The TP xFT wedges will have a street price of $129, with individual clubfaces priced at $39.
The xFT faces can be removed by loosening two screws on the back of the clubhead using a white R9 torque wrench. A fresh face - whose soft, urethane, foam backing helps secure a tight fit and prevents metal-on-metal contact - is put in place and the screws re-tightened.
Its TP designation tells you the new wedge is aimed at better players, and better players are the ones who play and practice enough to regularly wear down grooves. Some PGA Tour pros, TaylorMade points out, put new wedges in play every week in order to get fresh grooves and ensure maximum spin.
The TaylorMade TP xFT wedges hit retail on Dec. 1, 2009, with a 56-degree loft, 12-degree bounce model. In February 2010, nine more loft/bounce combinations will be released. The wedges will be shafted with the KBS High-Rev, a slightly heavier shaft that TaylorMade believes promotes additional spin through its weighting and kick.
The xFT wedges and faces come in two versions, one that conforms only to 2009 groove rules, and a second that conforms to the 2010 groove rules. Recreational golfers may choose to stick with current grooves at least through 2024, and current grooves will go off the market beginning in 2011. For more info, visit taylormadegolf.com.
