Set Gap Wedge vs Specialist gap wedge (like Vokey, etc)

[Lancj1]

> @danman44 said:

> > @kiw1982 said:

> > I think it depends on you game.

> > I only use my gap wedge as an 'iron'.

> > So, I use one from the set.

>

> this... Ive always had a vokey or cleveland gap wedge for 20+ years until this year when I got the i210s and got the U wedge.. much happier looking at the same design style on full shots and even a step further I went glide 2.0 for my 54 which also sets up the same. doubt Ill ever go with a speciality wedge again

 

Isn't the glide a speciality wedge ... ?

 

[Lancj1]

Ive always said set gap wedge. I am using my gap wedge more and more for creative shots and I'm finding the sole of the G410 is a bit cumbersome. Since my gapping I have found a couple of clubs I can drop anyway, so I am keeping the 410 U wedge and I am going to get a 50 ish vokey too....just researching the grinds

[jakeecsj]

I count 16-17 clubs. Did I miss something?

[jgolf215]

I was playing Adams a12Pro Black Irons a few years back in which I played the PW & GW from the set. They were more traditionally lofted than the irons I use now, which are not lofted too strong. PW is 45*. My iron set is 5 - PW. I've been playing a MD3 50/10 gap wedge and quite like it. I recently got a good deal on a new MD3 46/8 to try out as the PW. My only concern was a drop off in distance. I'm pleased to say, as far as I can see my carry distance is the same. It's a degree weaker, but the CG is higher which balances it out. I'm seeing additioal spin and like the turf interaction better. And a bonus is its a little more nimble for shots around the green.

[matchavez]

Most set wedges are fairly similar, but when they’re not, they’re designed to improve “full shots”.

 

That said, the most overlooked reason for this choice will be **whether or not you want to have your iron shaft or your wedge shaft in your 50º**. Assuming you don’t play the same shaft (I do - I have S400 all the way from 5-iron to 58º, but that’s not that common...), this choice will have the most actual effect on what and how you play the club.

 

 

[b.mattay]

I go specialty GW and PW. Find that it produces more spin, which minimizes flyers from the rough.

[braincramp52]

I love my G410 U wedge but I can't ditch my Glide 58ES. I've always preferred set wedges down to gap.

[RacineBoxer]

> @clemsontiger1 said:

> What are the advantages/disadvantages of a gap wedge that matches your iron set vs a vokey type wedge? My Gap wedge needs to be replaces, and I am trying to figure out which direction to go in. I have P790 irons, and I never chip with my gap wedge. I only use it for full shots, and occasionally a little knock down 3/4 type shot. Trying to figure out what would be best for me to buy.

 

A lot of people have already made the (excellent) point that if you just use it for full swings then matching it to your set is usually the best bet.

 

One thing I'll add is that the type of irons you play, and probably how good you are, matters a bit too. For example, I play Ping G400 irons. The difference between a Ping G400 "U wedge" (approx 50 degrees) and a specialty wedge is huge! I had a 50* Glide wedge but keep the G400 U in the bag. But if you play blades, or even something compact like the AP2's, then the difference is a lot smaller. When the size/shape difference is smaller, and for the stronger player, it's easier (IMO) to take the specialty wedges a bit further into the bag (gap wedge or even 45-46 degree PW). It wouldn't hurt many weaker players to play set cavity back S and L wedges.

 

 

[Chef23]

If you only use it for full shots then I could see staying with the set. I tend to use the gap for more than full shots and like to have something a little smaller usually. Right now I have i200s with a Glide 2.0 50* wedge. I don't love the bounce on it though so it may be at risk. I need to spend a bit more time with it to see if I get more comfortable with it.

[ago33]

50 degree speciality wedge.

 

The ability to flight a wedge down and hit into back pins is critical for scoring.

[dmptruck]

I have used both. Go with the Vokey. Gap it from your PW. My PW is 43* (Apex 19). GW is Vokey 48*. Have the same shaft that's in your irons put into your GW. I play graphite in my irons now. (KBS Max 55) weighted to D4. With the steel shaft from Vokey, my gap yardage was a little short. Put the graphite in and gapped where it was suppose to be. Spins better than set GW which is the problem with most set wedges. Kept the steel in my SW and LW, but thinking I may change those also.

[swizbeatz]

Went to an AP2 GW which is 50*, absolutely love it. Don’t chip with it, spins less on full swings, misses are much better.

[RobS14526]

> @swizbeatz said:

> Went to an AP2 GW which is 50*, absolutely love it. Don’t chip with it, spins less on full swings, misses are much better.

Same here. After years of using specialty wedges, the AP2 gap wedge has become a fixture in my bag even when I’m not playing my AP2’s.

 

[DaveGoodrich]

> @matchavez said:

> Most set wedges are fairly similar, but when they’re not, they’re designed to improve “full shots”.

>

> That said, the most overlooked reason for this choice will be **whether or not you want to have your iron shaft or your wedge shaft in your 50º**. Assuming you don’t play the same shaft (I do - I have S400 all the way from 5-iron to 58º, but that’s not that common...), this choice will have the most actual effect on what and how you play the club.

>

>

 

I also play the same shaft as my irons, all the way down through my highest lofted wedge, and maintain a consistent swingweight progression. I find this makes full shots with the specialty wedges feel "less different" from the short irons in the set. Regardless, launch conditions will be different with different head designs, so the lofts should be based on actual yardage gaps and the shots you need to hit, not by trying to maintain some uniform loft increment between wedges.

[tobiasjd]

> @Lancj1 said:

> > @danman44 said:

> > > @kiw1982 said:

> > > I think it depends on you game.

> > > I only use my gap wedge as an 'iron'.

> > > So, I use one from the set.

> >

> > this... Ive always had a vokey or cleveland gap wedge for 20+ years until this year when I got the i210s and got the U wedge.. much happier looking at the same design style on full shots and even a step further I went glide 2.0 for my 54 which also sets up the same. doubt Ill ever go with a speciality wedge again

>

> Isn't the glide a speciality wedge ... ?

>

Technically yes. Unless you play iBlades like I do. Then the Glides are basically an extension of the exact same club.

[matchavez]

> @DaveGoodrich said:

> > @matchavez said:

> > Most set wedges are fairly similar, but when they’re not, they’re designed to improve “full shots”.

> >

> > That said, the most overlooked reason for this choice will be **whether or not you want to have your iron shaft or your wedge shaft in your 50º**. Assuming you don’t play the same shaft (I do - I have S400 all the way from 5-iron to 58º, but that’s not that common...), this choice will have the most actual effect on what and how you play the club.

> >

> >

>

> I also play the same shaft as my irons, all the way down through my highest lofted wedge, and maintain a consistent swingweight progression. I find this makes full shots with the specialty wedges feel "less different" from the short irons in the set. Regardless, launch conditions will be different with different head designs, so the lofts should be based on actual yardage gaps and the shots you need to hit, not by trying to maintain some uniform loft increment between wedges.

 

I absolutely agree. But it is a little less so for _just_ the gap wedge. Most players asking the question aren't looking at a 50 as a "mostly partial shot" club. As such, the real question is whether you want to match, since the choice of shaft is generally led by whether it's mostly full or mostly partial shots.

 

You're dead on with the head shape and properties playing a majority of flight and spin characteristics. You especially notice this when you do have the same shaft all the way through! The thing is most people asking are going to have something like a OEM graphite in their PW and something like an s300 in their Sandy. At that point, ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯ ya know?

 

[nuttinbutapeanut]

I didn't read all the posts so apologies if this has been mentioned. I believe TXG did a video where they talked about wedges and if you hit full shots with a gap wedge it should match your set. If you play more partial shots it's fine to use a traditional wedge (50* vokey for example) for your set. For me my Pings have a matching gap wedge because it wasn't too expensive. My P790's the gap was ridiculously priced so I went with the TM milled 50.

[swizbeatz]

> @RobS14526 said:

> > @swizbeatz said:

> > Went to an AP2 GW which is 50*, absolutely love it. Don’t chip with it, spins less on full swings, misses are much better.

> Same here. After years of using specialty wedges, the AP2 gap wedge has become a fixture in my bag even when I’m not playing my AP2’s.

>

 

 

I don’t even play AP2’s, just seemed like a good middle ground. One of my favorite clubs in the bag.

[mxskier]

Specialty wedge.

 

Forgiveness with that amount of spin loft is virtually non-existent. Its the same forgiveness, but its all about turf interaction at that point. So, if the specialty wedge has the right swing weight, bounce, and grind, then go for that. But its more likely that the bounce will be better with a specialty wedge.

[Mixedbag2]

> @RobS14526 said:

> > @swizbeatz said:

> > Went to an AP2 GW which is 50*, absolutely love it. Don’t chip with it, spins less on full swings, misses are much better.

> Same here. After years of using specialty wedges, the AP2 gap wedge has become a fixture in my bag even when I’m not playing my AP2’s.

>

I changed to TM P790 irons from AP2's and kept my AP2 GW and love it for both full shots and even chips if I have room. Maybe my favorite iron in the bag.

 

 

[Joelsim]

> @RacineBoxer said:

> > @clemsontiger1 said:

> > What are the advantages/disadvantages of a gap wedge that matches your iron set vs a vokey type wedge? My Gap wedge needs to be replaces, and I am trying to figure out which direction to go in. I have P790 irons, and I never chip with my gap wedge. I only use it for full shots, and occasionally a little knock down 3/4 type shot. Trying to figure out what would be best for me to buy.

>

> A lot of people have already made the (excellent) point that if you just use it for full swings then matching it to your set is usually the best bet.

>

> One thing I'll add is that the type of irons you play, and probably how good you are, matters a bit too. For example, I play Ping G400 irons. The difference between a Ping G400 "U wedge" (approx 50 degrees) and a specialty wedge is huge! I had a 50* Glide wedge but keep the G400 U in the bag. But if you play blades, or even something compact like the AP2's, then the difference is a lot smaller. When the size/shape difference is smaller, and for the stronger player, it's easier (IMO) to take the specialty wedges a bit further into the bag (gap wedge or even 45-46 degree PW). It wouldn't hurt many weaker players to play set cavity back S and L wedges.

>

>

 

Agree with this. I had a 50* Glide 2.0 and there was a 30y gap between it and my PW (44.5*). No such problem with the set UW at 49.5* which gaps to about 12-13y.

 

[mtiger10]

> @RacineBoxer said:

> > @clemsontiger1 said:

> > What are the advantages/disadvantages of a gap wedge that matches your iron set vs a vokey type wedge? My Gap wedge needs to be replaces, and I am trying to figure out which direction to go in. I have P790 irons, and I never chip with my gap wedge. I only use it for full shots, and occasionally a little knock down 3/4 type shot. Trying to figure out what would be best for me to buy.

>

> A lot of people have already made the (excellent) point that if you just use it for full swings then matching it to your set is usually the best bet.

>

> One thing I'll add is that the type of irons you play, and probably how good you are, matters a bit too. For example, I play Ping G400 irons. The difference between a Ping G400 "U wedge" (approx 50 degrees) and a specialty wedge is huge! I had a 50* Glide wedge but keep the G400 U in the bag. But if you play blades, or even something compact like the AP2's, then the difference is a lot smaller. When the size/shape difference is smaller, and for the stronger player, it's easier (IMO) to take the specialty wedges a bit further into the bag (gap wedge or even 45-46 degree PW). It wouldn't hurt many weaker players to play set cavity back S and L wedges.

>

>

 

I've tried a specialty gap wedge (older Ping 52*) but the cavity back gap wedge in my iron set seems a bit more forgiving especially on tight lies.

[Little Ned]

I love the 919 Hot Metal Gap Wedge. I have been surprised to see how much better I hit it over my old Ping G U Wedge. I never thought I’d beat that. It’s got me seriously thinking about the matching 919 Hot Metal Sand and Loft Wedge.

[1Mordrid1]

I prefer the set U or gap wedge. I just have more confidence with it on full shots. With players irons I cannot really say that the set gap wedge is more forgiving than my specialty wedges, but with my last 2 irons sets, Steelhead XR and G700's, there definitely does seem to be an added level of forgiveness on marginal strikes when compared to my specialty wedges.

[setter02]

Have prefered set GW's more as of my last few sets simply because it is used far more for 3/4 to full shots (likely 99* of their use) than anything else and the results were far better than a 50* 'wedge' wedge. Altho current irons are blades, I still prefer the set GW than other 50* wedges I have laying around collecting dust.

[txgolfer45]

My irons are Taylormade Tour Preferred CB from 2011. I have 4 thru AW plus Cleveland 588 56 degree sand wedge and 60 degree lob wedge. The AW is 51 degrees which is more like a PW from 30 yrs ago. So, wedges are 51, 56 and 60. I like the AW matching my irons for full shot feel. My irons have TT Dynamic Gold XP shafts in R.