TaylorMade ATV 54* a good "multi-tool" wedge design. Recommended!

The TaylorMade ATV 54* wedge is a superior product. In spite of the USGA "conforming grooves" ruling, these are large and well-cut. The ball will "bite" when properly struck with these wedges. The sole is a combination of several technologies; the goal was to make a "6-in-1" wedge and TaylorMade has done a good job. For example, the sole's center is medium-wide to afford a good result in soft, fluffy, sugar sand. Both the heel and toe have metal removed off the back of the sole to allow you to lay open the club for a flop, or to close it down for a punch - neither configuration digging into the turf and twisting the clubhead. The leading edge of the sole has lots of bounce, like the Eidolon, Reid Lockhart, Ray Cook, or Bob Burns specialty wedges, which offers versatility from grassy situations. Still, there is a slight concavity running the axis of the sole like the Solus wedges so you can pinch regular shots. The heft of the steel-shafted wedge was D2 at 36", the grip was a good "crossline" rubber (unribbed), and the ferrule was tasteful. The topline was medium, and the clubhead was right-sized and a non-offensive color. I found it easy to use for the shots I had today, which were full, partial, firm sand, flop, thin lie, and hooded knock-down. The course I played did not feature soft, mushy sand or turf, but I bet the club would have functioned aptly in both. I have a good Mitchell lie and loft machine, and I measured the actual club at 54.5* loft with 62.5* lie (a little flat). With the exception of Ping products (which are mainly "spot on" their specs) the deviation from TaylorMade specs of the club was about normal for most high-dollar manufacturers. This product is good for a bunch of situations, but it is not optimum for any. It was designed as a multi-utility club, not a specialty wedge. Because the water from the green irrigations drains preferentially, the fairways, roughs, and bunkers on the courses I play can be soft or firm from day to day, indeed from hole to hole. So a multi-purpose wedge like the TaylorMade ATV 54* model is very functional. I test clubs, and this is one of the finer ones. Besides the TaylorMade, I like the first seven in this testing list: Ping Eye2 , Wilson Staff Di-11, Cleveland CG-14, Eidolon, Solus 4.1, Bob Burns +/, Tommy Armour 845, Reid Lockhart, Feel, Pixl (S4 and forged), Ray Cook, Reid Lockhart, Hogan, Acer, Titleist (Vokey and regular), Dunlap, MacGregor, Spalding, any titanium head (Ray Cook, Tommy Armour, Acer), and a host of clones. I suspect this model will generate a lot of copy-cats, so be careful to buy a genuine TaylorMade. If the price is much below $100, then beware of a counterfeit.

Great, versatile wedge that takes the guesswork out of wedge play!

New ATV taylormade wedge is designed to be able to play various shots from all types of lies with their "all terrain" sole design... playing in texas you go from bermuda rough to hard pan and various types of bunker sand so it is difficult to guage the best wedge bounce... this wedge eliminates that problem and his been really versatile and great to use...

The Best Game Improvement Wedges

The wedge is very easy to play. The ATV feature is very helpful with various grass and tight lies. The spin it puts on the ball is amazing for drop and stop. This club out performs all of my expectations. This product is more playable than the Vokey wedges. I recommend these wedges for anyone that wants to improve their approach shots.

COOL NEW TECHNOLOGY

Solid forged wedge....very nice balance and feel. The different grinds are very helpful for different lies and allows you to hit a variety of shots with the one club. You can hit the flop, a bump and run and the basic chip. It's not for a high handicapper though, it isn't very forgiving and you can tell when you don't hit the sweet spot...Normal for most forged irons. Overall a great club and a cool new concept for wedges.

Ok wedge but..

The ATV feature was what I was most keen on. Being able to utilize the same club for different lies would definitely be an advantage. This particular club will do that. One has to really screw up not to be able to get it up. The major downside is the grooves don't produce much spin. Granted, in some situations that's not a bad thing. However, if you're looking for a 'stop and drop' wedge this may not be the best choice.