Equipment Review: Eidolon Golf V-Sole Wedge, by Jeffrey Reed

There appears to be a shift in the attention given to golf equipment. For a decade, the driver was the glamour club in the eyes of both the marketing guru and the consumer. While we all still long to drive for show, we amateur golfers seem to have finally clued in to the fact, you can’t putt for dough without a good wedge game.

Eidolon Golf knows this. That’s why the Texas-based club manufacturer is so proud of its V-Sole wedges, already emerging from cult status to mainstream due to their delivery of more spin and more control – the two key elements of a quality wedge. After all, what good is spin if you can’t control your shot making?

Known for their delivery from the sand, rough, fairway and tight lies, Eidolon’s V-Sole wedges are solid all-around performers. And they boast classic, quality aesthetics, putting them in a special class of clubs. Eidolon president Terry Koehler knows a little bit about golf. He’s a former Ben Hogan Golf executive, and former co-owner of Reid Lockhart Golf Company.

Now, Koehler’s job is to trumpet the triumph of his V-Sole wedges which have recently won accolades from PGA Tour Partners Magazine, whose members tested the clubs and gave them one of the highest wedge approval ratings in the history of the testing program. Here’s why.

Each V-Sole wedge features two bounce angles in the sole – patented V-Sole technology through which the leading edge of the wedge’s sole (about one-quarter inch) has an aggressive bounce: 18 degrees bounce in the 52-degree gap wedge, 30 degrees on the 56-degree sand wedge, and 25 degrees on the 60-degree lob wedge. What does this mean? The leading edge is developed to avoid digging into the turf. The primary rear portion of the sole, meanwhile, features a minimal bounce – three degrees on the gap wedge, seven degrees on the sand wedge, and six degrees on the lob wedge.

The biggest difference between these wedges and others I’ve played is, the V-Sole wedges are as smooth as butter on the takeaway, and the spin production is outstanding. Because each individual groove, plus the entire wedge face is CNC-milled, ball spin is prominent, trajectory higher and control is at your fingertips. The club heads are made of 8620 carbon steel, a favourite amongst tour pros, and a double nickle and chrome plating features a rich satin buffed finish.

Eidolon’s standard shaft is the Rifle Spinner by Precision. It offers two grips: Royal Perf Wrap, and Classic V Comfort Cord.

The V-Sole Wedge sells online for $129 US, and Eidolon promises a lifetime warranty on every part of the wedge. Visit the company website, www.eidolongolf.com, to learn more about an up and coming player in the growing wedge game.