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In our review, we will take a look at how Autopilot has managed to harness advanced technology from other industries to create a wedge that boosts your loft and spin.
Things To Consider Before Buying a Wedge
When buying a wedge, you need to consider a variety of factors based on your natural game and the courses on which you most frequently play.
Loft
Are you looking for a wedge that gives you more loft, or do you prefer a wedge with a lower degree of loft that allows you to run the ball up to the hole? If you feel more comfortable sending the ball into the air, then a wedge with a loft of 60 degrees and up is advisable. If the bump and run is your preferred shot, then you may want to opt for a wedge that is between 45 and 58 degrees.
You will also want to factor in the layout of the courses you play the most. If they have small greens, a wedge with a higher degree of loft may be more suitable for you. That will assist you in stopping the ball closer to the hole. However, if you play on a links-style course, a lower degree of loft may be more suitable.
Forgiveness
The margin for error in our short games is limited, and the more forgiving your wedge is, the less likely you are to hit a shank. The wider your clubface is, the more room you have for error, giving beginners one less thing to worry about.
Budget
Wedges are not the most expensive club in your bag however, many of the features that we have listed above may be irrelevant if the wedge is out of your budget. Determine what is more important to you. Purchasing a wedge that has all the characteristics you want or finding the most affordable one on the market.
Pros:
- Optimized center of gravity
- Eliminates fat shots
- Forgiving Club
- Makes loft shots easier
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not suitable for a links course
- Heavy club
- Will not benefit low handicap golfers
The C3i golf wedge is a product designed by Autopilot golf for the average golfer. In other words, you and me. The majority of golf clubs on the market are designed for professionals but sold to the social golfer, resulting in the purpose of the club not being recognized.
C3i is a unique aerodynamic sand wedge designed to glide under the ball, resulting in more loft and less fat shots. The club allows you to swing normally without opening the clubface to get extra height, as you would do with a traditional wedge.
The head of the wedge is heavier than your average wedge, which also gives you additional distance if you do not middle the ball.
The C3i is best suited for mid to high handicappers as the club is more forgiving, and it makes it easy to gain loft and spin. It would help handicaps higher than five reduce their shots around the green.
Features & Benefits
Glide Sole Technology
The C3i wedge was designed using glide sole technology, allowing the club to cut through any lie and connect with the lowest part of the ball, giving you extra loft. The wedge’s purpose is to help the average golfer reduce their fat shots and get out of bunkers and the rough without any hassle.
Research conducted by Golf Laboratories Inc. concluded that shots out of the sand using a C3i wedge settled 14 yards closer to the hole on average, in comparison to the top traditional wedges on the market.
Centre of Gravity
The sole of the C3i has an optimized center of gravity, which is inspired by state of the art aeronautical engineering. This center of gravity enables the smooth glide of the clubhead through any surface, just like an airplane glides through the sky. With 65 degrees of loft and 12 degrees of wedge bounce, the C3i enables clean striking of the ball whether you are in the sand, the rough, or on the fairway.
A higher center of gravity aims to increase your spin by up to 55% when compared to traditional wedges. The additional loft and spin from the wedge help you to land the ball softly on the greens, improving your accuracy from 30 – 50 yards out.
Anti-Rotation Club Face
The C3i wedge from Autopilot was designed with an anti-rotation clubface, helping you deliver more accurate shots around the greens. The clubface remains stable upon impact and resists opening or closing, reducing the chances of a hook or slice. The weight and stability of the club will allow you to hit the ball squarer and with more spin than you would with a traditional wedge.
When our ball is in an awkward position, we tend to open the clubface to get under it as much as possible, often resulting in a shank or a fluff. This wedge allows you to swing easy, while it gets under the ball.
Materials
Added to the AutoGlide Xtreme sole, the cavity of a C3i wedge is fitted with a polymer that is shock absorbent. Allowing you to enjoy the same sound and feel that you would when you hit a crisp traditional wedge shot.
Appearance
It is no ordinary wide-sole wedge. The club is designed in the shape of a teardrop to eradicate that awkward feeling we get when addressing a ball with an oversize clubface. The clubhead is sealed in black, which diminishes glare on a sunny day. The striking area on the face is sandblasted, and a line of white paint is added on the bottom groove to help you aim.
C3i Wedge Alternatives
1. XE1
XE1 offers players the option of a 59 or 65-degree wedge. Similar to the C3i, the club is designed with auto-glide technology and has an evenly distributed center of gravity, offering maximum forgiveness. The wedge’s large head is heavier than most on the market and is better suited to higher handicappers looking to improve their chipping game.
Taylormade Big Foot Wide Sole wedge has a maximum wedge bounce of 15 degrees, making it an excellent choice to help you get out of sand traps with ease. Similar to the C3i, this wedge gives the golfer added spin as a result of extra grooves on the face.”
As is the case with the XE1 and C3i, this is a forgiving wedge and more suitable for medium to higher handicapped golfers.
Another option suitable for higher handicappers. Cleveland Golf’s objective, when designing the Smart Sole 4 wedge, was to make pitch and bunker shots as simple as possible for the average golfer. The sole is wide in design, resulting in a forgiving club that sails under the ball, no matter the lie.
Cleveland offers golfers three-degree options of the Smart Sole 4, the highest being 58 degrees, which is the S model sand wedge. In comparison to the other wedges mentioned, this will not give you the same level of spin.
Final Thoughts
Autopilot has designed an innovative wedge using advanced technology. The club is forgiving and provides more loft and spin. The C3i is easy to hit, and the AutoGlide Xtreme sole enables you to connect with the lowest part of the ball, even in the tightest lie.
This wedge is most effective from 50 yards and less. Golfers who use the C3i will land softer and closer to the hole, leaving you more makable one-putts.
If you are looking to improve the accuracy of your chip and pitch shots, take a look at the C3i golf wedge here.
Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
