Wedges! wedges! we don't need no steenkin' wedges.....

[perseveringgolfer]

ok a thread title not everyone will get but its to attract some advice.

 

For years I played 48* PW then a 56* SW

 

recently changed to PW then 50* MD Forged and 54* MD forged...I open the blade up for bunkers and chips but I'm thinking should I get a 58* (which I've never had) or just stick with opening the face on the 54*?

 

Anyone with similar experience and pro's or con's for having a high lofted wedge in the bag? I carry 13 clubs so I have the space, is one wedge going to help or hinder?

[Headhammer]

ok a thread title not everyone will get but its to attract some advice.

 

For years I played 48* PW then a 56* SW

 

recently changed to PW then 50* MD Forged and 54* MD forged...I open the blade up for bunkers and chips but I'm thinking should I get a 58* (which I've never had) or just stick with opening the face on the 54*?

 

Anyone with similar experience and pro's or con's for having a high lofted wedge in the bag? I carry 13 clubs so I have the space, is one wedge going to help or hinder?

 

I guess the question is have you noticed a huge difference in your new wedge set-up? Your previous gap between your PW and your SW was 8*, while your average gap between all you clubs was 3.5*. Does now having a 4* gap in wedges allow for more consistent & close shots? If so, maybe you would benefit from another wedge, if not, save the $$$ for two more rounds of golf!

[RickyBobby_PR]

What is your hdcp?

How is your short game?

What are you looking to achieve with a lw?

[perseveringgolfer]

What is your hdcp?

How is your short game?

What are you looking to achieve with a lw?

h/cap in sig

pretty poor (actually very poor, no confidence or consistency)

good question

[cnosil]

h/cap in sig

pretty poor (actually very poor, no confidence or consistency)

good question

As a 5.6 you should know why you would need a lob. What shotbare you trying to accomplish that you can't already?

 

Probably no lob

 

Probably no lob

 

Lob wedges are difficult to hit well consistently. I have a 58 and rarely use it instead relying on lower lofted clubs to chip and opening my sand wedge if I need a higher ball flight.

[revkev]

What does your teacher think?

 

If you don't have one start there. You could take two lessons and hit lots of balls for the price of a wedge.

 

Generally I would say even your gaps out and either go with a multi-purpose sole on all or get different bounces/grinds in each usually medium for the gap, more bounce for the sand, less bounce for the lob. My lob is essential but I've had times where I played courses that didn't required it.

 

Good luck

 

 

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[perseveringgolfer]

As a 5.6 you should know why you would need a lob. What shotbare you trying to accomplish that you can't already?

 

Probably no lob

 

Probably no lob

 

Lob wedges are difficult to hit well consistently. I have a 58 and rarely use it instead relying on lower lofted clubs to chip and opening my sand wedge if I need a higher ball flight.

all good points, I could open up my 56* for lobs but just felt the 54* needing too much opening if you get me so thought a 58* would suffice.

 

However, you've (and it echo's my initial thoughts) made me realise I need to work more on wedges with what I've got, another piece of metal to carry around for an occasional shot probably isnt worth it yet.

 

 

/end of thread lol

[perseveringgolfer]

What does your teacher think?

 

If you don't have one start there. You could take two lessons and hit lots of balls for the price of a wedge.

 

Generally I would say even your gaps out and either go with a multi-purpose sole on all or get different bounces/grinds in each usually medium for the gap, more bounce for the sand, less bounce for the lob. My lob is essential but I've had times where I played courses that didn't required it.

 

Good luck

 

 

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I'll ask the teacher next lesson, the bounce/grinds were set on the MD Forged, no options. I'll have the TPI guy sort out my wedge play next lesson as its useless taking 3 or 4 shots every time from 100yds

[null]

It's pretty simple actually: Play what works for you.  Just because something works for someone else doesnt mean it will work for you.  Heck, even on the PGA tour you see different wedge setups

 

PW 50 54 58

PW 50 54 60

PW 52 56 60

PW 52 58

 

Play what you enjoy the most and what you feel makes your game better

[cnosil]

all good points, I could open up my 56* for lobs but just felt the 54* needing too much opening if you get me so thought a 58* would suffice.

 

However, you've (and it echo's my initial thoughts) made me realise I need to work more on wedges with what I've got, another piece of metal to carry around for an occasional shot probably isnt worth it yet.

 

 

/end of thread lol

FWIW I have a 54 and don't have issues if I need to open the face some. I could use the 58, but it usually just adds weight to my bag

[mooremikea]

The advantage of the 58 over an open faced 54 is the amount of bounce you are exposing.  If you get a tight lie where the ball needs to be played up in the air a 58 will be easier to get under the ball without the risk of catching the ball thin.  At your handicap it should not be too much of an issue to get used to the additional loft.  

[StrokerAce]

I'd rather rely on the loft of the club than remembering to open a club a certain amount...but I like the idea of keeping the game as simple as possible and have a higher handicap than you so I probably shouldn't be saying anything.  As a matter of fact, forget what I just said...

[perseveringgolfer]

I'd rather rely on the loft of the club than remembering to open a club a certain amount...but I like the idea of keeping the game as simple as possible and have a higher handicap than you so I probably shouldn't be saying anything.  As a matter of fact, forget what I just said...

handicap doesnt matter when it comes to opinions, I value all input.

 

p.s I can play to a 3 (when the moon is blue) or to a 16 (when there's a 'Y' in the day of the week)

[GolfJunkie302]

IMO, if you regularily play courses with smaller greens or often try to hit flops, you might want to check out a 58°. But you live in Scotland so I'm guessing the greens are usually larger than back in the US. True? If you play links style courses, a lob wedge probably isn't necessary. If you play more parkland style courses, it doesn't hurt to have one.

 

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[revkev]

IMO, if you regularily play courses with smaller greens or often try to hit flops, you might want to check out a 58°. But you live in Scotland so I'm guessing the greens are usually larger than back in the US. True? If you play links style courses, a lob wedge probably isn't necessary. If you play more parkland style courses, it doesn't hurt to have one.

 

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This is a very good point. The courses you play and the conditions you play them in matter for equipment selection. I use my 60 frequently because the course that I play regularly requires it. I might have gone a month without touchdowns by anything more lofted than a 54 at my old course.

 

 

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[Shankster]

I have gone back and forth. Had a 52 56 60 set up. Never used the 60 so I took it out. Went with a 53 57 set, just bought a 61 I can't stand or need.

 

At 54° as your highest lofted wedge, I would say you are limiting yourself a bit. Not much, probably won't make a huge difference. If you learn your 54 like a champ, and can open it up without fail... why add a new tool to learn?

[Kenny B]

The advantage of the 58 over an open faced 54 is the amount of bounce you are exposing.  If you get a tight lie where the ball needs to be played up in the air a 58 will be easier to get under the ball without the risk of catching the ball thin.  At your handicap it should not be too much of an issue to get used to the additional loft.  

Agree!  I was a terrible wedge player a few years ago.  I did mostly bump and runs around the green because I didn't want to chunk or blade the ball.  After much practice I mostly use my 58* around the green.  It's my goto wedge.  Our turf at most of our courses is very firm and I find I can pick the ball better with the higher loft and get more spin.  I can also hit low running shots with it.  I never use it for full shots.  

[Kwoodfield]

Personally I carry a 46 pw, 50, 54, 58. I use my 58 about 5x more than either other wedge. My opinion is most people don't understand gapping lofts especially in lower irons and wedges. Playing a 48,50,56 won't benefit you nearly as much as a 48,52,58 or 46,50,54,58 or 46, 50, 56 bent to 55, and 60 depending on LW lofts preference and shot desire.

 

 

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[tony@CIC]

My PW is a 44* , followed by 52*., 56* and 60*. Yes there is a pretty big gap between the 44 and 52. That will be resolved shortly. FYI I love my 60 especially in the green side bunkers and rough.

 

 

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[Bags]

Personally I carry a 46 pw, 50, 54, 58. I use my 58 about 5x more than either other wedge. My opinion is most people don't understand gapping lofts especially in lower irons and wedges. Playing a 48,50,56 won't benefit you nearly as much as a 48,52,58 or 46,50,54,58 or 46, 50, 56 bent to 55, and 60 depending on LW lofts preference and shot desire.

 

 

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correct should have 4 degree of separation between clubs -

 

 

Bags

[cnosil]

correct should have 4 degree of separation between clubs -

 

 

Bags

 

I don't think you can just say 4 degrees,  you also have to look at the distances each wedge goes.  Often when switching from your iron set PW/GW to a specialty wedge the design of the wedge may result in distances that don't match up 

[perseveringgolfer]

Do you need another wedge?

You're the only one that can answer that question.

I just can't get over the fact you went so many years without a gap wedge of any sort in your bag, like you were stuck in the 1980s.

 

Personally, I have a few different clubs that rotate in and out of my bag depending on the course I'm playing. And because many of the courses I play have baked grass during the hot summer months, and one in which the sand in the traps is very thin (or all but non-existent), one of the LWs has a very narrow sole and hardly any bounce.

 

So my point is, it's all about conditions and what conditions you mostly play under - and that's what filling out the bag is about to me, adding that 14th club but with a purpose.

48* PW then 56* SW open and close the face on both, hit them either soft or on both toes at impact lol- wasnt scientific but it worked for me and my style

[GeekingGolf]

I like to have 4 wedges including my PW I feel that if I can dial in the full, 3/4 and 1/2 shots it effectively gives 12 different distances to work with and on top of that 12 slightly different trajectories since I feel most of my scoring comes closer to the green I like to have tons of options. Right now PW 46 GW 50 SW 54 LW 58.

 

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[perseveringgolfer]

.

You missed the part about being "stuck in the 1980s." 

yes I know.......... I do listen to an 80's only radio station everyday so I guess I might be lol