58 vs 60 degree wedge

[talktoafade]

If you legitimately and consistently can hit your 50 125-130 yds and your 54 115-120 yds and "can actually control these distances just fine" -- then you've gotta be so frickin' good that it shouldn't make a difference whether you play a 58 or 60 degree wedge. I've never played with anyone who can do that, including scratch or + handicap players.

[jll62]

You should be able to get a 58 Hi-Toe in the same grind as your 60. Build it up identical to the 60 and then test both around the greens. If you can hit all the same short game shots with the 58, put the 58 in the bag and get a few extra yards for those occasions where you need to hit a full LW.

 

I switched from a 60 to a 58 for a similar reason this year. I'm likely going to a 60 bent to 59 next season because I want one more degree of loft around the greens to tweak launch angle, and I want to remove a touch of bounce.

[jbandalo]

I tried to move to a 50, 54, 58 setup this year but wasn’t comfortable with the gapping. Went back to the classic 52, 56, 60 setup and much better.

[jgolf215]

I went the other way a few years ago from 52/56/60 to 50/54/58 because pitching wedges in iron sets were getting stronger leaving a larger gap between PW and GW. That being said, I recently replaced the 45* PW from my set with a 46*MD3 and couldn't be more pleased. One degree weaker but the high CG brought the ball flight down with more spin with the same carry distance. Plus I'm more inclined to hit shots around the green with that over the PW from my set.

[timothyjames333]

Earlier this year I finally made room in my set to have a 58* AND a 64*, to my total satisfaction. With how close they cut pins to the rough these days I found using my 64* around the green a huge help and then had a "lob wedge" that I could still use for full shots in the 58*. After I saw DJ do it a couple times this year, I decided to experiment and I'm glad I did. It took a little while to dial in 3/4 wedge shots and figure out their distances but once I did I was able to go 46*-52*-58*-64* and I feel like I now have a consistent shot, be it full or 3/4 from about 135 down to 75.

[ethan380]

It depends a lot on what type of shot you play around the green. I generally prefer having the option of going higher, and the rest of my wedges have a the appropriate gapping to allow my 60 degree.

[Popeye64]

I made the switch to 54 and 58 this year from 56 and 60. It has made a dramatic change in my ability to be comfortable hitting a near full lob shot. I see no difference out of the sand aside from just being easier for me. Distance gained was marginal so any adjustment was quick.

Previously I struggled with the 60 and the 56 wasnt a club I was overly confident in. The small change gave me a big boost in confidence over the ball.

[crazygolfnut]

> @Popeye64 said:

> I made the switch to 54 and 58 this year from 56 and 60. It has made a dramatic change in my ability to be comfortable hitting a near full lob shot. I see no difference out of the sand aside from just being easier for me. Distance gained was marginal so any adjustment was quick.

> Previously I struggled with the 60 and the 56 wasnt a club I was overly confident in. The small change gave me a big boost in confidence over the ball.

 

Just wondering which wedge you use for your sand wedge? Thanks.

[Popeye64]

> @crazygolfnut said:

> > @Popeye64 said:

> > I made the switch to 54 and 58 this year from 56 and 60. It has made a dramatic change in my ability to be comfortable hitting a near full lob shot. I see no difference out of the sand aside from just being easier for me. Distance gained was marginal so any adjustment was quick.

> > Previously I struggled with the 60 and the 56 wasnt a club I was overly confident in. The small change gave me a big boost in confidence over the ball.

>

> Just wondering which wedge you use for your sand wedge? Thanks.

 

I have actually used both this year. Sand at times has not been my friend. The wedges I'm using are the Maltby M+ midsole wedges. So the sole is longer than a tour style wedge. Both are fairly easy to use as there is a lot of effective bounce.

The 58 came out when I short sided myself or needed a lot of height or in loose sand bunkers. The 54 was for longer shots or if I wanted run out. Before it was the nothing but the 56. This years options led to much better sand play.

[Cons]

1. If you have the speed to hit 60's 100yds, then you have the spin to hit controlled 54's 100 yds w/ good trajectory and stopping power.

 

 

2. There's a reason why good high speed players rarely hit high lofted wedges full, its harder to control distance. Too much spin/ height makes a ball more vulnerable in the air. More loft on a club makes it easier to hit it high on the face. Speed decreases good contact. These kill distance control. Less than full shots take off spin and cut through the air more reliably.

 

 

3. Two degrees does make a difference! I just don't think this matters nearly as much as understanding how to control distance with club selection and less than full shots.