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SCOR Golf: Editor Review

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The first thing that you notice about SCOR Golf is that these folks are serious about doing something different with what they call the “scoring clubs” (traditionally known as wedges).

Terry Koehler, the founder, club designer and chief philosopher of SCOR, saw all the advancements in drivers, woods, hybrids, irons and putters, but didn’t see the same focus on the short end of the set. In his estimation, the clubs that golfers use from within 130 yards are where all of a golfer’s scoring is done. He said that the time has come to put golfers closer to the cup from 130 yards so that they can shave strokes and lower their scores. And, you know what? After testing out their clubs: I agree. I made several tough shots using my “SCOR-ing” clubs, and scored well.

SCOR Fitting

The first step in getting a hold of these babies is to visit SCOR’s website. There, golfers can go through a 10-to-15 minute questionnaire that provides the SCOR team with all of the info it needs to both suggest and build a custom set of wedges…errr scoring clubs, that fit a golfer’s needs.

In my case, I started playing graphite shafts in my irons several years ago and had fallen in love with the feel. However, my wedges were the last clubs in my bag that still have steel shafts. I carried a true Frankenstein set of three different wedges from three different manufacturers representing my sand wedge (56 degrees), gap wedge (51 degrees) and pitching wedge (48 degrees).

[youtube id=”QR0mIMvslL0″ width=”620″ height=”360″]

Koehler said that my hodgepodge of wedges was doing my game a disservice, and he explained that the different types of wedges caused me to need three slightly different swings to match the different swing weights. First and foremost, he told me I needed to get some stability with these clubs. I carry a 6.6 index, and admit that wedge play is truly the weakest part of my game.

Koehler suggested building me a set of clubs that matched my current set of irons. So, SCOR built five clubs all with graphite shafts. Since I currently use 90-gram graphite shafts in my irons, Koehler suggested the company’s 90-gram Genius 9 shafts, made for them by UST Mamiya. The clubs built included a 44-degree (to replace my 9 iron — I begged him not to!), a 48-degree (PW), a 52-degree (GW), a 56-degree (SW) and a 60-degree (LW).

Delivery Day

After I spoke with Koehler, I was promptly provided tracking info and the shipping was quick. I was stoked to come home and see that the “Shipping Santa” had left a beautiful box of clubs all snuggled up on my doorstep. The box was smaller than expected, and inside the clubs were laid out comfortably and neatly tucked into foam and separated from one another. The presentation was top-notch and really made me feel like I was staring at a truly custom set of sticks.

The first thing that struck me was how compact the heads looked. I am used to large, clunky heads on my wedges, and was pleasantly surprised with how closely the heads resembled player’s irons. The shaft weight felt perfect in my hand, and I loved seeing the custom-made grips that include two circles on the lower part of the grip designed as “reminders” for choking up when trying different types of shots.

I love this about SCOR: The company genuinely wants its customers to experiment with different types of shots to help them hone their skills. Also in the box was a SCOR bag tag designed to allow golfers to make notes about the results of their different types of shots: choked-up, stance-open, stance-square, full-swing, etc. This card came in handy on the range (read on).

Range Day

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Above: SCOR wedges come in one standard grind (SCOR’s V Grind), which company founder Terry Koehler said can work for just about any golfer from any lie.

I raced out to the driving range the following day with five brand new clubs in my hands. I took my practice swings and was immediately struck by how much my new clubs felt like my current set of irons. It was the shafts.

The fact that Koehler took the time to make sure that the shafts in the SCOR clubs matched my set of irons is a cornerstone of their philosophy. Koehler said that he doesn’t want his customers to need a different swing for every club in their bag. He believes in a philosophy of consistency with golf equipment, which allows the target to be focus, not the swing.

I launched crisp shot after crisp shot with just a few shots that ballooned on me. The ones that did balloon were slightly weaker and flared right. But, when I felt my swing dialed in, the shot trajectory was slightly lower than I am used to. That built my confidence, as I felt the shots were tracking nicely at my target. With range balls, there didn’t seem to be much bite when my shots landed, but I knew the real test of spin would come in game conditions.

Next, I began experimenting as SCOR suggests their customers do with their clubs — I tried a variety of different shots to see if each wedge was up to the challenge. Lastly, I decided to exit my “comfort zone” and instead of picking my shots clean as I usually do, I experimented with hitting down on the ball a bit steeper. I knew that it was more practical for me to work on “picking” my shots — it’s just the way my swing works — but I was pleased to find that when I needed to hit down steeply on a shot, as I’m often forced to do from bad lies, the SCOR sole design could handle it.

According to Koehler, the main part of SCOR’s “V Sole” is considered to be low bounce by today’s standards — it has 3 to 7 degrees of bounce. But front quadrant of the sole is high bounce to prevent digging for golfers with steep angles of attack and/or those who play on courses with soft conditions.

Once the practice session was done, I made some notes on my “SCOR card” with my results and I headed to the course armed with my five new weapons ready for some destruction!

Play Day

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Above: Scor’s lower-lofted clubs have more perimeter weighting to help golfers with forgiveness on off-center shots, while the higher-lofted clubs have more weight behind the sweet spot for more control. 

My first shot in competition came from a sandy-pebbly desert lie where I had pulled my drive left on relatively tame 380-yard par 4. I had 120 yards with some wind in my face, which convinced me to hit a choked-up 9-iron. Since the 44-degree SCOR iron was my 9-iron for the day, I had no choice but to break in the new club. I hit a perfect shot to within 10 feet (and missed the putt). The first test had been passed: tough lie, tough shot, but SCOR came through. Due to the lie, I didn’t notice that much spin when the ball landed.

On the next hole, I executed a picture-perfect pitching wedge from 120 yards. I used the 48 degree and this time, the ball bit just long of the hole, but with a little “tour juice.” With the assist of a back-to-front sloped green, the ball spun backwards about 15 feet to just under the pin giving me a good look for birdie, which I did drop. That was a big test passed for me, as I usually have a bit more trouble from what seems like such an ideal yardage for many players.

I really liked lower ball flight that the pitching wedge produced — Koehler said it’s thanks to the company’s SGC3 weighting, which positions the center of gravity higher in the head to drive the ball lower and with more spin. That weighting works together with SCOR’s CNC milled grooved and faces to provide the zip many golfers like me crave.

Later in the round, I used the 56-degree for a greenside chip that got me up-and-down for par. The ball checked nicely from the less-than-perfect lie, and at impact it felt like the ball stayed on the face for a very long time.

But I didn’t hit all my shots perfect. My next opportunity came on a par-5 from 112 yards. I chose the 52-degree and choked up slightly. I didn’t put my best swing on it and ended up about 25 feet short, which I two-putted for par. I blame myself, as “a craftsman doesn’t blame the tools.” The second test was passed — despite my mis-hit, I still finished with par.

The highlight of the day came on No. 16, a critical par 3 where my opponent and I were vying for the “three-pars-in-a-row” coin (you “ka-ching” players know exactly what I’m talking about!). My opponent landed in water (and got a coin for his troubles), while I landed in a greenside bunker. The bunker had a steep lip, and I was short-sided. I took out the 60 degree and landed one of the nicest sand shots in recent memory, leading to a critical up-and-down and more importantly, sole ownership of the coveted coin.

At the end of the round, I found that I didn’t feel I skipped a beat with the clubs. Shot after shot felt crisp, controlled and comfortable. I finished right around my expectation and deemed it a successful run with the new clubs considering how hard it can be to incorporate one new club into the bag for a round, let alone five!

Results

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Above: SCOR clubs are cast from 8620 carbon steel, but before polishing they are heated to more than 1000 degrees and put into a forging tool, where they are hit with an 800-ton forging press. According to SCOR, the process better aligns the club’s molecules, making the club heads denser and providing a better feel. 

I believe that over a short amount of time, SCOR’s clubs will reduce my handicap and allow me to hit a wide variety of shots from about 130 yards and in. My thanks go out to the fine folks at SCOR, and I recommend that you give these a shot to join your bag.

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Chris Hibler is an avid golfer, writer and golf gear junkie. If he's not practicing his game with his kids, he's scouring the GolfWRX classifieds looking for a score.

15 Comments

15 Comments

  1. Chris

    Nov 27, 2014 at 2:15 am

    Played my first round with them today and these wedges are outstanding. I saw some reviews regarding low bounce and steep angles of attack being an issue for a couple of people. I have a similar swing and found moving the ball position up slightly helped me utilize the higher bounce on the back of the V groove. I really like how you can use a higher bounce on the back and a lower bounce on the front with this club depending on what situation calls for. I have a set of vokeys and a set Cleveland 588’s but the Scor wedges will be taking their place. I was also really glad to see these we’re made in the USA.

  2. RP Jacobs II

    Nov 20, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    I’m a tad late to the party, though what’s new?

    Nice review Chris!!

    Though I’ve played Mizzy since 1986, I played Staff wedges from 1967-1997 and Mizzy from ’98-2013. I also did a five SCORing iron review and fully expecting to go back to my Mizzy 11s after completing the review. Well, the Mizzys are still in the closet(along with 2 more new sets of 11s, lol).

    The SCORs are Very Special. While they may not be for everyone, I would definitely take advantage of their 30-Day trial. You don’t like it, send it back. No harm, no foul.

    Regarding the Form Forging, all that does is tighten up the molecular make-up of the metal, to provide more consistency in the metal, though with today’s casting processes, well, all the guys playing Ping certainly have no problem with the cast feel, and let’s not forget that with feel being probably the most critical factor in a wedge, and 80% of the wedges on Tour are cast, well, you see where I’m goin with this, lol.

    The biggest difference I’m feel that I notices was between the SCOR 43° & 47° Irons and my MP-68 9i & PW. It was incredible, as in the 68s felt like s*** after hitting the SCORs. I took me out 3 more days to make sure what I was experiencing wasn’t a fluke.

    If anything, while I’m by no means a Mizzy fan boi, as I couldn’t tell margarine from butter, I played the 14s for 9 years and the 33s for 8, then the 68s, and I lie their feel however the SCORs, for me, had better weighting and feel than the comparable 68 iron.

    Terry & Barry did it right!!

    Thanks for reading

    Have a Great Holiday Season 🙂

    Fairways & Greens My Friends,
    Richard

  3. Brayan

    Sep 29, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Men’s clubs may still be a bit long and stiff for you. I think they’d be more for someone who’s teallr, like 5’8 to 6 . See if you can hit some of the clubs before you buy. Most pro shops or golf stores have a place you can hit the clubs. You will still be growing, so I wouldn’t spend too much. They make good junior/teen sets that would fit you for a few years.

  4. Anthony Maccioli

    Oct 2, 2013 at 11:56 am

    Great wedges. Absolutely love them, but the only problem I ever have had with them is that the chrome all on the toe of the face has began to literally peel off. Not exactly sure why this is, never had another wedge due this. Anyone else have this problem ever?

    • JP SCOR Golf

      Nov 11, 2013 at 5:54 pm

      Anthony,

      What you have experienced is not normal and is covered under warranty. I have tried to call you but the number we have on file does not work. I sent you an email as well.

      Please contact me so that we may resolve this issue. [email protected]

      Thank you,

      JP Sourdellia
      Sales Operations Manager
      SCOR Golf

  5. MJBrown11

    Aug 25, 2013 at 10:32 am

    I put a 3 club set (51*, 55* & 59*) in my bag back in June. I loved them from the fairway, where the ball would just drop and stop. Also liked the fact they didn’t gauge my ball like my vokey’s. Ultimately though I have returned back to my vokey’s as I prefer the green side check that I get with them and more confidence on up & down shots, while the Scor wedges had more of a runout feel. Good product, just like the feel of my Vokey’s better.

    On a side note, I dealt with Barry of their sales/customer service dept and was a bit disappointed in his lack of communication and follow thru. When I placed my order, he included free shipping, but it took over 5 days for them to even ship my order and I eventually had to pay for 2 day air to get hem within 8 days of my original order. He also did not respond to 3-4 emails I sent directly to him over the course of my transaction.

    • JJ

      Mar 24, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      MJBrown11

      August 25, 2013 at 10:32 am

      I put a 3 club set (51*, 55* & 59*) in my bag back in June. I loved them from the fairway, where the ball would just drop and stop. Also liked the fact they didn’t gauge my ball like my vokey’s. Ultimately though I have returned back to my vokey’s as I prefer the green side check that I get with them and more confidence on up & down shots, while the Scor wedges had more of a runout feel. Good product, just like the feel of my Vokey’s better.

      On a side note, I dealt with Barry of their sales/customer service dept and was a bit disappointed in his lack of communication and follow thru. When I placed my order, he included free shipping, but it took over 5 days for them to even ship my order and I eventually had to pay for 2 day air to get hem within 8 days of my original order. He also did not respond to 3-4 emails I sent directly to him over the course of my transaction.

      Did you think that the consistency of distance is better with your Vokeys or Scor wedges. I play sm4 and was thinking about upgrading my vokies to sm5 but like what I see with the scor and the idea that they are consistent on distance vs Vokeys. Please share your opinion with me. thanks

  6. Rus

    Aug 24, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    Put 3 in the bag after the PGA Show 2013(47,52,57)… We have sold 59 to date at the club since our first demo day 3/9/13. Can’t say that about the other 3 major brands combined.
    I did a little tweaking on the 57, ground of the trail edge for the firmer and deep bunkers green side at my club.
    The final verdict – These wedges are for real!

  7. Blakester

    Aug 23, 2013 at 7:28 am

    I’ve been playing Scor wedges for a few weeks now and really like them. I play 50, 55, and 59*. Really love how they get through the turf so well on all shots (especially chipping and pitching). I’ve played 9 holes twice with them and have been monitoring my ups and downs and seem to be getting closer to the hole from everywhere. Looking forward to taking them around for 18!

  8. Snowman

    Aug 22, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    I bought one (52 degree)… for me, in spite on the v-sole low bounce/high bounce versatility claim, I feel it plays like a low bounce wedge. I’m a 6 index with a steep angle of attack, so this was not what I was looking for.

    • DB

      Aug 24, 2013 at 11:18 am

      I had the same issue. They are fantastic wedges, I really love the design concept, the quality, and the ability to easily order custom-made.

      Yet, they played rather low-bounce for me as well. I could dig graves with my 54-degree from the fairway. I really liked the club, but ultimately just felt like I needed more bounce for my regular playing conditions.

    • Jeff

      Sep 29, 2013 at 11:11 pm

      I have had the same issue. I seem to dig a lot with these clubs. I will likely end up taking these out of my bag.

      • markb

        Aug 20, 2014 at 3:34 pm

        I have the same issue of “grave-digging” with fairway shots, but on the other hand those small, heavy Scor heads are superb for scooping shots out of the rough without twisting.

  9. Bob

    Aug 21, 2013 at 7:00 pm

    best wedges ever!

  10. Deaus7

    Aug 21, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    I dont get the Tru Form Forged, Cause form forging is just an investment casting that is finished with a single stamp so they can claim they are forged. Not quite the quality forging as say Mizuno or other JDM forgings.

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Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

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As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

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I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.

From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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