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Cutter Golf CTR-1 wedge: Here to help
Let’s start with this—if you don’t struggle using a traditional-style wedge then the CTR-1 from Cutter Golf is probably NOT for you. But if you do truly struggle, this could be a game-changer for your short game.
Greenside shots, especially ones that involve escaping deep rough or sand are some of the most feared shots for the average golfer. It’s one of the biggest differences between amateurs and professionals. With a decent lie, pros give themselves a fairly high potential to hole out, while amateurs are just hoping to escape in less than one attempt.
The “pitch” from Cutter
Thanks to the unique shape and hosel transition, the Cutter wedge has 65 percent less leading-edge contact than a traditional wedge to prevent twisting on shots out of the rough. The additional face height and aggressive perimeter weighting offer a 75 percent larger sweet spot (per the company), and you have a club that should make hitting short game shots a lot easier.
My take
The Cutter wedge doesn’t claim to be traditional, but the principles behind the design all have merit in creating an easy to hit wedge. The high bounce sole with heel-toe relief improves turf interaction while the pushed back from the leading edge hosel gets through long grass easier and lowers the possibility of hitting the dreaded shank. As mentioned off the top, total versatility and shotmaking are not high on this club’s list of priorities, but being easy to hit is!
After going out and testing the wedge in some poor turf conditions I will fully admit, as much I do not prefer the look of it compared to my traditional wedge, it flat out works in getting the ball out of almost any tough spot. Feel is the last part of the puzzle and because of the large thin face it has a higher pitch than what I was used to, but it’s still very pleasant – similar to the acoustics produced by other large game-improvement clubs.
Overall, if you are headed into 2020 with a lot of doubts about your short game or just want to try a wedge that will actually help around the greens the Cutter CTR-1 could be for you.
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.
In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Jason Day – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- SungJae Im – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
Pullout Albums
- Jason Day’s 1off Payntr golf shoes – 2026 The Memorial
- JT Poston’s TaylorMade Spider – 2026 The Memorial
- Cameron putter – 2026 The Memorial
- Tommy Fleetwood’s TM Spider putters – 2026 The Memorial
- New Mitsubishi Chemical 1K Pro Orange shaft – 2026 The Memorial
Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.
Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.
PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole
Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.
Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.
Henley’s Suitcase
- Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
- Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
- Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
- Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
- Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
- Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
- Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype
LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!
Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.
Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.
Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.
Celine’s Suitcase
- Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
- Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
- Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
- Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
- Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
- Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
- Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS
DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!
Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.
Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.
Kaneko’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping Max G440
- Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
- Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
- Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
- Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7
Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro
Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.
The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.
Alvaro’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
- Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
- Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
- Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
- Wedges
- Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C
A party on the green!
Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026
LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin
Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.
Niemann’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping 440 LST
- Metal: Ping G440 Max at 15 degrees
- Metal: Ping G425 Max at 21 degrees
- Hybrid: Ping G430 at 25 degrees
- Irons: Ping Blueprint S 5 through PW
- Wedges: Ping S159 at 52, 56, and 60 degrees
- Putter: Ping PLD Anser
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX
3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 80 TX
Irons: Titleist T250 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48), S400 (47)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Photos from the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
CJ Cup Byron Nelson Tour Report: Koepka and Kim’s newest putters finally get hot
Charles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
Details on J.J. Spaun’s surprise putter switch
GolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
Photos from the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
PGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
Photos from the ShopRite LPGA
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
Si Woo Kim WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
M.Coz
Mar 27, 2020 at 2:42 am
Sometimes I don’t know about some of the posters here. How many times do we have to put up haters here who really don’t know the game or it’s history of both the game and its equipment. Do I need to remind of the first steel headed drivers, much revolt or even more the first big headed drivers how they looked like a (use many descriptions here) on a stick. Or the first rescue/hybrids that some thought the head would make a better handle of a crutch if turned upside down. Or how about the first Ping K-1 irons were considered an abomination compared to the typical blades with their offset and no chrome finish. Of course those Eye 2 wedges were thought to be large and ridiculous. Then they came out with their big wooden head drivers with its goofy shape that was so strange. Oh and then Jerry Pate winning a major with (god forbid!!) a colored ball!! GET OVER it. If you have nothing to contribute move on.
Sheesh!
Mar 31, 2020 at 5:13 pm
M.Coz drops the mic! Love it
Petalocos
Mar 23, 2020 at 11:09 pm
I’m an 8 index and have experimented with the CTR-1. While I don’t see it necessarily replacing my current (TaylorMade) wedge, it certainly performs around the green as well as my current wedge. Therefore, I would recommend it to anyone who likes the CTR-1 aesthetic (looks like a driver face) and/or is struggling with improving their short game.
Danny M.
Mar 20, 2020 at 9:16 am
How about golfers just LEARN to hit a bunker shot, work hard at figuring out how to escape deep rough, and dedicate some time practicing around the green.
This junk is just a band-aid used to cover up laziness.
andy c
Mar 20, 2020 at 11:08 am
haha, yeah because everyone has time and money to go to the short game practice range that doesn’t exist and spend 2 hours a day honing our skills. Can’t tell if you are trolling or not but most golfers I know work for a living and time spent on the course is for fun. Call out a blue collar guy like me for being lazy over how a club looks, and you’d find out how it looks in your in shin.
Joe
Mar 23, 2020 at 1:11 am
If you have time to play you have time to practice.
This wedge is one of those 1 – 2 months gimmicks, and then disappears. Through the years I (everyone) have seen many.
Big Danny M Fan!
Mar 23, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Wow! The great Danny M. has spoken! I’m sure Danny M. has tried the “junk” and most likely a +2 and knows what he’s talking about because he doesn’t sound like a “know it all” and a douche….nope, not at all.
D. Fosbury
Mar 20, 2020 at 2:51 am
Life is full of this… “but it looks funny”.
If it works, it works. This article seems a little short on that, but don’t judge solely on looks. Sometimes, we find out that we’re doing it all wrong because someone is crazy enough to make a point.
Guia
Mar 19, 2020 at 7:37 pm
It is said that “there is one born every minute”. So they are guaranteed to sell at least “one”.
Tim
Mar 19, 2020 at 5:22 pm
Many of us can get under a ball in long grass its the tight lie we fear. Where tempo and touch are critical. This is why I and many others use an 8 iron or hybrid from off the green.
Charlie Waffles
Mar 19, 2020 at 5:07 pm
You’re kidding I hope…..
GoCougs!
Mar 19, 2020 at 3:17 pm
I’ve seen the wedge and although the looks are strange. The person using it was making some serious shots and was deadly accurate on his chips from 30 yards out. Just my 2 cents…
Rich Douglas
Mar 19, 2020 at 12:08 pm
And when you get done with your round, you can take it home and serve up a nice piece of pie.
SV
Mar 19, 2020 at 11:00 am
It looks like the mutant offspring of the Cleveland VAS irons.
Rich Douglas
Mar 19, 2020 at 12:07 pm
Oh, I so disagree. The VAS was a good iron in its day. Take a look; you’ll see a lot of design features–anti-vibration badge, large bounce, long heel-to-toe, lots of offset–that you see in many GI irons today. They’re just blended into the design and not as obvious as they were in the VAS.
Shallowface
Mar 19, 2020 at 10:01 am
Considering how many of us struggle around the greens with the myriad of conventional wedges, any attempts at innovation for this section of the bag are most welcome. Many of us would benefit from having a good look at (horror of horrors!) chippers. I’m looking at trying a wedge with a more upright lie angle to see if that helps.