The 14th club: DI/long iron versus 60*W

[upanddown52]

Curious as to anyone else having a dilemma at the top and bottom of bag. I know it is somewhat course dependent and gap dependent, but I have recently been really attached to two clubs in the bag, and one has to sit each time out.

 

My 21* long iron hybrid replacement has been stellar on long par 3s and pretty good from anywhere i choose or need to play it. When the 21 is in the bag, that leaves me with a 56* as the highest lofted wedge in the bag.

 

On a recent short game practice binge, I have become really confident with my 60* wide soled around the greens and from the sand.

 

My choice seems to be a gap from 225-200 if I take out the 21*, or one less option around the greens and a go-to bunker club if I leave out the 60*.

 

I know one option would be a 4W to take the place of both 3W and hybrid, but I dont want to lose the 3W yardage off the tee or into par 5s.

 

Anyone else in the same boat?

[Hot Rod 71]

How much gap do you have between the hybrid and the FliHi?

 

I would never sacrifice short game for an extra club in the long game.

[MelloYello]

I don't know if the setup in your signature is up to date but I'd recommend a Speith-style setup:

 

15^o - 21^o - irons - 52^o - 56^o - 60^o

 

The alternative is to simply combine those last 3 into just 2 clubs:

 

15^o - 18^o - 21^o - irons - 54^o - 60^o

 

 

^{I think it's really personal preference from there. If you're a really powerful player, you probably want more clubs at the top to help fill out the larger distance gaps. If you're a more normal player, the wedges probably benefit you more since it simplifies your long game and increases your short-game accuracy.}

 

^{For example, with 2-irons and 3-irons, they're incredibly fun to hit if you can master them but good golf doesn't require both clubs in the bag. Most golfers are better off carrying just one or the other while making sure they're shots inside 150-yards are as predictable and automatic as possible.}

[upanddown52]

The FliHi sits nicely between the 19* hybrid (225) and 4I (200)...and its fairly versatile depending on how I flight it.

 

Good point, I may be answering my own original question as I type the response to yours. But I do love the 60* around the greens from the bermuda rough I typically play from.

[Hot Rod 71]

I love my 60 around the greens too. So much I could never give it up.

 

I play a similar set up to yours, minus the hybrid, and I carry 3 wedges (50, 54, 60).

 

I hit my 3 wood 230-240 off the deck and the 18* UDI 215-220. I rarely find myself lost in that gap, so its not a huge issue for me. If I need 225, I just choke down on the 3 wood.

 

The big advantage is having 3 clubs for shots from 120 and in, where more accuracy leads to better scoring.

[upanddown52]

Actually, sig is not up to date. I ditched the Wilson 58* (a real beauty, but a digger) till the ground firms up for a 56*. Thus my present issue.

[upanddown52]

Thanks for the responses. This place is really great. Cheers.

 

I'm thinking I will go with the 60* excepting a slate of 200 yd par3's.

[Hawkeye77]

You are still missing those 200 yard par 32 greens more often than not no matter what you hit, so don't you need the wedge more?

[MarkFromTheUK]

I have a rule set in stone. "Thou shalt not have more than 4 headcovers in your bag, and one of those will be for your putter". That means a driver, fairway and rescue for me, and as many wedges as possible. Personally I place more importance on getting the gapping right with the shorter clubs than I do with the longer stuff.

 

9.5

14.5

19.5

4 iron etc etc

 

47

52

58

64

[SPH]

My opinion is just make it dependent on the course your playing! I have a DI and 60 and several clubs I rotate at the top end of my bag. I try to never take the DI out as I find it mega useful, but actually now that I think about it, I cant remember the last time I took my 60 out of the bag. Its just my comfort zone club around the greens, and I am pretty darn accurate with it. If you feel the same way just consider course conditions before you play for the bag make up. Or....If you arent playing in a tournament or playing for anything that really counts, just bring them both!

[animalgolfs]

If you can't score with 2 clubs from 115 yds in.... How the hell you gonna score with 3

[KjBowen]

Most golf is played within 125 yards.. all golfers should set their bag up to be 100% on that yardage and in. Then adjust the bag accordingly. Never never mess with your scoring set up

[spoonek9]

I'd ditch the 21*. The 19* should give you plenty of options for the par 3s and if you don't hit the green you have a trusty wedge to help you get up and down.

[richard t]

I'm along time lover of long irons. I do, however, agree with most. NEVER give up short game clubs for longer, often less used clubs. You can always 'manufacture' some distance but there is no substitute for control/skill on green side and bunker shots.

[DTXgolfer12]

Depends on your strengths. I usually advise people to fill in their weaknesses with another club.

 

IE: if you're a good driver of the golf ball and hit your driver well - Get another wedge

 

IF youre a good wedge player but struggle with the driver - get a driving iron

[DavePelz4]

Thanks for the responses. This place is really great. Cheers.

 

I'm thinking I will go with the 60* excepting a slate of 200 yd par3's.

 

Why not adjust your clubs based on the course you're going to play?

[bigmoneyp]

As an alternative, consider keeping both and dropping the 4 Iron.

[20six]

I, too, play a long/driving iron. My solution: a 52* gap wedge and a 60* lob wedge. Works for me.

[animalgolfs]

This whole 4-5 Wedge setup is crazy IMO... I know the Pro's do it, I get & understand that thinking. If I could hit a 195yd 6-iron, there'd be not a need at the top of bag for 215yd shot club. BUT, 215yd shot for me is a 5wd/DI in perfect conditions. I need clubs at the top for carry distance, especially 200yd+ par 3. Don't say "playing wrong tees" either....

 

[kiw1982]

The reason you play 52/58 matter.

 

If you chose it to make your short game simple, add DI.

If not, I recommend you to re-arrange your wedge set-up.

[spoonek9]

This whole 4-5 Wedge setup is crazy IMO... I know the Pro's do it, I get & understand that thinking. If I could hit a 195yd 6-iron, there'd be not a need at the top of bag for 215yd shot club. BUT, 215yd shot for me is a 5wd/DI in perfect conditions. I need clubs at the top for carry distance, especially 200yd+ par 3. Don't say "playing wrong tees" either....

 

Don't you have 4 wedges in your bag? If not, what do you consider a wedge?

 

To each his own but scoring with a wedge is easier than scoring with a long iron or hybrid. I've chipped in before, holed out from inside 75 yards, and stuck it close with wedges. Can't remember ever doing that with a long iron, hybrid, or wood.

[goodvibes]

Extra wedge. I play 47pw-54-60 but will need a GW with the new set. Probably just stick with the 54-60 as I expect the 50 GW to be comparatively longer so gaps will be close enough. I'll lose a 5w/hybrid/3-4iron. I'm much better off losing a long club than a short one. In fact, I'm not great( about a 10) and had one of my break 80 rounds last year when I forgot my driver. It wasn't just because I forgot my driver as I can set it up to hit fairways reasonably well but an extra 15 yards off the tee is over rated. Of course, the shoes I leave at the tee would disagree. Your hybrid, 5w, 3I are not scoring clubs unless you're a very low handicapper. It also quite personal. Having 7 degrees between wedges is OK in my book so using a 53 or 54 instead of your 56, dropping the GW, carrying the 60 and maybe bending the PW to fit might be a viable option.

[crd198]

I've played 47* PW, 54, 60 for the longest time and never seemed to have an issue. Maybe the courses I play have a lot of 200+ par three's so I like having more options up top.

 

My 60* covers 0-80 yards so I don't see why I need a specific club for every 10-15 yards right after that.

[Hot Rod 71]

This whole 4-5 Wedge setup is crazy IMO... I know the Pro's do it, I get & understand that thinking. If I could hit a 195yd 6-iron, there'd be not a need at the top of bag for 215yd shot club. BUT, 215yd shot for me is a 5wd/DI in perfect conditions. I need clubs at the top for carry distance, especially 200yd+ par 3. Don't say "playing wrong tees" either....

 

Looks like you carry 4 wedges: pitching wedge, UW 50* wedge, 54*, and 58*.....or am I reading your signature wrong.

[goodvibes]

I've played 47* PW, 54, 60 for the longest time and never seemed to have an issue. Maybe the courses I play have a lot of 200+ par three's so I like having more options up top.

 

My 60* covers 0-80 yards so I don't see why I need a specific club for every 10-15 yards right after that.

Works great but new sets tend to have 45* PWs. Gap gets a little to large.

[Muirfield Willie]

Open the face of the sand wedge. BOOM! Now you have two clubs for the price of one. Nobody ever needed a lob wedge before it became common on tour. If guys on tour started carrying three putters and a 70* wedge this website would probably crash.

[crd198]

I've played 47* PW, 54, 60 for the longest time and never seemed to have an issue. Maybe the courses I play have a lot of 200+ par three's so I like having more options up top.

 

My 60* covers 0-80 yards so I don't see why I need a specific club for every 10-15 yards right after that.

Works great but new sets tend to have 45* PWs. Gap gets a little to large.

Aww, makes sense. I haven't really been in the market for irons but I guess that makes sense from reading comments on this forum about manufacturers jacking up lofts so people feel like they're hitting irons further. I'd probably toss the 3 and 4 iron in that case and go with 50, 54, 58.

[9woodfan]

I have a PW and UW from the set and then a 54/58 combo. Last year I was 52/56/60/64 in my wedges but since switching to 54/58 my scores have dropped and my short game skills have been simplified and more effective. I only carry 12 right now cause of the stronger lofts on my irons. I want to add more but I'm really happy with my set up. It also falls under the previously stated 3+1 headcover rule! Ha

[animalgolfs]

This whole 4-5 Wedge setup is crazy IMO... I know the Pro's do it, I get & understand that thinking. If I could hit a 195yd 6-iron, there'd be not a need at the top of bag for 215yd shot club. BUT, 215yd shot for me is a 5wd/DI in perfect conditions. I need clubs at the top for carry distance, especially 200yd+ par 3. Don't say "playing wrong tees" either....

 

Looks like you carry 4 wedges: pitching wedge, UW 50* wedge, 54*, and 58*.....or am I reading your signature wrong.

 

As long as you consider 45* a PW.... Then sure I do.... But I DON'T

[Hot Rod 71]

This whole 4-5 Wedge setup is crazy IMO... I know the Pro's do it, I get & understand that thinking. If I could hit a 195yd 6-iron, there'd be not a need at the top of bag for 215yd shot club. BUT, 215yd shot for me is a 5wd/DI in perfect conditions. I need clubs at the top for carry distance, especially 200yd+ par 3. Don't say "playing wrong tees" either....

 

Looks like you carry 4 wedges: pitching wedge, UW 50* wedge, 54*, and 58*.....or am I reading your signature wrong.

 

As long as you consider 45* a PW.... Then sure I do.... But I DON'T

 

And denial is not just a river in Africa. If a PW isn't a PW, then what is it?