Switch to graphite in wedges?

[macedan]

Like you can probably infer from the title, I am currently gaming my 50, 54, and 58* wedges in stock TT Dynamic Gold and my 50 has a KBS 610 120g steel shafts. I play my P790's with their UST 780 ES w/SmacWrap and absolutely love the feel and ball flight I receive from them. I am curious about switching to full graphite the entire way through my bag but am curious as to what kind of reaction I could expect. Full Disclosure: I am not the most knowledgeable about swing weight/general shaft fitting and am just seeking general guidance about what to expect (and potentially what all you would recommend). 

 

About my game. Driver SS is around 110, Currently play my 3 listed wedges in all sorts of scenarios, full (mostly the 50/54), open face pitches, knockdowns, bunkers, and around the green. I feel comfortable with the spin control and (maybe?) the weight, but not sure if establishing a consistent feel from irons to wedges may benefit my game.

 

Currently, just looking between UST Recoil 110 or 125. "Why don't you just get fitted?" I anticipate this question and will acknowledge the amount of fitters within two hours is maybe 2 and I don't anticipate having much down time to complete one for several weeks/months, but I would like to at some point in the future.

[mcounci2]

If you like the weight of your DG's/610, you're going to want the heavier recoil 125. If you want the wedges to play a bit softer (not taking as many full shots) put 8i shafts in them. 

 

The 15g difference between 110 and 125, assuming roughly the same balance points, represents a touch over 1.5 swingweight points.

 

FWIW...I play graphite AMT shafts in everything but my two most lofted wedges.  My 3i starts at D1 and the swingweight progresses up to D5 in my 58. I like the increasing weuight as the shot gets shorter. YMMV. 

 

Edited September 4, 2020 by mcounci2

[Stuart_G]

9 hours ago, macedan said:

Like you can probably infer from the title, I am currently gaming my 50, 54, and 58* wedges in stock TT Dynamic Gold and my 50 has a KBS 610 120g steel shafts. I play my P790's with their UST 780 ES w/SmacWrap and absolutely love the feel and ball flight I receive from them. I am curious about switching to full graphite the entire way through my bag but am curious as to what kind of reaction I could expect. Full Disclosure: I am not the most knowledgeable about swing weight/general shaft fitting and am just seeking general guidance about what to expect (and potentially what all you would recommend). 

 

About my game. Driver SS is around 110, Currently play my 3 listed wedges in all sorts of scenarios, full (mostly the 50/54), open face pitches, knockdowns, bunkers, and around the green. I feel comfortable with the spin control and (maybe?) the weight, but not sure if establishing a consistent feel from irons to wedges may benefit my game.

 

Currently, just looking between UST Recoil 110 or 125. "Why don't you just get fitted?" I anticipate this question and will acknowledge the amount of fitters within two hours is maybe 2 and I don't anticipate having much down time to complete one for several weeks/months, but I would like to at some point in the future.

 

I kept playing stock steel wedges for about 15 years after switching to 95 gm graphite shafts.   The steel in the wedges weren't causing any problems with the arthritis in my hands they way they did with the rest of the irons and the weight difference didn't seem to be causing any issues either.  But to be honest, the 95 gm was probably a little lighter than ideal for me and my swing at the time.  I just didn't have a lot of other options like there are now.

 

Then about 5 years ago I decided to experiment with graphite in the wedges.   I had since gone to 100 gm graphite iron shafts and tried the 110 recoils in the wedges.   I like the feel of the lighter graphite better but I can't say it really had any noticeable effect on the performance or scoring. 

 

But that's me and everyone is different.  Swing weight tends to have more influence on the results than the shaft weight for me but for some it can be the opposite.  Give it a try in one wedge and see what happens for you.  That's the only way to find out and why people suggest getting fit so often.  And how much you know doesn't really matter, only how it feels and the results you get.   But it doesn't really matter if you do the trail and error test with a fitter or on your own (especially if you can do your own club work).     And It's certainly easy to switch back to the steel if you don't like it.

 

Since you're playing the 680's,  I'd suggest testing the Recoil 95's or 110's - maybe get one of the 110 and see how it goes.   Or get a 95 and you can use some lead tape to simulate the feel of the 110's and 125's.

Edited September 4, 2020 by Stuart_G

[JoeFrigo]

ive tried the recoil proto 125 and recoil wedge proto, steelfiber 110x, and currently have Fujikura MCI 125

 

I didnt care for the recoil Proto's at all. To me they were like the kbs hi rev in terms of loose feel and higher launch. Steelfiber had the most consistency and stiffer tip by far which I really really like. Surprisingly also gave me the best spin (I think its strike related and felt most comfortable with them)

 

The Fujikura MCI 125 I have both the Solid and Mild version. Only played 2 rounds with them but so far im really liking what im seeing/feeling. Id say both feel and play tighter/stiffer than the recoil protos

 

at 110mph driver speed im very surprised you like the feel of the recoil 780 smacwrap's, but if they work for you then thats what matters. Those are a loose, 80g shaft so you would probably want to stay in the recoil lineup vs other graphite offerings. Like Stuart mentioned you would probably wanna test between 95 or 110

 

and combine both comments you might really like the 110 recoil 8i shaft in your wedges

[Popeye64]

Like most of us using a heavier wedge shaft is usually the preferred method. 

Your transition to a graphite should be fairly seemless. There may be a slight learning curve as with any new gear. My go to wedges are actually lighter than the 95g in my 9-Pw. 

A while back I pulled some KBS wedge shafts that I believe were 130g. I matched the shafts to what I was gaming in my irons which where Xcaliber Pro X 85g S flex, Maltby M series + heads. These are actually a relatively lively shaft. So right now I'm bucking the heavier shaft trend. I recently started gaming the TSW heads with a 100g graphite wedge shaft but couldn't get comfortable with them. I brought back out the M+ with the 85g shafts and all was right again. 

It goes to prove that there is no secret formula but more of what you are most comfortable with. I rarely make a full swing with a wedge so the lighter shafts I know intimately, actually works extremely well for me.  

[macedan]

Generally, what would I expect to see/feel if for example I swapped all three to the recoil 110? I would love to get fitted for optimal length/lie as I am 5'6-5'7 with maybe a 30-31" wrist to floor measurement. Ping's chart tells me I should fit with -1/2" and 2* flat while others say I would probably be more optimally fit with -1" and 1* flat. Let's assume for this example, however, that I will be sticking with stock lengths/lies. What could I generally expect to see if making the change to a Recoil 110? For reference, stock MG wedges with TT DG are D5 swing weight.

 

[kylemd]

I recently changed from matrix program 130 shafts in irons to Paderson Trajectory reg flex to get  diff height and feel from my iron shafts. Deopped down to 80 grams iron shafts. Def have picked up some needed yards on the irons. I had the Paderson wedge shafts in before using the iron shafts. Used them for a while. Previously used KBS 610’s. Loved the Heavier padersons. The are 120 grams or so. Recently put in padersons 8 iron stiff flex shafts in  some extra wedge heads ( only play 52 and 58 ). Head to head the flight similar with the 8 iron shafts having a slightly higher initial launch but I slapped alot of lead tape on the heads to get the right feel for the wedges. Jury is still out some but I can easily flight the lighter wedge shafts down more if needed. May still end up using the heavier 120 gram wedge shafts due to the feel. Only have three rounds in on the newer set up but so far no serious issues. 
 

Biggest issue is the lighter iron shafts tend to want to draw alot more than the heavier Programs. Doesnt bother me as much in the wedges as I like to hit a low wedge shot that draws in and stops. 
 

Id get a couple diff weight shafts and try them. 

[makaveli]

Myself, I would put the exact same shafts that are in my irons in the wedges. Just saying.