About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the wedge, which I tested for 8 days in August of 2023.

My take

The Wilson Staff Model Hi-Toe wedge is a great premium wedge designed for the more advanced golfer looking for a superb feel and creativity around the green. The design of the wedge allows golfers to open the clubface easily and hit flop shots, splash shots out of bunkers or hit those lower spinners that one hop and stop. Being one of the only forged wedges on the market, the feel is second to none and should be on anyone’s radar who is looking for a hi-toe wedge.

About the club I own

• Model: 2022 Wilson Staff Model Hi-Toe Wedge
• Loft: 60
• Bounce: 10
• Grind: Standard
• Finish: Standard

About me

• Average Score: 90
• Handicap: 15
• Experience: 4 years of playing golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-Handed
• Golf Ball Used: Wilson Staff Model and Chrome Soft X
• Angle of Attack: Steep

Test conditions

• When I bought the wedge: August 2023
• Days tested: 8
• Where I’ve used it: Wendell CC, River Ridge, Riverwood CC, TrackMan
• Weather Conditions: Damp, dry, mostly warm
• Green Conditions: Bermuda, both fast and moderate

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was looking for a versatile wedge, especially out of bunkers, with a premium feel.

Why I chose this club

I chose this wedge because it’s one of the few wedges on the market that is forged. I also liked that this wedge has full-face groves, and with the hi toe, it allows for more creativity when opening up the clubface. The only other wedge I looked at was the TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedge, but it wasn’t forged and made my decision very easy.

What I love about it

• Launch: The ball launches in my preferred window. It doesn’t climb up the face and shoot way up into the sky, but it doesn’t launch knee-high either and produce a flight that would rocket across greens.
• Feel: The feel is the best I’ve ever experienced in a forged wedge. It provides the same soft feeling as a top-level forged iron like the Mizuno Pro line.
• Spin: This wedge creates a lot of spin. I usually hang out around 9000 rpm with my 60° wedge, but I can get to 9800 rpm on average and had a few go into 10000+ territory.
• Bounce: The bounce is a happy medium. The 10° will suit most golfers, and the grind allows one to open the clubface easily.
• Around the Green: This wedge generates plenty of spin to hit all types of shots around the green.
• Shaft Feel: The shaft feels solid and responsive. I don’t feel like I have to work hard to get the shot I am looking for and make it seem like the club is doing most of the work.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The finish and design of the wedge give it a premium look. There’s not a lot of extra labeling or crazy design going on, which makes this a great wedge to look at both in the bag and at address.
• Grip Feel: The grip is a standard Tour Velvet grip. It’s my personal preference and feels great. The material handles sweat well and provides some comfort without being too mushy.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Forgiveness: It’s not the most forgiving wedge. Considering it’s forged and hi toe, one can lose distance control and spin when the ball isn’t struck in the right place.
• Full Shots: A hi-toe wedge usually isn’t used much for full shots. The weight is pulled up from the bottom of the club, making consistency harder on full swings. The launch will be lower, making stopping the ball harder in some dry conditions.
• Innovation: There’s nothing groundbreaking about this wedge. Forging has been around for a while, and because it is forged, there’s not much in terms of tungsten weighting or 3D printing that can occur within the clubhead.

Best shot with this wedge

My best shot with this wedge was from 50 yards. I hit a nice pitch shot that landed on the right side of the green. It took one hop, dug its teeth in, spun back towards the hole, and stopped two feet away from a tap in birdie.

Value for the money vs. other options

Considering the price of this wedge is about $140, there’s not another wedge that provides a better bang for someone’s buck. Forged clubs are usually more expensive, and this wedge is cheaper than wedges made by Titleist (Vokey SM9), TaylorMade (MG4), and Callaway (Jaws), and none of those wedges are forged.

Final verdict

This wedge gives golfers that soft feel they know and love from forged irons while also putting it in a hi-toe format that allows for creativity around the green. It’s not loaded with technology and isn’t the most forgiving, but it is elegant in its simplicity.