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Do raw wedges rust?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 25, 2026

Sometimes, the rust is a result of a hard life spent splashing shots out of bunkers and pounding golf balls from the turf on ranges around the globe. But usually it is totally inentional. 'Raw' wedges (where there's no plating or finish coating so rust can for on the head's surface) are nothing new.

Are raw wedges supposed to rust?

Turns out, they're more than just an aesthetic choice; many of those wedges have a raw finish. “Raw means that there is no additional finish applied to the wedge,” says Bob Vokey, master craftsman at Titleist. “It has what I like to call a satin appearance that will start to rust after some use.

How long does it take raw wedges to rust?

TGW: So how long does it take rust to develop on a wedge like this? CC: Surface rust can happen overnight, after just one round. If the ground is a little wet or has just any kind of moisture, you can notice surface rust right away.

How long do raw wedges last?

Studies have shown that a typical wedge will last 65-75 rounds before there's a dip in performance. For the average recreational golfer who plays regularly, that comes out to about every 18 to 24 months.

Do wedges rust?

A. No Raw wedges are popular on tour – often for their low glare characteristics, and many average golfers choose raw wedges because of the perception that rust adds spin. It doesn't.

22 related questions found

Why is my wedge rusting?

Rusting generally happens within the natural cadence of playing golf. You hit a shot, clean your wedge and happen to store it while it's still wet – that will create rust over time. Or you play in wet conditions and don't completely dry your wedge after the round.

How do you get rust off wedges?

Similar to Coca-Cola, the acidity of Vinegar and Lemon Juice works to break down and remove rust. A quick soak can easily loosen surface rust and allow your club to be cleaned using a brush.

Do pros use Rusty wedges?

Rusty wedges appear in many a tour pro's bag. Sometimes, the rust is a result of a hard life spent splashing shots out of bunkers and pounding golf balls from the turf on ranges around the globe. But usually it is totally inentional.

Are raw wedges good?

Ger21: “Raw steel is softer than chrome plating, so raw wedges will scratch and scuff more than chrome, and potentially wear faster. But if you keep them clean, you should easily get 10 years or more out of them at 12 rounds/year. If you don't want them to rust, clean and oil them after each round.”

Does rust add spin to wedges?

A. Raw wedges are popular on tour – often for their low glare characteristics, and many average golfers choose raw wedges because of the perception that rust adds spin. It doesn't. It's not the rust; it's the lack of plating.

Do black Vokey wedges rust?

*Jet Black wedges are raw and will show rust over time.

Will Chrome wedges rust?

If it is a finished wedge, it will not rust unless you take the finish off.

Do all Vokey wedges rust?

The Titleist Vokey Design SM8 wedges are available in four finishes: Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black and Raw finish. The Jet Black will rust as the dark finish wears, while the Raw wedges will rust more quickly with exposure to air and moisture.

Can you Regroove clubs?

Getting the wedge regrooved is an option, but it's an inexact process that's probably not worth the time. "A lot of things can happen when you regroove an old wedge," said Kyle Cronkright, the director of club fitting at the Jim McClean Golf School's Texas Golf Center (Ft. Worth) facility.

How do I stop my golf clubs from rusting?

Most Popular

  1. Prevent Golf Clubs From Rusting.
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Are Vokey SM8 wedges forged?

The Titleist Vokey SM8 series is the latest line-up and it is incredible, many will be surprised to hear that they are not forged. With 6 different grind options and 3 different finishes, there is a club that will delight every golfer.

Who uses Vokey on tour?

Titleist's Vokey WedgeWorks T Grind is a favorite of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Bob Vokey originally created the T Grind for former PGA Tour winner Tom Pernice Jr. These days, the lob wedge is a favorite of two major winners: Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.

What is wedge bounce?

Wedge bounce is the angle created between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole or trailing edge. This is the area of the club that hits through the ground as it contacts the ball. The greater the wedge bounce degree, the higher the leading edge is off the surface at address.

Are raw face wedges better?

“We knew that raw wedges perform better in wet conditions.” The main reason for this performance improvement is the inherent roughness of raw steel compared to chrome, which helps preserve friction between the clubface and the ball. Engineers also discovered the maintained integrity of groove geometry.

Is 12 degrees of bounce too much?

Clubs with a bounce of more than 10 degrees are considered "high bounce" wedges, according to Publinks Golfer. Sand wedges and some specialty gap wedges usually have high bounce, making them a good choice for light sand, deep rough or a shaggy fairway.

Do pros use high bounce wedges?

Cleveland said that unlike their predecessors, many of whom favored low-bounce wedges, many of today's PGA Tour pros use wedges with about 12 or 13 degrees of bounce. Opting for sole grinds that remove excess material in the heel, and often in the toe as well, makes their sand wedges and lob wedges more versatile.

What does S grind mean on a wedge?

The S Grind Vokey SM7 is the popular middle-of-the-road option in the current Titleist wedge lineup. The S Grind is geared towards golfers that will strike wedge shots with a square club face. It's built for those who aren't manipulating the face or angle of attack too much.

What wedges does Justin Thomas use?

Interestingly, Thomas brings two lob wedges to tournaments. Typically, he plays with a 60-degree K grind wedge with 6 degrees of bounce, but starting at the 2018 Presidents Cup in Australia, he began using a 60-degree T grind wedge on firm golf courses.

Do pros use 60-degree wedges?

When it comes to common wedge setups on the PGA Tour, there are far more golfers playing with four wedges than three. Looking strictly at the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking, 80 percent are using a pitching wedge, 50/52-, 56-, 60-degree loft combination.