Gap Wedge Question

Genco

I have always stuck with standard 3-SW irons but recently received a present of a 58.08 Vokey Spin milled wedge and I was shocked at the difference it has made.

Still not sure I completely understand all I should about bounce, grind and stuff so time to put my hand up and ask for help

I play most of my golf on a few links courses and would welcome any suggestions regarding what range of wedges I should consider carrying in the bag (Currently have 3-SW, Vokey 58.08, Driver, 3w, Rescue and Putter). Current PW has 47degree loft and SW is 54 degrees.

Happy enough with the feel of the spin milled vokey I was given but willing to consider other brands.

Thanks for the help

stockdam

Do you play the SW off the fairway or just from bunkers.

You have a fairly big gap between your wedge and your sandwedge and I'd suggest maybe adding a 50 deg one or maybe a 52 deg one if you don't use your SW from the fairway.

GreeBo

I was in the exact same situation about a month ago. I bought a SW for my set that was 56 because I thought I had a LW of 60.
Turns out I had PW of 48, SW of 56 and LW of 58. That certainly explained the distance confusion I was having.

Ive since ditched the SW and bought a 54.11 vokey, so now Im 48,54,58 which is better.
The vokey is really a SW as the bounce is quite high, it does catch me out a few times and I dont use it around the greens anymore for chipping.

On links courses you would want less bounce due to the drier,harder ground. You *want* the leading edge to dig in a bit, unlike wet, soft parkland.

Tom Ghostwood

I ditched the stock pw from my set (mizuno mp67's) this week for a Vokey 48˚oil can. Also swapped my Ben Hogan copper 56˚for a 54˚Vokey oil can & the 60˚Cleveland for a 58˚cleveland cg12. Really happy with the distances &
im getting back spin on my pitches from the fairway too.

Shannonsider

On a similar note, I'm more of a novice and would like to just buy 1 wedge (in addition to a PW and a SW). Any thoughts advice?

stockdam

Shannonsider wrote: »

On a similar note, I'm more of a novice and would like to just buy 1 wedge (in addition to a PW and a SW). Any thoughts advice?

Find out the loft of your wedge and then get another that is about 4 degrees stronger.

PhilipMarlowe

'Standard' lofts for a PW and SW would be 48 degrees and 56 degrees so a 52 fits in there nicely to bridge the 'gap'.
However, as stockdam says, some manufacturers can vary a lot... Some Pitching Wedges can be as strong as only 42 degrees. Look up the specs of your current set to see the lofts (and shaft length) so you can buy an extra wedge.
My PW is 48, GW is 53, LW is 60 (I dont carry a SW)

spurscormac

Licksy wrote: »

'Standard' lofts for a PW and SW would be 48 degrees and 56 degrees so a 52 fits in there nicely to bridge the 'gap'.
However, as stockdam says, some manufacturers can vary a lot... Some Pitching Wedges can be as strong as only 42 degrees. Look up the specs of your current set to see the lofts (and shaft length) so you can buy an extra wedge.
My PW is 48, GW is 53, LW is 60 (I dont carry a SW)

That's a very good point - my PW is 44, and I also intend investing in another 2, maybe 3 wedges, but first up for my money is a new driver, so the wedges will have to wait.
I have a crappy old SW, no idea what loft, and a cheap Wilson 60 LW that will do me fine for the time being.

G1032

Genco wrote: »

I have always stuck with standard 3-SW irons but recently received a present of a 58.08 Vokey Spin milled wedge and I was shocked at the difference it has made.

Still not sure I completely understand all I should about bounce, grind and stuff so time to put my hand up and ask for help

I play most of my golf on a few links courses and would welcome any suggestions regarding what range of wedges I should consider carrying in the bag (Currently have 3-SW, Vokey 58.08, Driver, 3w, Rescue and Putter). Current PW has 47degree loft and SW is 54 degrees.

Happy enough with the feel of the spin milled vokey I was given but willing to consider other brands.

Thanks for the help

The bounce of the wedge is very important. Since you play on links courses, typically you will need low bounce wedges. Of course it is down to one's own preference but that Vokey wedge you have with the 8 degree bounce should be perfect for links golf, but maybe not ideal for softer parkland courses.
My own PW has a loft of 47 deg and I also carry a Gap Wedge and a Sand Wedge with lofts of 52 and 56 deg, both mid bounce.
My Gap Wedge is the Vokey (not spin milled though) and it's a fab club. I have tried out a few and that IMO is the best. Cleveland CG10 gives it a run for its money though.

aster99

what bounce would you recommend for a 52 gap wedge for a parkland course?

jimbling

Or get one with dual bounce. I have a Cleveland CG12 DSG RTG Gap wedge. I absolutely love it. I actually use it for almost all my chipping. Looking to get a 60deg version of it now.

aster99

how does that dual bounce thing work?

Genco

Thanks for all the responses. Think may try and find a 52* with 06 or 08 bounce to fill the gap between PW and SW ..... standard, gunmetal or oilcan ..... decisions decisions. The 08 bounce works nicely on the links but has been easy to play around the few parkland courses I have played.

Hadn't heard of the dual bounce so did a search in case anyone is interested:


"The Cleveland CG12 SDG RTG+ Wedge combines classic design with advanced manufacturing processes to offer a scoring club that's as easy to hit as it is on the eyes.

Features:

ZIP Grooves: Breakthrough milling technology creates 25% bigger grooves with pristine edges for increased "ZIP" and shot consistency, especially from poor lies
Dynamic Sole Grind: Two sole surfaces increase versatility — square faced and full shots will play like a standard bounce wedge, open faced shots play like a low bounce wedge (easily hitting high and soft touch shots)
RTG+ Finish: Oil finish slowly wears over time causing mild surface rust for enhanced texture and glare reduction."

G1032

aster99 wrote: »

what bounce would you recommend for a 52 gap wedge for a parkland course?

Hi Aster
I'm really no authority on this to be honest and I'm basing what i've said on information given to me by the pro I bought the Vokey from. As far as I know the 52 I have has 8 deg bounce (it's out in the car and i'm too lazy to go check!!). I play mainly on parkland courses but do play the odd links and I find that club suitable for both types of courses really. I think, but am open to correction, that if the bounce is too low you are more likely to duff shots from soft ground because of a sharper leading edge.
You will probably get any info you want from the following site.....

http://www.titleist.com/golfclubs/wedges/vokey200series.asp#General

jimbling

aster99 wrote: »

how does that dual bounce thing work?

Genco explained a bit about it above.

Basically the club is designed to have two bounces. One low, one high. If the ground is hard, or you are in the rough, you can keep the clubface square and hit as normal, using the low bounce.
If the ground is soft, or you're in the sand etc, then you open the clubface wide (it sits perfectly in that position) and you get a much higher bounce.

I first discovered the technology when I came across eidolon wedges and their V-Sole method. Those wedges were a tad expensive, but in my research I discovered the CG12 with a similar technology.

I still love to get hold of an eidolon wedge, they're supposed to be fantastic.