2021 Edel SMS Wedge Review

2021 Edel wedges.

The new Edel SMS wedges for 2021 feature one of the most innovative takes on personal wedge fitting that you’ll ever see in a head shape fans of the brand love. Boasting adjustable weighting to fine-tune every wedge to a player’s individual swing, the 2021 Edel SMS wedge line is truly remarkable.

2021 Edel SMS Wedge Technology and Design

In a sit-down with Chris Koske of Edel, I learned a number of exciting tidbits around the new wedges. Edel is billing their approach to custom wedge fitting as something entirely new to golf, resulting in “the most innovative wedge in the history of golf.” That’s a powerful statement from a brand that might not be at the forefront of the average golfer’s mind when thinking about purchasing a wedge.

But guess what? They should be.

The big story here is adjustable weighting along the sole and bounce of each wedge, tailored to provide golfers their best possible performance. For example, during their R&D process, Edel discovered that 80% of golfers tested saw their best wedge performance with the clubhead’s center-of-gravity weight more toward the center of the bounce. This included an average uptick in backspin rates of more than 10%, entirely depending on where the heaviest weight was distributed in the clubhead.

This is important to understand because, whether you realize it or not, all wedges are not weighted the same in terms of weight distribution. Some wedges carry more weight toward the toe, others toward the heel, and others more in the center.

Weighting becomes most important in relation to the type of wedge swing a player uses. For example, some golfers may “cover” the ball more at impact while others tend to “scoop” off the turf. Depending on your wedge’s weight distribution, spin rates and overall performance can differ drastically.

Hence, Edel’s new wedges focus in on this distinction at a level that truly is innovative… and exciting.

How Does it Work?

According to Edel, who consulted with a PhD in Biomechanics in designing this fitting process, wedge performance was significantly impacted across the board when weight distribution changed in a controlled testing environment. This includes not only spin rates, but shot dispersion and repeatability.

This was accomplished through Swing Match Weighting, a process that allows a golfer (through a fitter) to adjust the weighting of each individual wedge. Some golfers even have a different swing path and release for each wedge, which makes this adjustability even more important.

Available in four different grinds and three different lofts to fit your playing preferences and typical course conditions, the new Edel wedges are CNC milled and feature a rounded, pear-shape head that fans of the brand will recognize. A full-face groove design puts a bow on the entire package.

Performance and Feel

Having struggled with my wedge game off and on for about a year (turns out that pandemics take a toll on your short game), I was excited to see if the Edel wedges could provide me similar results as what’s listed in their marketing materials.

Simply put: the answer is yes.

When I moved the weight distribution around on the review wedge I was provided, I definitely saw differences in shot performance. When the weight was closer to the toe, I noticed spin rates slightly lower than I preferred for a 54-degree wedge. The same was true when the weight was toward the heel, although to a lesser extent.

My best performance came from the weight placed in the middle position. Spin rates increased by about 30%, which helped increase launch and peak height of my shots. With a little time I was able to zero-in on a repeatable yardage tendency, which will help me in terms of predictability and, ultimately, scoring.

At impact, the Edel wedges felt powerful and muted… a sensation I prefer with wedges. A soft “click” exudes from the face at impact, and the full-face groove design provides a wide array of shot options and spin forgiveness regardless of impact location.

Overall Impression

I’ll need to spend more time with the 2021 Edel SMS wedges, but early performance shows me that these are truly a top contender for best wedge of the year. While we don’t like to rate products over others in terms of overall performance — figure that out for your game, which is always how things should work — I definitely saw improved spin numbers and shot dispersion contingent upon weight location.

Each wedge retails for $199.99. For more information, be sure to visit the Edel Golf website here.