3 or 4 wedge setup?

[BallerNate]

19 minutes ago, azgreg said:

Currently its's all about the carry bag. I go 44° 9i, 50° gw, and 56° sw. For the full bag I add a pw and a 62° lw.

 

Haha...I’m not the only one thinking about my wedge setup on Christmas day, good to see, Lol! 😉🎄

[BallerNate]

The decision of 3 or 4 wedges is keeping me up at night...keep going back and forth...it’s like trying to decide if aliens exist, or if a tree falls in the forest does anyone hear, Lol! 🥴

[Eagleman]

I play a 50° bent to 49°, 54° bent to 53° and a 60° I dropped my 4 iron because I don’t use it as much because I have a driving iron for the tighter driving holes. On my home course I don’t have many shots where I’ll need a 4 iron, but I have a lot of shots 130 yards and in. I am good around the green but that 130-90 yard window I need all the help I can get so I like playing with 4 wedges. Definitely get more use in my game.

[Drewhill44]

I like the 4 wedge setup...46-50-54-60.  For my game I'd rather have closer gaps 135 and in versus 200+.  I have my 4 iron bent strong to 22* to have a closer gap to my 5 wood.  

[b.mattay]

I go 4 wedges (47-51-55-60), as I like having consistent 15 yard gaps between clubs throughout the bag up to 4 iron. 

[bvanlieu]

Nah, not alone BallerNate. With the occasional winter round here in the North East, we drop a few clubs in our bag and going to 3 wedges helps...but now I am thinking of experimenting with a 46/52/58 setup fpr those rounds 🙂 

 

 

[jmorrow020]

Im currently playing Vokeys in 46, 52, 56, 60. If Anything... I would actually ditch the 56. I dont really ever use it. Its not standard but I take lots of full swings with my 60 and have just gotten so comfortable shaping it and flighting it differently based on what I need, I use it all the way out to 110yards. 

 

The top of my bag is a 3 wood and 5 wood, or a 3 wood and 3 iron depending on the day and course. I dont really see anything else I need there at the top. Honestly one of my bigger gaps is simply the gapping between 5 wood and 4iron or 3iron and 4 iron. Its where I see the biggest problem. 

[BallerNate]

Yeah, I’m struggling with the decision on the wedge setup! This season I tried:

1) 47, 52, 56

2) 47, 52, 56, 60

3) 47, 52 @ 53.5, 60 most recently

 

Just from trying the 47, 53.5, 60 setup on the simulator 3 times, it seemed like I lost distance in the move of bending the 52 to 53.5, and am definitely concerned about the yardage gap between the 47 & 53.5 (but don’t know how much of that is the setup, and how much is the simulator readings being off...).

 

Now considering bending the 53.5 back to 52 or potentially 50-51 and bending the 56 to 55...then would have the ideal 4 degree gap of 47, 51, 55, 60 from irons down to wedges, but would have to drop another club instead...potentially the 5-iron which is probably my least used iron! Definitely feels like solving the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle and Area 51 wrapped into one, Lol! 🤪🤪🤪

[buckI]

Played pw-52-58 for years them went pw-52-56-60.   Personally not for me as I was thinking too much on whether to use 56 or 60.   Went back to 52 and 58 to simplify things for me.   You do as others have stated learn 1/2, 3/4, etc. more with three wedges.   Others will like 4 to avoid this as much or are big hitters.

[5 over]

I played a 4 wedge setup for many years - 46 or 47, 50, at54, 58. The 58's an old spin milled 58-04 (I have two unused spares) that I'll play until there aren't enough grooves left to work well. I just started up again after an 18 month layoff and have realized that my 54 was the most unused club in my bag. I just never liked the results I got with a classic 54-56 SW, so I dropped it and the 50 (almost worn out) in favor of a 52 for a 46/47, 52, 58 setup. As I age and the par 4s get longer for me, the extra space at the top is becoming more of a help. I'm now at D, 4W, H, H, 4I etc. It seems to be working for my game and most of the courses I play.

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, bvanlieu said:

Nah, not alone BallerNate. With the occasional winter round here in the North East, we drop a few clubs in our bag and going to 3 wedges helps...but now I am thinking of experimenting with a 46/52/58 setup fpr those rounds 🙂 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, buckI said:

Played pw-52-58 for years them went pw-52-56-60.   Personally not for me as I was thinking too much on whether to use 56 or 60.   Went back to 52 and 58 to simplify things for me.   You do as others have stated learn 1/2, 3/4, etc. more with three wedges.   Others will like 4 to avoid this as much or are big hitters.

 

1 hour ago, 5 over said:

I played a 4 wedge setup for many years - 46 or 47, 50, at54, 58. The 58's an old spin milled 58-04 (I have two unused spares) that I'll play until there aren't enough grooves left to work well. I just started up again after an 18 month layoff and have realized that my 54 was the most unused club in my bag. I just never liked the results I got with a classic 54-56 SW, so I dropped it and the 50 (almost worn out) in favor of a 52 for a 46/47, 52, 58 setup. As I age and the par 4s get longer for me, the extra space at the top is becoming more of a help. I'm now at D, 4W, H, H, 4I etc. It seems to be working for my game and most of the courses I play.

Yeah, I’ve definitely considered the 47, 52, 58 setup as well...just love my 60 around the greens and out to 75 yds so am a little more hesitant on that move. Was it a big adjustment for you guys going from a 60 to a 58, or are you able to get the same distances and types of shots? Would it be better to bend a 56 (w/ SB 12) to 58 or a 60 (w/ SB 10) to 58?

[jbrunk]

@BallerNate what was wrong with 47-52-56-60?  You need the extra club at the top end?  As I posted above, I’ve played 46/47-51-56-60 most of this season. 47 & 56 do most of the work, but glad to have 51 & 60 when I need them.

[noodle3872]

I found a 60°With 6° bounce to be the hardest club to hit into the green for 75 yards. Being a shallow swinger I would slide under the ball too much with the 60-06. I moved to 58-12 with better results. I’m back to the 60-06 again with decent results. I think a 60-10 is where I may end up.

[pinestreetgolf]

1 minute ago, noodle3872 said:

I found a 60°With 6° bounce to be the hardest club to hit into the green for 75 yards. Being a shallow swinger I would slide under the ball too much with the 60-06. I moved to 58-12 with better results. I’m back to the 60-06 again with decent results. I think a 60-10 is where I may end up.

 

Shallow swing loves double the bounce.  Classic WRX.

[BallerNate]

21 minutes ago, jbrunk said:

@BallerNate what was wrong with 47-52-56-60?  You need the extra club at the top end?  As I posted above, I’ve played 46/47-51-56-60 most of this season. 47 & 56 do most of the work, but glad to have 51 & 60 when I need them.

Yeah, I decided not to stick with the 47, 52, 56, 60 because I added a 3-iron at the top of my bag. I’m much more comfortable hitting the 3 off the Tee than the 4-iron, Hybrid 4, or some days the 3W in my set. The 3W and Hybrid are definitely useful on Long or narrow Par 4’s/5’s on 2nd shots, difficult lies, or off the Tee.

 

So it was either drop the 56, or potentially drop a 5-iron, which are probably the least used clubs in my bag overall.

 

So I’ve got: D, 3W, Hybrid 4, 3-9, PW 47, SW 53.5, LW 60 as of right now.

Edited December 26, 2020 by BallerNate

[Myherobobhope]

I think this comes down to how far you hit the ball... if you are over 250 off the tee, there isn’t much need at the top of the bag for a ton of clubs... I’ve got driver, 3 wood, hybrid and a 4 utility... I can’t really add anything else up there (maybe a second driver 🤠)... that leaves plenty of room at the bottom range to carry four wedges. 
 

i think at the end of the day you need to figure out what your 14th club is and make sure it’s the right fit... if you are carrying a hybrid you never hit, swap it for a wedge... if you can’t hit a 60, drop it... if you want to carry a chipper... ok.

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, Myherobobhope said:

I think this comes down to how far you hit the ball... if you are over 250 off the tee, there isn’t much need at the top of the bag for a ton of clubs... I’ve got driver, 3 wood, hybrid and a 4 utility... I can’t really add anything else up there (maybe a second driver 🤠)... that leaves plenty of room at the bottom range to carry four wedges. 
 

i think at the end of the day you need to figure out what your 14th club is and make sure it’s the right fit... if you are carrying a hybrid you never hit, swap it for a wedge... if you can’t hit a 60, drop it... if you want to carry a chipper... ok.

I average 240-260 off the Tee (with a high range of 280-295 when I hit it flush). I like playing a variety of Par 70-72 courses over 7,000 yds though with varying layouts and conditions, so like have the option of hitting 3W, or 3-iron off the Tee and Hybrid 4 (20) for 2nd shots from uneven lies or the rough. If I were comfortable enough with the Hybrid off the Tee, I could potentially eliminate the 3-iron or 3W, but just not comfortable enough with the Hybrid off the Tee. So that leaves either dropping a wedge (56 is my least used), or dropping an iron (5 or 6 iron since I get comparable numbers with both).

 

Felt good about dropping the 56 and bending the 52 to 53.5 last week, but after 3 simulator rounds with the 47, 53.5, 60 setup I’m just going back & forth on it as a longer term solution. 47, 52, 58 could be the better solution, or dropping the 5-iron and playing 47, 52, 56, 60. Just never tried a 58, but if I could get similar shots out of it as the 60 that could be the right move.

[bvanlieu]

The adjustment for me Baller is playing consistent shots with more then one club. For years 90y in was my 60 and a feel shot. Some days was on fire but other days I had far too many 30' putts when I left the feel on the range.  

 

A year ago I worked on the 3 swing approach with all my wedges and started to get a feel. Used  a LM this year to dial in the gaps on these shots, and there is some overlap distance wise in the wedges. 

 

I still like the extra wedge don't get me wrong, but even with 3 I have good gaps on the 1/2, 3/4, and full swings. Bending  a degree here/there also helps dial in as I do that in my home shop. 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2020 by bvanlieu

[Myherobobhope]

10 hours ago, BallerNate said:

5 or 6 iron since I get comparable numbers with both

Id look at getting the top of your bag sorted out... if your 5 and 6 are playing similar yardages, one of them is redundant.

 

I really like my 58 wedge over the 60 I used to carry, and I just switched from my vokey wedge back into a set gap wedge since I pitch more than chip with it... so I’ll only have two “wedges” in my bag for any around the green work outside of bump and runs.

[joostin]

11 hours ago, BallerNate said:

I average 240-260 off the Tee (with a high range of 280-295 when I hit it flush). I like playing a variety of Par 70-72 courses over 7,000 yds though with varying layouts and conditions, so like have the option of hitting 3W, or 3-iron off the Tee and Hybrid 4 (20) for 2nd shots from uneven lies or the rough. If I were comfortable enough with the Hybrid off the Tee, I could potentially eliminate the 3-iron or 3W, but just not comfortable enough with the Hybrid off the Tee. So that leaves either dropping a wedge (56 is my least used), or dropping an iron (5 or 6 iron since I get comparable numbers with both).

 

Felt good about dropping the 56 and bending the 52 to 53.5 last week, but after 3 simulator rounds with the 47, 53.5, 60 setup I’m just going back & forth on it as a longer term solution. 47, 52, 58 could be the better solution, or dropping the 5-iron and playing 47, 52, 56, 60. Just never tried a 58, but if I could get similar shots out of it as the 60 that could be the right move.

You have an interesting top end setup with the 20° hybrid, 3 iron, and 4 iron, but I'm with you on the rationale of tee and turf options.  Personally I'm a 5 iron dropper as I haven't found a shot yet that I can't cover with a utility-like 4 iron on my courses.  It allows me to keep a heavy top end and bottom end.  Same might work for you dropping either 4, 5, or 6, covering it with the next longer club - take a little off with a cutoff swing, choke down, or a high fade.  It's like having a "mini minimal" middle part of the bag (minimal guys don't seem to miss half their clubs).  However I say grab a 58, try a few rounds at 47, 52, 58 plus all irons, and a few rounds at 47, 52, 56, 60 minus one of the irons, and see what's more comfortable for scoring.  Maybe you'll like the simplicity of choosing between 52 and 58, or maybe you'll prefer your 52 56 60.  Just keep them all as things may change.

Same recommendation to OP.

Edited December 26, 2020 by joostin

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, bvanlieu said:

The adjustment for me Baller is playing consistent shots with more then one club. For years 90y in was my 60 and a feel shot. Some days was on fire but other days I had far too many 30' putts when I left the feel on the range.  

 

A year ago I worked on the 3 swing approach with all my wedges and started to get a feel. Used  a LM this year to dial in the gaps on these shots, and there is some overlap distance wise in the wedges. 

 

I still like the extra wedge don't get me wrong, but even with 3 I have good gaps on the 1/2, 3/4, and full swings. Bending  a degree here/there also helps dial in as I do that in my home shop. 

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Myherobobhope said:

Id look at getting the top of your bag sorted out... if your 5 and 6 are playing similar yardages, one of them is redundant.

 

I really like my 58 wedge over the 60 I used to carry, and I just switched from my vokey wedge back into a set gap wedge since I pitch more than chip with it... so I’ll only have two “wedges” in my bag for any around the green work outside of bump and runs.

Thanks for the advice Gentlemen, much appreciated! Yeah, at the end of the day I just have to make a decision on the wedge/bag setup and be consistent with it. That’s part of the problem, I upgraded my whole bag over the last 6 months, so still getting a feel for all the distances, yardage gaps, and what each club can do. All the golf shops here are locked down for the next month, so won’t be able to get any of the wedges bent until end of January at the earliest, so will keep practicing with the 47, 53.5, 60 setup until then and decide if any changes will be necessary. I’ll probably end up going 47, 52, 60 or 47, 52, 56, 60 and drop the 5-iron, but we’ll see how it goes.

Edited December 26, 2020 by BallerNate

[BallerNate]

21 minutes ago, joostin said:

You have an interesting top end setup with the 20° hybrid, 3 iron, and 4 iron, but I'm with you on the rationale of tee and turf options.  Personally I'm a 5 iron dropper as I haven't found a shot yet that I can't cover with a utility-like 4 iron on my courses.  It allows me to keep a heavy top end and bottom end.  Same might work for you dropping either 4, 5, or 6, covering it with the next longer club - take a little off with a cutoff swing, choke down, or a high fade.  It's like having a "mini minimal" middle part of the bag (minimal guys don't seem to miss half their clubs).  However I say grab a 58, try a few rounds at 47, 52, 58 plus all irons, and a few rounds at 47, 52, 56, 60 minus one of the irons, and see what's more comfortable for scoring.  Maybe you'll like the simplicity of choosing between 52 and 58, or maybe you'll prefer your 52 56 60.  Just keep them all as things may change.

Same recommendation to OP.

Thanks, good advice for sure! Yeah, I’m definitely going to look at all those options. All the golf shops in my area are locked down until the end of January at the earliest, so once they re-open I’ll bend the 53.5 back to 52 and figure out the best setup option from there. We’ll have snow on the ground until late March/April anyway, so  have lots of time to figure it out. Most likely I’ll end up dropping the 5-iron and going 47, 52, 56, 60 or going 47, 52, 58/60 depending if I can get the same shots out of a 58 as a 60 or not.

[wdaig1]

For me, it comes down to scoring and the 4 wedge setup just makes too much sense.  I go 45/50/54/60.  And for the most part, I use two swings with the wedges and cover all gaps.  I make a lot more birdies from 135 on in than in the 225 range.  On the backend, I have a strong 4 iron and 2 hybrid.  No issues on yardages there either but everyone’s games are different.  Lots of different ways to play this game!

[BallerNate]

47 minutes ago, wdaig1 said:

For me, it comes down to scoring and the 4 wedge setup just makes too much sense.  I go 45/50/54/60.  And for the most part, I use two swings with the wedges and cover all gaps.  I make a lot more birdies from 135 on in than in the 225 range.  On the backend, I have a strong 4 iron and 2 hybrid.  No issues on yardages there either but everyone’s games are different.  Lots of different ways to play this game!

Definitely makes sense!

[Bkgeneral]

Shorter hitter here.  90-95 with the driver.  I have found that play inside 100 yards is by far most important thing for my game.  For me I have ended with 585 set PW and AW.  From there I prefer 56-62 to finish the bag.  As a shorter hitter, some par 4's require 3 shots to get on.  So that leaves lots of shots 40-60 yards.  I like the 62 to hit those a bit harder, and get a quicker stop if needed.  I use the AW and 56 for most shots around the green.  But I have lost some nerve on the flop shots, so the 62 provides some extra loft and that has really helped.  

[joostin]

3 hours ago, BallerNate said:

Thanks, good advice for sure! Yeah, I’m definitely going to look at all those options. All the golf shops in my area are locked down until the end of January at the earliest, so once they re-open I’ll bend the 53.5 back to 52 and figure out the best setup option from there. We’ll have snow on the ground until late March/April anyway, so  have lots of time to figure it out. Most likely I’ll end up dropping the 5-iron and going 47, 52, 56, 60 or going 47, 52, 58/60 depending if I can get the same shots out of a 58 as a 60 or not.

Yeah I just figure if I can get "close enough" from 190-200+ with 6 iron and 4 iron, I'd rather have all these wedge and tee options.  On the shortish courses here, the 5 iron yardage only comes up sometimes on par 5 approaches and maybe one par 3, so it has been comfortable for me even if I don't use all the clubs each round.  Heck I've carried 15 a few times, shhh... but I just golf for fun, no one cares! ...And that's in a 14-slot bag lol.

Edited December 26, 2020 by joostin

[Myherobobhope]

3 hours ago, BallerNate said:

Thanks, good advice for sure! Yeah, I’m definitely going to look at all those options. All the golf shops in my area are locked down until the end of January at the earliest, so once they re-open I’ll bend the 53.5 back to 52 and figure out the best setup option from there. We’ll have snow on the ground until late March/April anyway, so  have lots of time to figure it out. Most likely I’ll end up dropping the 5-iron and going 47, 52, 56, 60 or going 47, 52, 58/60 depending if I can get the same shots out of a 58 as a 60 or not.

Honestly, one of the biggest advantages pros have in terms of gear is their ability to spec out a bag all at once... They can almost pick and choose what yardages everything in the bag goes... which I can't really do with my golf budget. 

 

So we have to plan things out a little bit more, and figure out what we need to succeed on the course... 

 

If you play the same course regularly, you have a huge advantage in knowing what irons you "usually" hit and yardages you find yourself at... The reason I swapped gap wedges is because I don't like my 50 vokey on pitch swings, and find myself with 120 yard shots frequently... If my new wedge can help me dial in that distance, I'll have an easier time on my home course. 

 

It's odd, I "carry" 4 wedges, but consider my PW and GW to be different than my 54/58... though I still hit my 54 on fuller swings (and usually just use the 58 around the green). Versatility is good, but knowing you have a certain shot in the bag is also super helpful... 

[BallerNate]

37 minutes ago, joostin said:

Yeah I just figure if I can get "close enough" from 190-200+ with 6 iron and 4 iron, I'd rather have all these wedge and tee options.  On the shortish courses here, the 5 iron yardage only comes up sometimes on par 5 approaches and maybe one par 3, so it has been comfortable for me even if I don't use all the clubs each round.  Heck I've carried 15 a few times, shhh... but I just golf for fun, no one cares! ...And that's in a 14-slot bag lol.

Yeah, your logic makes total sense. I carried 15 part of this season too while I was playing 4 wedges, which is why I dropped back to a 3 wedge setup. Want to play Tournaments and/or Men’s League this upcoming season though, so want to be at 14 to not break any rules. I’m the same way though, I’ve gone many rounds not using my 5-iron, but also can go without using my 56 SW as well, so just have to choose the better option overall.

[hybrid25]

Wedge set up has a lot to do with skill level. It would be nice to see hc's included with posts because they are so influential to wedge set up.  14.4 hc

 

45 pw    (set pw with  9* bounce)

50 aw    (set aw with  10* bounce)

54 sw    (set sw with 12* bounce and wide sole)

58 lw     (MD5 Jaws 12* bounce W grind)

[BallerNate]

22 minutes ago, Myherobobhope said:

Honestly, one of the biggest advantages pros have in terms of gear is their ability to spec out a bag all at once... They can almost pick and choose what yardages everything in the bag goes... which I can't really do with my golf budget. 

 

So we have to plan things out a little bit more, and figure out what we need to succeed on the course... 

 

If you play the same course regularly, you have a huge advantage in knowing what irons you "usually" hit and yardages you find yourself at... The reason I swapped gap wedges is because I don't like my 50 vokey on pitch swings, and find myself with 120 yard shots frequently... If my new wedge can help me dial in that distance, I'll have an easier time on my home course. 

 

It's odd, I "carry" 4 wedges, but consider my PW and GW to be different than my 54/58... though I still hit my 54 on fuller swings (and usually just use the 58 around the green). Versatility is good, but knowing you have a certain shot in the bag is also super helpful... 

Yeah, that’s exactly why I carry D, 3W, Hybrid 4 (20), and 3-iron at the top of my bag...I mixup courses all the time and test myself with different layouts and conditions, so it’s much more difficult to predict what type of 2nd & 3rd shots and lies I’ll end up with. But that’s also the argument for carrying 4 wedges as well, Lol! I agree that the PW and GW are definitely different types of clubs than the SW and LW, and you’re 100% right that the more types of shots and distances you can hit the better off you are! You guys are starting to talk me into dropping the 5-iron and carry 4 wedges...I’m coming around, Lol!!