Lose the Lob

[Norboo]

I used to carry lob wedge when I first saw Phil flopping shots. Took lots of work to get the distance right, but still very low percentage shots with lob.

 

Over the years, I experimented with many combinations of wedges and what works for me is 56.10 and 50 or 52. I can fan open the 56 to flop shots and have enough bounce to work it out of the bunkers.

[hayam]

Still in the bag, I use that one wedge for around the green , chip lob flop cut sand. 6 deg bounce. Different styles for different folks.

 

Though I prefer to use a 56 deg for anything more than 60 yards.

[shanx]

I carry a 58 and a 52. My 58 is a bent 60, low bounce. I can control a 58 a bit better than the full 60. I can stretch a 58 once in a while, but the 60 just shot higher up in the sky when I tried to step on one.

[blkjazz]

I guess I am a lob wedge nut. I currently own a Vokey 260.6 (which I have had for several years), a Cleveland 60 (old style 588), a Mizuno 60 (MP-R). I also have a Vokey 258.8 which I will use from time to time. My favorite is the Vokey 260.6 but the bounce angle can be a problem for some courses with fluffy sand. The Cleveland is just "ok" and I rarely use it. Recently I have been using the Mizuno most of the time and I like it fine for hop and stop shots. It does not perform as well as the Vokey for true flop shots.

 

For my game, the lob wedge is vital.

[whatever]

If I couldn't have a lob wedge my game would surely suffer. Sure, they can be a finnicky club, but, with a bit of practice, can become as reliable as anything else in your bag. The course nearest my house has a great short-game practice area. I'll go there once a week or so and drop a few dozen balls (only prov1x's - my ball of choice) and hit all sorts of shots from every conceivable angle/lie/etc. I do this all with my lob wedge.

 

On Saturday I used my lobe wedge 6 times around the green on an unfamilar course and for one full shot of ~105 yards. 2 shots were bunker shots (from crappy sand), both within a few feet for a reasonable up&down opportunity. I also hit 4 flop shots (this was a new course and I didn't know where to "miss"). 2 of the shots were less than 2 feet away (made both putts), one shot was within ~10 feet (made the putt), and the other was a tough shot (downhill lie, over a bunker, to a downhill sloping green that ran staright into the water) that didn't turn out so well (b/c my head got in the way).

 

The full shot flew right over the pin from 105 yards and left me about 20 feet for birdie (I didn't get the spin I expected b/c I flew it about a foot too long into the fringe and it hopped back on the green a foot or two instead of grabbing the green and coming back to me).

 

By my count the lob wedge saved me at least 5 shots out there.

[Jameson]

switched to a 58 and couldnt be happier.

 

Had the same results as others, when I really tried to push my 60* over 75 yards, it would shoot straight up in the air.

 

With the 58* I can comfortably play it out to 90 yards with a full swing. Only problem, sometimes on a full shot it will spin too much, not good if the pin is in front. But I have the same prob with my 54* and PW for that matter. I dont chip with it really.

 

JC

[kamtile]

I would feel naked without my lob ,I use it for 95% of shots within 85 yards of the pin .I trust it and it works for me.

[ezra76]

I'm actually thinking of adding a 60 and dropping the 58. I have a 56 but the bounce is high. I love the club from bunkers because I can basically hit a pitch shot out of most of them, best wedge out the sand I've ever used by far. Off a tighter lie I have to come down on the ball, no deceleration or finess or I'll scull it though. I feel it serves the general purpose gap from my 50* but need the 58* for the shots around the green, over bunkers and such.

 

My 58* has an 8 bounce. I do fine with it but would like to try a 60* so I don't have to open it up as much, or at all. I figure I have the room in the bag, why not carry more wedges. The bottom line of course is practice. I practice my wedge shots a lot. Anytime I am waiting on a tee box to tee off, you can bet I'll have my 58* out hitting little cut lobs up onto the box or somtimes I try to hit one into a trash can. lol.

[golfebj]

Before: 47, 51, 55, 59

 

After: 47, 52, 58

 

Why: Too many options to be consistent at none.

 

Now I go full or 3/4...all gaps covered.

[jeremyblre21]

I took out the lob about 5 or 6 years ago now. Not sure if I miss it...

 

I play a 45pw 52g and 58sw. If you read my post "My 3-wood may be obsolete" I am considering going 45pw 50a 54g/sw 58sw or 45pm 50a 56sw 60lw with my alternative club.

 

I have heard other players say when you have more wedges the thoughts can get more complicated rather than creative.

 

Anyone know about that?

[Viking Golfer]

Love my lob - will never get rid of it....never :D

[Shaitan]

60* adds an extra element to anyone's short game if they give it the time it needs to be decent at it. It is much harder to play an attacking flop shot with a 56* b/c of the bounce - the 60* also gives another option in the sand and when u don't have a lot of green to work with for a normal chip. I honestly think a lot of ppl get it into their heads that it is too hard to play and don't give them the time of day

[SCHMEGGA]

I use a Cleveland 60/4 for almost every shot around the green and inside 60 yards. I have just become very adept at using it. The only real exception to this rule is if I am just off the green and need to roll the ball a ways and then I use everything from an 8 iron down. But I would say I use the 60* for 95% of my shots inside 60 yards. I am a 1.6 hcp.

[jcgrcya]

I carry a 52 and a 58. Just felt I could control the 58 better than the 60.