Wedges

Whiplash85

I only have the 2 standard wedges PW and SW. I am an 18 handicapper but experience difficulties in short game and chipping/pitching from 60 yards in.

Would 60 degree wedge help my game and potential to play more shots?
What are other people carrying in their bags and how does it help your game?

Hoof Hearted2

Whiplash85 wrote: »

I only have the 2 standard wedges PW and SW. I am an 18 handicapper but experience difficulties in short game and chipping/pitching from 60 yards in.

Would 60 degree wedge help my game and potential to play more shots?
What are other people carrying in their bags and how does it help your game?

Buying a new club doesn't make your game better, practicing does, but nobody likes to practice, because it's too hard.

morrga

Whiplash85 wrote: »

I only have the 2 standard wedges PW and SW. I am an 18 handicapper but experience difficulties in short game and chipping/pitching from 60 yards in.

Would 60 degree wedge help my game and potential to play more shots?
What are other people carrying in their bags and how does it help your game?

You may need a gap wedge and would recommend a 60 degree. Try find out the degrees of pw and sw as there may be a enough of a gap to warrant a gap wedge.

Mantis Toboggan

Whiplash85 wrote: »

I only have the 2 standard wedges PW and SW. I am an 18 handicapper but experience difficulties in short game and chipping/pitching from 60 yards in.

Would 60 degree wedge help my game and potential to play more shots?
What are other people carrying in their bags and how does it help your game?

Do you practice much?

Cause if you don't then buying clubs won't help.

tayto lover

Practice.
I'd also run the ball in with a 7 or 8 iron when the ground is firm. Less room for error I feel.

PARlance

Hoof Hearted2 wrote: »

Buying a new club doesn't make your game better, practicing does, but nobody likes to practice, because it's too hard.

Exactly. And get a 64 degree.

Whiplash85

Tyson Fury wrote: »

Do you practice much?

Cause if you don't then buying clubs won't help.

I practice once a week but have always had a mental block of those half swing shots from 30 or 40 yards in with a sand wedge. Always seem to overcook them and they roll off the back. Cannot get them to land softly.

bustercherry

PARlance wrote: »

Exactly. And get a 64 degree.

I'd second getting a 64 degree wedge.

Have you thought about changing your ball because that could be the problem? If your not using a Pro V's I'd say that's exasperated your problem.

Halfprice

Do not get a 64 degree wedge. No need for a club like that for any handicap.. you should practice with ur sand wedge by going down the shaft and hitting it like a clock, 3.6.9. Walk out the distance and use that as a reference when chipping. Im off 5 and i know how far i hit a sand wedge from the 3.6.9 on d clock an rarely am that far off on distance. But u need to practice, practice and more practice

First Up

Halfprice wrote:

Do not get a 64 degree wedge. No need for a club like that for any handicap.. you should practice with ur sand wedge by going down the shaft and hitting it like a clock, 3.6.9. Walk out the distance and use that as a reference when chipping. Im off 5 and i know how far i hit a sand wedge from the 3.6.9 on d clock an rarely am that far off on distance. But u need to practice, practice and more practice

Agree to some degree (excuse the pun). Recommending a loft without knowing how far the player would hit it is meaningless.

I carry three wedges and I know how far each goes with full or half swings. That means I can hit shots with a fair degree of certainty from just about anywhere from 110-120 yards in. Combined with accurate laser readings that gives me a lot of confidence.

It also helps to think about what sort of distance you might typically be left on long par 4's that you can't reach in regulation. If that is 30-40 yards, then you should get a club and shot for that sort of distance.

Practice - and experiment - before you buy.

Dtoffee

Lob wedges (60-64 degree) are very hard to just pick up and play, you would need to be good with your pitching and sand wedge before going there. A lot of the skill in playing a lob wedge is touch and feel, this takes ages and theres very few 18 handicappers who can boast such skills with confidence.

A friend of mine once arrived with his new lob wedge and proceeded to use it at every opportunity .... he was lucky to get one decent shot a round out of it and we bled him dry all summer before he finally admitted it was a waste (a dear wedge when it was all added up:P).

As most have said above .... stick to practicing a variety of approach shots and you will soon find what works best for you.

Mantis Toboggan

Next time you're practicing from 50 yards take out a 7 iron hit a few with that, try the same with an 8 iron 9 iron etc up to your sand wedge. This will give you a good feel of different shots/clubs. Sand wedge from 50 yards is not always the best shot.

Rikand

64° wedges are often called trouble wedges. And for a higher handicapper they'll get you in more trouble than get you out of it.

Practice with your PW and SW and learn hitting half shots. Even your 8 or 9 iron. When it comes to loft and improving your game, less is definitely more!

Armchair Andy

Using an 8 or 9 iron from 50 yards in is an old man's game. May as well putt it.

Rikand

Armchair Andy wrote: »

Using an 8 or 9 iron from 50 yards in is an old man's game. May as well putt it.

There's no pictures on the scorecard.

Its not how, its how many.

If putting it from 50 yards works for you, then use your putter. Don't let some other golfer who only knows one way of playing a shot (the fashionable way) influence you.

There's more than one way to skin a cat

Armchair Andy

I had you down for a young fella;-)

Yeah I know. I'd use any from PW GW or SW depending on the shot. Just adjust the ball position and open or close face covers 99% of shots for me.

BigChap1759

I moved to 4 wedges a good few years ago and it works for me but I'm not sure full wedge shots are what you're having trouble with as 60 yds is going to be less than a full swing with a LW.

Need to find an area where u can practise pitching - for me this us the toughest shot distance - 70-30yds

bmay529

One of the best decisions I ever made was getting a gap wedge (50*) years ago. It sits between my 45* pitching wedge (goes about 100m) and 55* sand wedge (goes about 55m) and the 50* gap wedge goes about 75m with a full swing in all cases. I also use the gap wedge a lot for chip shots around the green. For me a 60*+ lob wedge is extremely difficult to consistently hit well and with a sharp leading edge I find it has a tendency to dig into the ground unless you give it a very precise/clean hit.

Jawgap

Instead of blowing the money on a wedge, why not go for a short game course/school?

I (h'cap 17) did one last year (at Carton) and it was probably the best money I spent on golf last year. My experience was that you get a great return if you follow up with some dedicated practice.

Jawgap

Armchair Andy wrote: »

Using an 8 or 9 iron from 50 yards in is an old man's game. May as well putt it.

At 50 yards I'd rather be down ugly in 2 than pretty in 3

It's the type of shot that's bread and butter on a baked links.

Hoboo

“There is no rule in golf that says you have to win in a specific way, only that the winner is the one who cards the fewest strokes". Seve.

dan_ep82

Just buy a second hand one for small money and try it, maybe it will work for you and maybe not.

And consider everyone's advice but don't take it as gospel, no one knows your swing and none of us are paying for your rounds or equipment.

fred funk }{

Don't go buying new wedges. If you're 18 HC you're more than likely not skilful enough to need new wedges.

A PW and a SW should more than enough and as others have said, pratice practice practice.

BigChap1759

bmay529 wrote: »

One of the best decisions I ever made was getting a gap wedge (50*) years ago. It sits between my 45* pitching wedge (goes about 100m) and 55* sand wedge (goes about 55m) and the 50* gap wedge goes about 75m with a full swing in all cases. I also use the gap wedge a lot for chip shots around the green. For me a 60*+ lob wedge is extremely difficult to consistently hit well and with a sharp leading edge I find it has a tendency to dig into the ground unless you give it a very precise/clean hit.

This is not true unless you specifically choose a LW with low bounce. I don't think s full shot with a 60 is any more difficult than any other wedge

Armchair Andy

Jawgap wrote:

At 50 yards I'd rather be down ugly in 2 than pretty in 3

Jawgap wrote:

It's the type of shot that's bread and butter on a baked links.

Absolutely. Was a bit tongue in cheek.
Better still blade it into the hole to the disgust of your playing partners.

Even still a higher trajectory shot from 50 has to be in a golfers repertoire to clear any greenside hazards.

First Up

Armchair Andy wrote: »

Absolutely. Was a bit tongue in cheek.
Better still blade it into the hole to the disgust of your playing partners.

Even still a higher trajectory shot from 50 has to be in a golfers repertoire to clear any greenside hazards.

The 50 yard shot over a bunker to a back pin on a two tier green. Nothing sweeter than dropping it close.

Russman

Rikand wrote: »

64° wedges are often called trouble wedges. And for a higher handicapper they'll get you in more trouble than get you out of it.

This exactly ^

I usually bring out the lob wedge a few times per year for sh1ts and giggles, and I've really come to the conclusion that 60 degrees and higher costs more shots than it saves. Especially for club golfers on the majority of courses in Ireland in Irish conditions. There are very few short game shots that can't be played with good hands, a bit of practice and a nice 56 degree.

Op, get a few short game lessons, much longer lasting than any wedge.

Jawgap

Russman wrote: »

This exactly ^

I usually bring out the lob wedge a few times per year for sh1ts and giggles, and I've really come to the conclusion that 60 degrees and higher costs more shots than it saves. Especially for club golfers on the majority of courses in Ireland in Irish conditions. There are very few short game shots that can't be played with good hands, a bit of practice and a nice 56 degree.

Op, get a few short game lessons, much longer lasting than any wedge.

Not so much the loft, but I'd have thought the bounce on a wedge would get you into even more trouble?

I agree, though, 'lofty' wedges are more trouble than they are worth for anyone othe than low handicappers.

morrga

bustercherry wrote: »

I'd second getting a 64 degree wedge.

Have you thought about changing your ball because that could be the problem? If your not using a Pro V's I'd say that's exasperated your problem.

Not sure if a pro v 1 is the answer. Might be all well and good using them for wedge play but getting from tee to that position will sacrifice length off the tee. Not many players have a sufficient swing speed to compress a pro v 1 never mind a high handicapper. Plenty of decent balls other pro v's to generate spin. I use the Srixon tour spin ball and they are very receptive around the greens and go 20/30 yards further than when I hit a pro v1 off the tee as the are easier to compress. A good 20/30 quid a box cheaper too.

red ears

I always like the wedges to be the same as the set, i like a PW, GW and SW around 55/56

Domo1982

Have you considered a jigger op?

I got down from 21 to 5 in 14 months by throwing out my SW,58,60,62 & 64 degree wedges and adding a jigger. Also won presidents prize in my local club in playoff by holing out with jigger in play off from 94 metres.

Just gives so much consistency in and around the greens. With a little bit of practice and time you can become a real magician with it.

I always thought I'd discard it when I was low but I still have it in the bag.

Be ready for some ridicule though - people seem to laugh at them for some reason but I believe that Rory may have experimented with using one a couple of years back when his short game was in a mess

It can be a harder to use during winter months - only downside

tbayers

Domo1982 wrote: »

Have you considered a jigger op?

I got down from 21 to 5 in 14 months by throwing out my SW,58,60,62 & 64 degree wedges and adding a jigger. Also won presidents prize in my local club in playoff by holing out with jigger in play off from 94 metres.

Just gives so much consistency in and around the greens. With a little bit of practice and time you can become a real magician with it.

I always thought I'd discard it when I was low but I still have it in the bag.

Be ready for some ridicule though - people seem to laugh at them for some reason but I believe that Rory may have experimented with using one a couple of years back when his short game was in a mess

It can be a harder to use during winter months  - only downside

How did you get out of a bunker??:ermm:

mafc

tbayers wrote: »

How did you get out of a bunker??:ermm:

He obviously didn't hit any shots into the bunkers..... lol

First Up

tbayers wrote:

How did you get out of a bunker??:ermm:

Backwards?

Domo1982

tbayers wrote: »

How did you get out of a bunker??:ermm:

Practice!

I used to open up the jigger in the early days but I fitted a superstroker grip on to her and that was the end of that.

So I just opened up the blade on the PW and found that worked well.

I'd be exceptionally long off the tee so would usually bomb it past most of the trouble anyway

clog

Domo1982 wrote: »

Practice!

I used to open up the jigger in the early days but I fitted a superstroker grip on to her and that was the end of that.

So I just opened up the blade on the PW and found that worked well.

I'd be exceptionally long off the tee so would usually bomb it past most of the trouble anyway

The club is illegal if you have a putter grip on it with a non-circular cross section. R&A Appendix 2 section 3 (ii).

Montgolfier

clog wrote: »

The club is illegal if you have a putter grip on it with a non-circular cross section. R&A Appendix 2 section 3 (ii).

That's true a fellow in our club put a putter grip on his driver. Had to remove it after I told him but everyone he asked seemed to think it was OK including the people in the know.

Domo1982

clog wrote: »

The club is illegal if you have a putter grip on it with a non-circular cross section. R&A Appendix 2 section 3 (ii).

Serious? Didn't know that. Since when?

I defo had it on when I won the Presidents. Won a couple of Volvo Golf Digest events as well around then. Team also won Bruen and a JP Mac event as well with it in the bag.

Not one person mentioned it to me. Is it a new rule?

dan_ep82

Montgolfier wrote: »

That's true a fellow in our club put a putter grip on his driver. Had to remove it after I told him but everyone he asked seemed to think it was OK including the people in the know.

What a stupid rule in a first place

Armchair Andy

dan_ep82 wrote:

What a stupid rule in a first place

Why?

dan_ep82

Armchair Andy wrote: »

Why?

At best it could help with grip position, still wont deliver the club for you.

Montgolfier

dan_ep82 wrote: »

At best it could help with grip position, still wont deliver the club for you.

It's a big help to square the face at impact that's why.. I had a few hit's off it myself out of curiosity.

charlieIRL

Lads (and this is not aimed at everyone who posted here), if ye are not going to offer advice that will help the lad out, then please don't post rubbish, it doesn't help the OP and makes ye look like right idiots. Thanks.

clog

charlieIRL wrote: »

Lads (and this is not aimed at everyone who posted here), if ye are not going to offer advice that will help the lad out, then please don't post rubbish, it doesn't help the OP and makes ye look like right idiots. Thanks.

I'm a bit confused here but the OP asked for opinions as to what other people used and how it helps their game. Surely this asks about general experience not looking for 'Rubbish' advice'. I would presume a ruling on using an illegal club would be permitted ?.

BTW I think the non round grip rule has been in place since around the 1980's, but I could be wrong, the earliest rule book I have in front of me at the moment is from 2008 and it includes it.

martinkop

Yeah it is still a rule.

http://www.randa.org/Rules-of-Golf/Appendices/Appendix-II-DESIGN-OF-CLUBS/3-Grip#alldecisions

charlieIRL

clog wrote: »

I'm a bit confused here but the OP asked for opinions as to what other people used and how it helps their game. Surely this asks about general experience not looking for 'Rubbish' advice'. I would presume a ruling on using an illegal club would be permitted ?.
.

A ruling on a club = good advice.
Going to a shot game clinic = good advice
Practice = good advice

Buying a 60 / 64 degree wedge or pro v1's is not going to help someone who is experience difficulties in their short game, and as for Domo's post, if you believe that then............

charlieIRL

Domo1982 wrote: »

Have you considered a jigger op?

I got down from 21 to 5 in 14 months by throwing out my SW,58,60,62 & 64 degree wedges and adding a jigger. Also won presidents prize in my local club in playoff by holing out with jigger in play off from 94 metres.

Just gives so much consistency in and around the greens. With a little bit of practice and time you can become a real magician with it.

I always thought I'd discard it when I was low but I still have it in the bag.

Be ready for some ridicule though - people seem to laugh at them for some reason but I believe that Rory may have experimented with using one a couple of years back when his short game was in a mess

It can be a harder to use during winter months - only downside

Were you not warned before about trolling?

Jawgap

charlieIRL wrote: »

A ruling on a club = good advice.
Going to a shot game clinic = good advice
Practice = good advice

Buying a 60 / 64 degree wedge or pro v1's is not going to help someone who is experience difficulties in their short game, and as for Domo's post, if you believe that then............

charlieIRL

So do i, that when i hit a bad drive, if i splash out €xxx hundred euro on a new driver my problems will all go away!!!!!

Domo1982

charlieIRL wrote: »

Were you not warned before about trolling?

I was just telling my story Charlie. A jigger is a option to consider for an 18 handicapper.

OP - Here's a good video on how to best use the Jigger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyss-lLroSE

Hopefully this is helpful

Happy jigging!
Domo

Jawgap

charlieIRL wrote: »

So do i, that when i hit a bad drive, if i splash out €xxx hundred euro on a new driver my problems will all go away!!!!!

I went to change my driver last year and was looking at one of the brand new Pings......the pro advised me to buy the previous year's model and invest the difference in half-a-dozen lessons.....


.....pfffft.....what would he know, sure my handicap is bigger than his

I'm always amazed at golfers' (or the greater number of them) willingness to splash mega-bucks on new kit and not spend a fraction of their 'budget' on lessons - and I'll happily admit to being vulnerable to being seduced into the idea that new kit can solve all manner of problems!