Wedge Setup Advice

Judge440 · February 19, 2015

Can't settle in on wedge setup.

I currently have 50/56 (brand new) based on the irons had before my current ones (PW 46 degrees) and the fact that I chipped better with lower lofted wedges. So I dropped my 60. I picked a 50 over the 52 because I could just choke down on the 50 if I need to take something off it.

I was traditionally a 3 wedge player with a 60 in there. I probably overused the 60 though. But, I did like it.

My current iron set has a 47 PW. I have an X Utility hybrid that I can pull if I want to add a wedge and go 3 wedges.

52/58? Stay with 50/56? 54/60? My head is spinning. Why do I care? Lol.

NevadaGolfGuy · February 19, 2015

I'm working into a 51/55/59 setup working off a 47* pw.

MelloYello · February 19, 2015

In general I don't think players should force a LW into their bag if they struggle with it. For one, you certainly don't want a club in the bag you feel you can't hit. Secondly, a SW can produce a serviceable or decent effort on most shots where a LW would be desired so even if you can't get the ball inside 5' you can probably get the ball inside 10' with a good shot and that's doing okay.

I would roll with the GW and SW for the time being--especially if they're brand new--and see if you can't get used to playing without a LW. After some time and practice you may find you really want to stick the LW back in, but wait until you feel like you [i]want [/i]it there and that it's going to be a real asset.

After all, we all know that a shot will be better coming off a confident SW rather than a hesitant LW.

If you do want the 60* in the bag, you'll either have to deal with a big gap between the 47 and 56 or a big gap between the 50 and 60. Or maybe you could keep the 50, bend it back a bit and add a 58*.

For what it's worth, don't do this on paper. You aren't going to be able to design a bag on your computer. I was playing really well with a 46* PW, a 56* SW and a 60* LW throughout the last 6 months or so. I hit my SW a little further than usual and my PW wasn't as strong as I thought it would be. I had no problem with a 10* gap. I just didn't see it in the actual yardages.

I'm pondering adding the 52* GW back in, but it's not a real necessary club for me since most of my greenside work is done with my 56.

Oh, and btw, most shots with a 50-60* wedge are partial shots so I don't see a big need to be a Nazi about getting the full-swing yardages to perfectly line up. It's all about what you feel you can hit the necessary shots with.

NevadaGolfGuy · February 19, 2015

the pw 53/57 combo is a nice compromise I see a lot of people using.

rpaige88 · February 19, 2015

I like having four wedges and go 46, 50, 54 and 60. If just gives me some more options around the green which I like. If you liked your 60 I would go with four wedges including your 47 and go that plus 51, 55 and 60. I hit the ball decently long so I don't miss not having a 3 or 5 wood.

But yes there are almost unlimited possibilities but just go with wedge lofts you'll feel comfortable hitting or lofts/grinds that you know you'll need a lot based on which course you play a lot.

Judge440 · February 19, 2015

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I may just buy a matching 60 and if I want to throw it in and take out my utility 3 iron I can. I actually used a 50/56/60 last year for a bit.

I don't know if there really is an answer to this question. I guess the biggest thing for me is to have a club that goes 100 yards and then some options for pitching and chipping.

gigemaggs99 · February 19, 2015

I'm in a similar boat. I just bought a used set of older Titleist 962, the PW is 48* and the SW is 56*, the set is due to arrive tomorrow in the mail 3-SW. My concern is should I go out looking for the W wedge it's in-between the PW and SW, the W is 52*.

The thing is, I'm not sure if more is better. What I mean is I'm not sure how often I'd really honestly use the extra club. It seems like it might be nicer to have it, just in case but really I might be able to do just fine without it. I'm pretty decent at hitting 1/2 shots or even 3/4 shots so I'm thinking I could just take a 1/2-3/4 swing w/ the PW to fill the distance gap between the full PW and Full SW no?

In the end I can pick up a used W for around $30 so it's not an issue of price, my main deal is do I want the extra club in the bag for rare what-if moments?

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Judge440 · February 20, 2015

[quote name='gigemaggs99' timestamp='1424407223' post='10989631']
I'm in a similar boat. I just bought a used set of older Titleist 962, the PW is 48* and the SW is 56*, the set is due to arrive tomorrow in the mail 3-SW. My concern is should I go out looking for the W wedge it's in-between the PW and SW, the W is 52*.

The thing is, I'm not sure if more is better. What I mean is I'm not sure how often I'd really honestly use the extra club. It seems like it might be nicer to have it, just in case but really I might be able to do just fine without it. I'm pretty decent at hitting 1/2 shots or even 3/4 shots so I'm thinking I could just take a 1/2-3/4 swing w/ the PW to fill the distance gap between the full PW and Full SW no?

In the end I can pick up a used W for around $30 so it's not an issue of price, my main deal is do I want the extra club in the bag for rare what-if moments?

Any thoughts/suggestions?
[/quote]

I hear you man. Sometimes having that extra wedge just creates indecision in picking what club to use. I don't think there really is a right or wrong setup or answer. Just have to make a best assessment and then go from there and make changes if necessary.

JJK947 · February 20, 2015

I have basically 20 yard gaps at the bottom of my bag between PW (46), 52 and 58. Works for me because I don't really have a stock yardage for a wedge as it depends on what type of shot I am trying to hit. With an iron I'm basically hitting my stock shot most of the time so I like to have smaller, consistent gaps. With a wedge I'm always changing the trajectory and shot shape and therefor influencing distance. If you like to play to a specific yardages and hit more "stock" shots, more wedges should work out better for you.

NevadaGolfGuy · February 20, 2015

I personally see the LW way more disposable than a GW, it'll depend a lot on your yardages and your course layout but for my home course I get left with that awkward not a PW and not a SW shot. I generally like my odds at hitting a better shot with a standard gap wedge then a partial PW. Wedges are a very personal thing, just play a few rounds with nothing but a PW and SW and see how many times you end up saying "Boy I wish I had my GW" or "That LW would be perfect right now." Thats generally how I dictate what wedges get played.

flintof1 · February 20, 2015

I am currently transitioning to a 47°, 53°, and 59° setup from 47°, 52°, 56°,58°, and 64°. My new gapping makes so much more sense. Will be interesting to see the how I can adjust.

OP have you thought of going to a 54°/58° setup?

Judge440 · February 20, 2015

[quote name='flintof1' timestamp='1424442968' post='10990919']
I am currently transitioning to a 47°, 53°, and 59° setup from 47°, 52°, 56°,58°, and 64°. My new gapping makes so much more sense. Will be interesting to see the how I can adjust.

OP have you thought of going to a 54°/58° setup?
[/quote]

Yeah you're new setup should be better. Better spacing there.

47 -> 54 too much gap for me. Need a 50/52.

flintof1 · February 20, 2015

I am currently transitioning to a 47°, 53°, and 59° setup from 47°, 52°, 56°,58°, and 64°. My new gapping makes so much more sense. Will be interesting to see the how I can adjust.

OP have you thought of going to a 54°/58° setup?

Yeah you're new setup should be better. Better spacing there.

47 -> 54 too much gap for me. Need a 50/52.

You might need to work specific grind into your decision. My 59° has this particular grind

mahonie · February 20, 2015

I read an article by Roger Cleveland who suggested that anything more than 58* would be really difficult for the majority of players to master. IIRC I think it had something to do with the amount of speed that needs to be generated even on short shots to move the ball forward the required distance due to the high loft. Since reading the article I've gone 52/58 (PW is 47*) and my short game 'misses' are getting better. Only use the 58* from 50 yards in and even then prefer the 52* from most positions.

Judge440 · February 21, 2015

I think 52/58 may have been the way to go. That being said...I just bought a 60 and I'm pulling my X-Utility 21 out. 50/56/60 it is. I think I'd feel naked not having a 60 in the bag.

KjBowen · February 21, 2015

I have played 52/58 almost my entire golf life. I refuse to buy irons that affect my wedges.. Wedges are the key to scoring in golf. Don't ever affect your wedge setup

Crpcaver · February 21, 2015

My last set, XCG 6, had the pw at 45. So my other wedges were 50, 54, and 58. New set has the pw at 47. Switched to 52, 56, and 58. Will see how it goes when the weather breaks.

Spooky67 · February 21, 2015

[quote name='KjBowenWRX' timestamp='1424556800' post='10999793']
I have played 52/58 almost my entire golf life. I refuse to buy irons that affect my wedges.. Wedges are the key to scoring in golf. Don't ever affect your wedge setup
[/quote]

^Great advice here.^

I played 52/58 and did well with it. Went to 52/56/60 and didn't do as well. Went back to 52/58 and all is well again.