New TaylorMade EF wedge launched

TaylorMade have revealed the new Tour Preferred EF wedges that feature 'electroformed' grooves for increased levels of long-lasting spin around the green

TaylorMade’s new Tour Preferred R-Series EF wedges already have a Tour win to their name after staff player Dustin Johnson switched to a full set prior to triumphing at the WGC Cadillac Championship.

The EF refers to the ‘Electroformed’ Nickel Cobalt grooves, which TaylorMade say is a breakthrough technology that creates higher levels of spin than previous groove designs.

The extremely thin face insert (0.25 mm thick) is created through a process that begins with the ionization of nickel and cobalt in an electrolytic solution. The charged ions are then deposited directly onto a master plate containing the design of the grooved and micro textured surface.

Using electroforming, TaylorMade engineers are able to yield consistent, ultra-precise groove geometry among the most detailed ever created in the golf industry. Nickel cobalt is remarkably wear-resistant and durable; 50 per cent harder than Carbon steel.

While substantially harder, the Tour Preferred EF wedge retains an incredibly soft feel from the 1025 Carbon steel body, resulting in a perfect blend of feel and performance. It also creates the glare-reducing, dark smoke PVD finish.

“The beautiful refined shapes of our TP wedges now feature next generation Electroformed groove technology embeded in a soft 1025 carbon steel body,” Clay Long, Director of Product Creation for TaylorMade putters and wedges, told GM. “The new process forms highly accurate grooves from super wear resistant Nickel Cobalt.”

Watch our exclusive first hit of the R-Series TP EF wedges below.

The Tour Preferred EF wedges are available in two sole options. The first is the Tour grind, designed for the player who prefers a traditional, tour-proven sole design with generous heel relief. It is available in lofts of 47°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58° and 60° with bounce options from 9 to 12 degrees.

The second option is the ATV Grind. The new ATV Grind boasts a reshaped sole that’s slightly narrower than the original ATV wedge, promoting less bounce on both chip and full shots, whilst maintaining higher bounce on open-face shots around the greens and from the sand. It's available in lofts of 54°, 56°, 58° and 60°.

The TaylorMade Tour Preferred EF wedges come the KBS Tour shaft and Golf Pride Tour Velvet Red Cap grip with an RRP of £119 each.