Raw wedges – those without a coating on their face—are the preferred wedge on tour. And though they might not look as pretty over time, golfers will benefit from more spin if they put them into their bag.

Last year, TaylorMade caught some attention by releasing a “raw” version of its MG wedge (called the MG2). The wedge captured interest initially because of the sticker used to cover the face of the club to keep it pristine while being shipped and when it arrives at the retail stores. TaylorMade’s Bill Price, who leads all things short game for the company, said that while golf pros gravitated to raw wedges—which is essentially a version without a coating on the face—consumers were reluctant. “The tour pros know the benefits of them, which is why they all use them,” says Price. The issue was the wedges could look worn before they were even used, which was off-putting to some consumers. TaylorMade fixed that through the use of a sticker manufactured by 3M that kept the face sealed until it was peeled off and the wedge is put in play.

What is a “raw” wedge?

On typical wedges, you’ll find a coating designed to protect the face of the wedges—the same coating or finish you’ll find on most standard irons. These coatings are meant to keep the aesthetic of the iron consistent over time, prevent wear, and help interaction with turf and water.

Raw wedges, on the other hand, don’t have the same protective covering. They are meant to oxidize and rust over time, as many tour pros believe it creates more spin, allowing them to get that important grip on a shot when they need it.

Last year’s Milled Grind 2 wedges (which recently received a new limited edition Tiger Grind created by Tiger Woods) came with raw faces and were designed for optimal spin and the ability to attack the pin.

The concept is simple—raw offers an aggressive spin on shots around the green. Beyond the grabbing power, the lack of coating means the wedges appear dull, reducing glare and other characteristics some golfers don’t enjoy. In fact, you might want to leave them wet to encourage it.

In this instance, rusty doesn’t mean you’ve left them in a damp basement—it means you’re looking for more spin and feel.