What do I need for wedges?

[Newbie15]

I'm new to golf and I am assembly my collection of clubs. I have quality 45 degree and 56 degree wedges and a not-quality 54 degree wedge. 

 

What should I add to this collection?  If it matters, I would say that on a good swing I can hit the 45 degree wedge about 100 yards.

[MPAndreassi]

You could do with ditching the 54, and adding a 50 to fill that gap. The 54 and 56 are likely very similar for you, and the 50 will help so you don’t need to hit as many partial shots with your pitching wedge. Being a newer golfer I wouldn’t add anything with more loft than the 56 right now. 

[Liveonce]

In short, I would say to add a 50* or not change anything until you continue to improve 

[ChipNRun]

If people talk to you about a Lob Wedge (58*-60*), ignore them for now.

 

A lob wedge flies differently than other wedges, and requires extra practice to master. You need to spend the time working on your overall swing. In your first couple of seasons, the 54* or 56* will do fine for you.

 

(Us older WRXers hit greenside cut shots with a sand wedge for twenty years before the LW actually appeared.)

 

If you still only have 12 or 13 clubs, don't feel pressed to add other long clubs right away. After you play a season or two, you will figure out the extra clubs you need.

 

And welcome to GolfWRX. Keep us posted on your wedge mix! 

[Newbie15]

Thanks for the helpful replies.

 

I like to keep my eyes open for used clubs. My Ping irons and driver were used.

 

What makes a sand wedge and sand wedge? Is it more than loft? My 54 degree wedge is labeled a sand wedge but I would think that the 56 degree wedge would serve the same purpose?

[Myherobobhope]

24 minutes ago, Newbie15 said:

Thanks for the helpful replies.

 

I like to keep my eyes open for used clubs. My Ping irons and driver were used.

 

What makes a sand wedge and sand wedge? Is it more than loft? My 54 degree wedge is labeled a sand wedge but I would think that the 56 degree wedge would serve the same purpose?

Golf clubs and names are a weird rabbit hole... though some people now call woods "metal woods"... 

 

a "proper" sand wedge is designed to be used out of sand traps... it will usually have 10-12 degrees of bounce (that's basically the angle of the sole of the club... the higher the number the more it "bounces" up out of the ground instead of digging into it)... 

 

A "proper" sand shot involves hitting the ground before the ball and basically having the club bounce up from the sand and into the ball... it basically creates a cushion of sand and launches the ball up and soft, getting you out of the trap. I probably should have googled a better description... but here we are!

 

Different sand trap require different amounts of bounce... with less bounce needed for more firm sand (or bad sand traps that are just dirt with a coat of sand).

 

In terms of what you need for a "sand wedge" whatever you find that helps you get out of the sand is good enough... ideally it will be useful elsewhere.

 

As others have said, 45, 50, 56 is a great blend of wedges for you... The 56 should be your sand wedge in that case.

 

Focus on technique and get comfortable with the wedges you have... once you get comfortable hitting those wedges, you can start looking to add shots and clubs... 

 

Enjoy the game, and come here and ask questions as you have them... 

[JoePublic320]

Might be worth it to head to your local shop to swing some wedges around to see what feels right. you'll likely want to fill in the gap between your PW and 54. People typically gap the distances of their wedges by 4º i.e. 50º, 54º, 58º or 52º, 56º, 60º. But totally agree with the others in the thread, you might want to stay away from the 58º, 60º for now because those tend to give beginners difficulty