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The Wedge Guy: Musings on the golf ball rollback

Published

3 years ago

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By now, you have likely read and heard endless anguish and musings about the recent decision by the USGA and R&A to tweak the testing for golf ball distance conformity in an effort to roll back golf ball performance for the game’s elite players. Whether you think this is a good idea or not is beside the point, as it appears to be a “done deal.” So, I’d like to offer some musings from my perspective as a 40-year veteran of the golf equipment industry and over 60 years of playing this game at a reasonably serious level.

My perspective covers a lot of ground as I have personally experienced the technology of our industry as an accomplished scratch or near-scratch player. I’ve seen most all of it in those six decades. From learning and developing my game into my 30s with persimmon drivers, pure muscle-back blades and balata balls . . . to what I find in my bag today. I’ve seen the quantum leaps in driving distance for golfers of all levels with each new development, with huge leaps in performance delivered by the first metal woods (thanks TaylorMade), then to the Big Bertha and all its copies and on to the continuing advancements in size, COR, shafts and other driver performance technologies.

You simply cannot discuss distance and focus only on the golf ball, when you have this amazing run of technology in the driver category. And besides those advancements in head designs, driver shafts also made great strides in both weight and performance. I can share that the driver in my bag today is right at 30-percent lighter than the overall weight of my steel-shafted persimmon drivers from back then. I’m sure my clubhead speed at 71 years old is likely close to what I had in my 30s and 40s because of that.

And because of the great strides in driver technologies and the forgiveness of off-center hits, golfers began to get bigger and fitter in pursuit of swinging ever faster. I agree with Adam Scott’s assessment that the distance gains are much more about driver technologies than the golf ball. In case you didn’t experience real “woods,” with these big drivers, a perfect strike is much less important than it was in the days of persimmon or even early oversized metal drivers.

But let’s get back to the golf ball and what I think is going to happen over the next five to seven years . . .
Up until the mid-1990s, the “state of the art” was that old rubber-band-wound and balata-covered ball that spun like crazy but went out of round if you looked at it wrong. While many give Titleist and its Pro V1 franchise credit for the revolution to multi-piece ball construction and technologies, history shows that Spalding was ahead of them in this area with their early work with the Top Flite and Tour Edition lines. But it was Mark O’Meara winning both the Masters and U.S. Open in 1998 playing the revolutionary Strata ball that triggered the entire ball industry to abandon the old rubber band ball and pursue these new multi-piece technologies.

Since then, there is no question that continual strides have been made in golf ball technologies, as these rocket scientist engineers explore and optimize every element of the ball, from core properties to cover properties to dimple aerodynamics. I’ll be the first to admit that the most brilliant and technologically advanced engineers are plying their craft in the ball segment of the industry.

That’s why I believe what we’ll see come out of this next half-decade of research and development is an approach to golf ball performance that will surprise us all. It seems totally realistic that these brainiacs will figure out how to make golf balls that optimize distance performance at various clubhead speeds. I have complete confidence they can figure out how to make a ball that meets the new standards at the highest swing speeds, while not causing the 90-95 mph clubhead player to lose even a yard.

In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the ball brands come up with a fitting matrix to fit the golf ball to your exact swing speed, so that instead of the average golfers losing distance, we would actually gain some. Those major brands’ line-ups could be as thorough in fitting the exact ball to your swing speed as we find the fitting bays doing so with shafts.

It will be fun and interesting to watch, that’s for sure.

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Terry Koehler is a fourth generation Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M University. Over his 40-year career in the golf industry, he has created over 100 putter designs and dozens of wedges. In 2014, he put together the team that reintroduced the Ben Hogan brand to the golf equipment industry with his TK 15 wedges and Ft. Worth 15 iron designs. Since receiving a U.S. Patent for his “Koehler Sole” in the early 1990s, he has been challenging “conventional wisdom” in the wedge category. In addition to inspiring multiple companies to emulate this sole technology, the performance of his wedge designs have stimulated all other companies to reposition some mass toward the top of the blade in their wedges. Terry is retired from his role as Chairman and Director of Innovation for Edison Golf, and remains active in the industry as an independent designer and consultant.  But his most compelling work is in the wedge category. Since he first patented his “Koehler Sole” in the early 1990s, he has been challenging “conventional wisdom” reflected in ‘tour design’ wedges. The performance of his wedge designs have stimulated other companies to move slightly more mass toward the top of the blade in their wedges, but none approach the dramatic design of his Edison Forged wedges, which have been robotically proven to significantly raise the bar for wedge performance. Terry serves as Chairman and Director of Innovation for Edison Golf – check it out at www.EdisonWedges.com.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. William

    Dec 17, 2023 at 9:48 am

    I have complete confidence they can figure out how to make a ball that meets the new standards at the highest swing speeds, while not causing the 90-95 mph clubhead player to lose even a yard
    I have every confidence that this will happen.
    I spent my youth working in rubber and plastic technology.

    Reply Report comment

  2. Edawrd Mahle

    Dec 15, 2023 at 12:45 pm

    i’m 90 yr old male, play mostly 9 holes from forward tee, swing speed around 80-85 with driver, i play in 2 golf leagues and other non league rounds, driver distance is around 170 yds, on 350 yd hole i need 3 shots to get to the green, so in my case even 5yd decrease in distance would be significant, i’d use a non conforming ball if it provided 10 yds more distance

    Reply Report comment

  3. Bob Jones

    Dec 15, 2023 at 11:41 am

    Let’s hope so.

    Reply Report comment

  4. Bob

    Dec 14, 2023 at 1:40 pm

    Please cut out the resume and repost, Terry.

    With all your experience, tell us what your solution is. I got bored before I found the musings.

    Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

3 weeks ago

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Jun 1, 2026

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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

Pullout Albums

 

 

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Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

4 weeks ago

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Jun 1, 2026

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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

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

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Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge

Published

4 weeks ago

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May 31, 2026

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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

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