Less Wedges more?

[tatertot]

16 minutes ago, azgreg said:

Then let me help you. He'd be great with a lob wedge.

Huh, you own a time machine? Or maybe you're an all knowing entity that runs the internets.

[azgreg]

2 hours ago, tatertot said:

Huh, you own a time machine? Or maybe you're an all knowing entity that runs the internets.

Yes on both accounts.

[tatertot]

1 hour ago, azgreg said:

Yes on both accounts.

Well played sir, well played.

[mat562]

Lob wedges were available at the back end of Seve's peak years in the late 80s and early 90s and he didn't play one.

[CDLgolf]

I have the same set up you do. 45, 50, 55 & 60. For me this set up works the best and if i went to 3 wedges I don't know which club I would add at the top end.

 

One guy I play with has 46, 50, 54 & 58 another plays with 45, 50 & 56. Both wouldn't change and like their set up.

 

I guess there's no right answer but if you're  struggling with 4 wedges definitely give 3 a try.

[NRJyzr]

On 11/16/2024 at 6:45 AM, upanddown said:

Anyone just go 50, 56?

 

Been playing that for the last two seasons.  Hasn't had a negative effect on my short game.  I find the times I might think about something with more loft to be rare.

 

Have also dabbled with 50 and 58.  I rarely hit full shots with anything higher lofted than 50, and have put in a fair bit of practice on partial shots over the years.

 

Edited November 30, 2024 by NRJyzr

[cals]

4 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

Been playing that for the last two seasons.  Hasn't had a negative effect on my short game.  I find the times I might think about something with more loft to be rare.

 

That’s what I’m thinking of doing with the TW grind 56 wedge 

[NRJyzr]

5 minutes ago, cals said:

That’s what I’m thinking of doing with the TW grind 56 wedge 

 

I started with a Ram TG898 from the late 90s, bought a Cobra Snakebite, but found I prefer a bit more bounce and sole.  Over time, I've found I prefer standard grinds to the specialty grinds.

 

My favorite wedge in the last 5 to 10 years was an old Ram 58° that had 14° of bounce.

 

[Maine Golfer]

If you have weak irons (your 9 iron is high 40s), 2 is just fine. Whatever number of wedges you use you have to learn the shots. Just adding more to the bag never helps 

[Pepperturbo]

On 11/22/2024 at 1:52 PM, Erik_A said:

 

tleader:  What bounces do you use for this setup? 

 

What would people's recommendations be for loft, bounce and grind in wedges for an average "beginner"/ high handicap golfer?

 

I am similar to tleader, and am currently using the set 50˚ gap wedge (12˚ Bounce), and Vokey 54˚-08M and 58˚-12D wedges.

I am still an older "beginner"/ high handicap golfer.  I wonder if I should try a 54˚-14F; and a lower bounce in a 58˚ or 60˚ so that I can open it up in the sand better.

 

I might lean the shaft slightly on the 50 and 54, but they are always square face.  Since my 58 has the highest bounce, I have been using it in soft/ thick grass (with a square face) and in the sand (with both square and open face).  I am thinking that the 54˚-14F would allow more versatility and forgiveness in the soft/ thick grass, and well as on hard pan with a shaft lean to remove some bounce.  Then in the sand I could still use the 54˚-14F with a good lie, and the low bounce 58/60 would be mainly for open face flop type shots and square face chips close to the green.

In theory, it sounds great.  But I don't suggest introducing other wedges until you "master" a few you carry.  Plenty of people follow your theory, only to stumble through execution. 

[SrixonSIMP]

I use sm10s in 51 and 56 degrees, I find I can hit every shot I need from 115 yards and in with that combo, using dan grieves 3 releases stuff round the greens.

 

PW is og zx7 @ 46 degree.

 

i did think with that setup I’ve got room for a 60 but can’t see myself every getting one. 

Edited November 30, 2024 by SrixonSIMP

[Erik_A]

4 hours ago, SrixonSIMP said:

I use sm10s in 51 and 56 degrees, I find I can hit every shot I need from 115 yards and in with that combo, using dan grieves 3 releases stuff round the greens.

 

PW is og zx7 @ 46 degree.

 

i did think with that setup I’ve got room for a 60 but can’t see myself every getting one. 

 

What bounce/ grind on your 51 and 56 degree wedges?

[BallerNate]

I’ve tried every possible wedge setup, but the last 2 seasons I’ve played PW (46), 52, 58 and only carry 13 clubs.

 

I found there was too much duplication when I carried 4 wedges, and there was always one of the wedges I barely used.

 

I’m considering trying out PW, 50, 56 next season though, or could end up PW, 50, 58.

 

I don’t see myself ever going back to 4 wedges though.

[DiracDelta]

For an odd ball perspective, I've recently gone to a 5 wedge setup. So "more wedges more"  😁

 

Got fitted into MizunoPro 245s at the tail end of the season to help cut launch and spin. Now my PW is 43 degrees (and gaps well from my 9i). From there I go Vokey 46.10F, 50.12F, 54.10S, 58.12D. The 50/54/58 is the same combo I had with my previous iron set where the PW was @ 46.

 

My short game is well above average and is generally what saves my rounds. The reasons I've chosen the 5 wedge set up are:
- Inside of 150 is my bread and butter where I make (and save) my rounds. So I never want to be uncomfortable and in-between my full, 3/4, 1/2 shots between 65-145yds.

-  The courses I play most often very seldomly require a 3w either off the tee or into a par 5. I know I'm going to have about 9 shots a round between 75-150 and I'm probably only going to have at most 1 shot where a 260-270yd shot is needed either off the tee or the 2nd into a par 5. Dropping a wedge for potentially 1 shot a round with a 3w isn't worth it to me

- I'm long enough (280-290yd driver carry) and at the top of my bag I just go D, 4"ish" wood (1" short 5w turned to 16* -- 255yds), 6"ish" wood (1" short 7w turned to 19* -- 240yds), 4UDI (220yds), 6i (200yds)

 

Could I live with dropping a wedge or two? Yeah probably. 

 

Do I think I'd replace it with anything more useful? Probably not.

 

Just my game and my courses so do what your game suggests.

[Rowlande08]

My wedges are CBX4 at 53* and RTX Full-Face 2 at *58.  I have a PW and GW but only use for full swing shots.

[EKB]

On 11/16/2024 at 8:09 AM, upanddown said:

Thanks all but my real queston is... is anyone stopping at 56* to keep it simple?  Maybe even carrying less that 14.

Yep, been playing PW, 50, and 56 this season.  As many others have mentioned, I’ve been putting more work into my wedge game (partial swings, opening/closing the face, etc) and my scores have come down as I gain more confidence with each one

[SrixonSIMP]

On 11/30/2024 at 11:18 PM, Erik_A said:

 

What bounce/ grind on your 51 and 56 degree wedges?

51 is F and my 56 is an S grind, based on the fitters recommendation, working out really well so far.

[gazav]

Less - 46/52/58.  Simple and I’m confident in how to execute shots with each.  Now I did hit a friends 56 and it was nice to hit a full shot from the yardage… 🙄😂😳

[Balloon]

My setup is:

 

PW 44°

GW 50°

LW 58°

 

Never found a sufficient reason for closer gaping.  Use the LW out of sand traps. Almost all chips I play with the gap wedge. High pitches over hazards are all done with the lob wedge. Full shots with PW or GW depending on distance. I carry my bag und keep the number of clubs as low as suitable.

[DoughBack18]

On 11/16/2024 at 10:09 AM, upanddown said:

Thanks all but my real queston is... is anyone stopping at 56* to keep it simple?  Maybe even carrying less that 14.

If you think that indecision or lack of confidence in your club selection with your wedges is causing some of your struggles, then I think less is more and stopping at a 56* is a good idea.
 

If it is poor technique or fundamentals then its also not a bad idea as a 60* is a little harder to strike consistently then a sand wedge. 
 

Good luck and hope you get a few more up and down! 😉

[Erik_A]

3 hours ago, Balloon said:

My setup is:

 

PW 44°

GW 50°

LW 58°

 

Never found a sufficient reason for closer gaping.  Use the LW out of sand traps. Almost all chips I play with the gap wedge. High pitches over hazards are all done with the lob wedge. Full shots with PW or GW depending on distance. I carry my bag und keep the number of clubs as low as suitable.

What bounce/ grind on your 50?

[Balloon]

On 12/8/2024 at 3:04 PM, Erik_A said:

What bounce/ grind on your 50?

 

It is a Vokey SM10 with 8° bounce and F-grind.

[Pepperturbo]

On 11/30/2024 at 7:47 PM, BallerNate said:

I’ve tried every possible wedge setup, but the last 2 seasons I’ve played PW (46), 52, 58 and only carry 13 clubs.

 

I found there was too much duplication when I carried 4 wedges, and there was always one of the wedges I barely used.

 

I’m considering trying out PW, 50, 56 next season though, or could end up PW, 50, 58.

 

I don’t see myself ever going back to 4 wedges though.

Smart choice. 

 

I know a number of people who carry 4 wedges.  PW is used for full shots, another is used for full shots, the 3rd is used the most, and the 4th is spotty at best because it chunks too much.   Part of shot failure is they can't find the time to put in equal practice time with each of them.

 

At any given time, I have 3 wedges in the bag, if I count PW SM10 F47.11, F52.12 and M58.8 which alternates with T58.4, depending on conditions.  Those wedges handle any conditions I may face.

[aquapig]

50/54/58 for me.

 

50 is 115 yard and used mostly for full shots or if I need to a low pitch/chip shot.

 

54 is 105 yard club and used for full shots and some pitch/chips where I have some green to work with.

 

58 is 85 yard club for full shots and my main club for chipping and bunker shots. 

 

I couldn't score as well without all 3.

 

Growing up I had a set PW and a SW (56). I wasn't good enough or cared enough then about my score, but made it work. 

[BallerNate]

4 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

Smart choice. 

 

I know a number of people who carry 4 wedges.  PW is used for full shots, another is used for full shots, the 3rd is used the most, and the 4th is spotty at best because it chunks too much.   Part of shot failure is they can't find the time to put in equal practice time with each of them.

 

At any given time, I have 3 wedges in the bag, if I count PW SM10 F47.11, F52.12 and M58.8 which alternates with T58.4, depending on conditions.  Those wedges handle any conditions I may face.

Yup, agreed.

 

That’s what I found when I had 4 wedges…there was always one that would barely get used.

 

I’ve really been liking the PW-52-58 setup as well, and enjoy the simplicity of it.

 

Only other setup I’d consider is PW-50-56, but I really like the 58 out of bunkers and around the greens, so not sure if I’d end up making that change.

[MikeW2]

This is a very player dependent thing or also a situationally dependent thing. I carry 4 wedges…full shot P goes 130, G goes 115, and S goes 100 then I also carry a 60* for specialty shots around green and sometimes full shots up to 70 yards. The course I play most often if I properly execute my tee shots I’ll use my P 3 times and my other two wedges twice each during the course of 18 holes. Other courses i play I might only need two of them for full shots. I’ve also put in the practice time with each of my wedges so that when I get those yardages I’m pretty comfortable. I think it’s best to have more options available to me.

[BallerNate]

7 hours ago, MikeW2 said:

This is a very player dependent thing or also a situationally dependent thing. I carry 4 wedges…full shot P goes 130, G goes 115, and S goes 100 then I also carry a 60* for specialty shots around green and sometimes full shots up to 70 yards. The course I play most often if I properly execute my tee shots I’ll use my P 3 times and my other two wedges twice each during the course of 18 holes. Other courses i play I might only need two of them for full shots. I’ve also put in the practice time with each of my wedges so that when I get those yardages I’m pretty comfortable. I think it’s best to have more options available to me.

That makes a lot of sense for sure Mike.

 

You’re right, it’s all about what works best for your individual game.

 

I personally like the 1/2 swings and 3/4 swings with my PW and GW to cover yardage gaps, so carrying 4 wedges just isn’t necessary for my game.

 

Actually, some of my best shots are partial swings with my PW, so just have to go with what works.

[Balloon]

Played the PW - 52 - 58 combo for many years. Replaced the 52 with a 50 after changing irons from 712MB to Mizuno 225 which means a PW of 44 instead of 47.

[FirePro]

I probably could stop at my 56* but I don't need another club at the top of my bag so the 60* is there for short sided pitch and chip shots.  probably comes out once or twice a round.  I'd rather have it and not need it than not have it an need it.

[MikeW2]

10 hours ago, BallerNate said:

That makes a lot of sense for sure Mike.

 

You’re right, it’s all about what works best for your individual game.

 

I personally like the 1/2 swings and 3/4 swings with my PW and GW to cover yardage gaps, so carrying 4 wedges just isn’t necessary for my game.

 

Actually, some of my best shots are partial swings with my PW, so just have to go with what works.

My initial post I was just thinking about shots in perfect conditions if everything was executed properly off the tee. We all know that golf is a game of imperfect and I often find myself needing to create shots so I have a variety of those with each wedge. I also should add that I haven’t mentioned wind or rain or cool temperatures…all these situations could require something that isn’t stock. Each player has to figure out how they “see” shots then learn to execute them on course. If 1/2 and 3/4 swings is what you visualize best then use that to your advantage. I like being able to do so using 4 clubs instead of 3 as I feel it gives me more options and that is, for me, entirely course defendant. When I grew up the first course we played a lot I could have gone from a 9 iron straight to a 60 and never have needed a P G or S wedge.