Iron set PW vs. separate wedge?

[prussell24]

Starting to look ahead to building a new set of clubs for next year I was thinking of doing a combo set of irons with the break between 6 and 7 irons.  Started thinking about the difference between having a matching PW or getting a similar loft wedge (probably a vokey). Wondering what you guys think?

[russtopherb]

I like having a set PW but that's due to my own game; I like the PW for full swings, something I can't do with blade-style wedges. You may not have this issue, of course.

[hckymeyer]

Tony just had a great article about this on the blog.  If you haven't seen it yet it's a great read.  https://mygolfspy.com/should-you-dump-your-pitching-wedge/

Personally I go set matching down through my gap wedge, but that's just based on how I use them.  If you are primarily using them for full swings and want the same type of flight you get with the rest of your irons then I would recommend the set matching route.  If you want to be able to use them in lots of different scenarios, chipping around the green, or trying to flight it lower and spin more then typically a PW that matches your wedges is going to be more versatile.  

I use mine for mostly full/half swings and don't use it for chipping around the green.

FWIW a couple iron sets ago I ditched the set matching PW and went with a 45 degree Scor wedge.  I would occasionally get jumpers/flyers and didn't trust the yardage with my set PW.  I played the Scor wedges for a couple seasons and then when I got new irons I liked them so much I also bought the set matching GW.  

[ZenGolfer]

Id go with a set PW because modern PWs are really more of a 10 iron than they are an actua pitching wedge in the way that they are swung and played.  I also have never understood the logic of why you need your PW to match the rest of your wedges.  

I also sure as heck would not be spending $150 on a Vokey as my PW.  Why tack on another $150 when the set PW will work just fine?

[ED13]

Set matching PW for me.  I do not have the same confidence using the blade style wedges on full shots.  

 

[revkev]

We have discussed this one a lot over the course of the summer including T’s blog post.

It really depends on the player. I’ve been gaming GI’s for the past several years and really struggle with the look between my GI PW and blade 48. I have a blade 44 that I could put it but then I struggle with the look between it and 9 iron. There always seems to be some sort of trade off going on somewhere in a set.

Good luck


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[cnosil]

47 minutes ago, ED13 said:

Set matching PW for me.  I do not have the same confidence using the blade style wedges on full shots.  

 

Not all not set wedges are blade style;  CBX line is a great example of a more "forgiving" wedge. 

[Mr_Theoo]

I’ve gone with the set PW but I’ve wanted to try out a specialty wedge. I’ve started using my PW and 9i around the greens so I think it would benefit my game. 

[Shankster]

Two of us are testing the 46° Cleveland Zipcore wedge.  For me so far it is a toss up between the two.  I thought I preferred a set wedge, but now... maybe not.

[Slater]

I just went to Vokey PWs in my sets; it makes me treat the PW like a wedge and not a short iron.  I get more creative and tone it down a bit too.  So far, my shots with them have been better than a standard PW.

[Shapotomous]

I had a cleveland tour action 45* I used with my last set as my pw because i hit it better.   But since upgrading irons now i use the set PW and I am happy with how it hits it and how it looks.  I still use the old cleveland tour actions at 49, 53 and 57 lofts.  

[Franc38]

Using the set PW...
It's quite bladed already, it's 47°, but still as it goes 135 to 140 yards and I'm not "finessing" from that distance I don't need a specialised grind or CG.

Around the green I also tend to be very contrasted, either rolling putts, bump and running a 9 or 7i or playing the 58° (which can go high or low) and sometimes, less often, the 52°.

To be honest, even my 52° (an sm7) has a straight grind (F) and about 50% of the time I could replace it with a set matching iron (if it existed) but then again the remaining 50% of thw shots I use it for require a "proper specialised thingy"...

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[NRJyzr]

I'm very much a set PW kind of guy.  That said, my situation is quite a bit different than most here, most of my sets having a PW in the 49* to 52* range, and being blades.  

I have a Ram Tom Watson 50* GW but don't like it as well as other wedges I've got in that loft range.

[Joemiper]

I’m currently playing a 4 thru a 48 gap wedge set, set club gaps fit my game, added a Vokey 56 & 60 for other parts or my short game. 
Like others have said I think it’s what you benefits helps your game.

Edited August 23, 2020 by Joemiper

[Flip4000]

I actually tried this out for most of the summer. I have AP2's and started using my pitching wedge more in my short game so I figured moving to a vokey might be a good Idea for versatility around the green. After trying this out I have a few thoughts:

1. Watch out for gaps in the full game. My set wedge I hit about 141 and my Vokey about 130. This left me with a decent gap between my 9 iron and P wedge and I could not quite get the distance right.
2. You can do alot with your set wedge. I have gone back to my set wedge as I have been taking lessons and working on my technique has really made my set wedge almost as versatile. Through working on my partial wedge game, I find that on a well struck partial wedge shot and vokey shot, I am seeing the same amount of visual spin  meaning the ball still 1 hops and stops however I still hit my number with my set wedge on off center pitches where that didn't happen with the less forgiving vokey ( expected)
3. The set wedge is more forgiving when pitching and chipping out of bad lies. Maybe it's the sole, bounce, or tungsten weights but I can comfortably chip or pitch with my set PW out of any lie with confidence, minus tight lies. Tight lies are the only spot where I found the vokey to perform better for me

It really comes down to what you use your PW for. I hit a ton of full shots and partial wedge shots, however I found that having the added forgivness my set wedge has works out for me best. I know it isnt spinning quite as much as the vokey, but if I can hit an 80 yard pitch and have it land 1 hop stop and dribble out a yard vs 1 hop and stop, I am really not gaining much vs the forgiveness of the set wedge.