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RomaRo 2013 I-S Sole SX Wedge!


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RomaRo in Japan is well known for producing quality products using only the best materials combined with outstanding design. The company survived the long global recession while maintaining market share in Japan as a top 5 component brand but just recently numbers were announced showing a big jump to tie for first place. These numbers don't take into consideration the sales of the newly released TYPE-R so to say the least now is a very exciting time for the company.

The Type-R is spot on. The entire series is based on making clubs that look good to the better player yet pack more forgiveness and RomaRo also claims that not only are the Type R's easier to hit but they also have a more penetrating trajectory equalling more carry & roll in the woods. In this post I wanted to highlight a product we first hit back in February but has just been released recently. The Ray SX I-S Sole.

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So what is the I-S Sole? It's a multi bounce design so the heel area features a higher bounce that blends into a lower bounce in the sole center. This eliminates the phenomenon of the floating leading edge that we sometime see in some wedges. The IS sole also helps keep the face from opening up while the club rests in your hands. In the real world after spending some good time with the wedge I can say that it delivers in most areas with ease. I've always liked RomaRo wedges but my only gripe was how firm they felt at impact. We recently saw them soften things up a good bit with their Alcobaca wedge and now with the Ray series they have done the same.

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So how do they feel now? Soft & Sticky! How has RomaRo improved the feel of their wedges this time around? With the use of a thick copper under plating and new trapezoidal groove angle for higher even more spin than before. Another trick feature is it's top line. They went with a thicker top line but on the back of it CNC milled it to be invisible. I thought that was a fantastic way to raise CG, and spin yet keep it looking clean.

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With offset next to nil its one of the most attractive wedges available today. It's feature rich from its face milling to being soft forged of S20C then a layer of copper under it's beautiful black IP finish. The only drawback I see is that it's not available in 60*. It does have a good range though and I suppose a 58* could be bent. The new SX IS Sole comes in 48/50/52/54/56/58.

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This and the Alcobaca are my two favorite RomaRo wedges and both for different reasons. I've had a little time with this wedge in play and it's got everything that RomaRo advertises. It's trajectory is strong even with the stock shaft. The feel is softer than RomaRo's past models yet still has good feedback. I had it along side a Yamaha for a few days both same loft and shaft and noticed the Raw was the straighter shot and just easier to hit from fluff & the bad lie.

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Lovely looking wedge from address and the copper underlay will probably make it feel very SOFT, however the large "RAY" graphic on the backside of the wedge ruins it for me.

Currently gaming a type R ute that absolutely love. RomaRo is a brand that def needs to be considered when looking for new jdm gear.

Edited by Baddmnkey
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Not sure how similar or dissimilar the type of metals and forging are for the new I-S and previous SX are but if they are similar, I can attest that it does indeed feel softer than the H irons from RomaRo. Are they forged in the same place?

THe feel of the SX is not Epon type soft but soft enough. It also has a dense Miura type feel to it. Very different from the slightly harder feel of the DWDs or SDJ wedges.

A good wedge that continues to perform for me though. As for the Ray stamping, you don't see it at address.

Chris, what's the reason they did away with the sole channel in the I-S?

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just demoed the 50deg I-S Sole SX for 18 holes today

MaMa Mia! Very versatile, easy to align, and easy to control!

i love it more than the Alcobaca

and its gonna stay in my bag plus a 58deg as well

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I know I have disagrees with some but I found the original SX to be clicky. It performed very well but the sound/feel was not good compared to other wedges on the market.

The new model, while it is hard to discern a difference with the grind is softer yet still crisp. In the feel department it is leaps and bounds better than the original. Performance is comparable.

On some level I think the plating they put on might be the culprit in the feel department.

As to the graphics, it would only bother you when cleaning it or when you were behind someone trying your club.

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