4 wedges or 3?

[ScottWS33]

What do you use? I hit the ball about 280-290 off the tee and so on my home course (6800yds) I usually don't use my long irons that much. So I was thinking of ditching my 2-iron and adding a 52* wedge. Good idea? Need your opinion.

[mfetterman]

I have found great success with the addition of a gap wedge, I use either a 50 or 51 degree because of my stronger lofted pw (46 degrees). I really like using for bump and runs, i have never really liked using my 7 and 8 irons around the green in these situations. You might consider keeping your 2 iron in the bag if you hit it well for use of the tee and ditch either your 3 or 4 iron. The distances i hit my three and four irons before i started carrying hybrids were nearly identical. If I could hit my long irons well and consistent, I would personally carry my two and four irons and pull the three out of the bag.

[easyyy]

In the same boat as you (3-4 iron only get hit off tee boxes if wind is up or I want to reaffirm that I can still play 'em)

Looking for gap wedge right now. Already carry pw(47), sand(56), lob(60), want to have a true 105-125 club thinking 52* low bounce will use for the yardage gap and around greens..

44922[/snapback]

 

 

I say the 4 wedge system is to confusing. I think the 3 wedge makes more sence. Spaced out properly I can make it work. Say 47*- 53*- 58* or 47*-56*-60* and play the PW (47) with a variaty of different shots.

[mfetterman]

I think that the four wedge system can be a bit confusing too but can be more helpful than an extra long iron with the right practice and for the right people. I hit my pw 135 to 140 and a sw 85 to 95 yards. My 50 degree GW is my perfect 105-120 club. I prefer taking more aggressive and fuller swings than trying 3/4 shots with my PW. I am just more comfortable and confident. I had carried a 52 degree wedge before i switched to a 50 and it was almost 10 yards shorter than the 50 i have now. I also believe that the GW is especially important for those of us who have stronger lofted pw's (mine is 46). I like having a gap in the range of three to five degrees between all the clubs in my bag including the wedges. The four wedge system is more beneficial IMO to the mid to high handicappers than the low ones. But, there are still some very good players, including a lot of lpga and champions tour players, who have found the four wedge system to be more beneficial for them.

[MGB]

I've been back and forth from 3 to 4 wedges and have settled on having 4 in the bag. I like the versatility around the green. Plus I play a lot of different golf courses so having different wedges with different bounce specs comes in handy for me.

[simmoboy]

i just got rid of my 4 iron and put in a sand wedge because i used 2 play 52,60.

a gap wedge is very handy for any shot around the 80m range and is even better to use around the greens, great knock down bump and run club.

[Mugnut]

My 51* 588 RTG might be my favorite wedge. To get to 14 clubs, I usually have been carrying only 1 fairway wood - a 4 wood. I alternate between 3 iron and a 20* hybrid depnding on the situation. Most course I play aren't too long, and, on a 420+ par 4, I'll take my chances on getting close with a wedge and making par rather than trying to smoke a fairway wood or long iron in there in regulation (and taking the risk of putting one someplace real bad).

 

My back-up set has a 50* wedge (old school lofts). I've actually always liked the older lofts vs. modern "strong" lofts.

 

If you face a lot of shots between 80 and 130-40, I think four wedges (and knowing precisely the yardages they give you with certain swings) is a great way to save shots.

[swing981]

wedges and putter are your scoring weapons..use the 4 wedges especially if you have a pw that is around the 45 to 47 degree..need that extra wedge for that gap.agree with that poster who said alot hit there 3 and 4 iron the same...the 3 and 4 are difficult to hit soooo many should dump one or use a hybrid

[Yellow Jacket]

I use a 54* and 60* wedge. My PW (Titleist 990) is 49* so it gives me even spacing.

 

I've never found a shot I wish I had a 52* wedge for.

[mfetterman]

I believe that the loft of your current pitching wedge is a good starting point in making your decision to carry three or four wedges. For the stronger lofted pw's (45-47) I feel that the GW is a vital club to have in the bag. Players with more traditional lofted pw's (48-50), which many of the tour players carry, can and generally from what i've seen then carry a stronger sw, usually 54 and their 58 to 60 degree lw. Then you have guys like tiger whose pw is around 51 from what i've heard who can then carry 56 and 60 degree wedges. Again, just my opinions and preferences. I know some people whose pw is 46 and then carry a 56 and 60. Others like myself like a constant three to five degree gap between all their clubs. Your decision should be based solely on what fits your game best and the setup that you fell most comfortable and have the most confidence in.

[Maceo920]

I use four wedges:

 

PW: 46* (Callaway X18 Pro Series)

GW: 51* (Cleveland 588 GunMetal)

SW: 56* (Cleveland 588 RTG)

LW: 60* (Cleveland 588 RTG)

[TheLastDon]

Good thinking.  You're more likely to use the 52* more effectively for scoring than the 2 iron.  However, I like 3 wedges.  I recently switched from a 'standard' 48*/52*/56*/60* set to a 49*/54*/59* set. Probably doesn't work for everyone but works for me...

45551[/snapback]

 

I'm same boat as you 14max, I recently went from 4 to 3 wedges. I'm using a 48*/53*/58*. I did this basically because I hadn't used my traditional 56* SW for over 2 months of solid playing, everything had been covered between my 53 and 60. So I just bent my 60 down to a 58 to allow a little more flexibility on distance wedges and to keep an even spacing and dropped the 56. I'm gonna add another hybrid to give me additional options off the tee and into par 5's.

 

I think you just need to take a look at your own game and carry enough wedges to maximize your scoring. For some that will be 4 wedges, others will be able to make do with 3. Neither is a wrong choice.

[Epicycle]

Personally I'd take out a 2 or 3 iron and go with the 4 wedge system. I have a PW, 52, 56, and 64 right now but I'm going with a 60 in place of that 64. While the 64 is good from close bunkers and it beats opening the face I think the 60 is a bit more versatile. Time will tell though ... I use all my wedges. Ever since reading "The Short Game Bible" I can't imaging not having 4 wedges.

[Everardo]

Put it this way more 40% + of your shots come from 125 yards and in. Also compare how often do you use your 2 iron versus a wedge. But that's the fun in picking your 14 clubs, good luck

[AZgolfer]

Used to carry 48-52-56-60 but I rarely used the 52, sometimes not for a few rounds.

 

Recently went to three wedge set-up of 48-54-60 and works just fine.

[blinden]

I carry four wedges and subscribe to the Pelz 4x3 system. My lofts are 46*, 50*, 55*, and 60*. With the 4x3 system i know exactly how far i hit all my wedges with the three swing times. Four wedges and the Pelz system has knocked about 3 points off of my handicap index.

[dolleris]

Seriously considering to dump the 4 wedge setup (again) to try a 49-54-59 set.

Which opens the door to ho 2 new TP wedges (54 and 58 bent to 59) :cheesy:

 

My distance gap between the19 Rescue Dual and my 4iron is still too big, I often play courses with a few 200-190 yds. par three's and I need that 3iron for these shots.

Soeren

[Viking Golfer]

Seriously considering to dump the 4 wedge setup (again) to try a 49-54-59 set.

Which opens the door to ho 2 new TP wedges (54 and 58 bent to 59)  :cheesy:  :cheesy:

 

My distance gap between the19 Rescue Dual and my 4iron is still too big, I often play courses with a few 200-190 yds. par three's and I need that 3iron for these shots.

Soeren

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But Søren, the PW in the LT is 47 degrees, how can you then have a 3-wedge set up from 49-59

[dolleris]

Seriously considering to dump the 4 wedge setup (again) to try a 49-54-59 set.

Which opens the door to ho 2 new TP wedges (54 and 58 bent to 59)  :cheesy:  :cheesy:

 

My distance gap between the19 Rescue Dual and my 4iron is still too big, I often play courses with a few 200-190 yds. par three's and I need that 3iron for these shots.

Soeren

45914[/snapback]

 

But Søren, the PW in the LT is 47 degrees, how can you then have a 3-wedge set up from 49-59

45949[/snapback]

Simple Claus - I'll have my RAC 04 CB Miura PW bent to 49!

That gives me a 5 degree increment from 9i to LW. 44-49-54-59.

 

I actually plan to put my new babies in the bag when they have been spec'ed for me during the next few weeks.... :cheesy:

We'll see -

 

Soeren

[SCameron009]

My current wedge set up is:

 

PW: 46º/(CG2?) (125)

GW: 50º/8º (115)

SW: 54º/10º (100)

LW: 58º/8º (85)

 

I was always one to play with a 3-wedge set up until last year, and the gap wedge was the best addition that I have ever made to my bag besides a hybrid. It has really allowed me to dial in yardages from 125 yards and in. I can get about 5 yards more than the specified yardages above, but I have never liked swinging full at my short irons. I too played a 2 iron before I added the Gap wedge, and I always had a lot of trouble with the shots that were around 110-115 yards, which is why I made the decision to make the switch. I think that with the distance that you have, you will benefit much more from a gap wedge over a 2-iron. Even for people that hit it shorter than you, say someone hits it 245-250 off the tee, you will find that on the short to average par four (say ~355-375 yards), you are going to be stuck with that 110, 115, 125 yardage a lot. So, in my opinion the vast majority of golfers out there would benefit from a 4th wedge as opposed to a 2 or 3 iron.

 

Sincerely, Bryan