[stevenhw8]

We had a small golf exhibition in Germany last weekend and I went to the Mizuno booth to get fitted.

Came up with a swing DNA of 86 - 4 - 3 - 5 - 5
Tried the MP53 and 59 both with DG S300. Disliked the feel and sound of the MP53.
So went with the MP59 with 2 more shafts (PX 5.5 and KBS Tour S)
S300 felt too dead to me. PX 5.5 was OK nothing that stood out. KBS was whippy and alive while giving me a couple of extra mph, so I picked this one.

Now I gotta add a couple of wedges to the set (either 52/58 or 50/54/58 since the PW is 46*)

So the question is: should the wedges be using the same type of shaft as the irons?

[GolfSpy Matt]

I have the same shafts (KBS Tour) in my irons and wedges. I like that the weight, feel, and performance are the same across the board.

[stevenhw8]

Thanks Matt! Will go KBS on the wedges as well!

[wdgolf]

GolfSpy Matt, on 20 February 2012 - 08:48 AM, said:

I have the same shafts (KBS Tour) in my irons and wedges. I like that the weight, feel, and performance are the same across the board.

I agree with Matt. I used to have different shafts on my old wedges. When I got new wedges, I installed the same shaft I have on my irons and I like the consistent feel.

[Shambles]

I used to use the same type, i.e., flex, on my sand wedge as the rest of the irons and it worked well enough to suit me at the time. A few years ago I pulled out the shaft on my sand wedge and replaced it with a way stiff shaft and found my ability to point in the short game much improved, albeit I lost some 20% of my total distance on that club and had to move my PW to do more feel shots. I could force the SW but errors come up too frequently.

I suppose you really need to find a good mix for whatever you feel you need to improve. For me, lately, the short game has become more important so I'll be keeping this excessively stiff shaft on the SW.


Shambles

[McGolf]

I agree using the same shaft as the shafts in the irons for feel consistency and peace of mind.

however would look at how your wedges are used in the round.

If your wedges are typically full shots then yep, make them the same as the irons. if you are a finesse player or partial swing shots then a spinner concept in the kbs maybe needed. That way your wedge shaft is working for you in your game

[RoverRick]

I know every one says to use the same shafts as your irons. As I matter of fact for the first time I have the same shafts in my irons as I do in my wedges. Always before I have Rifle in my irons as DG in the wedges. I only make a full swing with a wedge if I have to go over something, and am more than likely only going to hit my irons at 80% anyway, but I was wondering if these "Spinner" shafts really add spin?

[McGolf]

RoverRick, on 21 February 2012 - 07:44 PM, said:

I know every one says to use the same shafts as your irons. As I matter of fact for the first time I have the same shafts in my irons as I do in my wedges. Always before I have Rifle in my irons as DG in the wedges. I only make a full swing with a wedge if I have to go over something, and am more than likely only going to hit my irons at 80% anyway, but I was wondering if these "Spinner" shafts really add spin?

Rick,
I would have say a change of shaft can change the spin you place on a wedge shot.
I do know for instance that the AXE graphite wedge shaft does add more spin. I have seen it on the flightscope in comparison to regular shafts.
now does every "Wedge shaft" do that. Nope or much like driver shafts we would be hitting 300 plus drives everytime we switch wood shafts.
I believe the flex profile, weight are important factors when deciding on the shaft you want. For instance, if your wedge shot are only full swings for over something as posted above then make a poor mans spinner and get an eight shaft equalto yours and put it in the wedge. Not perfect but very close.

[GolfSpy T]

McGolf, on 21 February 2012 - 02:59 PM, said:

Rick,
I would have say a change of shaft can change the spin you place on a wedge shot.
I do know for instance that the AXE graphite wedge shaft does add more spin. I have seen it on the flightscope in comparison to regular shafts.
now does every "Wedge shaft" do that. Nope or much like driver shafts we would be hitting 300 plus drives everytime we switch wood shafts.
I believe the flex profile, weight are important factors when deciding on the shaft you want. For instance, if your wedge shot are only full swings for over something as posted above then make a poor mans spinner and get an eight shaft equalto yours and put it in the wedge. Not perfect but very close.

Obviously the head plays a role, and it could also be coincidence, but generally speaking, the wedges we get in with "wedge shafts" (DG Spinners being the most predominant) do tend to produce higher average spin numbers than others.

Right now I have a mix of shafts in the wedges I carry:

My pitching wedge matches my set (KBS C-Taper). My 53 has a KBS Tour shaft, My 56 has a DG Tour Issue. My 64 has a DG Spinner. I'll probably tweak the wedges a bit this year...and might finally have to bit the bullet and take the 64 out.

[stevenhw8]

I used to carry heavier, stiffer shafts on my wedges, but that resulted in inconsistent distance during full shots (not the gap I was expecting after the PW)

So I think I'll go for the same shafts.

[RoverRick]

I guess since I for the most part play Vokey wedges, with a brief stray to the dark side and Callaway Jaws that I hated, and they have "Wedge Shafts" in them I have never felt a difference.

[GolfSpy Tim]

as of this week, I have all of my iron and wedges with the same shafts. I'm switching that next week and am VERY curious to see what changes I feel and see in my shots

[GolfSpy Matt]

RoverRick, on 21 February 2012 - 01:44 PM, said:

I know every one says to use the same shafts as your irons. As I matter of fact for the first time I have the same shafts in my irons as I do in my wedges. Always before I have Rifle in my irons as DG in the wedges. I only make a full swing with a wedge if I have to go over something, and am more than likely only going to hit my irons at 80% anyway, but I was wondering if these "Spinner" shafts really add spin?

I have messed around with KBS Hi Rev shafts and the old Rifle Spinners, and I found that both definitely added spin. The problem for me was that, while added spin on partial shots is fine, added spin on "full" swings was not wanted and made things inconsistent.

As someone else said, it's all about how you use your wedges.

[Justin66]

Wedge flex = stiff flex.

Here's some quotes from Ralph Maltby, from The Complete Book of Golf Club Fitting & Performance (p. 512-513):

"I have done a lot of testing with all the manufacturer's wedges over the years, most all of them with the stiff shafts, and they test and play just fine meaning playability does not seem in any way to be reduced. I am always far more concerned in the wedges about the sole design ('effective bounce' for the skill level of the golfer) and also getting the correct fitted lie angle".

"The wedges are the least important clubs in the bag regarding shaft flex but if you are going to err, always err on the stiffer side. One reason... is the fact that all your wedges should have higher swingweights (read as head weight) than the irons in the set. The heavier head weights can actually make the shaft a little more flexible. So, for some players, usually the higher skill level players, the heavier wedge head may also give the feeling that the shaft is too flexible even though it is the same shaft and flex as in the irons".

Last one, about those spinny wedge shafts:

"I would not personally reshaft wedges with one of these special new 'wedge only' shafts. They work fine, but they don't do anything to help you score or play better in my opinion. They do seem to be more expensive however than a normal top grade steel shaft".

Personally, I use Apollo Colored Stepless shafts (black for the GW, Red for the SW, ivory for the LW, a subtle hint for my 'Huskers), tipped an extra .5" than the S flex recommendation. Works just fine for me.

[Dave]

I've never switched out a wedge shaft, I just play what comes stock in them.