Equipment
Scratch to produce forged wedges in Michigan
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.
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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 Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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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that guy
Jan 21, 2015 at 11:51 am
but you must admit, they look good as f—
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!
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!
Jay
Jan 20, 2015 at 12:28 pm
Wedges look great but $300 per wedge is ridiculous. They won’t sell many of these.
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!
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?
SS
Jan 23, 2015 at 9:46 pm
Different is different enough! You can feel the difference in the softness
JH
Jan 20, 2015 at 10:42 am
i bet this steve guy is a real pleasure to be around at parties and such.
petie3_2
Jan 20, 2015 at 7:51 am
At my level of play, a wedge never gets worn out.
CR
Jan 19, 2015 at 10:13 pm
1018 is not really forged. It’s CHEAP forge. It’s shyte.
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.
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.
Ryan
Jan 19, 2015 at 4:36 pm
Tullahoma is in Tennessee.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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
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!
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.
AllBOdoesisgolf
Jan 26, 2015 at 2:53 pm
I know you you voted for….
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.
Redbird
Jan 19, 2015 at 12:36 pm
Order them soon boys, it takes 4-6 months to get your gear from them!
GMatt
Jan 19, 2015 at 11:19 am
“Scratch” these off my list….. No wedge out there is worth $299
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Mikec
Jan 19, 2015 at 8:46 am
Considering how fast wedges wear, that’s a lot of scratch for one wedge (NPI)!!