Royal Collection DB Forged Wedges

[Ara selai]

This post covers a lot of old ground, but I'm hoping to unearth a new treasure or two. Ever the optimist! I've read through previous posts, and there are several that discuss, among others, the Royal Collection DB forged wedges, including several rave posts by Blader-X. One of the moderators (Gocchin??) mentioned that they were one of the top three JDM wedges out right now.

I had a chance to hit one tonight (56* or 58*, can't remember, with a TrueTemper shaft, I think) and REALLY liked it compared to what I've got in the bag at the moment (a 52* Miura and a 56* Cleveland 588 sand wedge that I've had for a dozen years. Probably time to retire the Cleveland, though it's been a stellar performer, and the Miura hasn't been the joy I'd hoped for). The RC DB was gold at 1/4, 1/2, and full swings.

My question is, could someone give me an up-to-date run-down on alternatives I should consider? Obviously there are the SkyDreamJump DP2010s and the Fourteen MT28 V5s, as reviewed and discussed by Blader-X in detail. Anything else? I'll hit as many as I can, so I'm really trying to identify any real dogs or average performers to avoid, and any recently discovered hidden gems. Miura 1957s and Mizuno TP11s get some love on other posts. Yururis, too. What else? Scratch? Did I miss anything obvious from the previous posts? Gocchin (or anyone else), what, in your opinion, ARE the top three wedges out there? (We know where Blader sits on this one, but what about his previous gamers, the Tourstages?) And are there any JDM offerings that really DON'T make the grade? Shaft combinations with preferred clubs would be helpful, so I don't end up with a disappointing stock shaft.

After testing a selection, I'll try to post my thoughts in a timely manner, to complement my previously posted comparisons of irons, woods, and utilities from the perspective of a mid- to low-20s handicapper.

(Moderators, feel free to move/delete if you think this post overlaps too much with all the previous posts. I would have appended it to one of them, but wasn't sure which one)

Edited August 8, 2011 by Ara selai

[Spoon]

WeLl I wAs in a similar situation as you months back. Muddling between the RC, yamaha and SDJ

Wedges unfortunately I did not get a chance to demo any of them. After months of research and

A lot of emails exchanged with gocchin I decided on the db forged wedges.lucky to have found

A mint set of the protos. Really happy with the,, I'm very picky with my wedges and these are

Every bit the real deal although I pulled the stock tt shafts and replaced them with DG spinners.

There will be a massive wedge shootout by tourspecgolfer in the next couple of weeks wherein he tests

All the jspec wedges. The RC is definitely in his top 3.

[corky3]

WeLl I wAs in a similar situation as you months back. Muddling between the RC, yamaha and SDJ

Wedges unfortunately I did not get a chance to demo any of them. After months of research and

A lot of emails exchanged with gocchin I decided on the db forged wedges.lucky to have found

A mint set of the protos. Really happy with the,, I'm very picky with my wedges and these are

Every bit the real deal although I pulled the stock tt shafts and replaced them with DG spinners.

There will be a massive wedge shootout by tourspecgolfer in the next couple of weeks wherein he tests

All the jspec wedges. The RC is definitely in his top 3.

good news.... in the market for wedges myself.

[Ara selai]

So I guess the only question for me is whether I will have the patience to wait for the results of the shootout.... Any word on other front runners?

[Ara selai]

Nope, didn't have the patience....

Decided to get the 52*/9 and 58*/11 non-protos in satin. I'll give them an on-course workout tomorrow. Love the look, especially at address; love the swing weight; will report back on the performance.

[As I've never played a 58* before, it'll be interesting to compare it to the 56* Cleveland 588, which has been so solid for me. I'm pretty sure the 52* will outplay the Miura it replaces, but will try to be as objective as possible.]

Regarding the non-protos vs protos, has anyone compared the 2011 protos, the 2011 non-protos, and/or the original DBs side-by-side, to be able to comment on any substantial difference(s)? The new protos certainly seem to have a few fans on the forums, and I gather the originals were something really special. What will I be missing by having the non-protos?

Finally, still wondering what other wedges GTI'ers think deserve special attention? Would be interesting to have a straw poll BEFORE the 2011 shootout results are out. No idea how to do it, though (newbie-itis).

[gocchin]

You won't miss anything as they are exactly the same wedge with the only difference the Protos being limited and raw with no plating.

The grind, shape, neck and of course grooves and face are different from the original DB forged which were designed and grinded by Grind Studio master Tomaru-san. The new DB Forged were designed in house by RC. Both are great wedges.

[Ara selai]

Thanks for the info, Gocchin!

I didn't have a stellar game with them today from inside of 30 yards, but I attribute that to getting used to the head weight on quarter and half swings. Outside of that distance, on fuller swings, they were smooth, had good bounce, and played accurately. The 58* worked really well out green-side traps!