Equipment

“Do yourself a favor and give them a shot” – Wilson Golf’s Staff Model ZM wedges

Published

2 years ago

Aug 5, 2024

We’ve shared a ton from our member trip and fitting experience at Pinehurst with Wilson Golf from back in June and we still have more on the way. Last week, we highlighted their newest product offering, the RB Utility, and now we are excited to share all things Staff Model ZM wedges.

Before our members were fit and began testing the wedges, Harry Nodwell, Wilson’s Pro Performance Equipment Manager, talked us through Wilson’s desire to maximize spin (and spin retention) in the Staff Model ZM wedges. They wanted these to perform in both wet and dry conditions. Harry noted that golfers can lose up to 50% in spin from their wedges in when it’s wet. Simply, Wilson set out to make it so that golfers do not have to overthink or overcompensate due to a course’s conditions.

Wilson believes that putting their Staff Model ZM wedges in your bag allows you to fine-tune and dial in your short game for optimum performance in all conditions.
<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start">?</span>

About the Wilson Staff Model ZM wedges

The Staff Model ZM wedges incorporate a new high-spin groove construction, face milling and Garnet Face Blasted finish that all work together in design to ensure a faster, deeper, and longer ball interaction. The combination aims to provide golfers with more consistent spin and control in all weather and lies, with a special focus on wet conditions.

Constructed from soft forged 8620 carbon steel, the new Staff Model ZM wedges are designed with a straighter leading edge and elevated center of gravity (CG) in design to improve trajectory control in the higher lofted wedges. A new progressive CG design exists as the lofts increase in a bid to promote a more consistent and controlled ball flight.

The new Wilson Staff Model ZM Wedges are available in six loft options – 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, and 60-degrees with 46 and a 48-degrees available through custom order. Golfers can select between various bounce options in the 56, 58 and 60-degree lofts. All lofts are available in right-handed, with the 52, 56, and 60-degrees available in left-handed.

Initial Impressions from Pinehurst

Shilgy: “The wedges are fantastic. Great finish and a bit more heel relief making them easy to open up. ”

Olson12: “I currently play 50, 54, 60 Vokey SM9 wedges but decided to give the 58/6* a whirl, and I’m glad I did. I mentioned to the staff earlier that I never use my 60 for anything longer than 50 yards. I’ve never felt comfortable with a full swing lob. Going to the 58* gives me more confidence on full shots but was still able to hit all the chips and bunker shots I normally hit with my 60*.

These are fully forged wedges for $150. I just ordered my three Vokey wedges a few months ago for like $600. What the hell, man! If you are in the market for wedges, do yourself a favor and just give them a shot. Nice traditional shape and a super soft feel. Not too clicky but still gives audible feedback on mishits.”

“If you are in the market for wedges, do yourself a favor and just give them a shot.”

TLUBulldogGolf: “The wedges are really solid as well, I feel like I can flight them with ease and they spin like crazy.”

“The wedges continue to impress me, really nice turf interaction and great feedback. They did a great job with the grind on the 60* if you like lower bounce grinds meant to be manipulated.”

TM golf guy: “The Staff ZM wedges were something I was really interested in as I loved the head shape, and the feel and performance didn’t disappoint. They have a really nice shape to them, and the sound and feel is also excellent. I’m a big fan of the 60° that I got. The grind really allows for a lot of versatility around the greens as well.”

“I’m very confident in throwing these straight in the bag though. They keep it simple with low, medium, and high bounce options. They gave me a mid 56 (bent to 55, currently playing a 54° Vokey bent to 55°) that has the same 12° (11° because of being bent) as my Vokey, and a 60° with 6° of bounce. The 60° is super versatile with its grind that I tried to highlight above. It sits open nicely, and is really nice off the tighter lies that I’ll play here. Still want to spend more time with them side by side, but I think it’ll be an easy switch. They’re also cheaper than most other wedges on the market, which is an added benefit.”

More Member Testing

Prior to the trip to Pinehurst, Wilson had another group of forum members testing the Staff Model ZM wedges. Check out their reviews here. Hint: More favorable experiences incoming…

The Jealousy is Real..

Can you believe these custom, 1/1 raw Staff Model ZM wedges that Harry Nodwell from Wilson Golf had in the bag?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

In Conclusion

The Staff Model ZM wedges are one of Wilson’s most compelling offerings. They offer premium performance at a fraction of the price of other OEM wedges on the market. If you are looking for a new set of wedges, these should be high on your list of products to try, retailing at just $150. Our members had no reservations putting these straight into the bag after testing them. Wilson has a strong team on the R&D side and they have done a great job developing their newest line of products.

If you’re interested in learning more about Wilson Golf, member trips like this, or even want to ask questions about the Staff Model ZM wedges, head over to the forum thread where all of this is going down. Our members and Wilson Golf will be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Equipment

Best ‘forgiving’ wedges – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

In our forums, our members have been discussing the most forgiving wedges on the market. WRXer ‘aaronpoling’ lays out his current setup and what he’s currently considering, saying:

“I am looking at getting new wedges, but looking for a forgiving wedge.

I currently play Ping G25 50°, MD4 54° and 58°. I used to play the CBX2 in the 50°, 54° and 58° and liked them a lot; but like any good dad, my son took them.

I am currently looking Callaway’s CB12 and Cleveland’s CBZ. Anyone have thoughts on these? Or recommendations of other wedges that I should check out?”

And our members have been weighing in with their thoughts and recommendations in response, with one brand coming out emphatically on top.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

boggyman: “CBZs are amazing wedges!”
drewbens: “Agreed, the Cleveland CB wedges are great! Already had a CBX Full Face 2 54 and recently added a 50 and 58 (for well under $100 a piece). Was chipping so well last week that my brother-in-law asked if the wedges were legal. Definitely underrated wedges for those of us that are not scratch golfers.”
BogeyTed: “Get Cleveland CBX/CBZ. Very underrated clubs.”

Entire Thread: “Best ‘forgiving’ wedges – GolfWRXers discuss”

Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Ping PLD Ally Blue Onset putter

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who 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, @negncic has a Ping PLD Ally Blue Onset putter up for grabs.

From the listing: “34” Ping PLD Ally Blue Onset. Ping composite shaft Ping PLD Pistol grip. No issues. $345 shipped.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules

Equipment

I built the worst fitting clubs ever – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

3 days ago

May 28, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

In our forums, our members have been reacting to a WRXer who claims to have built the “worst fitting clubs ever.” ‘dlow206’ recounts his experience with plenty of insightful findings for where he can go better next time in a detailed post, saying:

“Here’s my story of building the worst fitting clubs ever (for me). And my findings of what a better fit is.

I am short in stature, as well as a very short wrist to floor of 30.5″. I went down a rabbit hole of wanting to try irons 1″ shorter of more than standard length. Given the shorter lengths, the swingweights would be super light unless I added back a ton of weight to the heads, but I don’t like adding an extreme amount of weight back to the heads, so I decided to compensate with heavier shafts (115 grams instead of 95). Played with this set for a while and was hitting all irons extremely poorly. Thin, fat, right, right, left. My swing didn’t deteriorate that much because I was hitting my driver well, woods well, etc.

Went back to my older set of irons, playing at standard length, and my iron play improved immediately. Since then, have been doing more testing, while paying more attention to different possible variables. What I have found is I actually prefer lighter total weight with relatively normal or slightly heavier swingweights. Did a recent fitting and found that 85 gram shafts were better for me than 95 grams with standard length and relatively standard swingweights.

Still trying to dial in a final iron shaft choice, so have a few contenders that I will be testing. Will be moving away from my current Steelfiber i95 S parallel to lighter and softer

MMT 80 parallel R – worked pretty well in a limited number of swings at a fitting
Fujikura Travil 85 R – the fitter liked the Axiom 95 R for me at Club Champion, but i didn’t love the effort required to swing them. If there was a 85 Axiom, that would probably have been a great fit. So i am going try a Travil 85 R which is japan only
Steelfiber i80 CW R – i have been playing Steelfibers for a long time, so need to give one Steelfiber shaft a shot

Given I do club building work, I am going to build all of these shafts with the All-Fit universal iron adapters to pair with a Srixon 7 iron head for testing. With these adapters, there isn’t a swingweight issue because the amount of weight from drilling out is about equivalent to the universal adapter components.”

And our members have been sharing their reactions in our forum.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

Mikey_HACKilroy: “That length cut costs you a fair amount in swing points. I’d posit the length mattered more than the weight because a 115g shaft isn’t going to actually add enough back after cutting an inch off. Does it mean 115 would ultimately work? Hard to say. Maybe try a 1/2″ cut and add 2g to the head to compensate assuming the 7i is 37″ long. Maybe that will feel better. It translates to the same ~D2 you’re swinging at with the 95g shafts (estimated based on common weight, but you can weigh your parts on your own obviously).”
Stuart_G: “Your process is good – keep at it and trust it.”

Entire Thread: “I built the worst fitting clubs ever – GolfWRXers discuss”