Wedge gapping from 44* PW

[knock it close]

I play 44, 48, 53, 59 have been for over a decade

[ScooterMcTavish]

50 minutes ago, electroleum said:

New irons are 44* PW, 49* GW...so maybe I just increase the gap a bit and go 56 & 60? Or maybe 54 & 60? I do like having the 64 in the bag....it's a fun little tool, and it's not really preventing me from having any other clubs in the bag. 
 

 

My last set was 45*PW 50*UW, so I went 54* and 58*.  

Got the 54* with lots of bounce, so it's great out of the thick rough and sand.  A little less bounce on the 58* to make it more versatile.

 

Have yet to miss my 60*, especially considering how inconsistent it can be.  But YMMV.

 

Note: Prior set had a 44* PW, so I went 48* - 54* - 60*.  Genuinely did not like this setup, as I found the gapping a challenge, exacerbated by playing blade wedges with lower bounce.

[adamky]

Ok guys.  I went with opus in the 48 and 52 and the platinum in the 56 and 60. 
Excited to see how this works out.  Went with more bounce in the 48 and 52 and the s grind in 56 and Z grind in the 60.  99% of the time it’s half swings or less with 56 and 60. 

[electroleum]

50 minutes ago, ScooterMcTavish said:

 

My last set was 45*PW 50*UW, so I went 54* and 58*.  

Got the 54* with lots of bounce, so it's great out of the thick rough and sand.  A little less bounce on the 58* to make it more versatile.

 

Have yet to miss my 60*, especially considering how inconsistent it can be.  But YMMV.

 

Note: Prior set had a 44* PW, so I went 48* - 54* - 60*.  Genuinely did not like this setup, as I found the gapping a challenge, exacerbated by playing blade wedges with lower bounce.

I spent my entire high school playing days with just a PW and SW, no Gap or Lob, and my short game was solid. I've always been comfortable hitting half shots or 3/4 shots with wedges, so I feel like I could probably handle having 5-6* gaps between 3 wedges.

[Jayjay_theweim_guy]

3 hours ago, 9ClubberLang said:

My pitching wedge is 45 degrees and so I play 50 and 56 wedges. If your short game is more of a weakness, fewer clubs helps.

Alternatively, more clubs, but fewer motions to try and learn.  Just one chipping method, one partial shot method (1/2, 3/4, full), etc.

 

I have 45 to 52 right now, and that's too much.  But I've a 50 I'm building and that, with my 56, should be sufficient.  I like messing around and experimenting with short game shots though.  It's fun to try and replicate the low chip that hops and stops.  Or, how high can I hit this wedge, and have it only go 30 yds?  Etc.

[ScooterMcTavish]

44 minutes ago, electroleum said:

I spent my entire high school playing days with just a PW and SW, no Gap or Lob, and my short game was solid. I've always been comfortable hitting half shots or 3/4 shots with wedges, so I feel like I could probably handle having 5-6* gaps between 3 wedges.

 

Wow, you had a PW and a SW!  In my school days, I had a 7 piece set (1W-3W, 3, 5, 7, 9i, putter).  Got very good at using that 9i for a lot of things.

 

I see the main differentiator being how much someone likes their 60* and how often they use it.  If keeping it is a priority, and someone needs the spot at the top of the bag, then 6* gaps are what they are.  

 

Personally, I've appreciated the 50-54-58 as it gives me more full swing options from 110 yds and in, with my only "adjustment" shot being hitting an open or soft 58* in place of the 60*.  Prior, I was hitting my 48* hard or soft, my 54* hard or soft, and my 60* occasionally.   

 

[kcarrgolf]

6 hours ago, vman said:

48, 52 or 54 (or bend to 53), then 58.

This is what I do - with the 54 bent to 53.  I hit my wedges higher than I'd like, so I stick with 48 over 50.

 

[boggyman]

48,52,58

[jarediogolf]

3 hours ago, boggyman said:

48,52,58

That’s how I roll. 

[boggyman]

6 hours ago, electroleum said:

I spent my entire high school playing days with just a PW and SW, no Gap or Lob, and my short game was solid. I've always been comfortable hitting half shots or 3/4 shots with wedges, so I feel like I could probably handle having 5-6* gaps between 3 wedges.

I play old school lofts, PW is 50*, then just a 56*. Works out great for me. 

[StarFleetGolfer]

I don’t want to carry 5 wedges, so 48, 53 and 58

[roundersmitty]

9 iron 44*, P 48*, 53, 58

[JAMH03]

Just drop the 5iron and do what you want. 

[sniper]

I’m currently at 44-50-55-60.  I’ll probably replace wedges next and might do 44-48–55-60. Might possibly change bump the 48 to 49.  After years of being on the 4 degree gaps I’ve moved to thinking that is a lot less important.  5-6 degree is just fine and maybe even better for me. 

[speedeuphoria]

From what I have laying around and new irons on the way Im thinking 49/53/58 or 48/52/58

Edited April 5 by speedeuphoria

[hook_or_slice]

On 4/4/2025 at 9:23 AM, adamky said:

What’s everyone’s thought on gapping?

48,54,60? 
48,52,56,60? 

have a 48 now.

 

 

Go 44, 48, 53, 58.

[Birddog2]

48, 54, 58. My 48 & 54 do most of the heavy lifting. 

[mantan]

I have the ZX5s as well. I keep it simple. I have a 48* Cleveland CBX4 Zipcore that flows perfectly into the set. It has the same V-sole and pretty much plays like a perfect set gap wedge. 

 

Then I have a 52* and 56*.  I don't carry a 60* as I rarely used it and it mostly got me in trouble.

 

 

[chinaski]

On 4/4/2025 at 1:00 PM, Frank Newport said:

Reevaluate the top of your bag? Your driver swing speed seems very slow relative to your 7 iron SS. Something seems off.

I agree. That seems off. I'm 4-5mph faster with driver, but 85-88 with my 7i. 

 

If short game is a weakness, I would consider 48/52/58. You can hit every shot inside 100 and around the green that you need with just the 52/58. Less choices, less indecision, more commitment to shots. 

[Hot Rod 71]

44, 48, 54, 60

[MilesVJackson]

dame lydia plays 44 (46 vokey bent strong), 49 (48 bent weak), 54, 59.  works for her (and her swing speed is similar to that of most of us mere mortals on golfwrx.....)

[jtmagic]

48/54/60 for me.  Gapping works well.   

[vanderputts]

See if you can find a good fitter for a wedge fitting.

 

My set like yours stops at 44.

 

Different bounce/grinds can give you different contact/spin/launch/distance beyond just loft based on where you strike the ball and how long it remains on the face.

 

Ex: Same swings - I hit 50.12F as far as 48.10F. I hit 48s more on the toe, 50s are clean up the middle to out. 56.10S gave me more spin and same distance as 54.08M and were easier to control chips. Wouldn't have known unless I measured with a good fitter.

 

[BombinJim]

Bend the 48 to a 49 then bump to 5) and 60. This has been a pretty good fit for me.