Using the set wedge in better iron sets?

[Vater]

For those of you using better irons, players irons, are you using the set GW/AW or are you stopping at the PW?

 

I know this conversation has been had on whether or not to use the set wedge or a specialty wedge, and the majority of people use the set wedge and treat it like an extra iron. But I was wondering if that thought changes with players irons, which among other factors, have more traditional lofts.

[Abh159]

I've never used anything lower than the PW. Granted my PW is set at 47* unlike a lot of the newer, stock ones that are 44* or 45*. 

 

I only like not set wedges for greenside shots, pitching, and less than full swing shots. If it's a full swing (which my PW normally is) then give me the set wedge all day. 

[Debow]

I just go up to a pitching wedge in my iron sets. If I used blades I would probably think about keeping the gap wedge in, but I usually like my 52,56 and 60 to match.

[CUBuffaloes]

It comes down to how you use that club (PW and/or GW). If you use it for different types of shots around the green, consider a specialty wedge. If you use it like a "10 or 11 iron" then the set wedge is probably best. 

 

I use a set PW and a specialty GW with the same shaft as my iron set.

[drumdude96]

3 minutes ago, CUBuffaloes said:

It comes down to how you use that club (PW and/or GW). If you use it for different types of shots around the green, consider a specialty wedge. If you use it like a "10 or 11 iron" then the set wedge is probably best. 

 

I use a set PW and a specialty GW with the same shaft as my iron set.

This.  If it's mostly for full swings, go with the set wedge.  If using it for shots around the green, get a specialty wedge, as most set gap wedges don't have grinds that facilitate manipulating the face very much.

[twentyfour]

Quote

If you use it like a "10 or 11 iron" then the set wedge is probably best. 

 

This is the case for me. I used to have multiple speciality wedges, but I mostly use my gap wedge 3/4-ish swing to hit a gap, an easy 10 iron.

[HarborMike]

12 minutes ago, drumdude96 said:

This.  If it's mostly for full swings, go with the set wedge.  If using it for shots around the green, get a specialty wedge, as most set gap wedges don't have grinds that facilitate manipulating the face very much.

100% agree! Exactly my thoughts on full swings vs. the ‘feel’ or ‘partial’ shots. I personally swap back and forth between my speciality gap and set wedge with my T100S and speciality Vokey (48 degrees). If it’s really soft conditions, I moreso lean toward bagging set gap so it doesn’t dig too much. Also, if you’re strike is not exactly consistently toward the middle, the set wedge would be more forgiving. A lot of speciality wedges such as Vokeys, MD5, T22s, etc. are basically blades. You’ll see drop offs in in distance and performance when not hit in the middle.

[ChipNRun]

26 minutes ago, CUBuffaloes said:

It comes down to how you use that club (PW and/or GW). If you use it for different types of shots around the green, consider a specialty wedge. If you use it like a "10 or 11 iron" then the set wedge is probably best.

 

And, it depends on the wedge itself. In the era of outdoor demo days, I would always try the iron set's GW. Some were quite good for both greenside and 11-iron duty, while others didn't give much greenside touch. 

 

Side note: One country club assistant pro told me his shop only orders a couple of GWs a year in specialty wedges. He said most of his golfers just use the GW or AW that comes with the set. 

Edited January 18, 2022 by ChipNRun

[NZ315]

12 minutes ago, ChipNRun said:

 

And, it depends on the wedge itself. In the era of outdoor demo days, I would always try the iron set's GW. Some were quite good for both greenside and 11-iron duty, while others didn't give much greenside touch. 

 

Side note: One country club assistant pro told me his shop only orders a couple of GWs a year in specialty wedges. He said most of his golfers just use the GW or AW that comes with the set. 

Piggy back in this. I too like to use the GW if it is part of the set. 

[Primo1868]

1 hour ago, Vater said:

For those of you using better irons, players irons, are you using the set GW/AW or are you stopping at the PW?

 

I know this conversation has been had on whether or not to use the set wedge or a specialty wedge, and the majority of people use the set wedge and treat it like an extra iron. But I was wondering if that thought changes with players irons, which among other factors, have more traditional lofts.

Stopping at PW (919 tours)

[azgreg]

Set pw and gw guy here. When I use them around the green it's for chipping only and I set up with a square face so they work well.

 

[lefthack]

Currently using a Haywood 48* as my PW but will likely use my MB set PW when those get here. 

[Vater]

I guess a related question I have is why do better players iron sets have one or zero wedges after the PW and GI/SGI sets always have a GW, sometimes more than one?

 

Is it to cover the lofts to a traditional PW range? Is it to provide a normal gapping to then go into specialty wedges?

 

Or I suppose it's like what most people are saying here - they're going to take a full swing with something in the 46*-50* range anyway, so might as well have a club that's built just like the other irons.

[Ger21]

10 hours ago, Vater said:

For those of you using better irons, players irons

A lot of "better" irons don't have matching gap wedges. If they do, I'm playing the set gap wedge.

[Hawkeye77]

Henrik Stenson and I use the same model better player elite no hackers allowed to fondle irons. He eschews the “set wedge”, I use it. We’ve both won the same number of majors since ‘16. 
 

All you need to know about the conclusions you can draw from whomever uses better (cough) players irons. 

[bvanlieu]

Marketing is powerful. Gotta have a vokey or jaws in the bag. 🙂 

 

I gamed a 51d set A wedge for years. P770 cb in this case.  Full swings.  Some chips. I moved away from it mostly because I stole a set or two of slightly used miura 3 wedge sets from the usual suspects. 
 

I have a few times just went and hit shots with the 770 and y grind miura. Bounce was close. Subtle differences in leading edge.  It mostly came down to how you used it.  Square to square no real difference. The wedge did have a bit more heel relief so opening it a few degrees to make a 52 or so felt a bit better. 
 

When going strong lofts the gap set wedge becomes more of a natural fit imho. 

[Striker Ace]

Complete iron set up to 48 degrees. The 52 and 58 are specialty wedges. 

[jsmcdon]

I've always used the set PW, and then another brand gap, sand, lob.

I don't really feel the need to move off of a set PW, I would much rather fill in gaps afterwards.