Maxfli has built a forged wedge that won a 2026 wedge test for consistency. It feels soft, spins hard, and sells at value-tier money, provided you live in the US.
What's new
XCW heads are fully forged from 1025 carbon steel, with a ceramic matrix composite insert set into the body. Maxfli CNC mills micro grooves into the face and spin-mills the sole, details usually reserved for wedges at flagship prices.
Lofts run from 50 to 60 degrees across eight options, all in one finish. You pick from three grinds: A for the 50 and 52, M from 54 through 60, and a wider X sole at 56 and 60. Distribution is US only, at Golf Galaxy and DICK'S, priced in the value tier.
How it plays
Consistency carries this wedge. It took the consistency award in a 2026 multi-brand wedge test, and a separate full review scored it 9.1 overall and called it a must-have short game tool. Our 9.4 forgiveness score reflects how little strike quality changes the result around the green.
Testers described the feel as pillow-soft, and spin was strong enough to grade 8.6 in that same test. Workability lands at 8.6 too, so players who like to open the face or flight shots down get a head that responds.
Where it lacks
Full shots expose it. A few testers reported carry distances moving by 10 to 15 yards on full swings, and accuracy, at 7.6, is its lowest mark. If your wedges are scoring clubs from 100 yards, expect some guesswork.
Availability shuts out anyone outside the US, and there is a single finish to choose from.
“Soft, spinny and absurdly steady around the greens. If you can buy one in your country, buy one.”- The Club Stand gear team
Reasons to buy
- Won a 2026 head-to-head wedge test for consistency, and forgiveness scores 9.4
- Soft, deep forged feel paired with tour-level spin
- Forged carbon steel and a CMC insert for well under premium wedge money
Reasons to think twice
- Some testers saw full-swing carries wander by 10 to 15 yards
- Sold only in the US, through Golf Galaxy and DICK'S
- A single finish to choose from
Specs
| Head | Forged 1025 carbon steel |
|---|---|
| Insert | Ceramic matrix composite (CMC) |
| Grooves | CNC milled micro grooves, spin-milled sole |
| Lofts | 50-60 deg |
| Grinds | A (50/52), M (54-60), X (56/60) |
| Availability | US exclusive (Golf Galaxy, DICK'S) |
More wedges we've scored
- Kirkland Signature GEN 3 Forged 2026 - 8.9/10. Costco's three forged wedges beat 14 rivals in a 2026 test and sell at a value price.
- New Level SPN V3 2026 - 8.7/10. A raw forged blade wedge that out-aims nearly everything in its class, sold direct at a value price.
- Vice VGW02 2026 - 8.4/10. A forged carbon steel wedge with a traditional milled face, sold well below what most forged wedges cost.
- TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 2025 - 8.4/10. TaylorMade finally forges a Milled Grind, pairing real feedback with spin that holds up in the rain.
- MacGregor Tour Grind 2025 - 8.4/10. A milled, tour-shaped carbon steel wedge priced at a fraction of what the big brands charge.
- Titleist Vokey SM10 2024 - 8.4/10. Titleist's flagship wedge led the 2024 wedge test in strokes gained, with six grinds to fit most swings.