Quick Summary
There are essentially 3 main hi toe wedge options available right now.
- Callaway PM Grind – The first Hi-Toe wedge was pioneered by Phil Mickleson and Roger Cleveland. It’s the original gangster high toe wedge. Generally speaking the reviews are pretty good, and it clearly performs well for Phil.
- Taylormade Hi-Toe Wedge – Even though Taylormade have cleary drawn inspiration from Callaway, it’s easy to understand why. The Taylormade Hi Toe Wedge is currently gamed by Rory Mclroy and plenty of other pros. Reviews of the TM version are also pretty positive overall.
- Wilson Staff HT Wedge – The Wilson version is the latest addition to the Hi-Toe party. The good news here is that Wilson’s offering is a little bit cheaper than the Callaway and Taylormade equivalents. It’s the most budget friendly option.
1. Callaway PM Grind Hi Toe Wedge
The Callaway PM Grind wedge, co-created by Phil Mickelson and Roger Cleveland, features micro-grooves on a 20° angle to promote added spin on chips, pitches and lobs. The increased offset and higher center of gravity from the higher toe helps players control trajectory on full and partial shots while the C-Grind sole provides generous relief at the heel and toe for crisp, clean contact from a variety of greenside lies.
- Offset Groove-in-Groove Technology for high spin on chips, pitches, and lobs
- Increased offset and higher center of gravity from the higher toe together help players control trajectory on full and partial shots
- C-Grind sole configuration for crisp contact from a broad range of lies
- Premium Components and finishes
Pros
- Designed by Phil Mickleson and Roger Cleveland. That’s a power combo if ever there was one.
- It has a second layer of bounce which helps the club glide through the turf when you open up the face
- Ideal for lob shots and out of the sand
- Full face scoring lines make the wedge more playable from tough lies
Cons
- It might fly a bit lower than a normal wedge
- It could take you some time to adjust to the altered center of gravity. It has more weight in the toe and this promotes a lower trajectory, with more spin.
2. TaylorMade Hi-Toe Wedge
The TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedge offers incredible versatility around the green with a design that provides a lower launch and more spin and features a sole cavity with three trapezoid-shaped pockets to optimize weight distribution. The full-face scoring lines ensure consistent ball contact out of the rough while the high bounce leading edge with increased belly offers less resistance for better contact on turf or sand. The Hi-Toe wedge also has a Channel Cut Mid-Sole that prevents excessive digging and has an aged copper finish for a stunning look.
- STANDARD SOLE 50º, 52º, 54º: The all-purpose grind that is perfect for full approach shots into the green. This sole is well suited for both normal and soft turf conditions. All of these lofts feature standard scoring lines.
- 4-WAY SOLE 56º, 58º, 60º: 4-way cambered sole with a mid bounce design of 10*. It is a great option for players with average or steep swings from normal turf and softer sand.
- ATV GRIND 58º, 60º, 64º: Channel-Cut ATV mid-sole with a 12° bounce. The “V” shaped leading edge moves through the turf and sand more quickly for better contact.
Pros
- The Taylormade Hi-Toe Wedge is used by Rory Mcllroy
- It’s a very versatile wedge. You can set it up square or open up the face and it will respond well to both
- Ideal for lob shots and out of the sand
- Full face scoring lines make the wedge more playable from tough lies
Cons
- It might fly a bit lower than a normal wedge
- The copper finish has a tendency to rust. This can actually increase spit, but it makes the wedge look pretty old after 6 months of being in your game.
- It’s hard to find the chrome, black and raw steel versions
2. Wilson Staff Model HT
The Staff Model HT wedges by Wilson provide a confident short game and long-term reliability for players. With soft-forged carbon steel heads and precision-milled faces. This design also contains machined-engraved score lines in the precision-milled face, featuring a higher density pattern for more consistent contact with the ball.
- Tour Inspired, Tour Proven – Provide direct feedback on design and performance. With results of players confident in their short game.
- Precision Milled Face and Advanced Spin Scorelines – Machine-engraved score lines in the precision-milled face feature a higher density pattern for more consistent contact with the ball.
- High-Toe / Wide Sole Construction – High-toe design gives you the flexibility you demand while allowing you to save shots as you approach the green.
Final Thoughts
All 3 options in this post will give you most of the benefits that you can expect from a hi toe wedge. If you’re not sure which one to choose, these final buying tips my help:
If you’re on a tight budget: Go for the Wilson Staff HT wedge. It’s significantly cheaper than the Taylormade and the Callaway equivalent.
If you’re not sure which one: The Callaway PM Grind is probably the least risky option. The bounce setup of the PM grind caters to full shots and it caters to open face shots. It’s like a combination between a standard wedge and a high toe wedge.
If you are partial to positive reviews: The Taylormade Hi Toe Wedge has received very positive reviews from players and amateurs alike.