Tiger Woods’ arrival at Royal Troon for the 152nd Open Championship sparked interest in his gear changes, particularly his TaylorMade MG4 Proto wedges. The closeup photos of Woods’ wedges showing a layer of rust drew attention from the golf community. The rusty appearance of the scoring tools raised questions about the performance benefits of plated versus non-plated wedges.
In recent months, Woods had swapped out his TaylorMade MG4 wedges for a prototype version with a different sole geometry. The layer of rust on the wedges had increased significantly, giving them a weathered look. While some golfers prefer to keep their tools in pristine condition, others swear by the worn appearance of raw steel heads. Removing the plating can make the wedge feel softer at impact, but it does not offer any noticeable performance benefits.
A test conducted with a non-plated wedge soaked in water to develop rust showed that it produced nearly identical spin numbers to a plated version when hit at the same impact location. The launch angle, ball speed, and total distance were also similar between the two wedges. This highlights the importance of groove technology in today’s wedges, as the only noticeable difference with a non-plated wedge is a softer feel and faster wearing grooves.
The layer of rust on Woods’ wedges confirms that he prefers the worn look and softer feel of non-plated wedges. While some golfers may be disappointed that rusty wedges do not offer a performance advantage, it is essential to dispel any myths surrounding the benefits of plated versus non-plated wedges. Groove technology is what truly makes a difference in wedge performance.
For golfers looking to upgrade their equipment, finding a fitting location like True Spec Golf can help ensure that they have the right clubs for their game. Jonathan Wall, the Managing Editor for Equipment at GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com, provides insights into the gear changes made by top players like Tiger Woods and the impact of rust on wedges. For more information on equipment and fitting options, contact Jonathan Wall at jonathan.wall@golf.com.
