What wedges do you use?

SuprSi · 03-02-2021 9:58am #1

I currently have Vokey SM6's, 52/56/60, and find them good. These lofts work well with my current set of clubs as the pitching wedge is 48, but in the new set of clubs I have coming the pitching wedge is 46, so there's quite a gap to the 52.

I could replace the 3 wedges, going 50/54/58, but I'd probably have to start using the 58 from the bunker (which may not be a problem, except for the bounce).

Doing this would allow me to pick up a driving iron, or 3 iron, which is something the new set doesn't have.

Alternatively, I could just get another gap wedge, maybe a 49, to fill the gap, and leave out the lower club.

So I'm curious to know what wedges/lofts everyone else has?

DuckSlice · 03-02-2021 10:07am

I use SM6 50/56/60, pitching wedge is 45. not having the perfect 5 degree gapping does annoy me sometimes, but its easy to take a degree off the 56 if i need to.

ReganBrady · 03-02-2021 10:12am

I play golf just for a hobby and I use 48/54/60 wages. But a 56-degree wedge is excellent for shots out of a bunker.

kennethrhcp · 03-02-2021 10:38am

45, 50, 55 & 60 are my wedges
I dropped 3 wood to get in a 3iron

frink · 03-02-2021 10:42am

46, 52, 56. I have a 60 but it stays in the car so I won't be tempted to use it.
Only have 12 clubs at the moment (3W shaft snapped in the range before a round) so have a gap to fill and fix my 3W!

Kiith · 03-02-2021 10:46am

My PW is a 43 taylormade aeroburner, then have a 48, 54, and 58 Vokey SM7. Absolutely love these.

Had a 62, but got rid of it as i rarely needed it, and when i did, i rarely used it well :pac:

dazzday · 03-02-2021 10:50am

Having the same issue with my Wilson D350 irons - stupid lofts!

PW 43
GW 48
52
56
60

Loft gapping is giood, but having 5 wedges really limits my options at the top of the bag.

Thinking either dropping the 60, or going for a 54/58 setup over 52/56/60

Russman · 03-02-2021 11:11am

Always used just 52 & 56 up to last year. Most years they were Callaway X-tour, X-forged, MD4.
Went to Vokeys in 2018 and threw a 60 in the bag last summer but, really, its not necessary at all. Might keep it in for emergencies.

This year will be experimenting between a 50 and a 52, the 52 leaves a big gap to my set PW, but the 50 is fairly strong for around the greens, so we'll see how that pans out. Gut feeling is that the 50 will stay in.

The one non-negotiable is having a 56 and that will probably revert back to a Callaway Jaws MD5 when golf returns.

redzerdrog · 03-02-2021 11:14am

My pitching wedge in my Wilson v6s is 47degrees

Have Vokey Sm8 in 52 and 56 degrees.

Mostly play links golf so no need for 60 but I have a old slazanger 60 in the boot of the car that I might swap instead of a longer club if playing parkland. However mostly I forget!!

Kiith · 03-02-2021 11:14am

Sure we all know the 8 iron is the best wedge for all situations :pac:

Jimbee · 03-02-2021 12:16pm

I was in the 52,56,60 camp but decided to change last year to the 50,54,58 camp. I had my 56 deg cobra mim bent to 58 and ordered a 54 cobra mim and my 50 is a mizuno. I liked the cobra a lot as it very light with the kbs hi rev 2 shaft. It allows me to play delicate shots around the green.

SuprSi · 03-02-2021 1:21pm

So to those of you with 54/58, which do you use for normal bunker shots, and what bounce do you have?

blue note · 03-02-2021 1:29pm

I got a pitching, gap and sand wedge with my set of R11s. I think they're 45, 50, 55 degrees. I recently added a 60 degree Callaway wedge and it's dead handy when I need to get the ball over something and to stop. I tried it out of the bunker a few times and it was a disaster, must be an unsuitable bounce for it.

The problem with 4 wedges is that I've a gap in my distances between the 5w and 4i, but it's rarely problem. My 4i goes about 185m, so if I'm further than that from the hole, I'm in two minds about going for the green anyway.

Kiith · 03-02-2021 1:53pm

I actually swap between the 54/58 for bunker shots, depending on how far i need it to go, and the bunker itself.

Probably use the 54 more often i'd say though.

willabur · 03-02-2021 2:05pm

Ping i500 PW & AW (45 and 50)
Vokey SM7 56 and 60
MD2 54

Vokeys have a softer shaft in them as it was advised by the pro who fitted them, have to say I am not a massive fan when swung at full speed. I feel like club head is behind where it should be and I have really problems with consistency. As a result I have put back in callaway md2 as a 5th wedge option. That means a gap between Hybrid and 5 iron but the course is short so I don't feel it too much

Its probably something I will sort out this year or next when I find 4/500 quid somewhere

GreeBo · 03-02-2021 2:25pm

48* PW from my set and then
52* SM 8
56* SM 8
60* SM 8

Use them all but burn through the grooves and bounce on the 60* far more than the others! (stupid sandy practice area

)

KevH1984 · 03-02-2021 3:45pm

I recently upgraded my wedges just prior to Christmas. Went for the Vokey SM8's, a beautiful wedge with great feel and spin. My PW is 46 so I went with a 50, 54 & 58 which is the same as my old wedges. I did toy with the idea of only having 2 wedges 52 & 58 but find I prefer having more options at the bottom end of my bag. I have a 3w and 19 hybrid which cover my yardages at the top end nicely. I find the 58 excellent for around the greens and from bunkers, pops out beautifully. It can also go 95 yards flat out if needed too but would rarely use it for a full shot unless having to hit it up over a tree or something along those lines. It's deadly for the 50 yards and in pitch shots I would regularly have.

I think your wedge set up should reflect where you have most need in your game. There's no problem with having only 2 wedges if you need more room at the top end of your bag. I think a gap wedge should be a must for all golfers, there's a big gap from PW to SW lofts and gives you a lot more options in that area. Whatever wedge set up you go for try to keep the gaps consistent - whether that's 4 or 6 degrees. Will give you a nice even spread of distances.

Also you should ask yourself the question as to whether you really need a LW. I play to a good standard low single figures and find the LW very beneficial but as one poster mentioned they leave theirs in the boot of the car. A LW is a hard club to master and be consistent with and for some will offer no benefit at all. Assess what your needs are and then make the decision based on that.

Russman · 03-02-2021 3:48pm

KevH1984 wrote: »

I recently upgraded my wedges just prior to Christmas. Went for the Vokey SM8's, a beautiful wedge with great feel and spin. My PW is 46 so I went with a 50, 54 & 58 which is the same as my old wedges. I did toy with the idea of only having 2 wedges 52 & 58 but find I prefer having more options at the bottom end of my bag. I have a 3w and 19 hybrid which cover my yardages at the top end nicely. I find the 58 excellent for around the greens and from bunkers, pops out beautifully. It can also go 95 yards flat out if needed too but would rarely use it for a full shot unless having to hit it up over a tree or something along those lines. It's deadly for the 50 yards and in pitch shots I would regularly have.

I think your wedge set up should reflect where you have most need in your game. There's no problem with having only 2 wedges if you need more room at the top end of your bag. I think a gap wedge should be a must for all golfers, there's a big gap from PW to SW lofts and gives you a lot more options in that area. Whatever wedge set up you go for try to keep the gaps consistent - whether that's 4 or 6 degrees. Will give you a nice even spread of distances.

Also you should ask yourself the question as to whether you really need a LW. I play to a good standard low single figures and find the LW very beneficial but as one poster mentioned they leave theirs in the boot of the car. A LW is a hard club to master and be consistent with and for some will offer no benefit at all. Assess what your needs are and then make the decision based on that.

100%
I'd argue for the vast majority of club golfers they cost more shots than they save over a season.

willabur · 03-02-2021 3:49pm

its a good point on the LW - I barely use mine. Short sided bunker or rough shots.

GreeBo · 03-02-2021 3:54pm

Russman wrote: »

100%
I'd argue for the vast majority of club golfers they cost more shots than they save over a season.

but but but what about that one time I hit it well? :pac:

I use mine probably 8-9 times a round so would be lost without it, but I see far too many people not only trying to use it too much, but also using it improperly.

Lots of wristly flicks that 90% of the time either lay some sod or send a cruise missile at shin height across the green.

The number one mistake is using it when you arent coming over anything imo.

Infoseeker1975 · 03-02-2021 3:55pm

45 PW
50 10 degree bounce
58 6 degree bounce
64 6 degree bounce

Big gap between 50-58 though seems to work ok most of the time:)

Russman · 03-02-2021 4:00pm

GreeBo wrote: »

but but but what about that one time I hit it well? :pac:

I use mine probably 8-9 times a round so would be lost without it, but I see far too many people not only trying to use it too much, but also using it improperly.

Lots of wristly flicks that 90% of the time either lay some sod or send a cruise missile at shin height across the green.

The number one mistake is using it when you arent coming over anything imo.

You need to hit more greens

:D
Ahh no, your point about using it improperly is huge. Too many people think once their within x yards of the hole, out comes the lobber no matter what.

I used to put a 60 in the bag for a week or two each year for as long as I can remember and then decide I didn't need it. Only last summer I decided to give one an extended run, but I could genuinely go 3 or 4 rounds without using it, its strictly for emergencies and when messing around. The 56 does all the heavy lifting.

blue note · 03-02-2021 4:13pm

My lob wedge is reserved for the times where I can't run an 8 iron up to the hole. I don't use it for full shots. But for those times where I'm in front of a bunker or have rough between me and the green, have a decent lie and don't have much green to work with it's great. Or even for the couple of holes where running the ball up a slope might be too unpredictable.

It's far from the most used club in my bag. But the alternative would be a 3 iron and the lib wedge comes in much more handy.

SuprSi · 03-02-2021 4:36pm

KevH1984 wrote: »

I recently upgraded my wedges just prior to Christmas. Went for the Vokey SM8's, a beautiful wedge with great feel and spin. My PW is 46 so I went with a 50, 54 & 58 which is the same as my old wedges. I did toy with the idea of only having 2 wedges 52 & 58 but find I prefer having more options at the bottom end of my bag. I have a 3w and 19 hybrid which cover my yardages at the top end nicely. I find the 58 excellent for around the greens and from bunkers, pops out beautifully. It can also go 95 yards flat out if needed too but would rarely use it for a full shot unless having to hit it up over a tree or something along those lines. It's deadly for the 50 yards and in pitch shots I would regularly have.

I think your wedge set up should reflect where you have most need in your game. There's no problem with having only 2 wedges if you need more room at the top end of your bag. I think a gap wedge should be a must for all golfers, there's a big gap from PW to SW lofts and gives you a lot more options in that area. Whatever wedge set up you go for try to keep the gaps consistent - whether that's 4 or 6 degrees. Will give you a nice even spread of distances.

Also you should ask yourself the question as to whether you really need a LW. I play to a good standard low single figures and find the LW very beneficial but as one poster mentioned they leave theirs in the boot of the car. A LW is a hard club to master and be consistent with and for some will offer no benefit at all. Assess what your needs are and then make the decision based on that.

What bounce did you get on the 54 & 58?

KevH1984 · 03-02-2021 5:23pm

SuprSi wrote: »

What bounce did you get on the 54 & 58?

Bounce on the 50 is 8, 54 is 10 and 10 on the 58 I think. I generally stuck middle of the road with bounce. If you play on a links course you might have to look at lower bounce due to the tight, firm turf perhaps. Where I play it's fairly wet and boggy at times and I find mine are grand. Tbh I'm not sure for me the bounce makes all that much difference. It's something we probably look in to way too much for the impact it has. One of my old wedges had 14 bounce and I noticed no noticeable difference with the new ones the times I've played so far. Same way when I play a links course I never come off the course thinking I need less bounce in my clubs. We can definitely be guilty of over complicating this game at times. Just my opinion.

SuprSi · 03-02-2021 5:29pm

KevH1984 wrote: »

Bounce on the 50 is 8, 54 is 10 and 10 on the 58 I think. I generally stuck middle of the road with bounce. If you play on a links course you might have to look at lower bounce due to the tight, firm turf perhaps. Where I play it's fairly wet and boggy at times and I find mine are grand. Tbh I'm not sure for me the bounce makes all that much difference. It's something we probably look in to way too much for the impact it has. One of my old wedges had 14 bounce and I noticed no noticeable difference with the new ones the times I've played so far. Same way when I play a links course I never come off the course thinking I need less bounce in my clubs. We can definitely be guilty of over complicating this game at times. Just my opinion.

Thanks - there's a nice pair of used black SM7's on eBay at the moment for £110 that I'm keeping my eyes on. 54/58, both with 10 degrees of bounce which I was unsure about but it's reassuring to hear it's not an uncommon configuration.

KevH1984 · 03-02-2021 5:30pm

GreeBo wrote: »

but but but what about that one time I hit it well? :pac:

I use mine probably 8-9 times a round so would be lost without it, but I see far too many people not only trying to use it too much, but also using it improperly.

Lots of wristly flicks that 90% of the time either lay some sod or send a cruise missile at shin height across the green.

The number one mistake is using it when you arent coming over anything imo.

Absolutely spot on with the above. I use my LW on a very frequent basis due to the shots I have left to par 4s or 5s at home. I do use it around the greens on certain shots i.e bunkers and carrying a bank etc. But if I've nothing to carry and I'm say 5 or 10 yards short then i'd use a 50 or PW mostly and run it in. The ground is your friend and the quicker the ball gets on it the better. The odd shot might call for the low, one bounce and check one and I'm lucky I can play that one if required. But it's very low percentage for most people.

GreeBo · 03-02-2021 5:44pm

KevH1984 wrote: »

Absolutely spot on with the above. I use my LW on a very frequent basis due to the shots I have left to par 4s or 5s at home. I do use it around the greens on certain shots i.e bunkers and carrying a bank etc. But if I've nothing to carry and I'm say 5 or 10 yards short then i'd use a 50 or PW mostly and run it in. The ground is your friend and the quicker the ball gets on it the better. The odd shot might call for the low, one bounce and check one and I'm lucky I can play that one if required. But it's very low percentage for most people.

Agreed.
I only use mine so much because I practice with it so much, in normal times I would hit at least 200 shots a week with it.

There is a reason I have to replace it every year and its because its literally worn smooth, I try to keep an older one for practice, but really only for pitching distance control, you cant practice around a green with different spin that you will have on the course.

dan_ep82 · 03-02-2021 6:51pm

Just change mine. I changed last year from Clevelands to MackDaddy's but I got the reverse bounce on a recommendation at a fitting but after a year I gave up on them and bought SM8's to match my old wedges.

From - To
50° 7 Bounce - Removed
56° 8 Bounce - 54° 10 Bounce
60° 12 Bounce - 60° 8 Bounce

Worth getting a gap test or even on a trackman by yourself to figure out if you even need a gap wedge. When I checked mine I found my 56° was going 90-100 and my 51° was going 95-105 no matter how I hit it. The 54° swinging controlled goes 110-115. Pro thinks it was the weight in the gap wedge so we agreed I should drop the gap and change the bounce back to what I had.

On the bounce aswell, if you can in future ( as now it's impossible) go to a fitting day on a green where you can try all of them. For me the bounce makes a lot of difference on quality of strike.

GreeBo · 03-02-2021 7:39pm

dan_ep82 wrote: »

On the bounce aswell, if you can in future ( as now it's impossible) go to a fitting day on a green where you can try all of them. For me the bounce makes a lot of difference on quality of strike.

For years I was using a 4* bounce 60* and loved it, lots of opening up the face and playing specialist shots with it.

for my SM8s I couldnt get one at the time, so ended up with K grind @14* bounce, and to be honest, I dont really notice any difference, though my bunker play has improved due to less digging.

Russman · 03-02-2021 9:04pm

GreeBo wrote: »

For years I was using a 4* bounce 60* and loved it, lots of opening up the face and playing specialist shots with it.

for my SM8s I couldnt get one at the time, so ended up with K grind @14* bounce, and to be honest, I dont really notice any difference, though my bunker play has improved due to less digging.

I’m generally not the biggest fan of Vokeys (I use them but I don’t “love” them), but that K grind is kinda sneaky good. It works in places that it shouldn’t, definitely worth trying out.

What wedges do you use?

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