the 1980s and the advent of the oversized wood, pioneered by Callaway’s Big Bertha in the 1990s. Since then, the category has been more about evolution than revolution, in my opinion.

Irons

Once you get past the innovation in the 1920s to create matched sets of irons, numbered 1 through 10 or “P”, I think there are two major innovations that have improved the playability of irons for recreational golfers. The first is the introduction of offset to help the average golfer keep his or her ball flight from straying right. (But if you naturally draw the ball, this is NOT your feature.) The second would be the introduction of perimeter weighting, which made the lower lofted irons so much easier for less skilled golfers to get airborne. Again, just about everything since then has been tweaking, rather than re-inventing.

Putters

This is probably the most design-intensive and diverse in the entire equipment industry. Thousands of designs and looks in the endless pursuit of that magic wand. The first most impactful innovation has to be the Ping Anser putter, which has been copied by nearly every company that has even thought about being in the putter business. Moving the shaft toward the center of the head, at the same time, green speeds were increasing and technique was moving toward a more arms-and-shoulders method, which changed the face of putting forever. I actually cannot think of another innovation of that scale in the category, but lie angle balancing might prove me wrong, as it is certainly the “real deal.”

Wedges

Very simply, there hasn’t been much revolution in this category. The “wedges” on the racks today are almost identical to those in my collection dating back to a hickory shafted Hillerich and Bradsby LoSkore model from the late 1930s, to a Spalding Dynamiter from the 50s, Wilson DynaPower from the 70s and so on. The closest thing would be the proliferation of specialized grinds and the advances in CNC-milling that allow almost perfect grooves.

Shafts

Hands down, the most powerful innovation is the creation of the carbon fiber (graphite) shaft. After fruitless ventures into aluminum and fiberglass, this direction has improved the performance of golf clubs across the board. You haven’t seen a steel-shafted driver in a decade or more, and irons are rapidly being converted. Personally, I can’t see ever playing a steel shaft again in any club – even my putter! Behind that, I’d have to say the concepts of frequency-matching and “spining” shafts made it possible to achieve near perfection in building golf clubs for any golfer.

Wild Card

This has to go to the invention of the hybrid. After decades of trying to find a way to make clubs with 18-24 degrees of loft play easier, the application of every possible perimeter-weighted iron concept and smaller fairway wood head concept has finally been figured out by Sonartec and Adams. As a result, every golf club brand has now adopted this concept. Golfers of all skill levels are benefiting, as this is just a better way to get optimum performance out of clubs of that loft and length.

So, there’s my review of a lifetime of golf club engineering. What can you all add to this? What do you think I missed? I hope to see lots of conversation on this one.

Terry Koehler is a fourth generation Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M University. Over his 40-year career in the golf industry, he has created over 100 putter designs and dozens of wedges. In 2014, he put together the team that reintroduced the Ben Hogan brand to the golf equipment industry with his TK 15 wedges and Ft. Worth 15 iron designs. Since receiving a U.S. Patent for his “Koehler Sole” in the early 1990s, he has been challenging “conventional wisdom” in the wedge category. In addition to inspiring multiple companies to emulate this sole technology, the performance of his wedge designs have stimulated all other companies to reposition some mass toward the top of the blade in their wedges. Terry is retired from his role as Chairman and Director of Innovation for Edison Golf, and remains active in the industry as an independent designer and consultant.  But his most compelling work is in the wedge category. Since he first patented his “Koehler Sole” in the early 1990s, he has been challenging “conventional wisdom” reflected in ‘tour design’ wedges. The performance of his wedge designs have stimulated other companies to move slightly more mass toward the top of the blade in their wedges, but none approach the dramatic design of his Edison Forged wedges, which have been robotically proven to significantly raise the bar for wedge performance. Terry serves as Chairman and Director of Innovation for Edison Golf – check it out at www.EdisonWedges.com.

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. Prime21

    Sep 21, 2025 at 12:19 am

    I think referring to the hybrid as a “Wild Card” is a total understatement. I would certainly say hands down it was one of the most important “revolutions” of the technology era. Higher, straighter & more forgiving than its counterpart, the long iron, it certainly revolutionized the top of the golf bag. If one was forced to carry a 3 iron over a 3 hybrid, their stats would definitively suffer the consequences. The 2000’s changed the way we look at the 190-240 yard barrier.

  2. Richard

    Sep 9, 2025 at 2:40 am

    Wedges:

    Sand Wedge by Sarazen, duh.

    Lob Wedge (largely) by Tom Kite.

  3. MIKE Gorton

    Sep 8, 2025 at 7:27 pm

    I would also say the Yonex Adx Driver would be up there. It was the 1st over sized head and 45″ was the standard length. In fact the Big Burtha was copied from this but instead of a graphite head it was a metal head.

  4. Michael C Sims

    Sep 8, 2025 at 11:04 am

    Karsten was so ahead of his time. The Anser alone changed the game but couple that with eye2 irons and don’t forget his hoofer bags. Oh, made Scotty Cameron rich too.

  5. geo

    Sep 7, 2025 at 8:38 pm

    The Nunchuk graphite shaft (Trizonal: stiff, counter balanced butt, flexible mid section and very stiff tip) utilized different wrapping techniques to achieve the exact amount of flex in the exact position of the shaft required.
    Although heavier(dead weight) in the hands than many other graphite shafts; one shaft flex has been used successfully by youth, women and men, both am and pros.
    Many shafts since patent expired, utilize the same techniques to customize stiffness and to counter balance.
    Congratulations to the original patent holder, Gerry Hogan, author of
    The Hogan Manual of Human Performance: GOLF, 1991.

  6. Scott

    Sep 7, 2025 at 12:54 pm

    I’d say the two ball putter is pretty revolutionary in that it introduced a totally different way to line up the putter, and spurred the introduction or the mallet.

    The sand wedge as invented by sarazen was truly revolutionary

  7. Craig Gardner

    Sep 6, 2025 at 7:06 pm

    Ping Eyr 2 L wedge changed the game:)

  8. mg

    Sep 6, 2025 at 6:49 am

    2004 – Todd Hamilton and sonartec. I bought 3 of those and loved them.

  9. Brent

    Sep 5, 2025 at 3:46 pm

    Wedges did have some innovation with grinds and degrees of bounce, that’s something you wouldn’t see 20 years ago.

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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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