Wedge advice

[tony@CIC]

My Ping Eye 2 is starting to look a bit shabby after 4 years and tons of sand bunkers'. Do I try and polish it up along with using a groove sharpener or just spring for a new one. This LW gets a ton of use so I'm not sure when performance will start to suffer. Unfortunately the pic doesn't show all the scratch marks. 

[Berg Ryman]

Tony, if you've gotten 4 years of value out of this wedge, I think it's time you reward yourself with a brand new fresh Glide Forged or 4.0 in the E grind. I know it's an investment but look at it this way, if you get 4 years out of it it works out to 50 bucks a year roughly, and who knows how many rounds.

[tony@CIC]

19 minutes ago, Berg Ryman said:

Tony, if you've gotten 4 years of value out of this wedge, I think it's time you reward yourself with a brand new fresh Glide Forged or 4.0 in the E grind. I know it's an investment but look at it this way, if you get 4 years out of it it works out to 50 bucks a year roughly, and who knows how many rounds.

Thanks, it is a bit scruffy looking. As the to Glide as a replacement, I was actually looking at a SM9 58* . I've got a 52* SM7 which I love and the Eye 2 is 60* so trying to close the gap between the current SW and LW. 

[Kenny B]

1 hour ago, tony@CIC said:

My Ping Eye 2 is starting to look a bit shabby after 4 years and tons of sand bunkers'. Do I try and polish it up along with using a groove sharpener or just spring for a new one. This LW gets a ton of use so I'm not sure when performance will start to suffer. Unfortunately the pic doesn't show all the scratch marks. 

The Ping Eye 2 is a tough club, outlasting any forged wedge you get.  Looks don't matter when hitting out of bunkers... you are throwing sand.  The performance is based on what you want the club to do.  If it's doing what you want it to, then it's fine.  If you like more check, but you've gotten used to having less over the years, then you have to decide how you want to play the ball around the green.  More check=new club.  Or you might check out getting it refinished and regrooved.  I'm not sure if Golfworks in Ohio has started that back up after COVID; there is also a place in AZ.

[Berg Ryman]

17 hours ago, tony@CIC said:

Thanks, it is a bit scruffy looking. As the to Glide as a replacement, I was actually looking at a SM9 58* . I've got a 52* SM7 which I love and the Eye 2 is 60* so trying to close the gap between the current SW and LW. 

That's fair, I was suggesting that because I figured, foolishly, that you wanted to go like for like. Got to hit the SM9's as part of the get together in Maryland, good wedge, solid wedge. If you've played Vokey's before, you know what you're getting into!

[GolfSpy TCB]

On 8/22/2022 at 3:10 PM, tony@CIC said:

My Ping Eye 2 is starting to look a bit shabby after 4 years and tons of sand bunkers'. Do I try and polish it up along with using a groove sharpener or just spring for a new one. This LW gets a ton of use so I'm not sure when performance will start to suffer. Unfortunately the pic doesn't show all the scratch marks. 

If there is one club in my bag that I am constantly looking to match performance on a replaced club... it is the Ping Eye2 Sand Wedge.  To me, it is a little like finding a unicorn when you have confidence out of the sand... the head shape, offset, bounce, width of sole... all play into executing sand shots that I expect to hit.  That is why I am sitting here typing this, looking longingly at my Eye2 SW haha.  Like Kenny said... if your LW is mostly a sand weapon... keep it and continue to stick shots close to the pin... but if you use it for shots from the fairway or around the green and are looking to control your spin.. then moving to fresh set of grooves would probably be helpful... but I caution - based on experience (to this day), it may change your sand game a little.

Having said all that... my bag currently has the SM9 58, which I use around the green and usually from the sand unless I have to carry the ball a fair distance - and for me, it has performed the best I have tested since the coveted Eye2 SW.  However... with the release of the '22 Most Wanted Wedge Test...   

https://mygolfspy.com/2022-most-wanted-wedge/  

I will probably be testing another brand soon to compare.  

Let us know what you decide Tony!

[RickyBobby_PR]

On 8/22/2022 at 4:10 PM, tony@CIC said:

My Ping Eye 2 is starting to look a bit shabby after 4 years and tons of sand bunkers'. Do I try and polish it up along with using a groove sharpener or just spring for a new one. This LW gets a ton of use so I'm not sure when performance will start to suffer. Unfortunately the pic doesn't show all the scratch marks. 

Based on testing by titleist and others you start experiencing degraded performance after 75 rounds. So I would say after 4 years you probably are seeing some loss of spin and distance control. 
 

I wouldn’t spend time polishing it up because it’s only going to get abused more again. You could try to use a sharpener and see if it improves performance 

[tony@CIC]

On 9/20/2022 at 10:24 AM, RickyBobby_PR said:

Based on testing by titleist and others you start experiencing degraded performance after 75 rounds. So I would say after 4 years you probably are seeing some loss of spin and distance control. 

Good point, I noticed this year the ball not checking on the green the way it use to. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

I'm going to second looking into the glide wedges.

That's a great life for that wedge and something new and fancy is deserved now!

[LinksgolfFever]

4 years is a LONG time on a wedge especially a lot of use in bunkers.  Callaway MD5 or Cleveland RTX would be great replacements.  Regrinding grooves can be an issue with tournament play.  Good luck

[Donn lost in San Diego]

A place called The Iron Factory in Ariz refurbishes irons.  re makes the grooves and he also makes Kronus wedges.  I have not used them but their customer response look legit good.  

[Billy-Bo-Jim-Bob]

On 8/22/2022 at 4:10 PM, tony@CIC said:

My Ping Eye 2 is starting to look a bit shabby after 4 years and tons of sand bunkers'. Do I try and polish it up along with using a groove sharpener or just spring for a new one. This LW gets a ton of use so I'm not sure when performance will start to suffer. Unfortunately the pic doesn't show all the scratch marks. 

Time for new stuff

[tony@CIC]

Guess what came today ............2 weeks sooner than Titleist forecast. 

 

[cardia10]

Let me know what you think about it! I'm about due for wedges and the SM9's are high on my list. 

[Billy-Bo-Jim-Bob]

Can't go wrong! SM9's are dart throwers....flight low/high...whatever you want.