2022 Wedge of the Year: My Personal MVP
Today, I’m excited to announce my personal MVP from all the golf wedges I tested last year.
In other words—my “Wedge of the Year 2022.”
But before we get to the winner, let me introduce the contenders.
Note: The order in which these wedges appear is based on when I tested them, and has nothing to do with their ranking.
Also, this is purely my own opinion based on personal preference and experience—it’s not meant to be a definitive ranking of performance or quality.
Akira Products PROTOTYPE H-958 Wedge
RomaRo Alcobaça Stream DOUBLE WAVE WEDGE
Titleist Vokey Design SM9 Wedge
There were many great wedges in 2022, but I managed to narrow it down to these top candidates.
Each one brought back great memories during testing, and reviewing them now is a real joy.
Out of the 14 clubs in my bag, I tend to reach for wedges most often. I love practicing approach shots.
In fact, I enjoy being at the short game area or bunker practice range more than actually playing a round. I could spend an entire day just chipping and pitching.
That’s why I naturally spend more time testing wedges than any other club. Often, I get so into it that I forget I’m “testing”—and just enjoy the moment.
And out of all those outstanding wedges, the one that stood out most for me was…
This ASTRO TOUR wedge takes the crown.
Great looks, excellent feel at impact—and above all, the uniquely shaped sole greatly enhanced its playability.
Its spin performance is average—not what you’d call a “super spin wedge”—but it delivered enough reliable bite, and thanks to its excellent turf interaction, it generated just the right amount of spin when I needed it.
After testing it, I borrowed the wedge from a friend and tried it on real greenside approach shots and bunkers. It exceeded my expectations.
As I mentioned earlier, its clean turf interaction makes it easy to pick the ball cleanly—even from sand. That really suits my game.
I especially loved the heel grind. It’s not a wide-sole explosion-style wedge, but when you open the face, the bounce works beautifully.
Even though it’s a “manual-type” wedge that rewards skill and feel, its versatility is impressive.
My only complaint? It’s hard to find.
Since it’s not from a major brand, you won’t see it stocked in big-name retail stores—and that’s unfortunate.
That said, some specialty golf shops in Japan focus on these “JDM” (Japanese Domestic Market) clubs, and I hope more players can experience this gem.
Again, this is a manual wedge—not the most forgiving, automated type—so if you prefer wedges that “do the work for you,” this may not be the best fit.
But for me, it was the most impressive wedge of the year, and that’s why I’ve chosen it as my Wedge of the Year 2022 MVP.
Just to reiterate, this doesn’t mean the other wedges were bad or inferior.
This was a close call among top-level contenders—but in the end, the ASTRO TOUR TH001 edged out the rest.
Next time, I’ll be sharing my Iron of the Year—stay tuned!
Want to read the original article in Japanese? Click here
