Hybrid or gap wedge (old question I know)

Hey there,

Just got entire new bag this year. Been way overdue. Question is I have 13 clubs and am wondering if I should get an approach wedge or hybrid. I have a 3 wood that goes 250-260 and the new apex 4 iron (21 degrees) as a driving iron. It goes about 220. May roll out a little farther on certain shots. I have the new apex pro for a pw (I think it’s 45 degrees) I hit that 140-150. And I have a 52, 56, and 60 degree wedge. Typically hit the 52 about 110 - 120 (I typically swing my 52, 56, and 60 softer than my other irons. Just preference.) anyways, any opinions on if I should get an approach wedge (apex pro is 49 degrees) for a 125/130-140 club? Or should I get a 3 iron or hybrid? Something that goes around 230 or 240? Anyone tested out both situations? I am a long hitter if that helps. At the moment I am leaning towards another wedge as crazy as that sounds, just because I can usually cut down the hole off the tee.

I think the right answer is unfortunately the most expensive....both. You need a club to split the gap between your 3w and 4i. 40 yards is a ton. Some people like hybrid, some 5wood, some utility iron. You also should reconfigure your wedges to evenly space out those yardages. Maybe 50/54/58 or 49/55/60 or some other combo of 3 wedges above your PW. Hop on a launch monitor and figure out what lofts you need for nice even 10-15yard gaps.

Good luck.

I think adding the AW (49) and keeping 52, 56, 60 is likely too much (or more than you need).

Do you use the 52 around the greens a lot? If so, you may not like the the set AW, and you could bend the 52 strong a degree or two to try and make the gap more manageable. If not, you could get the set AW and go something like 54/60, which would still allow you to add the hybrid.

I think you have too much of a gap between your PW and 52* wedge. Those are scoring irons and IMO are more important then the gap between your 3w and 4i. So, I say get the GW (and adjust lofts as needed to get appropriate gaps) and maybe sell your 3w and replace with a 4w to close the gap at the top of your bag.

seems like you are decently long off the tee... if you are consistently hitting 140 to 100 yard shots, make sure you are covered. If not, change your wedge setup.

Focus on you being in charge of how far the ball goes, and then figure out what you need.

Thanks guys. I like all the ideas. Seems like it may be possible to solve both. Liking the idea of bending the 52 to a 50 and my 56 to a 55 to help with gaping for the wedges. I love my 60 degree for around the green so I want to keep that in the bag for sure. I think changing the 52 and 56 then adding a hybrid or utility iron in the mix is clever. Let me know what y’all think with bending wedges. I assume you can bend them like any other club. I’m Enjoying the great ideas. Thanks!

bend the driving iron 1 degree stronger to close that gap a little, then bag another wedge

or Get a 48* wedge bend your 52 to 53 or get a 54 and drop the 56, then get a club to fit the gap at the top

@Jcorp

Congrats on the new sticks and on being a long hitter. That does help to know.

This is actually an simple question to answer. But like most things in golf simple still requires significant amounts of work.

Now before I say what I think the solution is I'm going to share the process so you can feel better about your choice fitting your situation vs fitting mine. I don't carry anything 270. But it's OK I've been blessed in other ways. 

The answer is directly related to your ideal distance matrix and what you think is fun.

All of that is a preface to say... You need both. But why?

Let's say your carry distances look like this below (Random guesses)

You have 2 huge gaps that are going to impact your game realistically 3 I think.

So what would probably serve you best would be to add 2 clubs up top

to give you options at 225 and 250 say. Again Random guesses. 

First the tough part.

Weaken the 4 or beef up the 5 and drop the other one. Don't cry for me Argentina I know you almost never make the putt after hitting either one of those clubs into greens. Lulz!

Then add a wedge because you're definitely going to feel not having a 125-140 club if not the next round you play then probably every round after that.

J3 Out!

> @chadly643 said:

> I think the right answer is unfortunately the most expensive....both. You need a club to split the gap between your 3w and 4i. 40 yards is a ton. Some people like hybrid, some 5wood, some utility iron. You also should reconfigure your wedges to evenly space out those yardages. Maybe 50/54/58 or 49/55/60 or some other combo of 3 wedges above your PW. Hop on a launch monitor and figure out what lofts you need for nice even 10-15yard gaps.

>

> Good luck.

Exactly, get in a launch monitor and start checking gaps. I have a 45* PW so it was simple to going 50-56-60 or 50-54-60 depending on SW preference.

Both. Take the 60* wedge out of your bag when it’s soft, and take one of the longer clubs out of your bag when it’s hard in summer. The gap wedge will prove a good purchase to fill that 30y gap.

If you can only afford one, then go for the gap wedge. Realistically how often do you hit the green from 220y+ away?

I use my UW several times per round, my hybrid maybe once or twice, sometimes not at all.

> @chadly643 said:

> I think the right answer is unfortunately the most expensive....both.

First, swap out the wedges for 50-54-58. Four wedges (including set PW) is plenty. And, many golfers find a 58* more stable and versatile than a 60*.

Second, look for a bridge club between 4i and 3W... preferably one that will give you distance out of rough.

* Could be 5W or even 7W (a dynamite club for mid-rough or holding green on longish par 3 holes).

* Could be a 3H. If you worry about leftward error from hyrids, look at the Tour Edge CBX or CBX119 models [https://touredge.com/products/cbxhybrid.asp](https://www.touredge.com/products/cbxhybrid.asp "https://touredge.com/products/cbxhybrid.asp"). Robust stock shafts, and TE reps say they are **left-proof.**