Set Gap Wedge Feedback

[mxskier]

Im planning on putting the 0311T gap wedge to replace my aging 50.08 vokey. The 51 loft of the PXG will then gap nicely to the 56/60 I'm gaming.

 

I don't often hit the 50 vokey for anything but full shots or 3/4 "smooth" shots. The 130y stock shot, 140y hammer, and 105y 3/4 shot. My fitter said that he prefers to put in the set gap wedge if possible, even for people who are in the low single digits, if the wedge is being used like this. I hardly ever hit the current 50 out of any bunkers.

 

Any thoughts given the above described way I use my gap wedge? And for anyone who owns/games the 0311T, what were your thoughts? Did you stick with it or go back to the specialty wedge?

Edited March 8, 2021 by mxskier

[PEI_Golfer]

Depending on the set of course as some can get pretty chunky, I like my set GW/UW and prefer it over a "specialty" wedge.  Like you, used primarily as a full to 3/4 swing club with the occasional chipping here and there (working on it with this club and having favorable results).

 

[rkillian]

I did that with my previous irons. A set 50* GW then 54/58. Now I kind of have both. My set GW is 48*. It's pretty much a full swing club only. Then I go 52, 56, 60. The 52 is occasionally a full swing club but I try to keep most wedges to a 3/4 swing at most. 

[ChrisLC40]

For a few years I was in the camp of ending my iron set at the PW, then specialty from GW down. I struggled to find a good feeling GW that blended in with the irons b/c I too primarily use it as a full swing club. When I ordered my current set of JPX 921 there was no hesitation in getting the set GW - it gaps great and feels like the rest of the set. Since that GW is 51* it forced me to reexamine my sand wedge as I had been playing a 54*. Wedges are now the 51*, 56* and 60*. Couldn't be happier

[larryd3]

I use my gap wedge for full swing shots so I stick with the one from the set as opposed to a specialty wedge.  

[Myherobobhope]

I bought a adams cmb gap wedge head to have a set gap wedge... it cost more than my sub70 wedges.

 

I spent too much time thinking about my wedge setup, and decided I wanted two wedges to do the majority of work around the greens and two wedges for longer shots... per sieckmann, basically two finesse and two power wedges... 

 

My whole wedge setup should make sense for my game, low bounce 58 for workability and use on tight lies, 54 higher bounce wedge for around the greens and sand traps. Gap wedge and pitching wedge for the majority of longer wedge shots. Set wedge made more sense here as I wanted more forgiveness.

 

I think you need to step back and look at your wedge setup as a whole and make sure you have all the shots you need with the equipment you bring.

[North Butte]

Over the years I've alternated between having my 49/50 degree club be a "set" gap wedge or a Vokey like my SW and LW. In general I like the "set" wedges just fine. There is one situation where a 50deg Vokey comes in handy, maybe once every 3-4 rounds. That's for long bunker shots of say 30 yards or so. I can play a regular bunker explosion shot with a 50deg Vokey much better than a "set" GW.

 

But honestly, if I don't have a 50deg Vokey I just play my normal bunker swing with my 54deg and it leaves a long, long putt. I'm not a bad lag putter so it's no big deal. Certainly not worth choosing a club just for a slight advantage once every couple of weeks.

[belh22]

The gap wedge from whatever set of irons that I am using always ends up being my go to or favorite club.  Like someone mentioned above I also use it for full shots.  I have z565's and the sole on the srixon's fit me so well which is another reason why it works for me.  I am not the greatest of wedge players so I feel as though it helps me.  

[bbfifas]

Went with set gap wedge (50*) for first time ever in my sub70s.  Mainly full shots and 3/4 as you described.  My go to club from 100-110 range.  This is what I have found, I hit more greens and closer proximity.  Simple as that.  The vokey (or any blade wedge) is punishing on off center strikes and you can watch/read a lot on the subject.  

 

If your hitting your gap wedge from 105-140 that is quite a spread and the extra forgiveness is only going to help you.    Think back all the shots you caught a little high on the vokey and you lost 10+ yards or more if windy.  You will eliminate those and hopefully make a few more putts for birdie.  

[JDMRN81]

29 minutes ago, belh22 said:

The gap wedge from whatever set of irons that I am using always ends up being my go to or favorite club.  Like someone mentioned above I also use it for full shots.  I have z565's and the sole on the srixon's fit me so well which is another reason why it works for me.  I am not the greatest of wedge players so I feel as though it helps me.  

This! Traditionally set GW have been my favorite iron I carry. I too do full or 3/4 swing with it. I played 565’s a few years ago and moved onto iblades now. Wish they had a GW because I love the PW. OP, if you like your set PW then get the set GW, you won’t be disappointed. 

[GeauxGolfLSU]

When I bought my current Cobra King Tour irons, I fully intended on benching the gap wedge in favor of the Callaway JAWS I had been using. I decided to take the set gap wedge out for the first round, and by chance had a lot of shot distances that fit that wedge perfectly. Hit it so well that I have left it in the bag, and am completely happy with it. I don't find it to be clunky at all, but I'm also someone who is perfectly happy hitting creative chips and runners with my 7 iron down through the wedges around the green.

[cn34]

I really prefer a set gap wedge over a specialty wedge. For me, it's as much about the sole and leading edge design vs. a specialty as I really only hit full shots with the gap wedge. I'm not often chipping with it, unless it's a long bump and run that requires it. I moved to Titleist irons recently that have, what I guess you would term, an Approach Wedge (48*) and Gap Wedge (52*). I then am bouncing between a 54/58 or 56/60 combo for my specialties ( I have a club buying problem so why not have two sets of wedges). I don't mind only have 2* difference between the set GW and the SW, as again, I'm really hitting the full shots with the GW, then using the SW and LW for pitch, chip, bunker, lob shots, etc.

 

I've always struggled with hitting full shots with specialty wedges and having that set matched 52* has really taken the pressure off hitting 75-110 yard shots. Find it much easier to hit 3/4 shots with the set matched instead of a full lob wedge and my scoring has improved. 

[lefthack]

If my irons came with a gap wedge, I would use it but all mine end at PW.

[mxskier]

Well this has been great. I'll see how the club plays once it shows up. Hopefully it gives me the same soft feel I have with my irons and near the same spin as my gap wedge. So it should be pretty cool.

[ChipNRun]

Whether you use the GW for full shots or not, it depends on the given club model how good it is.

 

In 2009 I started playing the base Callaway X20 irons. The GW - called AW - was difficult to use. I had a hard time with distance control on partial and full shots.

 

On the other hand, I got to test out and review the TM SLDR irons in 2014. That AW was excellent for both full and partial shots.

[Bakes0]

Same with most here, full shots and 3/4 shots with the gap so I stick with the iron set’s gap wedge. I bought a set of Vokey’s 50/54/58 and played that for a bit but the feel and weight of the club was so different from my PW that I quickly went back to the 50* GW from my iron set.

Edited March 9, 2021 by Bakes0

[azgreg]

Just saw that Lee Westwood is using two set gap (U) wedges. One at 50° and the other at 54°. Interesting.

 

[joostin]

I'm with you guys on the set GW, though it's a mismatch brand.  For full shots it feels great and has a shape I like to see - extension of irons' square leading edge.  It's a go-to chipping club too maybe getting a little less check on bump and runs.

[jonkevin]

Like most, i get the set GW since I mainly use it for full or 3/4 shots. Anything else inside 100yds I use my 54/58. Another reason why I got with the set gap wedge is so the shafts match the rest of the irons without having to pay an additional up charge on specialty wedges.