What to look for in used wedges?

[el_b00t]

I have zero wedges. I've gotten to a 19 HCP by using a 5, 7, and 9 iron for bump and run around the greens. That works fine for chipping, but I find a struggle in gauging my 9I for those short pitch shots. I was going to look into getting some used wedges because I told myself I would not treat myself to new clubs until I hit a single digit HCP. I was just browsing the CPO eBay store and they have several "Average" condition wedges for cheap, but no pictures to see the grooves. Instead, I was going to go by a local shop after work and check their bin of used wedges, but wasn't sure exactly how much face wear is too much.

[Bubbtubbs]

I'd go with something cheap but decent to start with until you get your technique down with the higher lofted clubs.

 

I grabbed a Tour Edge 56* from a local pre-owned sporting goods store for $25 CDN and learned to use it before I got proper wedges. I also can't recommend fitting enough because it'll allow you to figure out what gaps, sole grinds and bounce work for you.

[JoeFrigo]

just buy brand new wilson harmonized wedges. $29.99 each.... unless it hasn't been used much at all, buying a used wedge is risky. Technically speaking they should be replaced every year.

 

You'd want to look to see how deep the grooves still are ( like tread on your tires). And wedge faces should feel slightly rough instead of smooth.

But not wanting to go the $120+ route for new wedges, honestly id lean towards buying those Wilson wedges so they're at least new

[el_b00t]

> @JoeFrigo said:

> just buy brand new wilson harmonized wedges. $29.99 each.... unless it hasn't been used much at all, buying a used wedge is risky. Technically speaking they should be replaced every year.

>

> You'd want to look to see how deep the grooves still are ( like tread on your tires). And wedge faces should feel slightly rough instead of smooth.

> But not wanting to go the $120+ route for new wedges, honestly id lean towards buying those Wilson wedges so they're at least new

 

May look into this. $30 isn't too bad so I know the grooves are fresh. At least until I get used to using the higher lofts.

[76mpg]

Grooves are important but I’d look at bounce as well so it matches your typical course conditions and swing. Do you have a course where you could demo a few options on various turf cut And sand?

[LowDime]

My local edwin watts store has bags of used wedges ranging from 20-80 a piece, I dug around and got a 52 and 60 vokey sm7 black finish and a vokey wedge works 56 for under 200 for all 3.

[Brandons68]

You can buy cheap new wedges just the same. Just look for something on the lower end like a tour edge or a vts backspin. What I look for in used wedges is just face wear really. No grooves is just as bad as trying to bump 9i from around the greens because you will get the same effect.. no spin..

[cgasucks]

I'd buy a cheap cast wedge with grooves that haven't worn out, preferably used. Grooves on forged wedges tend to shallow out a lot faster because of the softer metal.

Then work on your technique.

[el_b00t]

> @76mpg said:

> Grooves are important but I’d look at bounce as well so it matches your typical course conditions and swing. Do you have a course where you could demo a few options on various turf cut And sand?

 

My home course has used clubs that you can bring out and try on a few holes, if it isn’t busy. They only have a few wedges that have seen there share of ball strikes though.

[Marco Colo]

Just out of curiosity, you currently don’t have pw and sw in your bag? How do you get out of the green side bunkers?

[el_b00t]

> @"Marco Colo" said:

> Just out of curiosity, you currently don’t have pw and sw in your bag? How do you get out of the green side bunkers?

 

A fully opened 9I. I'm pretty much facing the target for the swing. I can usually get within 5ft of the hole.

[Marco Colo]

> @el_b00t said:

> > @"Marco Colo" said:

> > Just out of curiosity, you currently don’t have pw and sw in your bag? How do you get out of the green side bunkers?

>

> A fully opened 9I. I'm pretty much facing the target for the swing. I can usually get within 5ft of the hole.

 

Respect man. I am more or less same hcp 17.9 and usually farther than 5ft. with a sw or lw

 

[el_b00t]

> @"Marco Colo" said:

> > @el_b00t said:

> > > @"Marco Colo" said:

> > > Just out of curiosity, you currently don’t have pw and sw in your bag? How do you get out of the green side bunkers?

> >

> > A fully opened 9I. I'm pretty much facing the target for the swing. I can usually get within 5ft of the hole.

>

> Respect man. I am more or less same hcp 17.9 and usually farther than 5ft. with a sw or lw

>

I practiced it a lot when I’d go to the range, but have only ever needed that shot a total of 3 times so far. I k ow it can go terribly wrong, so play it safe on holes with sand.

 

[mchamden1]

Honestly, 19 HCP to single digits is a HUGE improvement...if you could get there without a single wedge? We should make a movie about you!

Just go on Ebay and check out reputable sellers...at very least find a sand wedge in "very good" or above condition that you can afford. Personally, i'm at 10.6 right now and have P, GW, SW, LW and can't imagine not having any of them!

[el_b00t]

> @mchamden1 said:

> Honestly, 19 HCP to single digits is a HUGE improvement...if you could get there without a single wedge? We should make a movie about you!

> Just go on Ebay and check out reputable sellers...at very least find a sand wedge in "very good" or above condition that you can afford. Personally, i'm at 10.6 right now and have P, GW, SW, LW and can't imagine not having any of them!

 

 

No no I meant not buying fresh off the shelf clubs until then lol. I’m already struggling without wedges from about 130 and in haha.

 

[mchamden1]

> @el_b00t said:

> > @mchamden1 said:

> > Honestly, 19 HCP to single digits is a HUGE improvement...if you could get there without a single wedge? We should make a movie about you!

> > Just go on Ebay and check out reputable sellers...at very least find a sand wedge in "very good" or above condition that you can afford. Personally, i'm at 10.6 right now and have P, GW, SW, LW and can't imagine not having any of them!

>

>

> No no I meant not buying fresh off the shelf clubs until then lol. I’m already struggling without wedges from about 130 and in haha.

>

 

Oh haha that makes more sense. At this point, I would trust wedges at "very good" condition or better. Many of them have micro milling on the face, if this is still present, that should be good enough. Short game is ALL about practice and getting comfortable. At bare minimum I would find a sand wedge and just start messing around. A descending blow will result in more spin and make the ball stop faster. A good short game can cover up a LOT of flaws! (I would know)

[lefty1978]

My first set was 3-9i with a 52° (lost my pw). No set pw or sw. You really learn how to make due. All that said, the game is easier with more wedges.

[RogerinNewZealand]

588 cleveland 52 58 in black 5 years old mid bounce

[deepred]

I agree with the Wilson Harmonized, I just bought one at 2nd swing for $1!

Plenty of life in the grooves still but I had to put a grip on it.

Golfetail frequently has a Powerbilt three wedge set for under $50

[ChipNRun]

A PW and a SW will get you started.

IF you can find them, the Tour Black wedges would get you new grooves for about $50 each.

Ray Cook's Blue Goose wedges are another $50 alternative.

 

 

 

[Chuck905]

Get the lie and loft checked.

[mogc60]

Look for wedge sets on eBay. You could get a steal for 3 of them. Do yourself a favor and buy name brand wedges. The better metal and grinds make a big difference. You can get a couple year old models in good shape for cheap

Just did a quick search...780 wedge sets for under 75 bucks

[games]

Buy one 56* or 58* wedge with as much bounce as possible. 12* or 14*. Then learn to do everything with that one club. Chip, pitch, flop, sand play. Then, buy Monte's short game video "Use the Bounce 2.0"

[ctsgolf]

If you got down to a single digit handicap without a single wedge in the bag, I'd be very impressed.

[Marco Colo]

> @ctsgolf said:

> If you got down to a single digit handicap without a single wedge in the bag, I'd be very impressed.

 

I am still very impressed that he went on a side green bunker three times in his golf life..

 

I could be there 3 times in a good round! Every green side bunker of my home course call me by name and I am always welcome when they host me!

[el_b00t]

> @"Marco Colo" said:

> > @ctsgolf said:

> > If you got down to a single digit handicap without a single wedge in the bag, I'd be very impressed.

>

> I am still very impressed that he went on a side green bunker three times in his golf life..

>

> I could be there 3 times in a good round! Every green side bunker of my home course call me by name and I am always welcome when they host me!

 

I just started playing actual rounds and have only been out about 15 times now since May. The two courses I frequent are light on the bunkers. One, though it's a beautiful course, doesn't have sand until the 10th. Going play a little more challenging course this evening, so that may change haha

[Go Horns!]

You can find new wedges cheap. Look for new, old stock.

https://www.golfdiscount.com/tour-edge-tgs-triple-grind-sole

Never used them myself. But only $40 a pop. Get a 50 and 56 to pair up with your 9-iron.

Problem with used wedges is worn out grooves.

And this is a steal at $50: https://www.rockbottomgolf.com/golf-clubs/wedges/mizuno-golf-t7-white-satin-wedge/

[ZA206]

At minimum, you need a PW and a SW. I'd also advise getting a gap wedge to go in between. I wouldn't bother with a lob wedge until you have become proficient with the SW. I'd go to a golf shop and look at the new wedges and see what you like, then go on ebay and buy used previous year models of those wedges. Used wedges should be CHEAP since they are a consumable.

 

-ZA

[Merlin_13]

Hey- first of all congrats on getting to where you are w/o any wedges- that awesome! FWIW- I know that (at least) TaylorMade and Callaway have pre-owned and clearance clubs on their applicable website as well as other brands and they are usually in pretty good shape without spending a lot of $$$$- It also gives you a chance to check out different loft/grinds etc without breaking the bank. I've had great luck with that (Callaway seems to be easier to work with IMHO)

[tanker44]

Grooves