TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw wedge has rusting face for even more spin

The new TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw wedge.

TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw wedges have a face that will rust over time to bring even more spin and control to your short game.

TaylorMade have brought the Raw Face Technology from their hugely-successful MG2 wedge into their Hi-Toe line-up for 2021.

FULL REVIEW: TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw wedges

The design features sharper, deeper and narrower grooves and a sharper radius, with a rougher surface from the laser etching between the grooves, which TaylorMade say will help generate greater greenside spin. 

Compared with plated grooves, the design increases friction by reducing the ability for the ball to skid up the clubface before it grips, enabling a more consistent ball flight with each wedge shot and higher spin rates in wet condition

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Each Hi-Toe Raw wedge head is created from 8620 Carbon Steel and comes with an air-tight adhesive sticker on the face to prevent rusting before use. When you remove the sticker, though, the face will immediately begin oxidising, which in turn, begins a rusting process. 

Milled Grind soles maximise consistency across the wedges to ensure repeatable performance and turf interaction,

Available in 50º-62º, the lower lofted models feature standard face scoring lines as they’re more likely to be used on full approach shots, while the models in 56º and above have full face scoring lines for to encourage consistent ball contact out of the deep rough and increase spin on off-centre strikes.

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First introduced in 2018, the new wedge has a lot of similarities to the original.

Hi-Toe was developed in close association with then TaylorMade staffer Justin Rose to add short game versatility and the opportunity to hit explosion shoes from anywhere.

A toe height that is 5mm higher than a standard wedge allows a higher of centre of gravity, providing higher-spin performance on full approach shots or finesse shots around the green.

The idea proved a hit with Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm all putting Hi-Toe wedges in their bags.

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The 2021 Hi-Toe Raw has seen TaylorMade’s engineers alter the geometry of the clubhead to create a “Thick-Thin” head design with a tool more commonly used in the metalwood and irons design processes.

The thinner topline, along with additional mass redistributed nearer to the top of the spine, allows engineers to optimise the centre of gravity location for precise flight and enhanced feel

The new wedge also has a less ‘in your face’ look thanks to a classic aged copper finish.

As well as the standard models, there’s also a Hi-Toe Raw Big Foot. First introduced in 2020, Big Foot is aimed at game-improvers with its ultra-wide sole (32mm compared to the traditional 26mm) making it easier to use regardless of the conditions, but especially out of bunkers.

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The anti-dig leading edge is blunter and has a bevelled leading edge radius, with maximum bounce of 15°, while the middle is now flatter at 32mm wide and with added bounce towards the toe apex to help golfers with an outside in swing path and tendency for the strike location to be towards the toe.

There is also a slight heel reduction on the to allow for versatility, and Deep CG pockets have been developed to increase spin, flight control and allow for mass to be redistributed to the sole.

Having tested all of 2021’s new wedges, our data doesn’t quite have the Hi-Toe Raw down as the highest spinning model of 2021 but it’s worth remembering our test shots were hit with a brand new, fresh face, which hadn’t yet had the time to rust.

We’re big fans of the Hi-Toe Raw’s straight leading edge, the new knocked back finish and the looks at address. Plus we love the ease with which the Big Foot model allowed us to escape the sand.

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The wedges come with KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 115g Taper shafts and a Lamkin Crossline 360 52g 0.580 Round black and red grip as standard.

The standard bounce comes in 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°, 62°, with the low bounce in 58° and 60º and Big Foot (High Bounce) in 56º, 58°, 60°

The TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw and Hi-Toe Raw Big Foot have an RRP of £149 each and are available from February 19.

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