1928Sand wedge
Innovator:Edwin MacClain

Although Gene Sarazen is often credited for this invention, MacClain was the first to patent the concave-face technology that helped dig the ball out of the sand. Bobby Jones proved as much when he used a sand wedge at the 1930 British Open on his way to winning the Grand Slam. Sarazen then tweaked the design, adding a generous flange and extra weight, and won the 1932 U.S. and British Opens before his wildly popular Wilson R-90 hit the market a year later.