TaylorMade turned heads when they first introduced their Hi-Toe wedges almost a decade ago, which came hot on the heels of Callaway’s Mack Daddy PM Grind and marked a bit of a shift in wedge design. The extended toe area, full-face grooves and wide sole design were perfect for bunkers, open-face shots and overall forgiveness.
Now into it’s fifth generation, it’s clear that the technology really can help golfers to gain a bit more confidence around the greens, and there are plenty of PGA Tour golfers (including Tommy Fleetwood) using these wedges too which give them a little bit of extra validation.
So what’s new, and should more golfers be considering putting Hi-Toe wedges in the bag? I was lucky enough to be invited down to TaylorMade’s new facility, The Kingdom at The Grove, to find out more and get a full fitting.
Who Are They Aimed At?
Whilst you may think that a wedge like this is going to be for high handicappers due to that large surface area and wide sole, you only have to see that Tommy Fleetwood has one in the bag to know that it isn’t the case. They’re for anybody who wants a bit more versatility in their short game, as well as the extra security that a full-face can offer too.
You don’t need a full set of them either – you could just include a Hi-Toe lob wedge to help you out in the bunker or on certain tricky flop shots around the green.
The fact that the wedges are now forged is great for golfers who don’t want to compromise on feel even if they’re gaining more forgiveness.
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The Tech
The big change for Hi-Toe 5 compared to previous Hi-Toe wedges is that it’s now fully forged, joining the MG5 to bring the two in-line together.
It’s built from soft carbon steel, which should give a softer, more responsive feel at impact, and the forging also lets TaylorMade be more precise with the head shape during production.
The grooves are the other big talking point. The Hi-Toe 5 also features the saw-milled full-face grooves from MG5, running heel to toe and up into that trademark extended toe shape.
The saw-milling process allows for steeper sidewalls and sharper edges than a standard milled groove, which encourages more friction and spin at impact.
On top of that there’s a Raw face finish paired with Spin Tread Technology. This is a set of laser-etched micro-channels designed to shift moisture away from the strike area. The idea is to keep spin consistent whether you’re playing in the dry or damp conditions.
There are a total of five grinds on offer too – ATS, ATV, ATX, ATW and ATC. ATS is the option most golfers will end up with, but there is also a custom ATC which is a low-bounce option for better performance on tight lies with shallow angles of attack.
Looks
On the face of it the Hi-Toe 5 does have quite a similar overall look to the previous Hi-Toe 4, with the large Hi-Toe logo on the corner of the head and the same milling pattern on the sole.
There have been a couple of small modifications though, including a new TaylorMade logo on the back of the head which does look smart.
TaylorMade are sticking with the copper finish which has become synonymous with the Hi-Toe line and looks really great, although you can get it in a Satin Chrome too if you want something a bit more traditional.
One of the other small changes is the fact that the heel position has been pulled lower down, which gives the head a slightly longer and flatter look. It creates a steeper angle up to the toe area, and actually makes the face seem a bit larger too, which is great for golfers who want a bit of extra reassurance.
I got fitted for three different wedges, but you’re able to get the stronger lofted wedge with a traditional groove setup rather than the full face. I prefers this when hitting full shots, as it provides you with a bit of a clearer look when aligning the ball.
Feel
The raw face is one of the best additions that TaylorMade have added to their wedge game in recent years, and it’s something that you really can feel when hitting shots.
It feels almost like the ball grips on to the face for longer than with a standard wedge, and so you can practically feel the spin on the ball as it leaves. I noticed this especially on half pitches or chips around the green, where the spin levels were maintained even though I wasn’t hitting the ball full.
This time around the wedges are forged, and whilst I can’t say I could tell this straight away when hitting shots, the feel and sound off the face was nice.
However I would say that, compared to my own MG4 Wedges, the Hi-Toe wedges do feel a little bit more cumbersome.
At times the extra footprint makes the wedges feel a bit one dimensional, and I’d say I felt less confident when hitting full shots with both the sand and lob wedges with the Hi-Toe than I would with the MG4. In my mind it felt like the MG4 allowed me a bit more control and precision.
Performance
I went through a full wedge fitting at The Kingdom, to find the right wedge setup for my game. I started by looking at the lob wedge, hitting some tricky short-sided chips and bunker shots – scenarios where I would need as much loft as possible to help me out.
We decided that the ATX was the best option for me. This is one of the more forgiving designs, with mid-to-high bounce and a sole with 3 distinct areas to provide both stability and a bit of versatility.
From my testing this feels so easy to pop the ball in the air, whilst also providing great turf interaction. There’s no digging into the turf but also no bouncing of the club when it hits the ground. It feels like you can really commit on those tough shorter shots, and still interact with the turf without worrying about fatting or thinning it.
I also like to open and close the face quite a lot on my short shots. This is something that these full-face wedges seem perfect for, and I’d say since using the lob wedge I’ve already felt like I’ve got more options in terms of the number of shots I can play.
For the other two wedges I was fitted for the ATS, which TaylorMade call their ‘all-around performance’ grind which should suit most swing styles, performing well on both full and shorter shots.
Despite the Hi-Toe appearance, I still felt like I got all of the same grip and performance as my own MG4 wedges, without really sacrificing anything other than the slightly more compact footprint of those wedges.
The spin was excellent, the control was great, and dialling in the right shaft setup during my fitting also allowed me to produce a lower, more controllable flight which I really like with my wedges.
The final thing to decide during my fitting was the gapping between my wedges. I ended up getting a 52 degree strengthened to 51, a 54 weakened to 55, and a 60 degree wedge. This was done to create a slightly smaller gap between my pitching wedge and gap wedge..
Verdict
When the Hi-Toe wedges first came on to the market I think there was a bit of reluctance amongst some golfers towards using them, as they were seen as clubs to be used by golfers who struggle with their short game.
Over the last few years I think TaylorMade have done a great job of shifting that narrative. You now get all of the same face and groove technology and design as the standard Milled Grind wedges, as well as the additional grind options this time around.
Most importantly, they are now forged too, so you should feel less difference between the MG5 and the Hi-Toe 5, even if it’s not always easy to prove. They should sit right alongside the MG5 wedges, rather than being seen as a step down.
Whilst there’s not a huge change from the Hi-Toe 4, if you are looking for new wedges then the combination of versatility, high spin, forgiveness and grind options make these a really attractive option.
Would I Use Them?
I think the shape and sizing of the stronger lofted wedges is still going to take a bit of time to get used to, even if the 52 degree is more similar to my own MG4. But I have already put the 60 degree wedge in the bag and I’m seeing some really encouraging results already.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s new with the TaylorMade Hi-Toe 5?
The biggest change is that they’re now fully forged from soft carbon steel, bringing them in line with the MG5. They also get the same saw-milled full-face grooves as MG5, a Raw face finish with Spin Tread Technology to manage moisture, and a slightly reshaped head with a lower heel position.
Who are the Hi-Toe 5 wedges best suited to?
They’re not just for high handicappers despite the wide sole and large surface area. They suit any golfer wanting more versatility and confidence around the greens, including tour players like Tommy Fleetwood. You don’t need a full set either, as many golfers just add a single Hi-Toe lob wedge for bunkers and flop shots.
What grinds are available on the Hi-Toe 5?
There are five in total: ATS, ATV, ATX, ATW and ATC. ATS is the all-around option most golfers will suit, while ATC is a custom low-bounce grind aimed at tight lies and shallow angles of attack.
What finishes do the Hi-Toe 5 wedges come in?
They’re available in TaylorMade’s signature copper finish, as well as a Satin Chrome option for a more traditional look.
How do the Hi-Toe 5 wedges compare to TaylorMade’s MG4/MG5?
Performance-wise they’re very close, offering similar spin, grip and control thanks to shared face and groove technology, though the larger footprint makes them feel a touch less precise on full shots than the MG4/MG5. Being forged for the first time also brings their feel much closer to the standard Milled Grind line.
