Equipment

Scratch to produce forged wedges in Michigan

Published

11 years ago

Jan 19, 2015

Just before Scratch Golf President Ari Techner founded his company in 2003, his plan was to make clubs that were designed, manufactured and assembled in the United States. It didn’t happen then, but 13 years later it has become a reality.

In 2002, Techner had his initial wedge prototypes manufactured by a company in Tullahoma, Okla., called Hoffman Forging. The company had a reputation for creating high-quality forgings and was known with equipment aficionados for its work with Titleist.

[quote_box_center]”30 days before production was to start, I got a call that said Hoffman couldn’t do it,” Techner said. “They were going out of business.”[/quote_box_center]

All wasn’t lost, of course. Hoffman introduced Techner to a reputable forging house in Japan, where the company has made its forged wedges since.

Scratch has moved its headquarters twice since that time — first from Eugene to Chattanooga, Tenn., and in August 2013 to Techner’s home state of Michigan. The company is now based in Berkley, Mich., minutes away from the city where Techner was born and raised.

Click here to learn more about Scratch Golf’s move to Detroit.

Scratch Golf headquarters in Berkley, Mich.

Techner finally has a line of American-forged wedges, only this time it’s more special to him.

[quote_box_center]”They’re 100-percent made in Michigan,” he said. [/quote_box_center]

Techner explained how much more excited he is to make the 45-minute drive to Trenton Forging, which will produce the company’s U.S. forged wedges, instead of traveling overseas.

“IF THERE’S A PROBLEM, I CAN SOLVE IT IMMEDIATELY.”

A Michigan-forged custom wedge with a Black Oxide finish that was made by Scratch’s Master Grinder Jeff McCoy. It has the company’s EGG Grind, one of 20 custom grinds the company offers.

The U.S. forged wedges ($299) are made from 1018 carbon steel, and will be available through the company’s Tour Custom Department in the late spring/early summer.

Golfers will be able to fully customize Scratch’s U.S.-forged wedges, and Techner will also assemble the clubs with American-made Pure Grips, True Temper shafts and Michigan-made ferrules for a 100-percent American golf club experience.

Scratch still plans to offer wedges and irons that are forged in Japan, Techner said.

Click here to see what GolfWRX Members are saying about the wedges in our forum.

Related Topics:Scratch wedges

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35 Comments

that guy

Jan 21, 2015 at 11:51 am

but you must admit, they look good as f—

Reply Report comment
ryant329

Jan 20, 2015 at 1:31 pm

Has anyone been out the fitting facility in Berkeley, Mich or been to a Scratch fitting facility before? I’m kind of curious to see what your experience was like. Thanks!

Reply Report comment
Evan

Jan 20, 2015 at 12:33 pm

It seems to me that you could create your own corner of the market by doing something no one else is doing… be THE USA made premium golf brand. If you already created a manufacturing and component relationship for an entire wedge line, why not invest in your entire brand being USA made. You could probably lower the prices a bit from where the wedges are because of bulk buying. Currently, Scratch only separates themselves from the other quality brands by offering custom grinding by DW or JM. Being the ONLY USA premium custom brand would have some golfers hooked for life and making pilgrimages to Berkley, MI for a fitting and custom irons. I think you either need to be all in or not in at all… you’re not trying to compete with the other brands sold at Dick’s sporting goods, so separate yourself!

Reply Report comment
Jay

Jan 20, 2015 at 12:28 pm

Wedges look great but $300 per wedge is ridiculous. They won’t sell many of these.

Reply Report comment
- SS
  
  Jan 20, 2015 at 8:01 pm
  
  Especially when they’re not even really forged! 1018 is cheap crap. At least they should be using 1020, if they can’t copy Mizuno’s 1025!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - that guy
    
    Jan 21, 2015 at 11:57 am
    
    http://www.metalmartusa.com/item.asp?id=36
    from what i can tell, the steel isn’t that different. not noticeably different. its all about how its handled. do you have any more insight?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - SS
      
      Jan 23, 2015 at 9:46 pm
      
      Different is different enough! You can feel the difference in the softness
      
      Reply Report comment
JH

Jan 20, 2015 at 10:42 am

i bet this steve guy is a real pleasure to be around at parties and such.

Reply Report comment
petie3_2

Jan 20, 2015 at 7:51 am

At my level of play, a wedge never gets worn out.

Reply Report comment
CR

Jan 19, 2015 at 10:13 pm

1018 is not really forged. It’s CHEAP forge. It’s shyte.

Reply Report comment
Evan

Jan 19, 2015 at 9:53 pm

As much as I hate to admit it (and would like to pat Scratch on the back for the all-USA made wedge), these wedges are easily priced $100 too much. Would I pay an extra $20, or even an extra $50, for a custom USA wedge. Yes. I would not pay double the price of a Titleist/ Cleveland/ Mizuno, that they are asking. Definitely riding the Shinola/ made in USA/ Detroit premium price bandwagon. It’s made in Detroit, not Beverly Hills… it should have a Detroit price tag.

Reply Report comment
bogeybirdiebogeybirdie

Jan 19, 2015 at 6:38 pm

These do look very nice. I have played Vokey for years, and have had great luck. It’s been hard to pay $130 for those though, considering my current 60 deg. is a club I won for closest to the pin at some rinky dink scramble a few years ago. Wedge still had the Wal-Mart price tag for $25. Last year my Vokey 60 deg. was left by a green, and of course when I went back for it, no one behind me had seen it. When I got home I dug the Wal-Mart wedge out, put it to my bench grinder to take some of the heel out, and put on lead tape until it felt right. It is now my favorite club in the bag. It is always more about who is swinging the club and how. A $300 wedge will not take strikes off of your game, but if you have run out of other things to spend money on, this will look great in the bag.

Reply Report comment
Ryan

Jan 19, 2015 at 4:36 pm

Tullahoma is in Tennessee.

Reply Report comment
J

Jan 19, 2015 at 4:34 pm

I’m glad to see some golf companies take pride in making American-made golf equipment. Companies like this are few and far between. That being said, I wouldn’t pay $300 per wedge and “custom” is a relative term because a true “custom” club is geared to one’s exact specifications. But I’m hoping for more companies to keep their production in the USA. Wish the bigger “name brand” companies would do the same. Hard to find USA made stuff these days.

Reply Report comment
dave

Jan 19, 2015 at 3:03 pm

Look at Edel, their prices are very similar. again no ones saying they are not pricey its just some people play long enough maybe want to add a nice custom wedge to their set. no ones outraged by $299 drivers every 4 months or $350 scotty camerons – theyre in everyones bags i see! i feel a custom fit wedge will perform much better than any new Taylormade driver or SC putter!

Reply Report comment
Tim

Jan 19, 2015 at 12:49 pm

Don’t know about the 4-6 month delivery. I ordered wedges from them in November and had them in a week and a half. I love my Scratch wedges. Little pricey but worth every penny. Not sure I would drop 3 bills per wedge but one never knows.

Reply Report comment
Ryan

Jan 19, 2015 at 12:48 pm

Wow….I just read the Super Stroke thread about them making club grips and now this one. I can’t believe the amount of hate that shows up in these article comments. It seems that’s the thing to do now, read the article and try to tear down the author or company that it’s about.

I’m starting to wonder if people actually read these articles or just skim through for something to bitch about. Example being the $299 for a Tour Department head. If you clicked the blue lettering you would of seen that the link goes to their TD section on their site. I believe that mean the TD heads are ground down by hand by DOn White and Jeff McCoy and allows you to choose every aspec of the wedge. I’m not saying it’s not pricey, but your not buying an OTR American made wedge for $299. It also says the they will “still offer” Japan made wedges and irons. I believe that means the FIT wedges and irons on their site are still the same price.

Nope I’m not here to defend Scratch or Super Stroke or all the authors that write these articles who just get sh!t on by tons of people who skim through them find one thing in the article and then run with it. Instead maybe try reading the whole thing, and the links provided in the article before spewing off a bunch crap that your not 100% about the facts.

Rant over.

Reply Report comment
- Steve
  
  Jan 19, 2015 at 1:29 pm
  
  If you want to pay 3 bills to have one of those guys touch your club, because it means something to you, have at it. But there are hundreds of quality fitters that can do the same thing at the same quality for a fraction. If you want to justify the price, doesn’t ring with me. You can buy Eric Clapton’s guitar it doesn’t mean you will play like it him. Anyone that puts this in there bag is a poser. And I eat them up every week down here in south Florida. When I see some shiny new latest model expensive clubs in someone’s bag. I see a poser with more money then game. I love counting their money at the end of the round
  
  Reply Report comment
  - AllBOdoesisgolf
    
    Jan 26, 2015 at 2:50 pm
    
    hahaha…. hilarious, really.
    
    green with envy….
    
    plus a POSEUR is someone who buys the latest big name trendy fads… that would be the big OEM’s… .not scratch… but the real reason you are upset is because you don’t have the scratch to buy it.. .so you complain. Go get your shinebox, my shoes need a buffin
    
    Reply Report comment
- dave
  
  Jan 19, 2015 at 2:58 pm
  
  wow you are right, so much hate in the comments. everyone prob has a $299 driver that does the same as the one you replaced. no ones arguing there are cheaper wedges out there, this is for more serious golfers who want to add a nice custom piece to their short game. getting fitted for wedges is much different then a driver – they dont make custom drivers for your own swing lol. great product, instead of trying to sound smart just don’t comment at all!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Steve
    
    Jan 19, 2015 at 3:54 pm
    
    I will comment on whatever I want. You want to put a “nice custom wedge” go ahead and think you are player. Hard to compare a Scotty to a wedge, but you tried anyway, a Scotty will last forever a wedge will last a season depending on amount of play. If you think adding $600-$900 of wedges is going to make a difference in your game, then you drink the kool aid.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - AllBOdoesisgolf
      
      Jan 26, 2015 at 2:53 pm
      
      I know you you voted for….
      
      Reply Report comment
- Get Mizzy
  
  Jan 22, 2015 at 2:48 am
  
  $299 for a 1018 forging is a f’ing JOKE. It’s b.s.
  You can get a proper 1025C Mizuno wedge off the retail shelf for $129, the same price as the 8620 cast Vokey wedge!!
  The Mizzys are so soft, you can feel the face get squishy.
  
  You want grind? I’ll do it for you on my grinder at my house, for FREE.
  
  Reply Report comment
Redbird

Jan 19, 2015 at 12:36 pm

Order them soon boys, it takes 4-6 months to get your gear from them!

Reply Report comment
GMatt

Jan 19, 2015 at 11:19 am

“Scratch” these off my list….. No wedge out there is worth $299

Reply Report comment
TeeTee

Jan 19, 2015 at 10:49 am

Scratch does offer hand grinds on their wedges. You just need to contact them. Try the wedges and the soft feel of their hand grind irons and you won’t knock the pricing.

Reply Report comment
Dave

Jan 19, 2015 at 10:40 am

Still not custom, and not hand forged. To each is own, they’re obv not for everyone but if you get fit like I had you’ll be surprised how much of a dif it makes in your game. Love them.

Reply Report comment
Whatchu Thinking.

Jan 19, 2015 at 10:34 am

299.00 for one or for a set of rack Wedges. hmmmmm he might want to revisit his business plan.

Reply Report comment
Dave

Jan 19, 2015 at 10:34 am

thats what it costs to produce American made. No way around it. You have to understand that these are custom wedges with specific numbers to your swing. Not some vokeys collecting dust on a shelf. Well worth the money!

Reply Report comment
- Whatchu Thinking.
  
  Jan 19, 2015 at 10:37 am
  
  Your kidding right. I can get a rack SM5 for a third of the cost and have it “tuned” for my swing.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Steve
  
  Jan 19, 2015 at 11:30 am
  
  You buy the steel at a grand a ton, maybe alittle more. Tops it is a dollar a pound. So a $1 for steel, $8 for a shaft $4 for grip total of $13 bucks in material, let’s say $15. And $284 for manufacturing? Because there made in the US, trying to use American pride to rip us off. What a joke. You can buy any wedge and have grind to your specs for $20 right here in the good old USA. That is a joke. Their cost is most likely less then $50 bucks. But some poser’s will buy them. I hope they go bankrupt, trying to tug on US heartstrings to sell clubs.
  
  Reply Report comment
rockflightxl1000

Jan 19, 2015 at 10:32 am

$299, is this a misquote? I guess this won’t be for the average Joes that want an all American club.

Reply Report comment
sandwedge59

Jan 19, 2015 at 10:17 am

Scratch offers quality clubs but at $300.00 + per wedge any interest i would have had is quickly squashed … Scratch golf has little concern they will sell or they would not price the wedges at a price that locks most average golfers out

Reply Report comment
Steve

Jan 19, 2015 at 10:08 am

$299 for a wedge, I quess their happy being a niche company. $900 if you play three. There is no wedge worth that. Makes the Japan models look cheap

Reply Report comment
Mikec

Jan 19, 2015 at 8:46 am

Considering how fast wedges wear, that’s a lot of scratch for one wedge (NPI)!!

Reply Report comment

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Equipment

TaylorMade goes bigger with Spider ZT Max putter

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Brian Knudson

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Spider ZT Max Pricing

Standard: $449.99
Counter Balanced: $499.99
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TaylorMade launches Spider Tour Torched putters

Published

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Brian Knudson

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Rory’s TaylorMade Spider Tour X

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“The Spider Tour putter family represents the very best of what we do at TaylorMade. Nearlytwo decades of engineering, refinement and Tour feedback have gone into building thisfamily—and this new finish brings a level of visual sophistication that matches theperformance underneath it. These are putters that belong in the hands of the best players inthe world, and they’re proving it every week.”–Andrew Oldknow, Senior DirectorProductCategory and Design

More Photos of the TaylorMade Spider Tour Torched Putters

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Spider Tour

Spider Tour F

Spider Tour V

Spider Tour X

Spider Tour Counter Balanced

More Photos of the TaylorMade Spider Tour Torched Putters

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