Review: Sub 70 Golf - TA III Wedges

I spent a few months thinking about what new wedges I wanted to get. I absolutely love the TaylorMade MG 3 wedges I had, but the grooves were wearing down, and it was time for some new wedges. So I bought the Sub 70 Golf - TA III Wedges.

I used to get new wedges every 6 months when I was playing professionally, but now, mostly playing recreationally, I change them once every 18 months to two years. It really depends on how many rounds or how often I use my wedges. Since the wedges are the most used clubs in the bag, the grooves can wear down faster. Especially when used out of a bunker.

First, let me discuss why changing wedges is important when they wear down. It is more than just about how the ball spins. That is a big factor, but not the only one. When the grooves wear down on any golf club, it changes the ball flight, spin, and carry distance. Wedges are affected more than regular irons mainly because golfers use them more, but also because the grooves are usually made differently than irons.

Things to look for when it is time to get new wedges. This is how I notice when it is time to replace them. There will be less ball spin on the greens for chip and pitch shots, as well as full swing shots. The ball flight will be higher than normal, causing the ball to not carry as far. This is from the groove wear and the golf ball having less friction against the club face. The ball will just roll up the face more, causing that higher and shorter shot. When the ball catches fresh grooves, the grooves immediately grab the ball and spin it off the face with a lower trajectory instead of allowing it to roll up the face of the club.

Once I decided it was time for new wedges, I first looked at the ones I wanted, the Mizuno T24, preferably in the blue finish. They only had one of the three lofts I wanted. When I replace wedges, I do all three at the at once so they are all the same brand, look, and feel. Mizuno said they would not have all three wedges available until mid to late February. I decided to look at just getting the newer model MG3s from TaylorMade. They too did not have all three lofts available. Only two were available, with the third, the 60°, not being available until March. I then checked Cleveland, Callaway, and Titleist. Same results. They either didn't have them at all or only one or two, and availability wasn't until sometime between February and April. It was very frustrating for a few weeks trying to figure out what to do.

Then one day it hit me, and I remembered the day I had to Play With Borrowed Clubs and those clubs being Sub 70 Golf Irons. I recalled how great they felt and how I liked the look. So I hopped on their website to take a look at their wedges. Not only did they have everything in stock, but they also had several options. So I spent a few days researching all of their wedges to see which ones were designed for my style of game. That is the versatility of conditions, the ability to play a variety of shots, with that pro look and feel.

After spending a few days on the Sub 70 Website, which is one of the best golf equipment websites out there, I made a decision to purchase the TA III wedges. Sub 70 also has many customization options instead of just stock options for all their clubs. I will say that to do this, you need to know your swing and your game first. Otherwise, call to order and speak with them about the options. For me, it was easy. I knew exactly what shaft, in what weight, length, and stiffness, I wanted, what grip (although I wish there were a few more color options), and what lie angle I needed. The one thing I did not like was choosing a bounce option. I knew what bounce I wanted: 10° on the 52° wedge, 12° on the 56° wedge, and 8° on the 60° wedge. The only options that Sub 70 offered were LB (Low Bounce), SB (Standard Bounce), and HB (High Bounce). No numbers to say what those bounce options were. I also did not see an option for the grind or the sole of the club. This is basically the size and shape of the sole (bottom) of the club. The bounce is how sharp the leading edge is, but the sole and grind determine how versatile a club can be for playing open-face shots, etc.

Even with those few minor things, I was able to customize each club, including the ferrule (that little plastic piece where the club and shaft come together), and get that order placed. with ease. As with any club order from any company, customization adds to the price. With Sub 70, it actually wasn't as much as I expected or as much as other club manufacturers. Customization will also add to how long they will take to ship. Which, to my suprise was relatively quick. It probably helps that Sub 70 is based in Illinois and makes all its clubs here in the States. Many of the top-name branded clubs have their clubs made in other countries and then assembled here. This is also why I believe Sub 70 is about $60 cheaper per wedge than other companies at stock prices. For example the if I got the TaylorMade MG3s again, they would have cost $199 per wedge. The Sub 70 TA III without the customization starts at $135 per wedge.

In summary of the purchase process, I actually saved money with the customization over getting stock wedges from another company. The website was easy to navigate, witha clean look to read everything, and easy to select customization. The entire process of selecting each loft and customizing each wedge, adding them to the cart, and checking out took only about 10 min. Shiping took only about 15 days from the day I placed my order to arriving at my door.

Now, about the wedges themselves. First off, they come in a nice box. padded holders to keep the club in place, a shirk wrap around each head, and grip. It even came with a nice Sub 70 Golf hat. I'm not sure if that is something with every order or only if the order is over a certain amount, but either way, it was a nice touch. I was pleased with how the customization turned out as well. It was time to test them.

On the first day of testing them, I was truly impressed from the first swing. Full swing to pitch shots, chips, and bunker shots, the wedges have such a great soft feel. The only way to describe it is a feeling like hitting a marshmallow. That feeling you get when you hit a ball so pure you barely feel the ball on the club face, except this was with every shot.

The only part that was off once I received the wedges was the length. Either I accidentally ordered wrong, or Sub 70's standard shaft length for wedges is 1/2 inch longer than most other companies. Based on my height and measurments i ahve always been 1/2 inch longer than standard for all my clubs. I ordered the TA III's the same as I would any other, except these are 1/2 inch longer than my other wedges that were custom-made. It is very possible I accidentally selected 1 inch over standard when ordering. I'll just learn to choke down or have a 1/2 inch cut off them. I go through all this in the first video testing the wedges.

CLICK HERE for the video of the testing day, comparing them to my older TaylorMade wedges. Or check our Video Page.

On to Part 2:

After playing several rounds with them, I was considering trading them in for Sub 70's JB v2 wedges. Something seemed off when trying to play open-faced shots. The ball would come off the face low, more like a chip than a high lob or flop. It may have been some of my technique, it could have been the grass of the courses I was playing, the sole and grind, or even the lie angle. I did have the lie angle set to 2° upright when I may actually only need 1°up on my wedges. I will go to Club Champion one day to test that and have them bent if needed. I need to recheck all my irons again soon anyway. Side note i suggest everyone check their clubs' lie angle at least once a year. Especially if you ever go practice off of mats.

In the several rounds I have played so far, I have noticed a huge difference with the TA III wedges. Not only is the ball stopping faster, but I have also had the ball spin backwards on greens. Something I have never really done. I was used to a more one-hop and stop type of action on full swing wedge shots, but these wedges create more spin. Honestly, it could be the softer winter turf right now, but even on pitch shots, I have had to adjust to flying the ball further to the hole than I was used to. I know how to take spin off the golf ball when needed; it will just take a little getting used to.

Bunker shots and flop shots have been my only concern. With the 56° wedge, bunker shots are simple. The club glides through the sand very simply as long as I don't open the face fully. The ball stops quickly as long as I can take a bigger swing. The shorter shots, trying to open the face more, the club bounces a bit more, and comes out with less spin. Again, I think this has more to do with the sole than the bounce. Unless the bounce is more than 12° for Sub 70s standard. With the 60° wedge, I can open the face fully and play how I normally would. The 60° actually plays more like my old 56° from a bunker, and maybe I'll just end up using it more for bunker shots than I used to.

The wedges do have a good amount of versatility, but again, not so much for some of the shots I like to play. The 52° wedge is set up perfect and I may actually hit it a few yards further. Actually, I think I hit all of them about 5 yards further on average. The 52°, however, is the one that I use the most out of the fairway, and which I do not try to do too much with, except maybe hit a punch shot here and there. The 56° and 60° wedges are the two I use the most from 100 yards and in, and the ones I will try to hit high, low, take spin off, or try to spin more. I either need to adjust my technique for some shots, or I need to figure out why, practically the best part of my game, is having some difficulties with these wedges.

I have gotten used to choking down, and since I went with a heavier shaft than I previously had, I feel like I have more control. I will contact Sub 70 with some questions I have, and I am still considering sending these back to have my customization put into a different wedge head and put a friend's custom specs on these TA III wedge heads. I like a wedge that looks like a blade iron. Thin top line, shallow sole, C grind, and 8°-10° bounce, except on the 56° wedge, where I want no more than 12° of bounce. As good as the experience has been with Sub 70 via their website, I would imagine their customer service to help discuss some things is going to be great, too. I will do a follow-up video to discuss how working with them about my questions goes.

Regardless of what I do, and even with the few things that concern me, I love these wedges enough to say Sub 70 is my new go-to wedge of choice. I would even consider playing their irons. However, I do love my Mizunos, and unless Sub 70 wanted to add me as a staff pro, which I doubt, or they would have to give me a set to beat what Mizuno has done for me. Maybe one day. I did like the Sub 70 irons I borrowed, and if their drivers and 3 woods are as good as their wedges, then I will have to strongly consider a full bag switch to Sub 70. For now, it's going to be all Mizuno with Sub 70 wedges.

Check out the part 2 video from a recent round at TPC Louisiana -