Equipment
Designer Clay Long on TaylorMade’s new Tour Preferred wedges
Three years ago, Clay Long, who is nothing short of a legend in the club-making industry, began working with TaylorMade on a new wedge project.
If you haven’t heard of Clay Long, here’s what you need to know. He designed and built Jack Nicklaus’ clubs for 16 years. He has also has served as Vice president of Research and Development of Macgregor Golf Co., chief designer to Progroup and The Arnold Palmer Co., Vice President of Research and Development of Cobra Golf Co., Vice President of Golf Club Development for the Acushnet Co. and today, as owner of Plus 2 International, Inc. he is responsible for Nicklaus Golf Equipment and Jack Nicklaus’s golf club designs.
[youtube id=”ABBSJq9Ohkc” width=”620″ height=”360″]
To design what would become TaylorMade’s 2014 Tour Preferred wedges, Long looked back through wedge history, as well as through his own storied history, to see how the best wedges ever were designed. He also looked into the bags of some of today’s best tour players to learn why they had their wedges ground the way they did.
So what exactly did Long do to create TaylorMade’s new Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred ATV wedges? That’s what I wanted to know and I had the chance to ask him in the Q&A below.
———————————————————-
AT: TaylorMade offers both a Tour Preferred and Tour Preferred ATV sole grind. What are the differences?
CL: The ATV grind offers a little more variation, a little twist out of the box. It has the relieved heel that the Tour Preferred has, but a different sole. The ATV shows more bounce when the club is open and bites better into the turf. If you live in South Florida or somewhere like that, the ATV will be better. If you play courses with fluffy sand the ATV will be better. The standard soles of the TP will please more people. The TP is really a time-proven design.
The Tour Preferred ATV grind is available in lofts of 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees. The Tour Preferred wedges offers the same lofts with a wider variety of bounce options, and adds 50 and 52-degree models.
AT: The heel and toe relief on the wedges seem to emulate the classic C-Grind shape. Is it a C-Grind?
CL: You know, it’s not really a C-grind shape. It’s more strictly heel relief. We went out on tour and 98 percent of them had the heel on their wedges ground off. When hitting a flop shot or cut shot, the leading edge stays lower to the ground. You can play more shots.
AT: Did Nicklaus grind off the heel on his wedge?
CL: Jack didn’t do that. He had a narrow sole, high bounce — about 17 degrees — and a standard heel. Jack had a standard grind, but it was a perfect standard grind.
AT: The Tour Preferred ATV was said to be developed based on tour feedback, mainly Jason Day’s prototype from the Masters. Why did you settle on this shape?
CL: Everyone is telling us (the Tour Preferred wedges) have the best shapes ever. The first reaction is always “ooh that looks good.” When you combine the shapes, bounce angles, camber and leading edge radius that were meticulously worked on and are time-proven, there’s really not much to argue with.
Historically, Wilson always had the best wedges. In the 60’s and 70’s, Wilson was known as the best. The 1958 Wilson Staff was highly sought after. Tom Watson chipped in with one (at the 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach). All of the good wedges today go back to the old Wilson shape.
AT: The Tour Preferred ATV wedge has a concave sole, but it’s not as concave as TaylorMade’s previous ATV model. What does this do for the wedge?
CL: It helps to have a lot of bounce out of the sand that won’t dig and won’t show bounce. The ATV offers that. It has good action off the ground, won’t show a lot of camber and cuts nicely on a regular shot from the fairway … (It also helps) a golfer that digs from the bunker and has a hard time gliding underneath the ball because he’s steep, but he doesn’t want 16 degrees of bounce because he doesn’t want it to be too bouncy.
The Tour Preferred wedges have “micro-textured faces,” which means they’re designed with small bumps that ensure the faces are flat and help create extra bite around the greens.
AT: The Tour Preferred wedges are made from 304 stainless steel. Why did you use that material and what went into the the face design of these wedges?
CL: 304 has strength, but it’s easier to bend. It’s very soft material. It’s very good and solid … 304 also doesn’t rust, so we didn’t have to plate it. The microtexture (on the face) increases spin and the freshly milled grooves are a little sharper and allow for more aggressive performance.
AT: When you’ve built wedges for Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, your name becomes a design feature in itself. What was Clay Long’s most noteworthy influence on designing these TaylorMade wedges?
CL: I left no detail unturned.
Note: TaylorMade is releasing a 10-part YouTube video series on its Tour Preferred wedges. In the videos, Clay Long talks more about the wedge designs and how they will improve a golfer’s short game. Part 1 of the series is included at the top of this story and Part 2 is below.
[youtube id=”8glKYVYvEH4″ width=”620″ height=”360″]
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
View this post on Instagram
‘Why would anybody want to change that swing?’ – Brandel Chamblee says PGA Tour star was wrong to change his swing
‘The stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard’ – Billy Horschel slams Open idea suggested by Padraig Harrington
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Golfer proudly posts photo of ball mark on iron, receives immediate roasting
WITB Time Machine: Matthew Wolff’s winning WITB, 2019 3M Open
Oakmont Country Club bans Wyndham Clark over locker incident; Reveals specific conditions to earn reinstatement
Adam Scott puts Callaway blades in the bag at Wyndham Championship
Report: LIV star fires caddie and coach in shock shake up
Rickie Fowler makes equipment change to ‘something that’s a little easier on the body’
The championship formula: How 3 key stats separate winners from the field
Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
terry
Jul 14, 2014 at 8:00 am
OMG. They’re promising my game will improve if i use this club….
RAT
Jul 12, 2014 at 7:13 pm
They look cheap..Stay with Drivers..
Mike
Jul 12, 2014 at 7:01 am
picked up a 58*/10 traditional grind this week and used it this morning. fantastic.. needed a bit more bounce than my 60*/04 vokey had in the wet winter conditions in Australia at the moment. Really solid from the bunkers, great spin and excellent feel! When I wear out my 54*/08 Vokey i think i will get the TMAG tp wedge. Used to play the old RAC TP Z grooves and they were awesome but when they wore out i wasn’t a bit fan of the ATVs so went with the vokeys, tried clevelands too but not a real fan.
RogerinNZ
Jul 11, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Yes, it doesn’t take 3 years for a Sole Design…..
Grab the blueprints from 1967 or 1973 and..ala Hogan/Callaway
Great to see TM have gone a more traditional vs flashy
on the wedges! 304SS with unplated looks cool!
So now we get another Great Wedge Range to choose from,
with YES!!!!! Major Updates every 90 Days!
Thanks TM and Clay Long
18inthebrain
Jul 10, 2014 at 11:03 pm
I am a long time lurker, first time poster, and sorry to have a negative vibe in my first post.
I bought two Taylor Made ATV wedges last fall. They have the ATV grind and the micro face. So, no disrespect to Mr. Long, but something doesn’t jibe when I hear they spent three years developing these wedges. How exactly is the tour preferred ATV superior to my old tech ATV wedges from last year with the ATV grind and micro texture faces? Three years research to lessen the concavity in the sole?
I have felt the tm bashers on here were over the top, but I too find myself getting worn out by Tm’s way.
Pingback: Designer Clay Long on TaylorMade’s new Tour Preferred wedges | Spacetimeandi.com
Don O'Connor
Jul 10, 2014 at 8:04 pm
Not only does Clay know how do design a wedge, he can use one pretty well. I have played golf with him several times.He is also a great guy. Clay and Taylormade have designed a nice looking wedge. Hopefully it performs just as well.
j.a.
Jul 10, 2014 at 5:04 pm
Perhaps wedges are the clubs that it’s so difficult to try before you buy as most shops don’t have facilities that allows you to test them.
These wedges look amazing and for sure they will perform as intended. Using 304 SS will make them more durable than other options in CS.
tom stickney
Jul 10, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Clay is a legend and a great guy…glad to see he’s getting some love!