Less Wedges more?

[JAMH03]

If you're not a strong wedge player then two wedges can be better than 3. Especially when proper technique w/60º is hard to come by.

IDK when it would be time to re-introduce the 60 but cross that bridge later I think.

Let us know how it goes.

[azgreg]

On 11/16/2024 at 7:59 AM, Thrummyfox said:

? 

How good do you think Seve would be with a modern lob wedge? My guess is pretty damn good.

 

[azgreg]

On 11/16/2024 at 8:42 AM, 596 said:

44 

50

56

 

I see no reason to add anything else.  I never hit a full wedge.  And I very rarely open the face of anything.  

I have this same exact set-up in a 9 club bag. Works great.

 

With that being said, there are a number of threads here on 56° being the highest lofted wedge in the bag.

 

[Pepperturbo]

On 11/16/2024 at 4:45 AM, upanddown said:

Hi, currently bagging 45* PW, 50 gap, 54 (bent to 55), 60.  Wedge play is not a strength of my game and I sometimes wonder if deciding between the 55 or 60 on less than full shots, bunker shots is hurting my game.  Anyone just go 50, 56? Thanks

Tiger Woods uses a 56' most of the time.  Get one with 10-12' of bounce and be happy.  Most people don't practice nearly enough to own a 60' troublemaker. 

 

I can make any shot with one of these SM10 47.11, 52.12 or 58.8'.

Edited November 18, 2024 by Pepperturbo

[596]

1 hour ago, azgreg said:

I have this same exact set-up in a 9 club bag. Works great.

 

With that being said, there are a number of threads here on 56° being the highest lofted wedge in the bag.

 

Also, I found that I like larger gaps from 8 through SW.  Everything is 5 or 6 degree gaps. This also allows me to put either an extra hybrid or a specialty club in the bag.

[HGLucky13]

I go PW(45), GW(49.5), SW(54), LW(58). PW and GW are full swing clubs. SW is a mostly full swing club. And I use my LW for everything inside 80 unless the course dictates something else is necessary. I manipulate the loft on the LW to fit the shot.

[azgreg]

23 minutes ago, 596 said:

Also, I found that I like larger gaps from 8 through SW.  Everything is 5 or 6 degree gaps. This also allows me to put either an extra hybrid or a specialty club in the bag.

My 9 club bag is driver then 3h through sw all 6° gaps.

d

3h - 20°

5i - 26°

6i - 32°

8i - 38°

9i - 44°

gw - 50°

sw - 56°

p

 

[g_nw]

On 11/16/2024 at 4:45 AM, upanddown said:

Hi, currently bagging 45* PW, 50 gap, 54 (bent to 55), 60.  Wedge play is not a strength of my game and I sometimes wonder if deciding between the 55 or 60 on less than full shots, bunker shots is hurting my game.  Anyone just go 50, 56? Thanks

the forums here are saturated with contradictory setups because wedges (especially) are a highly personal preference. I noticed a few responses covered some of the following, I haven’t read all replies: you can play good golf with 6, 7, 8 clubs or 14 clubs… including with one wedge or 5 wedges. spending some quality time with your wedges and getting some playful shots in on a range or simulator always clears the picture 🍻… often wedges reflect your style of play: highly feel- based or system driven / structured with analytical insight, there’s not one optimal setup. Some helpful information includes gapping your first wedge 4-6* off of your pitching wedge to maintain a level of gapping. And you can choose to gap 4-8* from there for partial shots, resulting in a couple wedges or several wedges, to your liking. A little variation in bounce is also generally helpful with heuristic of having a bit more bounce for the wedge you prefer in bunkers.
 

In general, increasing confidence increases clarity on the course… and you can do that with some quality time getting to know your preferences.

[Roejye]

I go 50° set wedge to 56° cbx zipcore. 56° is more the workhorse but I have been using the 50 more around the green. I haven't really missed the 60 at all, but I have had quite a few shots this year where I would have maybe liked another wedge with lower bounce, but with the way my wedge game has been I doubt the results would've been much better. 

[teedub21]

Srixon ZX5 MkII 4-PW, cleveland RTX6 50 and 56 wedges.  I've ventured into more wedges before, tried 58's and 60's and for me its just too many choices.  I feel I can make a 56 work for most everything and I like it out of the bunkers.  On approach shots a lot of times I'm more consistent hitting a punchy PW or 50 than trying to take a full swing with a higher lofted wedge.  

[Erik_A]

On 11/16/2024 at 8:13 AM, tleader said:

I go:

50 - set wedge for full shots

54 - less than full shots and square faced chips

60 - bunkers, open faced shots. 
 

Variety of bounce/function makes it easier to choose which wedge to use for the specific shot/conditions. 

 

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.

Edited November 22, 2024 by Erik_A

[tleader]

6 minutes ago, 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 use the Ping GMax 50.5˚ U (Bounce = 12˚), a Vokey 54˚-08M and 58˚-12D wedges.

 

I am still a 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 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.

 

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

50.08 F

54.14 F

60.12 D

[Jraallen]

3 minutes ago, Erik_A said:

 

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 use the Ping GMax 50.5˚ U (Bounce = 12˚), a Vokey 54˚-08M and 58˚-12D wedges.

 

 

I have ping i230’s and the U wedge is basically the same as yours at 50. Then I have Mizuno wedges in 54 D8 and 58C8. Not sure how Mizuno grinds compare to vokeys but basically the 54 offers some face manipulation and the 58 allows for more.

 

I used the 54 a lot more than the 58 this year but am going to work on the 58 next year because I do really like it. With all that being said.. more often than not I grip down on an 8i and do a low bump and run type shot.  

 

[Erik_A]

50 minutes ago, tleader said:

50.08 F

54.14 F

60.12 D

Thanks, the 54.14 F is looking tempting!

[Nessism]

Lob wedges became a thing back when Tom Kite popularized the idea.  Before him, pretty much everyone used a sand wedge with about 55-56 degrees of loft as their shortest club.  I think the only drawback to such an approach, is hitting flop shots and shorter distances, where you want a steep landing approach angle.  

[Erik_A]

On 11/16/2024 at 8:58 PM, Tommy56 said:

Minimalist player here also.  54º is my only wedge.

Tommy56 - what loft & grind on your 54?

Edited November 23, 2024 by Erik_A

[GoldenAges]

I have a lot of time invested in my 60 degree wedge. I think investing the time into making it work is well worth it.

 

I was shortsided last round l played and hit a perfect 60 degree wedge that ended up 3 feet past the hole and l saved par. With a 56 l'm probably 5-6 feet from the hole and my odds go from 90%+ make to 50% up and down with the 56.

 

I used to use the 60 on every shot within 60 yards of the hole, but l've found that l'm better around the greens with the 52. l'm finding that less spin is much more predictable on bermuda.

 

I could do without the 60 on most rounds, but when l need it, it saves me strokes.

[Tommy56]

2 minutes ago, Erik_A said:

Tommy56 - what loft & grind on your 54?

Vokey 54.12D  Versatile grind with enough bounce for the thicker, softer turf in my area.

 

 

Edited November 23, 2024 by Tommy56
add'l thought

[tleader]

2 hours ago, Erik_A said:

Thanks, the 54.14 F is looking tempting!

No worries. I find it great for anything from a full swing to simple pitches. I can open the face a little, but prefer it for square faced shots. 

[Erik_A]

59 minutes ago, Tommy56 said:

Vokey 54.12D  Versatile grind with enough bounce for the thicker, softer turf in my area.

 

I am torn between the 54.12D and 54.14F.  I currently have the 58.12D and do love that grind!

 

[Onohediint]

On 11/16/2024 at 7:09 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.

I switched to using set wedges for the PW and AW for full swing shots and only carrying a 56 specialty wedge for around the green shots.  I’ve found that it’s help me get more consistency and confidence in my short game by not being able to overthink club choices.

[Ty_Guy]

On 11/16/2024 at 7:45 AM, upanddown said:

Hi, currently bagging 45* PW, 50 gap, 54 (bent to 55), 60.  Wedge play is not a strength of my game and I sometimes wonder if deciding between the 55 or 60 on less than full shots, bunker shots is hurting my game.  Anyone just go 50, 56? Thanks

 

I have tried only 50, 56 and only 52,58. Both felt about the same, but my wedge game has is designed around the three wedge setup.

 

GW: Full swing, low bounce and go to bump and run. 

SW: Full and partial swings, high bounce, all round greenside when ground is soft

LW: partial swing, minimal bounce and some greenside use

 

I will do more 30-70 yard partials with my LW than SW, but SW is there to fill in the incremental yardages. I tend to put too much shaft lean in when swinging partials with my GW and it will come in too low and hot.

 

Though, if I had to get rid of one, I would have SW as my highest loft instead of LW. It would be tricky here. In South Carolina, the close in fairway lies can get so tight that any bounce is very difficult with a shallower swing. As for partial swings, I've made a 3 club wedge matrix and a 2 club one, and I have been much more consistent with a 2 club wedge matrix.

 

The best additions from my LW are from its lower bounce and grind. The added loft is secondary to that. My SW is my defacto club. Most used and most comfortable with.

Edited November 23, 2024 by Ty_Guy

[philly2kuk]

On 11/16/2024 at 3:09 PM, upanddown said:

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

I carry a 60 but I use it so little that I’m considering dropping it - when I do need to use it, it doesn’t always end well due to how little practice it gets. Like you I’m considering stopping at my 56.

[Roxiegirl]

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.

Yes. For 3 years now I have not had anything below 56 and my wedge game is so much better. to that regard spend the time on finding the right bounce and grind because your now playing more than just square faced shots. Some of the. Bigger ones have a decent online questionnaire that will help you pick your grind. From there you can typically apply that to other companies because grinds are a commonish “thing”
 

I also carry less clubs by at least 1 sometimes 2 based on the course. I find for average players playing average courses there are many more opportunities to play driver so if your still fairly average with distance you don’t need a heavy top end either

 

 

[Phil Major]

 For me, I think the options at the bottom of the bag is much more important than at the top. SM 10 wedges are fabulous for me to save strokes with anything around greens and pitchings.

[mjo23]

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

Hi, currently bagging 45* PW, 50 gap, 54 (bent to 55), 60.  Wedge play is not a strength of my game and I sometimes wonder if deciding between the 55 or 60 on less than full shots, bunker shots is hurting my game.  Anyone just go 50, 56? Thanks

Not uncommon at all. But a properly fit (mainly in regards to sole design and bounce) 60* or LW can make life easier around the greens and in bunkers, particularly when short sided and playing firm/fast greens. To achieve equal stopping power with a 56*/SW would require more face and tempo manipulation, which might be even more difficult to pull off in my opinion

 

Many people say they find LW’s more difficult to use in every aspect, and it’s all personal, but i cannot relate to that for chipping or bunkers. But i will say that finding the correct sole design for your personal technique is very important, because certain soles just don’t work for me (can’t just rely on what the OEM’s say/advertise about their soles or grinds, because in theory a Vokey D should be perfect for me but it just doesn’t work for me at all)

 

Just my personal opinion and experience

Edited November 28, 2024 by mjo23

[LoopySwing13]

On 11/18/2024 at 4:28 PM, Pepperturbo said:

Tiger Woods uses a 56' most of the time.  Get one with 10-12' of bounce and be happy.  Most people don't practice nearly enough to own a 60' troublemaker. 

 

I can make any shot with one of these SM10 47.11, 52.12 or 58.8'.

This is the same setup I have played for years. I don’t consider myself a “great” wedge player, however I have a pretty reliable short game to where I know which club I need to get me close.

 

47 - set P and pretty much full shots or long bump and run

52 - my 110-125 club and long bunker shots. I don’t love it for bump and runs ironically but can

58 - 105 and in and everything near the green

 

simplify and learn each club is my recommendation 

[tatertot]

On 11/18/2024 at 1:35 PM, azgreg said:

How good do you think Seve would be with a modern lob wedge? My guess is pretty damn good.

 

I don't know ... I've got rid of all my wedges except the 56 ... for some reason, it's easier hitting all the shots with the same wedge. Less indecision.

[RoverTiger]

Wedge struggles (95% mental at this point) in recent months are leading me down this path. I have my set's gap wedge on the way along with a Maltby M890 sand wedge (55 degrees). My OCD loves the five degree gaps I'll now have from PW to GW to SW.

 

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about extra forgiveness and simplified choices giving me some better results inside of 100 yards than I've had of late. I'm not worried about workability, tons of spin, etc. I just need to be on and around the dance floor.

Edited November 30, 2024 by RoverTiger

[azgreg]

27 minutes ago, tatertot said:

I don't know .

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