Starting from scratch, what is your preferred degree wedge?

So to make a long story short, I used to play competitively and am just now getting back into the love-hate relationship that is golf. I've been playing with very heavy game improvement irons for the last 9 years (Taylormade Superlaunches), and have grown substantially. I recently was fitted for a new set of Mizuno JPX 919 HMs w/ +1'' X-Stiff shafts. I also am picking up a Cobra F9 Speedback after averaging an extra 30 yards from my current 1 wood. I have space for one more club in my bag.

Now here's my conundrum: I recently qualified for a league but have not owned a single wedge for 5 years (played with my 9 from around the green...). With my new JPXs, my loftiest club is the 50* gap wedge, but I am looking for one last club to finish out my bag and closeout shorter range/hazards. Considering I haven't played with a wedge in years, I don't have any preference and want to commit to a single loft and adapt accordingly. Currently, I am between a 56* and a 58*. The 8-degree jump from 50 -> 58 seems a little extreme but I like the versatility of shots the 58* can offer.

I'm not planning on getting it fitted because I'm starting from scratch and have nothing to compare it to. I was looking at the Ben Hogan Equalizer and the Cleveland RTX 4. Leaning towards the Equalizer because it is a fair amount cheaper and is purchased/shipped straight from their website.

If you were to only play with one wedge 50-60* loft, what would be your preference and why?

I currently use 52/56 for full shots and 60 for everything 80 and in - but if I only had ONE for 100yds and in it would be a 54/56 in whatever wedge I (or you) like best. Especially if your next loft is 50 (GW set)

56. You can play most any shot with a 56º wedge.

I feel like the 56* would be a safer bet with the current set up. Any thoughts on a 56* with 1* flat lie?

Sandy 56, can do just about anything

Go with a 56* SW. Back in the previous century, everyone learned to hit close-in cut shots with a SW before the arrival of the LW.

I carry a LW but sometimes play an entire round without using. If you don't shortside yourself a lot, or chase sucker pins, you can survive without a LW.

You can do as many short game shots with a 56d as with a lob wedge. Rocco Mediate shares that same philosophy.

https://www.secretgolf.com/videos/rural-golfer/season-1/episode-11/extras/roccos-one-and-only-wedge

I'll go the other way and say a 58*. 2* of difference won't matter interms of total distance given the gap already, but the bounce/grind options you can get on that wedge vs. the 56* would give you more options in close. You'll already be able to hit the 58* 95-100 anyway if needed, but I'd rather have more green side versatility with being able to open the face with a decent grind and not add a ton of bounce. Also fits adding a 54* wedge later unless you go 56/60.

No doubt a 56. I LOVE my 58 K grind SM6 and I don't think its that big of a deal to go 50/58. Just have to be a little more imaginative with the 50 but I used to play that 2 wedge setup, still consider going back to it at times when my 52 just isn't quite enough and my PW is a little too much. I like the 50/56 also, but the K is better than the M grind for me, but a 56 can do a lot.

+1 on the 56. My son plays 52/58 and it works for him. While I have a 60 in the bag, it doesn't come out all that often other than second cut around the green or if I have to go over something but not carry it very far. I could open the 56 and do the same.

Definitely a 52°.

Great for all-around pitching, bump and runs and chipping. Sole is small enough for full shots. Just enough loft to really lay open for bunker shots - though obviously not going to be the best at that. But the majority of my short game needs I handle best with my 52°.

*EDIT*

Then I read the whole post and see your gap wedge is a 50°. So in that case; 56°. :D

> @Noahjaws said:

> I feel like the 56* would be a safer bet with the current set up. Any thoughts on a 56* with 1* flat lie?

Wedges have very short shafts, so there's minimal chance of toe -down, the downward bowing of the golf shaft at impact. Toe-down can flatten dynamic lie a bit on longer clubs.

Quite a few golfers have their wedges flattened a degree in lie to avoid left misses. See if you have trouble with left misses when you're adjusting your wedge matrix.

Find you an old ping eye 2 sand wedge it’s 57 degrees with a little bounce. Then a 53-54 degree wedge with minimal bounce. Also I recommend Dave pelz short game bible if you are serious about your game

Another vote for the 56* wedge.

I still like playing old sets with a 50* PW then 55* or 56* SW. It really is enough.

56

I'd think that'd be a pretty big gap if you went with a 58, and I think you can get pretty much any shot you'd need with the 56

What you describe is pretty much exactly my current setup, I have a 51* gw and play a 56* and have no trouble hitting the shots I need

Would go with a 56. That would fill in any gap you'd need with your setup.

I have a 50 bent to 49, 54, and 58 deg setup. Irons are all bent 1 deg strong so PW is 45 deg. I use my 50 and 54 for all chip and pitch shots unless I'm really short sided or in a bunker then I'll use a 58. Just like partial shots with my lower lofted wedges for inside 100 better.

> @ChipNRun said:

> Go with a 56* SW. Back in the previous century, everyone learned to hit close-in cut shots with a SW before the arrival of the LW.

>

> I carry a LW but sometimes play an entire round without using. If you don't shortside yourself a lot, or chase sucker pins, you can survive without a LW.

Also back in the previous century, there was a significant period in time where the SW was 58* or even 60*. Of course, those lofts usually accompanied a 52* or even 53* PW. :)

Answering the OP's question... I prefer 58*, though I've spent a number of weeks this year using a 56* as my highest lofted wedge. Right now, I'm playing 52/58, but I have also done 50/58 gapping. If you're able to play partial shots, it's no great issue to have an 8* gap at that end of the bag.

fiddysix* and get something with a little less bounce so you can open it up in case you are short sided or in a deeper bunker. A vokey 56/8M would be a good choice.

Seve's highest wedge was a 56* and he could wipe the floor with anyone on Tour and this forum in the short game area.

If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for any of us! I recommend something that's playable but has forgiveness as well, a standard sole/mid-bounce like a Vokey 56 S grind should be perfect for all situations.

> @tgoodspe1991 said:

> Seve's highest wedge was a 56* and he could wipe the floor with anyone on Tour and this forum in the short game area.

>

> If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for any of us! I recommend something that's playable but has forgiveness as well, a standard sole/mid-bounce like a Vokey 56 S grind should be perfect for all situations.

How many more putts could be have rolled with a more stable, higher moi, modern putter? Your comment is like saying no one should be able to use a calculator because the abacus worked just fine, or 1970s computer is perfect because Bill Gates can make it work... Get ready guys for wooden woods to make a come back, because some of the best players of all time could play them, so they are good enough for you...

> @gwelfgulfer said:

> > @tgoodspe1991 said:

> > Seve's highest wedge was a 56* and he could wipe the floor with anyone on Tour and this forum in the short game area.

> >

> > If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for any of us! I recommend something that's playable but has forgiveness as well, a standard sole/mid-bounce like a Vokey 56 S grind should be perfect for all situations.

>

> How many more putts could be have rolled with a more stable, higher moi, modern putter? Your comment is like saying no one should be able to use a calculator because the abacus worked just fine, or 1970s computer is perfect because Bill Gates can make it work... Get ready guys for wooden woods to make a come back, because some of the best players of all time could play them, so they are good enough for you...

LOL what?! Clearly I hit a nerve here with how dramatic your response was. I'm not comparing abacuses to computers, we're talking wedge lofts in an area of golf that has barely advanced in technology over 50 years compared to how far modern computing has come. Relax.

I disagree, grinds, weights, bounce, sole widths and the various custom options available today (off the rack vs. DW on speed dial, not to mention course conditions today vs. then) far out do anything of 50 years ago in terms of total performance. Sure, if just going by a 56* is a 56*, then head on over to wallymart and pick up what ever is listed as 56* and go to town, cause Seve could make it work... Relax...

I like 52/58. That's been my setup for many years.

I've always been in the 54* and 58* camp.

I never liked 56* for some reason and too inconsistent with the 60*.

Now with the new Pings however, I'm using the 60* quite well.

56 is my favorite wedge 100yrds and in.

> @NRJyzr said:

> Answering the OP's question... I prefer 58*, though I've spent a number of weeks this year using a 56* as my highest lofted wedge. Right now, I'm playing 52/58, but I have also done 50/58 gapping. If you're able to play partial shots, it's no great issue to have an 8* gap at that end of the bag.

NRJ, Next year I may end up back to four wedges: a 46 iron set PW, plus 50, 54, 58. I've played a 58* in past, and it's more reliable distancewise on 3/4 swing than a 60*. That said, 60* is ideal for certain headache shots; and if greenside rough is shorter and bushy, 60* floats things out nicely.

One possible way to get 50, 54, 58 would be bend the 48* +2, and the 60* -2. (Or, hope I get lucky at the Fall PGA sectional clearance sale.)

I play 52/60 with an 8* gap..... the 56 got ditched for crowding. So going 50/58 would work for me. But I love my 60 cause I open the blade often from just a hair open to full flops

54* for me. I like that I can bump and run with just enough spin on it to control it. It is also my full 100 yard shot but can play a 3/4 shot at 75 and 50% shot at 50.

> @ChipNRun said:

> > @NRJyzr said:

> > Answering the OP's question... I prefer 58*, though I've spent a number of weeks this year using a 56* as my highest lofted wedge. Right now, I'm playing 52/58, but I have also done 50/58 gapping. If you're able to play partial shots, it's no great issue to have an 8* gap at that end of the bag.

>

> NRJ, Next year I may end up back to four wedges: a 46 iron set PW, plus 50, 54, 58. I've played a 58* in past, and it's more reliable distancewise on 3/4 swing than a 60*. That said, 60* is ideal for certain headache shots; and if greenside rough is shorter and bushy, 60* floats things out nicely.

>

> One possible way to get 50, 54, 58 would be bend the 48* +2, and the 60* -2. (Or, hope I get lucky at the Fall PGA sectional clearance sale.)

A couple years ago, I was primarily playing a set with a 49* PW. Had some success playing a 55/61 combo on top of that (LW was a 60* that was 1* weak). Was surprised that LW worked as well as it did for me.

Probably little more than committing to it for an extended period as much as anything.

Have you thought about 50/55/60? It's not that different for each, and gives you the headache remover. Though, you're losing that 58* you like...

(Maybe I'm biased by my Ram affinity, LOL)

Generic comment alert: We've both been thru these discussions over the years, the main question seems to really be about whether you play wedges with full swings, or if you're inclined to manufacture something with partial swings. Seems like the former lends itself to more wedges, the latter to fewer. Of course, like everything else golf, that's not across the board. :)