Stiff Shaft vs Regular Shaft in Wedges

[GolfGuy5 2]

Since you are swinging slower with wedge and pitch shots, does it really make a difference if you have stiff or regular shafts in your wedges?

[russtopherb 9,814]

I've always just had wedge flex shafts and never considered whether or not a different flex would make a difference, because as you note, the majority of shots aren't going to be full swings (I'm R flex across the bag). I'm sure some of the club builders or those who've done research into this may have better input.

[RickyBobby_PR 10,284]

It depends on the golfer. You will see pros play x100 in irons and go to s400 in wedges. 
 

Some general thoughts are to go heavier in wedges in either same flex or one less.

Keep same shaft as irons in whatever wedges you full swing with. 
 

[Kenny B 34,371]

I don't full swing my SW and LW.  I can feel a difference between wedge flex and regular flex shafts.  My irons through GW have 84g Nippon steel regular flex, and I prefer KBS Tour 90 shafts (about 95g) in my SW and LW

[Dokex 9]

On 3/23/2022 at 12:16 PM, GolfGuy5 said:

Since you are swinging slower with wedge and pitch shots, does it really make a difference if you have stiff or regular shafts in your wedges?

No, it makes no difference.

[Hook DeLoft 762]

I'm reading The Wedge Book by Brandon Stooksbury and he recommends never using wedges that are stiffer or heavier than the shafts in your other irons. 

[Kansas King 643]

On 3/24/2022 at 12:28 PM, Dokex said:

No, it makes no difference.

I generally agree with Dokex. The difference maker is going to be the weight of the shaft. Some players prefer the heavier shafts in the wedges to improve control. If you're not taking a full swing, flex isn't so important as there isn't likely to be very much shaft deflection, if any, anyway.

If you were to ask me directly, I would always ensure the wedge shafts are more flexible and lean heavier than what your irons have if the shaft has to be different. If you're an xstiff player, I would only recommend x stiff in lower lofted wedges where full swings are more likely. In wedges 56* and higher, that's when I would consider a heavier and generally more flexible shaft. 

[YourKillingMeSmalls 51]

On 3/23/2022 at 12:16 PM, GolfGuy5 said:

Since you are swinging slower with wedge and pitch shots, does it really make a difference if you have stiff or regular shafts in your wedges?

I Think it depends on your tempo, I have a really quick transition so I use stiff shaft wedges.

[DStar 1,460]

I've got a 'wdge' flex in my 50° SM8 and just bought a 58° SM8 with a R300 shaft. No decernable difference between the 2 of full shots on the practice ground.

I did a bit of reading up on the subject as the new wedge was supposed to be a wedge flex shaft, came to the conclusion that it doesn't make much difference which is what I found during practice, 

 

[Bossfan 148]

I used stiff shafts in my wedges the last few years. I was fitted for new wedges this year. They put me in the same shafts as my irons ( KBs tour 90) but they aren’t hard stepped like my irons. I’ve only played one round and a few range sessions outdoors and a few sim rounds. I am getting a little more height and they seem more accurate so far. The distance is pretty similar.

[Shapotomous 5,382]

I prefer the stiffer 6.5 Proj X shafts in my wedges compared to the 6.0 Proj X shafts that are in my irons.  With my swing I have better dispersion with the 6.5.

[Bunker Snot 17]

Same as others "wedge" flex (or unnoted) is my current shaft(s)  Is this flex somewhere between what a stiff and regular iron shaft would be?  

[Bobbers 238]

I use senior flex throughout the bag.  My experience has been that I get more height with the softer flex than I do with the wedge flex.  Which, given I'm not getting a high spin with my slower swing speed, helps reduce the roll out.  Again, that's just me.

[cnosil 26,485]

6 hours ago, Bunker Snot said:

Same as others "wedge" flex (or unnoted) is my current shaft(s)  Is this flex somewhere between what a stiff and regular iron shaft would be?  

wedge flex is kind of a generic term and like other flex designations will very based on manufacturer.   In true temper terms it is generally a S200 shaft which is stiff but slightly lighter than the normal S300.  

[RickyBobby_PR 10,284]

3 hours ago, Bobbers said:

I use senior flex throughout the bag.  My experience has been that I get more height with the softer flex than I do with the wedge flex.  Which, given I'm not getting a high spin with my slower swing speed, helps reduce the roll out.  Again, that's just me.

With Dynamic Good being the standard shaft in most wedges their wedge flex is typically the s200 shaft. So it’s a stiff shaft and a coiled grams lighter than the s300. Some may be r200 or r300.

 

[Rickp 30,470]

All my irons have the same shaft EXCEPT Sand Wedge.  That wedge is graphite but much heavier.  It’s just the way I deal with the inconsistent sand in the bunkers here.