60* vs. 62* lob wedges?

[Howie]

It seems the consensus within certain groups is the max permissible loft to play in one's lob wedge is 60* (some would even suggest 58*) before playability and consistency is negatively impacted. 

 

My question is the difference in 2*- a 62* lob wedge vs. a 60* lob wedge- is there merit in the thinking that 62* is "too much loft"?

 

Hopefully this makes sense. I'm trying to optimize yardage gaps and am all over the board between the 54* and 62* range- including the possibility of carrying three wedges within this loft range and removing a long iron.

 

Appreciate the input...

[iknowbagu]

I played 62° for a long time. It is without question a much tougher club to be precise vs a 60°. Around the green it can be a very useful tool, but once you start getting out more than 20-30 yards or so, distance control becomes a huge challenge. Swinging longer and/or harder often doesn't equate to distance, merely height (especially if you're a diggy player).

 

If someone is already a very proficient wedge player I think the 62° can be an absolute weapon. Other than that I think it will likely do more harm than good. 

[J_Tizzle]

62* wedge has saved me more strokes than it has cost me over the past year of playing one.  I'd much rather have a specialty club that I hit from 30 yards and in, vs a specialty club that I hit from 200+ yards.  

[cgasucks]

YMMV.  Obviously, in most cases, the higher the loft, the less bounce you have to deal with so you will need a shallower angle of attack to make the most out of it.  

[amace04]

I love the idea of a high-lofted lobb wedge, but just can't talk myself into it.  I hit my 60 pretty well, can open it up, flop it pretty well, and out of the bunkers as well (the 09 bounce on it works well for the rock-hard bunkers around where I am)

[nino44]

Ive played 50-56-62 for a few years now. The 62 can be a weapon if you have proper technique. I think this wedge set ups implies decisions as my 56 becomes the primary wedge outside of 40 yards whereas with a 56-60 Id have two comfortable clubs up to 90 yards. The 62 on longer shots is more difficult, but it makes shorter shots, inside 30 yards, and around the greens easier IMO. 

 

You can try bending a 60 to 62 if you have one to see as an experiment. It will increase bounce a bit and reduce offset. I did this initially and liked it but I prefer more offset so I bent a 64 to 62. 

[golfjam]

I had a 62 hanging around my garage for a long time and gave it a shot this past weekend. It makes a difference on flop and short sand shots, specially if like to hit it square.

[Scrubby]

I use a 62 M Grind Vokey bent to 61 7 degrees bounce. I've gotten to the point where it stays in the bag as a specialty club, used for down hill chips on fast greens, hard pan bunkers and short sided flops over bunkers. The club gets iffy with any shots over 25 yards. I've had too many 60ish yard shots that only carry 40ish with a full wedge swing, or thin rockets that zoom over the green. In a perfect world, I would use my 55 11 bounce S grind Vokey for everything under 100 yards. Its just a matter of being committed to using the 61 wedge only for special situations when a 55 wedge won't work.

[Jab3384]

I split the difference… Eye2 LW is 61*

[Billfitz]

I had a 64, finally donated it to the local high school. On my course the number of times I needed a club that went 25-30 yards with a full swing was maybe once every three or four rounds. For me that's chipping range. I go from a 54.5 SW to a 60 LW and that works for me.

[nsxguy]

MIND GAMES !!!

 

Edited February 21, 2022 by nsxguy

[jomatty]

I couldn’t see using one unless you just really preferred to play everything square.  It is relatively easy to open a 60 up and add as much loft as needed.  The 60 is still easy to chip with or hit any distance less than 80 yards or so (for me, for longer hitters even more coverage).  I just am not sure what the advantage on short shots would be over an opened up 60.  But I can see the issues with mid and longer range shots with the 62.

[Typhoon1992]

I have played a 56, 60, 64 for years.  To be honest though, 56 and 62 would be perfect.  The versatility of a 62 would be money.

[Haroputt]

I think 62/64 primary as finesse wedge around the green inside 25 yards. It does get iffy to swing fully but I have got to 30-40 yard lob 

Also I have open up the face but it’s usually not necessary. Mostly play it square/slightly closed 

Edited February 21, 2022 by Haroputt

[forrester_fire]

I think it depends on what kind of ball striker you are.  I'm flippy at impact, so a 58+ has very little utility, for me, other than around the green.  I'm better off stopping at 56...I can open the face more than enough to hit delicate flops as well as full swings from the rough and fairway.

[azgreg]

[Fairway14]

Compared to a 60* loft I find my 64* easier with which to play consistently good shots. For me a 58* or 60* caused confusion because it's not enough loft to produce automatic drop and stop shots.  My set up is 48*, 52* 56* and 64*. When the shots from inside 70 yards calls for no bounce or roll, it's time for the 64*.

[QuigleyDU]

I think there are two things here. 
 

if you are a never swing my 60 degree full guy. 62 can work and work well.

 

if you are a I like to make full lob wedge swing guy. I would go with 60 max. 

[Foxx]

I've always used a 58 or 60 degree wedge.

I have a fairly shallow swing, so exposing the bounce is dangerous for me. 

 

Going to a 62° I don't need to open it up in the bunker. And skipping into the back of the ball has stopped happening.

[BronxGolf]

I have used a 62 wedge for many years and it’s one of my favorite clubs. I initially did it because I didn’t see a great difference between my 56 and 60 distance wise.  I liked the greater differentiation from the 56 and a little extra height and stopping power. I also never found it harder to use - it just seemed like a club with a little more loft.  (I am a pretty shallow player though - so maybe that’s why). Everyone is different - it may work for you. 

[Rosco1216]

I like 62* simply because I like to play lofted chips with more of a straight face as opposed to opening up a 60*.

I never hit the 62* (or previously 60*) even remotely close to a what would be defined as a full shot. 75 yards usually max I wlll use it for unless I have a tree or something requiring higher initial launch than I can my 55*.

Edited February 17 by Rosco1216

[Big_hitter_The_Lama]

Depending on the course you play and ultimately the shots that are presented to you in order to get it close than having a 62° can be very beneficial. If you are good with your hands it’s easy to turn your 60° into a 62° or more with the influence of your swing/ body.

 

Having a 62° in the bag is like having a 1 iron. Looks great but does it really belong?