Scratch Golf growing by word of mouth
ORLANDO, Fla. -- My favorite unknown golf club maker made it to the PGA Merchandise Show. That would be Scratch Golf, which makes Scratch wedges.
Let’s face it, sand wedges haven’t changed all that much in the last 50 years, other than offering more options in lofts and bounce. However, Scratch wedges are second to none. They’re handmade, hand-ground and custom fit (see ScratchGolf.com). They’re a club of choice on the Nationwide tour, where 30 or so players regularly carry them. Some players liked the wedges so much that they asked Scratch Golf to make a whole set of irons. They’ve got a sweet assortment of blades now, too. A putter is also in the works, by request.
The wedges come in eight different finishes, including satin, antique and copper. You can even get a gold-plated model. (Yo, Donald! You listening?) I tried out a pair in November (no, not the gold-plated ones) and liked them so much that they’re in my bag to stay.
For those of us traditionalists who prefer blades to the fat, thick-top-line, game-improvement irons so popular today, the Scratch irons look anorexic. They’re sleek, beautiful throwbacks. You can even get the irons in a black finish, which is extremely cool. The irons come in three versions, the most popular of which is a slight cavity-back model that is forged but still has good feel.
Scratch is one of those quiet companies that produces great stuff but doesn’t have the marketing dollars to be a big force. A wedge is $149; a set of irons is $1199.
It’s growing by word of mouth. So you’ve been told.
Posted by: Mike S. | Feb 13, 2009 8:34:51 PM
Sorry Gary VS, meant to differentiate my Gary's. My comment was directed toward Gary W. Great story on your part...
Posted by: Gary Van Sickle | Feb 11, 2009 4:27:23 PM
You're not correcting me, you're correcting one of the other commenters. I didn't write anything about Scratch making lefty clubs. Someone else did, but thanks for helping straighten it out.
Posted by: Mike S. | Feb 11, 2009 4:14:05 PM
Gary, I hate to correct you, but Scratch offers every retail and custom grind in left-handed wedges that they offer in their right-handed models. They really are accommodating. Let's hope the irons come soon.
Posted by: Gary W | Feb 3, 2009 6:56:31 PM
You are right, Rob, but they don't make left handed irons. The type of grinds on the wedges are far fewer on the left handed wedges too.
Posted by: Rob B | Feb 3, 2009 12:50:56 PM
Gary, They do make Left Handed Wedges.
Posted by: Mike S. | Feb 1, 2009 4:11:01 PM
Give them time. I was at the show and saw a ton of left-handed wedges at the Scratch booth, so lefty's are completely shut out...
Posted by: Gary W | Jan 31, 2009 12:43:11 AM
Too bad they don't make left handed irons.