Does rust make the ball spin more?  

Aside from it being unsightly, and making jewelry-esque golf clubs look like old wrenches in a mechanics tool box, does rust aid in the stopping performance of a golf club.  After all, when you run your fingers over the rusted surface, it feels rough compared to the polished finish of a chromed face.  It has to, right?  It may have a negligible effect, but not enough to really matter.  So, the answer is No, not really, but it is a trick question.  Read on…

A golf ball is in contact with the clubface for about 1/200th of a second, or about 1/3rd of a millisecond.  While this is enough for the grooves to impart spin (back and side) needed to create aerodynamic lift. Not enough time to create a “kicker” of more spin though.  

I know what you’re thinking.  Every tour player in the world uses raw wedges.  And, my raw wedges spin more than the same head with chrome plating on them.  You’re right!!  On both counts.  Raw wedges spin more than chrome plated wedges, but they do so because of the lack of chrome plating, not because of the rust on the face.  In this case, Tour players are in a sticky spot.  Most of them spin the ball too much and have a hard time controlling the amount of spin they get with their wedges.  Chrome plating adds a level of hardness to the feel of the club face.  An unfinished wedge will have better feel than a plated wedge AND it will spin more.  So, Mr. Tour player – do you go for feel or spin reduction? By the comment above, most opt for feel and deal with the increased spin.

Traditionally, RAW wedges have rusted.  A raw wedge has no plating on it for better feel (as stated above).  Carbon steel rusts (typically found in Forged irons), while stainless steel does not (typically found in Cast irons).  This has changed a bit in recent years with the introduction of new types of steel that feels soft like carbon steel, but is cast (Actually this is ideal for a wedge (a soft casting)).  In years gone by, there was no reason to make a stainless steel wedge that was unfinished (so it wouldn’t rust)).  The steel was too hard and it wouldn’t feel that much better.  By contrast, a forged wedge that didn’t have any plating felt really soft and smooth (and it spun more) – a nice upgrade. The unfortunate side effect was that it would rust.  So, there’s you’re answer. Rust is a side effect, not a performance benefit.  

So, what can you do with this information?  You understand WHAT makes a wedge spin more, but where can you apply this knowledge?  Easy, we rarely fit Tour players, and we rarely fit players who spin it TOO MUCH with their wedges.  The Country Club player often does not want to see a rusted club in his bag, and certainly doesn’t want to replace his worn, unfinished wedges every season, so what do you do?  Is there a happy medium??  Of course there is. At Callaway, we use a new steel in our raw wedges.  These will rust, but not like the wedges of old – certainly not to that degree.  Dry them off and keep them in a dry place and they won’t rust.  You can get the feel and performance of a raw wedge without the unsightly look if you don’t want it.  Ideally, you want the softness without the rust. 

When do you use the different types of wedge heads (Raw vs. Plated vs. a set specific wedge)?  Almost any player can handle a blade style wedge.  My wife is an absolute novice, and if she can play an MD5, anyone can.  If a player asks ‘Should I get a Gap Wedge that matches my set?’, I always say it depends. It depends on if that club is part of your chipping and pitching routine. If it is, I’d get the Jaws RAW. If it isn’t, I’d get the wedge that matches the set. The Jaws RAW wedge will spin more around the greens. 

A little “Wedgucation” while were on the topic…  Can you get MORE spin another way?  Other than rusty/ raw unfinished heads?  Yes!! Starting with The Callaway PM Grind and the MD5 Jaws, and now in the Full Toe and Jaws RAW, Callaway started putting “Micro grooves” in between the grooves on all of our wedges.  These are a series of four very small grooves the protrude (rather than indent) in between the normal grooves on the face of the wedge.  If you hold the wedge under light and look closely, you can see them.  If you run your finger over the face and then over the face of a normal club face, you can easily feel the difference.  Upon closer examination, you will see that these micro grooves actually run on a diagonal (from low on the toe to high on the heel) – to help a player get more groove action with an open clubface (as a player will do around a green).  Add an unfinished face that feels softer and spins more, and “Voila”, the best performing wedges there are.  Oh Yeah…  Roger Cleveland designs all of our wedges.  He’s worked for Callaway longer (27 years) than he was operating his own company.  No one has been designing wedges as long as he has.  And no one does it better than he does.  No one.

Hope this helps. Until next time – happy fitting!!