Set Wedge vs. Specialty Wedge

[russtopherb]

Just to echo what a lot of others have said, it all depends on the use of that wedge. I prefer a set wedge for anything under 50*, as those tend to be used for full swings more often than not and I just have better results. Anything above 50* and I usually go with a specialty wedge, as those tend to be used for touch shots or nothing more than a half swing. 

[tdroma98]

I was a set wedge guy and made sure to purchase Gap Wedge with new T200 Set.  The set Gap did not feel nor seem to perform as well as Gap - Jaws Raw wedge.  Just put the Jaws Raw Gap back in on 1/1/24 and already feeling the difference, including hitting the Callaway Jaws Gap Wedge further than the stock set Gap.  The shafts are definitely different. Jaws Raw is a Dynamic Gold wedge flex.  T200 Gap is AMT Black S300. 

I'm sticking with Gap - Jaws Raw; 54 & 58 degree Vokey SM8 - M Grinds.  

[SeniorGolfer]

I’m also in the set wedge camp. My gap wedge is a full swing club and is an extension of the rest of my iron set. Prior to all the loft strengthening, there were no gap wedges in iron sets. The pitching wedge was the end of the set. Then you added a specialty sand wedge. Now the loft gaps are roughly 4 degrees so you have a pw, gw, sw and lw with specialty wedges to fill every slot. I’m not sure having 4 clubs in the bag with wedge in the name really helps the beginner to average player. 

[dlygrisse]

I have a 48* set wedge, T150, and then Vokey 52* and 58*

for me it’s whether the club will be used a lot in the short game.  If it’s primarily a full swing club go set wedge, short game and more partial shots then Vokey. 
Specialty wedges generally spin more, and have better grinds for chipping and pitching. 

[JRapp314]

It comes down mostly to personal preference, but if you’re truly indifferent there are some factors that can influence your decision.  I believe mainly it rests with what set you’re playing.  If your in a players set or low handicap style set then I’d say use the specialty wedge. That player can benefit from the versatility the specialty wedge offers.  If you’re in any sort of improvement club, I think it’s best to go with a set wedge.  That player will benefit from the help the set is offering.  Also, that player probably doesn’t need the multiple shot options the specialty wedge offers. They need to be grooving a singular swing and the set wedge offers that “help” and consistency with the other clubs. 

[WiTerp50]

Doesn't really matter what the crowd is using.  Comes down to your game.  My irons have 50 g graphite shafts.  My specialty wedges use a heavier steel shaft.  For finesse, I prefer the feel of the heavier wedge.  I have the room, so I carry a 48 set W and a 50 degree Vokey.  For full shots, the 50 degree left close to a 20 yard gap to the PW.  Added the 48 and now I have the gap filled.

[Beakbryce]

The reason there are so many grinds in specialty wedges, like Vokeys, is to optimize turf conditions and swing path. In my local area, desert golf, one would think that the turf is always rock hard so maybe buy a grind for that turf. But it isn't true all year round. I have Vokeys, and they play better during the summer than the winter. If you buy irons and they interact with the turf in a pleasant way, then I think set wedges. I am really looking for a replacement for my 50 Vokey and having bought Rogue ST irons this year I am thinking about their gap wedge as I like the turf interaction. 

[CaptStang]

I use set wedges for PW and Gap, then Vokey for 54 and 58...with different bounce designations. I had gone through a Titliest Wedge and Putter fitting before so I also order the Vokey wedges with the same shaft as my irons...

 

I have used Vokey wedges for several years and found them to perform well with what I need them for.

Similarly I use Scotty Cameron putters for the same reasons...they just seem to work better for me.

 

Good luck on your choice and have a successful 2024!

 

[Just_the_Chip]

4 hours ago, Schenectady Putter said:

Winter reading 3 Releases by Daniel Grieve. A deep dive into the art of using wedges in the 30-90 yard range around the green. The author points out the different swing technique that is used on a full iron swing (using leading edge/divot after the ball) and the "finesse" swing used around the green (using bounce/divot either at or before the ball). My iron set has the PW at 44* with same bounce design as the 5-9 irons in the set  Mostly use set irons for full swings. Vokey 48* 10 F, 54*14 F, 58* 12 D for use around the greens, and rarely used for full swing.

If you buy in to the idea of looking at specialty wedges, you accept the need for addressing issues like gapping, swingweight, and bounce factor that is not dealt with with standard iron sets.

Big Fan of Dan Grieve, and I've been revisiting his book over this past year. Wish I had access to a better chipping green closer to home, but I've been making due in my backyard or off a Matt in a garage

3 hours ago, tdroma98 said:

I was a set wedge guy and made sure to purchase Gap Wedge with new T200 Set.  The set Gap did not feel nor seem to perform as well as Gap - Jaws Raw wedge.  Just put the Jaws Raw Gap back in on 1/1/24 and already feeling the difference, including hitting the Callaway Jaws Gap Wedge further than the stock set Gap.  The shafts are definitely different. Jaws Raw is a Dynamic Gold wedge flex.  T200 Gap is AMT Black S300. 

I'm sticking with Gap - Jaws Raw; 54 & 58 degree Vokey SM8 - M Grinds.  

I also carry the Jaws Raw. I have an older set of Ping i3+ clubs. The gap/U wedge is a 52 degree, so I was using that along with a 56 and a 60. I ended up picking up a 52 degree used Jaws Raw. Seems weird to have both clubs in the bag and thus why I started asking for opinions. I borrowed a friends 52 Jaws Raw and for the Bump and runs around the greens and small 20 yard chips, have been significantly better than my Gap wedge of the same loft.  However, I haven't used a full swing 52 degree jaws raw yet, to see if I'm leaving the U wedge in or out. 

[tdroma98]

1 hour ago, Shakeyfly said:

Big Fan of Dan Grieve, and I've been revisiting his book over this past year. Wish I had access to a better chipping green closer to home, but I've been making due in my backyard or off a Matt in a garage

I also carry the Jaws Raw. I have an older set of Ping i3+ clubs. The gap/U wedge is a 52 degree, so I was using that along with a 56 and a 60. I ended up picking up a 52 degree used Jaws Raw. Seems weird to have both clubs in the bag and thus why I started asking for opinions. I borrowed a friends 52 Jaws Raw and for the Bump and runs around the greens and small 20 yard chips, have been significantly better than my Gap wedge of the same loft.  However, I haven't used a full swing 52 degree jaws raw yet, to see if I'm leaving the U wedge in or out. 

@Shakeyfly I went with the Callaway Jaws Raw 48 degree, 10 degree bounce & S grind. Also got fitted for the Wedge Flex.  There is a difference between the Wedge Flex & AMT Black S300 shafts.  I like the "Raw Black" look. This club will be staying in the bag! 

Edited January 3 by tdroma98

[Wicki]

The only wedge I get with the set is the PW.  I have Callaway Jaws 50* with graphic shaft.  Absolutely love this from 125 and in!  My sand and lob wedges are Clevelands'.  It all depends on the design.  Most of the wedges that you can add to the set are to wide for my liking.

[cbpicker]

Ive always used wedges in 58 and 54 then used iron set wedge for A and PW since I just used the 58 and 54 around the green and full shots with A and PW.  I’ve recently put a Vokey 50 in the bag and suddenly it’s my favorite for chipping and I’m thinking of adding a Vokey of Cleveland RX6 PW.  They are slightly less forgiving but I like their versatility around the green esp for chipping. 

[fredsharky]

I think it all depends on you and how comfortable you are hitting non-set wedges. Set wedges are def easier to hit and way more forgiving and normally longer.

I myself swapped from PW and GW set wedges to Vokey's a couple years ago - I had always been a Reg 588 guy for my 56 - did not carry anything lower 

Now I carry a 45, 48 54 and 58 - I know some people look at the gap between the 45 and 48 and 54 as something that is odd, but it suits me for sure.

They all have a purpose the way I utilize them - with the set wedges I could never get the right spin control or flight path that I needed.

In the end to me it seems to be a personal preference as I know people that are way better than me that use the set wedges and some that use non-set wedges  

I also know that with the cost of golf equipment, testing wedges is not an ideal situation so you may have to borrow from people to test clubs 

[LinksgolfFever]

All personal preference…For me, it’s all specialty/non set wedges inside 135 (less than PW).  My irons had the option of an AW, but rather than that I picked up another Edison wedge.  Depending on where I’m playing I’ll have 3 or 4 wedges in my bag after PW.  All produce consistent full shots down to chipping and pitching.  I think of my wedges as a subset of my irons and prefer they match each other rather than the main body of irons.  If you haven’t tried the Edison wedges, you should, the dual grind sole is exceptional.  

[Shapotomous]

I only have the set pw and use three specialty wedges.  I keep iron sets longer than the grooves last on my wedges so replacing the 49, 53 & 57 specialty wedges happens more often.

[jbern]

I have two set wedges, a 45* PW and 50* AW, and two specialty wedges, a 54* and 58*. I've found that setup to be good for full swing gapping and the higher lofted specialty wedges allow for flexibility around the greens.

[Play18]

If you play partial, finesse shots, Vokeys have a better feel than the set wedge.

I replaced my set T200 48° with an SM9 model (Modus³ 105S, both clubs) last year, and the performance is similar but all full swings, too. I play finesse/partial shots with my Vokey SM9 52° and 58° (Modus³ 120S). 

 

[vandyland]

I currently have "specialty" 50* / 54* and 58* wedges. In my mind, if they made a 50* wedge in my current iron, I would probably rather play that. I only ever hit full shots with the 50* and I don't really "flight" them ever. So I don't really need special relief on the sole or higher CG placement to get ball flight down. I don't really have an issue with the 50* so it is fine but every now and then I catch one a little thin and wonder "would that have flown better if it is was a different head design?" The blade wedges look great but I am dubious if they have much of a performance benefit for me on a full swing. If I was ballooning balls constantly with a set wedge or having wayy too low of spin that might be a reason to look into a specialty wedge or if you use them around the green a lot and need the sole versatility. 

[Donn lost in San Diego]

You are fitted, I hope, for a set of irons for FULL SWING. I would stick with the wedge from the set for distances where you do a full swing, essentially a 10 iron.  For less than full swing, or your shortest full swing, then go pick and choose what wedges you like.  I love my Mizuno wedges, but I use an old Hogan Sure-Out sand wedge.  It has a big heavy sole, and rumor has it that Ben Hogan knew his stuff. I moved recently, and now play a course with a lot of hard pan and little deep grass rough.  So I needed a short wedge for tight lies.  My Mizuno T7 60 degree wedge comes out of the bag, and a Vokey T grind 60 goes in.  The narrow sole is exactly what I need for hitting a 20 or 30 yard shot from the dry dirt.  Match your wedges to your course.  If you have kikuya, or kudzu or ivy, around the green, you might attach a Henkel steak knife to the front edge of a wedge to cut thru the darn stuff.

 

Also there are small companies that make some really good wedges with different trajectory and spin characteristics than your set , for a variety of distances.  Indi Golf, Kronus, and Edison are 3 wedge specialty brands.  I have not tried Edison but I live near Indi and went for a test.  I like them a lot.  When my 52 degree Mizuno S5 wears down, I will certainly give Indi a full trial first.

 

Hope this helps. 

[Billy-Bo-Jim-Bob]

On 12/27/2023 at 11:47 AM, Shakeyfly said:

Getting a new set of clubs this winter, and I was curious what everyone's though is on going with a wedge from a set versus a specialty wedge like a Vokey? What would be the reasons that would influence you to go with a 52 degree set wedge vs. a 52 Vokey? 

I've done both, but always seem to come back to the set wedge for the gap wedge because I rarely use it to chip. Gap wedge has same iron shaft. My gap is typically a full or 3/4 shot....only occasional bump and run....since I prefer to use 9 or 8 for bump and runs. Good luck, no bad decision here

[tjcat219]

I feel like I agree with the majority of what I read, I like to use my set gap wedge (50 degree T-100). My specialty wedges are 54 and 58. For me, the set gap wedge is much easier to hit on full shots but I can still use the set wedge for half and 3/4 shots when needed. 

[Billy-Bo-Jim-Bob]

One other mention....I found the Vokey 50 to be a little dead higher in the head, which is my miss on wedges. Get more consistent results from my T100 gap wedge.

[sman3115]

I have 

Both a set GW and MG3 and I play the set one because I only use it for full shots.  I have MG3 56 and 60 for hitting different shots and chipping. So that's how I made the decision.  

[RoyN]

I used to always you the set GW but found i often still had a gap with my SW. I also dont use my my set wedges around the green. Also with lofts becoming stronger, when i switched irons in the spring, i decided to stop at PW in the set and redid my specialty wedges. My Zx5 mkII PW is 44* so I added a 48* approach wedge for full shots and bump and runs. I then put a 53*(52 bent weak 1*) and a 58* to round out the bag. All my wedges are the same lengths. Way more versatility now without the set GW.