Replacing wedges versus fixing grooves

[mwmgolfx]

With the new Vokey testing where they recommend replacing the wedges after 50-75 rounds due to issues with groves, What are people doing that play a lot per year.

 

At every 75 rounds, i'd have to replace my wedges at least 5 times per year. Even if i just replace my GW, Sw and LW, that's still almost $400 per set or over $2k per year and it goes up astronomically if i include my miura PW. That's a lot of expense, more than i spend on clubs each year.

 

How much difference do those grooves resurfacers make? Or are they even worth the money? Lots of adds and hype about them, but Do they really work and make enough of a difference to invest in to save replacing the clubs as often as recommended.

 

Personally so far, I've been replacing the three every year or two taking the loss of spin and not worrying about it, since i really can't and don't spin the ball that much and almost rarely back it up on the green. I usually play a land and let run a few yards shot.

 

What do others do that play a lot? Spend the money or ignore it and just play.

[grochol17]

A few thoughts...

 

First and foremost, do you really play ~350 rounds per year?

 

Second, if you don't generate a lot of spin with new wedges, then new or old grooves doesn't really matter too much. I think you would know if your "worn" grooves are hurting your game.

 

Third, how often you replace depends on a lot of factors: the contact you make, soil you usually plan on, how fast you swing, etc. Much of the wear on the wedges comes from getting a bit of sand compressed between the face and the ball. If you play courses with dirt under the turf as opposed to sand, you'd probably have less wear. Picking the ball clean and slower swing speed will also result in less wear. More time in the bunkers will wear your clubs out faster.

 

Fourth, if you extend point #3 to each of your wedges, you'll realize that they won't all wear the same. I use my 58* for bunkers and so it wears faster than my 53* or PW. So, I don't think it is necessary to replace all wedges simultaneously unless they are all worn out and you've noticed a performance difference.

[beakster]

Buy an older model Vokey, they seem to last forever!

[suprfli6]

I'd take their recommendation with a grain of salt considering they are in the business of selling wedges.

 

As mentioned, it depends a lot on how much you practice in bunkers and how sandy your soil is. I've had the same vokey 58* for a few years and have the equivalent of a few hundred rounds on it and I'm probably not going to replace it until later this season.

 

Groove sharpeners can make clubs non-conforming I believe. That's really not a concern for most people but it's something to consider.

[EddieEdwards]

I have only replaced them to try something different, not because of wear. Regroover tools work well, but most likely will make them non-conforming.

[atdrennen]

Wait a minute - based on your math, you're playing 375 rounds per year? If so - good on you, but I would think the cost of the rounds is a much bigger consideration than the wedges.