Need Help/Advice With Wedges and Gapping

Vixtch · June 19

I am currently torn between a couple decisions regarding my wedges, and was hoping you guys could help me make a decision or could think of something better to do.

Context: I have JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro irons and the PW is very strong (42.5°). I also have Vokey SM5 wedges in 50,54,58. Now my problems are the wedges are quite old and the gapping between my PW and 50 is about 8° and 30 yards, so this is where the couple of options come in.

1.) Say f it and buy an old 46 degree SM5 and call it a day so it's a 4 degree gap between all my wedges (Cheapest Option)

2.) I was looking and thinking about buying the new kirkland gen 2 wedges. Since they only come in 52,56,60 I would buy the JPX 923 48° GW so it would be a 4 - 6 degree gap between my wedges. (About the same price if not a bit cheaper than Option 3)

3.) Buy used newer wedges (SM9, T22, MG4, etc.) in 46,50,54,58 (Most Expensive)

NM01 · June 19

I never buy used wedges. I want fresh grooves. I don’t go by the degrees on a wedge for my gapping I go by distance and whatever that gives me in degrees it’s what I end up with.

Now 4-6° is typical but it comes down to how one uses wedges, distances etc

Vixtch · June 19

49 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

I never buy used wedges. I want fresh grooves. I don’t go by the degrees on a wedge for my gapping I go by distance and whatever that gives me in degrees it’s what I end up with.

Now 4-6° is typical but it comes down to how one uses wedges, distances etc

makes sense I see a lot of people saying to not buy used wedges cause of the grooves. if it helps at all my PW goes 135y, 50° 100y, 54° 85y, 58° 65y. So I need a wedge that goes 115-120 ideally. Probably leaning towards the kirkland wedges then since the JPX GW would go around 115.

Edited June 19 by Vixtch

David Leighton Reid · June 19

One thing you might try is the Dave Pelz short game method. Take your 135 yard PW and do a 3/4 swing, which is 9:00 on a clock face. You can also reduce distance by choking down on the grip. For me, choking down an inch reduces my distance by approximately 10 yards. Dave Pelz recommends having a 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 swing with each of your wedges.

I like to hit bombs · June 19

Would recommend going newer as wedges do get worn out. However, the shaft on your irons versus the wedges can make a difference.

If your dead set on the Costco wedges, they at least have a very friendly return policy if you don't like them.

NM01 · June 19

1 hour ago, Vixtch said:

makes sense I see a lot of people saying to not buy used wedges cause of the grooves. if it helps at all my PW goes 135y, 50° 100y, 54° 85y, 58° 65y. So I need a wedge that goes 115-120 ideally. Probably leaning towards the kirkland wedges then since the JPX GW would go around 115.

Learn to hit partial wedges with all your wedges.

Wnat do you do for 66-84 yards?

Test different wedges and see what loft fills your gap if you want a wedge in between pw and 50.

Vixtch · June 19

6 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Learn to hit partial wedges with all your wedges.

Wnat do you do for 66-84 yards?

Test different wedges and see what loft fills your gap if you want a wedge in between pw and 50.

yea partial shots is something I haven't really practiced, but something I really should. Luckily I have access to a launch monitor when I go the range so I'll try that and also see what I need in between my pw and 50°. Thanks for your insight!

Vixtch · June 20

4 hours ago, David Leighton Reid said:

One thing you might try is the Dave Pelz short game method. Take your 135 yard PW and do a 3/4 swing, which is 9:00 on a clock face. You can also reduce distance by choking down on the grip. For me, choking down an inch reduces my distance by approximately 10 yards. Dave Pelz recommends having a 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 swing with each of your wedges.

Definitely going to have to try this the next time I go to the range, and will have to try the choking down. Thanks for the tips I appreciate it!

Bossfan · June 20

Check out Sub 70. They have wedges for all different types of players. Many different lofts and plenty of shaft options. They have an easy to use demo program and a preowned section to save a little more. Most are lightly used.

Shrek74 · June 21

I just picked up the exact same irons. Here's what I did.

I bought the set GW, mainly due to it being my last full swing club and I wanted it to feel the exact same as my other full swing irons.

I got the Mizuno S23 wedges custom with the same shaft and grips as the irons in a 54 & 60.

I don't know your budget, but here's what's possible. The GW would be $137.50 with almost any of their shafts and grips through Golf Galaxy. The S23's are $120 each, again custom with almost any of their shafts and grips through GG. Downside of the custom route is it'll be a month before you get them. Otherwise, you can order the S23's from their "off the shelf" option with the KBS Hi-Rev shaft and get them much sooner (like a week or less).

I'm really liking the S23's so far with the same shafts/grips. The D and C grinds pretty much go along the same lines as the S & M I used to do in Vokey.

I agree that I'd never go used wedges, unless I know exactly where they're coming from and their history. And even then, it'd have to be a super deal to even have me think about it.

Hope this helps.

Brian A · June 21

Wouldn’t ever buy a used wedge, seen way to many that have no spin left. Unless you can find like maybe used a few rounds buy once cry once with new wedges. They can make more of a difference than any other club (minus putter)

RetiredBoomer · June 21

29 minutes ago, Brian A said:

Wouldn’t ever buy a used wedge, seen way to many that have no spin left. Unless you can find like maybe used a few rounds buy once cry once with new wedges. They can make more of a difference than any other club (minus putter)

A machine shop can gouge the grooves out of a used wedge nicely.

They may not conform, but they will spin!

Stuka44 · June 21

On 6/19/2024 at 1:31 PM, Vixtch said:

2.) I was looking and thinking about buying the new kirkland gen 2 wedges. Since they only come in 52,56,60 I would buy the JPX 923 48° GW so it would be a

I had this exact problem. Now I was in the market for new clubs at the time(Happy retirement gift to me). I bought my set specifically because the loft of the GW(set) was 48 degrees, not 50. I then purchased a 52 degree Cleveland, and ended up with PW(43) 120-125, GW(48) 110-115, 52d-100, 56d- 85.

Now this is just my thought. I tried and found very little use for a 60d. I found that I could accomplish what I needed with a 56d. The type of shot I was trying and how hard I had to swing a 60 to get the ball to fly to the green, in comparison to the 56 opened up much more chance for grievous error on my part. I would evaluate just how often you hit full 60 degree shots, and if the 60 is integral to your game. You may find you could upgrade only getting 3 new clubs. Just a though, as I have to be honest, I almost never hit a full 56 degree shot, I hit almost all partial distances with mentally measured partial 52 degree swings.

Captain3484 · June 25

On 6/19/2024 at 1:18 PM, RickyBobby_PR said:

I never buy used wedges. I want fresh grooves. I don’t go by the degrees on a wedge for my gapping I go by distance and whatever that gives me in degrees it’s what I end up with.

Now 4-6° is typical but it comes down to how one uses wedges, distances etc

This. Never buy used wedges, they are already the clubs that you will/should use the most in your bag with rounds, practice, etc. I would probably (for now) just go with the 46 and go from there. But I will say, when I replace my wedges, if I am upgrading, I will replace them all (only have a 54 and 58 vokey sm9 currently - GW is with the set, but looking to change that next time around). I have replaced one wedge at a time in the past and it seriously messes with my feel and consistency.