WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 Wedge continues the company’s larger face, high center of gravity design with the same original mission: increasing mass creates a lower flight, higher spin design. This upgrade features more sole grind (five) that improves turf interaction, improved friction elements between the grooves to improve spin, and confidence-inspiring full face grooves starting at lofts of 54 degrees and above.
PRICE: $180. Five grinds, lofts from 50 to 60 degrees. Pre-order available from August 14th.
1. Higher purpose. The Hi-Toe 4, like its predecessors, uses pronounced shaping to move the center of gravity higher and toward the toes. A higher center of gravity helps generate shots with more spin. In the Hi-Toe 4, the weight pad is more pronounced in the upper toe area, which is enhanced by the back of the club, particularly a section further back, being thinner to create more mass that can be concentrated in the toe pad. The new shape is integrated into the overall design rather than an appendage, and the additional mass in the toe area also benefits from the weight savings of a tapered hosel design.
“The shape has evolved over time from the leading edge radius to the sole camber to the hosel taper,” said Patrick Baxter, TaylorMade’s director of product development for wedges. “Many players wanted to play hi-toe but didn’t like the radical look. But we still went back to the roots of the original and kept the higher spin and lower launch curve.”
2. Spin precision. There are several elements that TaylorMade has incorporated from its proven wedge technologies into the Hi-Toe 4. its Milled Grind 4 line. These include the computer-milled sole grinds that avoid excessive hand-work in the manufacturing process (more details on this below), but also the laser-engraved ridges between the grooves that provide additional surface friction. The rows of diagonal lines between the grooves, known as the ‘Spin Profile’, are designed to redirect moisture, creating cleaner contact with the groove edges for more grip. This effect works both in rain and on wet turf from early morning dew.
Additionally, cast from soft 8620 carbon steel, the Hi-Toe 4 features a similar “raw” finish to the Milled Grind 4, making the groove design cleaner and unaffected by a final coating. Full-length grooves are standard for all lofts 54 degrees and above in the line.
3. Ground control. The Hi-Toe 4 is an evolution of the three sole shapes of the previous model and features five sole shapes that both recall previous designs and break new ground. The designs are tailored to specific conditions and swing types.
ATS: Features a raised four-way camber for versatility in open and closed face shots.
ATX: The three-stage sole shape uses a blunt leading edge to prevent digging in softer conditions, while a steeper trailing edge is designed to allow for a cleaner exit from the turf.
Air traffic control: The narrow, split sole is better suited for players with a flat attack angle as it allows for less bounce.
ATW: The widest sole in the range also offers more bounce and therefore forgiveness, especially in sand.
“Five unique grinds complement a variety of playing conditions and swing styles for golfers looking for more versatility and forgiveness,” said TaylorMade wedge designer Greg Cesario. “The designs were developed with the goal of creating noticeable and tactile differences between all grinds and wedge models.”
