The wedge market has proven to be highly competitive over the past year, but every so often, a model arrives from a lesser-known brand and feels distinctly more premium and crafted than the rest – the Protoconcept RR wedge.
Protoconcept is a brand known for its commitment to high-end, forged precision, has released a wedge that doesn’t just aim to compete with the major players in the market but looks to surpass them in feel and finish. I put the RR Forged wedge ($309/£241) through its paces on the golf course and indoors on a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor to see if this is a wedge you should consider.
(Image credit: Future)
The aesthetics of the RR Forged wedge are what I believe truly distinguish it from a lot of the best wedges on the market. From the moment you take these wedges out of the wrapper, they just have a premium aura about them, thanks to the deep satin finish and precise shaping that look incredibly premium both in hand and in the bag.
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Behind the ball, the aesthetic is clean, timeless, and perfectly balanced. The head features a beautifully classic, rounded profile with a clean leading edge that sits really nicely when the blade is both square and open behind the ball. The smooth curves and compact shape are exactly what a better player wants to see, and they really gave me the confidence to be creative around the greens when using this wedge.
The Protoconcept RR Forged wedge at address
(Image credit: Future)
When clipping away chips and pitch shots, I instantly noticed how soft and responsive the RR forged wedge is. It’s probably the softest feeling wedge I have tested over the past year, even more so than the forged TaylorMade MG5 and Fourteen FRZ – another wedge I love.
The RR wedges are forged from S25C soft carbon steel, a material often favoured in high-end Japanese golf clubs for its legendary soft feel and responsiveness, probably why I love the feel through impact with these clubs.
The forged carbon steel on these wedges feel superb
(Image credit: Future)
The face boasts a precision CNC-milled surface. This milling process ensures every single groove is cut to the tightest possible tolerance, maximising friction and, critically, spin, even out of the rough or when dealing with surface moisture.
Protoconcept has opted for a subtle yet effective sole design, featuring a classic rounded leading edge with slight heel and toe relief, although this differs slightly depending on which grind you choose. The NT grind (neutral) was what I chose on my 50°, and then I went for the more aggressive grind (AG) on my sand and lob wedge.
The Protoconcept RR Forged wedges
(Image credit: Future)
There is also a SP (Sweeper) grind for those more shallow into the ball. The loft options on these wedges range between 46°- 60°, meaning there is a RR wedge out there for everyone. Through the use of 3D CAD technology, every loft is individually tailored to ensure optimal centre of gravity placement and sole functionality for each wedge.
Around the green, the sole geometry offered excellent versatility. It didn’t dig excessively on delicate chips, and the slight relief in the heel allowed for an open face on bunker shots and flop shots without digging and getting stuck through impact. If you tend to be inconsistent with your strike or do want a little assistance around the greens, I would point you in the direction of one of the most forgiving wedges instead.
The sole of the AG grind on the Protoconcept RR Forged wedges
(Image credit: Future)
I did test the Protoconcept RR Forged wedges across a range of conditions, from full swings out of the fairway to delicate chips around the green. The full-swing ball trajectory was consistent and penetrating, which was something I was glad to see. Where the RR Forged really shone was in scoring shots. The consistent groove performance delivered excellent spin retention even from the light rough, allowing me to attack pins with confidence.
Data gathered on a 50 yard pitch shot using a 56° Protoconcept RR Forged wedge
(Image credit: Future)
However, the standout moment came during my 50-yard pitch shot testing. This distance is the ultimate indicator of groove bite, and the RR wedge was exceptional, where my launch monitor registered a phenomenal 7658 RPM of spin. For context, this was the second-largest amount of spin generated from any wedge I have tested over the last year.
Sam De’Ath testing the Protoconcept RR Forged wedge indoors on a Foresight GC3 Launch Monitor
(Image credit: Future)
Overall, the quality of these wedges is superb, and they offer extreme levels of spin and feel, as well as looking exceptional behind the ball and in the bag. The elephant in the room is the extremely punchy price tag of £309/£241. If you’re in the market for a fresh set and money is no issue, these would be right up there at the top of the list, however, some of the best wedges on the market are available for nearly half of the price.
