Wedge setup help? PW-?-?

Hey guys, I'm a run-of-the-mill golfer thats getting better, but slowly. My wedge play from 130 and in is really good, but its the irons and the putting that kill my score. I'm looking for some new wedges, and I'm certain I'll be getting some SM4s, but Im not sure what degree. I only want 2 wedges, a gap/fairway bunker wedge and a greenside bunker/lob wedge. Please help me as I'm stuck! My pitching wedge is currently 46*. Thanks.

52, 58 ish.

Start with, for instance 52 and 58 as the last poster said. Then play them and see what you think. If you think you need another loft, buy one and try it. If you're still curious buy another loft and try that. Frankly, although we get about one thread a week asking these questions, I can't see the point in taking other people's word for what works for them - you'd have to choose between about 50 different models, lofts and bounces.

Buy some wedges - the lofts are not hyper critical. Start somewhere. Take a few hours of short game practise to get to know them. Play some rounds. Then, with that experience behind you, post about particular issues you find with your current choices and you'll get much more specific and helpful answers.

52, and either a 56 or 58
Of course you could tweak the loft a degree one way or the other if you felt it necessary.

There was the same exact thread started today and I mean same exact!!! Try the search button next time..

But to answer your question I would go 52* and 58*.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/889776-best-2-wedge-combo-after-47-pw/page__pid__7612570#entry7612570

52/58 looks classic. 51/56 maybe.

52 - 58

[quote name='gocanucksfan123' timestamp='1375769484' post='7614112']
Hey guys, I'm a run-of-the-mill golfer thats getting better, but slowly. My wedge play from 130 and in is really good, but its the irons and the putting that kill my score. I'm looking for some new wedges, and I'm certain I'll be getting some SM4s, but Im not sure what degree. I only want 2 wedges, a gap/fairway bunker wedge and a greenside bunker/lob wedge. Please help me as I'm stuck! My pitching wedge is currently 46*. Thanks.
[/quote]

As others have noted, a 52/58 setup would give you 6 degrees between your PW, GW, and SW.

In addition, you should probably vary the bounces for different conditions. A 52-12 SM4, along with a 58-06 SM4 would be a good start.

Call your PW a 9 iron and call your 50* gap wedge PW and now add two wedges. A modern gap wedge is exactly the same as a non jacked up PW from years ago.

I carry a 54 and 58 after my gap wedge, 4* spacing all three.

I would say 52-58.... 6 degrees between is plenty and you can adjust the loft accordingly to what you see on the course. Just remeber it will impact the bounce up/down depending on which way you bend them....

Thanks for all the replies! Sorry I didnt search before... wasnt aware of that function as I'm kind of new here . I've been thinking about a 54 and a 60 or a 54 and a 58 but I'm not too sure. I'll definitely think about the 52 and 58 as well. I'm thinking of a medium bounce option as I'm a sweeper with my wedges. So maybe a 54-11 and a 58-12/60-10? I'll be getting some Vokey SM4s

Thanks for all the replies! Sorry I didnt search before... wasnt aware of that function as I'm kind of new here :( . I've been thinking about a 54 and a 60 or a 54 and a 58 but I'm not too sure. I'll definitely think about the 52 and 58 as well. I'm thinking of a medium bounce option as I'm a sweeper with my wedges. So maybe a 54-11 and a 58-12/60-10? I'll be getting some Vokey SM4s :D

What's the bounce on your PW? IMHO, you should have a low bounce wedge for tight/firm conditions.

Thanks for all the replies! Sorry I didnt search before... wasnt aware of that function as I'm kind of new here :( . I've been thinking about a 54 and a 60 or a 54 and a 58 but I'm not too sure. I'll definitely think about the 52 and 58 as well. I'm thinking of a medium bounce option as I'm a sweeper with my wedges. So maybe a 54-11 and a 58-12/60-10? I'll be getting some Vokey SM4s :D

 

What's the bounce on your PW? IMHO, you should have a low bounce wedge for tight/firm conditions.

My pitching wedge is 46* with 10* of bounce

Don't go by specific lofts or loft gaps, those might be a good starting point, but they do not determine everything. IMO, try a few lofts and lengths, and decide based on how comfortable you are with the club in hand, since most shots in wedge distance are played with less than a full swing. You want a set of wedges with the versatility to vary distance and to do so most confidently, so picking based on loft alone would be a mistake.

[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1375815801' post='7617680']
Don't go by specific lofts or loft gaps, those might be a good starting point, but they do not determine everything. IMO, try a few lofts and lengths, and decide based on how comfortable you are with the club in hand, since most shots in wedge distance are played with less than a full swing. You want a set of wedges with the versatility to vary distance and to do so most confidently, so picking based on loft alone would be a mistake.
[/quote]

This

[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1375815801' post='7617680']
Don't go by specific lofts or loft gaps, those might be a good starting point, but they do not determine everything. IMO, try a few lofts and lengths, and decide based on how comfortable you are with the club in hand, since most shots in wedge distance are played with less than a full swing. You want a set of wedges with the versatility to vary distance and to do so most confidently, so picking based on loft alone would be a mistake.
[/quote]

I would try that, but I'm a bit tight on the funds right now, although I guess I could try my friends' wedges when I play with them.

Thanks for the feedback guys! I really appreciate it!

[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1375815801' post='7617680']
Don't go by specific lofts or loft gaps, those might be a good starting point, but they do not determine everything. IMO, try a few lofts and lengths, and decide based on how comfortable you are with the club in hand, since most shots in wedge distance are played with less than a full swing. You want a set of wedges with the versatility to vary distance and to do so most confidently, so picking based on loft alone would be a mistake.
[/quote]

Since you state that you are "good" 130 and in, I am slightly baffled with the question being asked. It would be best to obtain a gap wedge made for your iron set for full shots, but if they don't make one, it would be a 49-52 wedge that would replace your 3/4 PW shots. Some go the route of a 54* SW and a 60* but 52/58 as alot suggested would be good too.. all in all, as you probably understand, don't get a club that you would be scared to use in fear of blading/chunking...

My PW is 50* and SW is 56*

[quote name='gocanucksfan123' timestamp='1375817353' post='7617846']
[quote name='Puppetmaster' timestamp='1375815801' post='7617680']
Don't go by specific lofts or loft gaps, those might be a good starting point, but they do not determine everything. IMO, try a few lofts and lengths, and decide based on how comfortable you are with the club in hand, since most shots in wedge distance are played with less than a full swing. You want a set of wedges with the versatility to vary distance and to do so most confidently, so picking based on loft alone would be a mistake.
[/quote]

I would try that, but I'm a bit tight on the funds right now, although I guess I could try my friends' wedges when I play with them.
[/quote]

One way to narrow it down without buying or demoing would be to evaluate your current tendencies. Are you confident and consistent hitting your current wedges full or do you prefer to club down, choke down, and hit it softer? Some people are just more comfortable hitting full shots. If you like hitting wedges with a full swing, the loft gapping approach might get you close, since you have "pre-determined" distances hitting full wedges already. The only issue here is that a non-matching wedge will often be shorter than a matching gap wedge of the same loft, so a 6 deg gap between your PW and your non-matching wedge might be more than you anticipated distance wise.

If you are a player who clubs down, preferring choked down, partial wedges, then maybe getting stronger lofts and heavier swing weights, so you don't have to stretch the yardages out as much. It's easier taking some off a shot vs muscling one. I used to drop from a 47 PW down to a 52, but found that I struggled to hit that full consistently, so I moved to a 50 where I felt much more comfortable hitting 1/2, 3/4, and even almost full shots without worrying they wouldn't go far enough.

50-54-58

46, 50, 58
46, 52, 58
46, 52, 60
46, 54, 58 (If you hit the ball a long way)
46, 54, 60 (If you hit the ball a long way)

[quote name='TJCDAS' timestamp='1375800583' post='7615712']
Call your PW a 9 iron and call your 50* gap wedge PW and now add two wedges. A modern gap wedge is exactly the same as a non jacked up PW from years ago.

I carry a 54 and 58 after my gap wedge, 4* spacing all three.
[/quote]

I endorse this thought process and end up carrying a 56 and a 60 with a 50 GW. This spacing really works well for me. I rarely hit anything other than a full shot with my PW(which I treat like a 9 as is it is 45 degrees) and use my 50 and 56 for full and partial shots. My 60 is a sand and short lob shot club that rarely gets a full swing from the fairway. Since going to this set-up 4 months ago my short game has improved and I am recording more chip/pitch saves.

One of the reasons that I don't want to buy a gap wedge is because I feel like its not going to be used too much. Right now I'm hitting a 52* the same distance as my 56* so That's kind of why. I really have no problem hitting 1/2 or 3/4 shots either.

I'm just torn between 54/58 and 54/60

[quote name='gocanucksfan123' timestamp='1375832795' post='7619458']
One of the reasons that I don't want to buy a gap wedge is because I feel like its not going to be used too much. Right now I'm hitting a 52* the same distance as my 56* so That's kind of why. I really have no problem hitting 1/2 or 3/4 shots either.
[/quote]

Help me understand...

You have a 46 (PW or 9 ron, whatever you want to call it) a 52 and a 56. When you say you hit your 52 the same distance as your 56 what is it 56 distance or 52 distance? IE you hit your 46 125 yards and the 52 & 56 85 yards OR you hit your 46 125 yards and your 52 and 56 105 yards.

[quote name='natedd' timestamp='1375896442' post='7625048']
[quote name='gocanucksfan123' timestamp='1375832795' post='7619458']
One of the reasons that I don't want to buy a gap wedge is because I feel like its not going to be used too much. Right now I'm hitting a 52* the same distance as my 56* so That's kind of why. I really have no problem hitting 1/2 or 3/4 shots either.
[/quote]

Help me understand...

You have a 46 (PW or 9 ron, whatever you want to call it) a 52 and a 56. When you say you hit your 52 the same distance as your 56 what is it 56 distance or 52 distance? IE you hit your 46 125 yards and the 52 & 56 85 yards OR you hit your 46 125 yards and your 52 and 56 105 yards.
[/quote]

I usually hit my PW (46*) around 125 and I hit both the 52 and the 56 around 105 yards

[quote name='gocanucksfan123' timestamp='1375898825' post='7625360']
[quote name='natedd' timestamp='1375896442' post='7625048']
[quote name='gocanucksfan123' timestamp='1375832795' post='7619458']
One of the reasons that I don't want to buy a gap wedge is because I feel like its not going to be used too much. Right now I'm hitting a 52* the same distance as my 56* so That's kind of why. I really have no problem hitting 1/2 or 3/4 shots either.
[/quote]

Help me understand...

You have a 46 (PW or 9 ron, whatever you want to call it) a 52 and a 56. When you say you hit your 52 the same distance as your 56 what is it 56 distance or 52 distance? IE you hit your 46 125 yards and the 52 & 56 85 yards OR you hit your 46 125 yards and your 52 and 56 105 yards.
[/quote]

I usually hit my PW (46*) around 125 and I hit both the 52 and the 56 around 105 yards
[/quote]

Then I agree with the guy up thread who said 52/58 and focus on the bounces to achieve what you need.

Not that my opinion really matters, wedges are just a something I find really interesting.

lots of 52/58 answers.

i play more traditional lofts and don't use a GW so maybe it's just me...but when you have a 52/58 setup, which one is considered a SW? to me, 52=GW and 58=LW.

guess i'm just one of those players that needs a SW between 53-56 and base the other wedges from there (instead of around what my PW loft is).