It’s safe to say that toeing a wedge never felt better.
TaylorMade has upped their wedge game in recent years, and the third generation Hi-Toe 3 is testament to their commitment to being a leader in the wedge market. Following on the
heels — or toes, I suppose — of the Hi-Toe Big Foot and the Hi-Toe Raw, TaylorMade takes the design to another level.
Inspired by the company’s Milled Grind 3, the Hi-Toe 3 is a must for golfers who want a jack-of-all-shots wedge. The taller toe area is engineered to create better spin and launch results. Imagine maximizing spin without taking a full swing. Or, hitting a knock-down shot while still adding spin. The Hi-Toe 3 delivers on both counts. What’s more, the added weight pad in the toe helps to minimize loss of ball speed and distance on shots hit closer to the toe.
To say the Hi-Toe 3 is the Swiss Army knife of wedges would be an understatement.
So how does the Hi-Toe 3 manage to produce such short game magic?
For starters, it has the raised Micro-Ribs found on the Milled Grind 3. Cleverly positioned between the main grooves, the ribs add texture that helps to increase spin and control on half swings and partial shots. The larger main grooves create optimal spin in various conditions.
With a higher centre of gravity than most wedges, the Hi-Toe 3 is designed to produce a lower ball flight, yet does so while maintaining spin for more control. The four-way camber allows for a wide sole with a low leading edge, which promotes consistent strikes from all lies and playing conditions.
Being a bit rusty is a good thing if it’s a Hi-Toe 3. The face’s sharper, narrower and deeper grooves are designed to increase spin and feel. As the face rusts over time, it preserves the spin properties while giving the club that classic time-tested look.
The Hi-Toe 3 is available in aged copper finish in 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58° and 60° (standard bounce only). The 58° and 60° are also available in low and high bounce. Each bounce is optimized for improved turf interaction and bounce application for certain swing types and playing conditions.
A high percentage of new golfers are women. And, like their male counterparts, they want clubs that look good, are technologically advanced, and perform as promised. Say hello to TaylorMade’s new Kalea Premier women’s clubs, an overhaul of the line first introduced in 2015.
Kalea Premier clubs
Kalea Premier clubs have been engineered for speed, easy launch and forgiveness. They look great in the bag, starting with the 12-degree Kalea Premier driver, which is engineered for advanced forgiveness. The ultra-lightweight head promotes faster swing speeds. A repositioned sole structure adds more weight deep and low in the clubhead for more forgiveness, and encourages optimal launch and spin to fuel distance at moderate and slower swing speeds.
The fairway woods have an easy-to-launch design and a 37% larger face than the previous model. Each head is the same size and features V Steel technology, a raised heel and sole for less contact with the ground and silky turf interaction. They’re available in 3, 5 and 7 righthanded, and 3 and 5 lefthanded.
The V Steel sole is also a key design element in the Kalea Premier rescue. Lightweight to produce faster swing speeds, the head features a larger face with a low centre of gravity to promote forgiveness and a high, easy launch. They’re available in 4-7 righthanded, and 4-6 lefthanded.
The sleek Kalea Premier irons are powered by Cap Back Design, a strong, lightweight polymer material that spans the entire cavity to provide stability within the topline and upper perimeter of the face, and unwanted vibrations for a soft and solid feel. The Speed Pocket slot in the sole of the iron optimizes face flexibility, ball speed and distance. Available in 7-pitching wedge and sand wedge, righthanded and lefthanded.
The putter design certainly looks familiar. Yes, it’s a Spider mallet, 15% more compact than the tour model, but delivering the renowned stability, forgiveness, pure roll and feel. A long single sightline makes for simple and accurate alignment, and a specially designed 70g graphite shaft reduces overall club weight without affecting head stability. Available in both righthanded and lefthanded.
The wide range of Kalea Premier clubs are available for individual purchase, or to round out a 10-piece package set. Available in righthanded and lefthanded, the set includes a lightweight cart bag (three available colours, only one for lefthanded); driver and fairway wood; one rescue; three irons and two wedges; and a putter.
For more information go to www.taylormadegolf.ca.
