Taylormade Milled Grind 2 Wedge £149
GM Verdict
With its patented Raw Face technology, you could certainly make a case for the Milled Grind 2 wedge being one of Taylormade’s most innovative products in recent years.
But do raw, rusty finishes actually generate more spin? We hit a 56° satin chrome wedge with the brand-new face, having just removed the airtight sticker, and then tested it again after the face had rusted.
The Gcquad launch monitor couldn’t provide any conclusive evidence to suggest the rusty face produced more spin than the brandnew face. That said, when testing on the course there were some shots that seemed to fly lower and check up more than shots hit with a new-plated wedge. Looks will play a big part here too, though. Some golfers won’t like the look of a rusty wedge, believing it makes it look worn out and older than it is. Having said that, the rusty section does frame the ball nicely and the wear pattern that will appear over time provides a narrowed focus over the ball, as well as feedback on the strike.
Differences in sound and feel were also tricky to distinguish, although if we had to choose, the rusty-faced version arguably did feel a touch softer. The two sole-grind options should provide enough versatility for the majority of players and the overall playability of the wedge was impressive, especially when it came to the clean turf interaction from tight lies.
It’s a clever offering that will certainly appeal to the majority, although some people will be put off by the rusty look. We couldn’t prove with any certainty that the rusty face generated more spin or felt softer, but you might have more success if you give them a try. Every other area of performance was second to none.
Key Technology
A patented Raw Face design means the face itself will rust over time, which is said to enhance feel and spin. The rest of the head maintains its plated finish.
A laser-etched pattern between the grooves helps generate even more greenside spin. There are two double rows next to the leading edge to assist on shorter chip shots or thinned shots.
A TPU insert in the back cavity provides vibration dampening for a solid, soft feel at impact. This is enhanced by a thicker face at the top.
GM Verdict
The entry-level, two-piece ball category is a popular and competitive market, but the Srixon AD333 has long been a favoured choice and this latest iteration looks to have built on its prior success. It does this through offering surprisingly good short-game control around the greens considering it lacks the urethane cover material of its premium counterparts, the Z-star and Z-star XV.
This is no mean feat given the firm feel and competitive distance golfers will experience off the tee and on iron shots. The ball flight also impressed, especially in crosswinds, with the new dimple pattern helping the ball stay in the air while holding its line. While it doesn’t have the soft feel or short-game spin of premium offerings, at this price point it’s one of the best balls you can buy. Factor in the bright white finish, the arrow on the sidestamp for alignment and long-lasting durability and you’ve got a ball that should last you multiple rounds, provided you can keep track of it!
How has the product been performing?
I couldn’t be happier. They look and feel great, which gives me confidence, and the strike is so pure – it’s awesome. The increased yardage compared with my old irons took a bit of getting used to, but now I am hitting more greens.