What you need to know: Bettinardi Golf introduces its sixth generation of wedges, the HLX 6.0. Developed from the company’s first milled wedges that launched in 2014, the forged 1020 carbon-steel head features milled sole shaping and machined grooves, while the design sports a ladder milling technique high on the back flange for a higher center of gravity to produce a lower trajectory with higher spin.
Price/Availability: $200; 11 options (48-60 degrees) with two sole grinds and two finishes.
3 Cool Things
1. Not run of the mill. Bettinardi Golf’s putters have long been known for their attention to detail through the company’s well-established milling techniques. Its wedges lean in on milling as well. This not only makes them sharp in appearance but also in the mass properties that improve their function.
A helix milling tool cuts through material much more easily, ensuring a softer feel while also creating deeper surface friction to enhance spin through the tighter-spaced grooves. The ladder milling technique on the higher portion of the back flange removes less material, raising the center of gravity for a lower, more controlled flight with plenty of spin.
“Since 1998, Bettinardi Golf has built a reputation for producing the finest putters in the world,” said Sam Bettinardi, president of Bettinardi Golf. “We’re proud to bring that same dedication to heritage, innovation and craftsmanship to our evolving wedge lineup.”
2. Attention to the small stuff. Although it is easy to look at groove design as the bones of any wedge, true creativity in making a better short-game weapon comes from the painstaking task of trying to squeeze everything you can out of a design.
For the HLX 6.0 wedges that meant increasing the length of the hosel by one-eighth of an inch to move the CG closer to face center. It also meant reducing the total weight of the club by 2 grams, making a slightly faster swing possible. Lastly, it involved reducing the amount of leading edge on the 48- through 54-degree lofts to reduce digging on full swings. All things that will likely be overlooked but noticed in performance.
3. Boss move. Although the C grind is for more square-faced shots, the RJ grind (named after company founder Robert J. Bettinardi), features higher bounce with more heel and toe relief for players looking to manipulate the wedge on shorter shots. Along with the grinds, the wedges come in both a chrome and graphite PVD finish with 11 loft-bounce options.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
