New wedge setup. Advice.

[Klubster]

I am currently playing 53/56/60 wedges with a 48 degree GW.  Considering going to one less wedge but concerned with sand play.  The wedges other than the 56 are lower bounce.  I am not the best bunker player to start with, so will a low bounce wedge be a detriment if I go something like 54/58 or 54/60?  Suggestions?  Best alternative to 56 as sand wedge?

[Ger21]

Use the 54 as your SW.

[FirePro]

I went from 56/60 to 54/58 with no issue, the 58 is still enough for me to get out of most trouble

[ShortGolfer]

The greens I play on are tiny.  I used a 58/12 as my sand wedge and it worked great for all the shots around the green! 

Half a dozen shots and just one that didn't land on the green and give me a chance to make the putt.

 

When my new clubs arrive I plan to play 48/56/60.

Edited August 10, 2022 by ShortGolfer

[Pepperturbo]

My 620 MB PW is 47/8', SW is F-52/12' and LW is M-58/8'.  I can handle any length or condition bunker shot with those 3 clubs. 

 

However, a month back I had 90yd (semi-firm) bunker shot to green where I used an open face 9i, hit the green made a putt for par. 

 

Just have one wedge with 12' or more bounce.  Rest can be whatever bounce you like.

[Klubster]

52 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

 

 

Just have one wedge with 12' or more bounce.  Rest can be whatever bounce you like.

Good suggestion.  I seldom have to get the ball straight up out of the bunker.  When I do, the second attempt is usually easier.

Edited August 10, 2022 by Klubster

[iknowbagu]

48-54-60 is a super solid setup. I'm in the camp that believes most people gap their wedges too close together, therefore creating redundancy. I'll take 5-6° gaps over 3-4° any day. 

[Zena]

I also tend towards the idea that most players have too many wedges, mostly because they are emulating pros. Most male pros hit their 9/PW in the realm of 150yd, so they have to have reliable stock shots for everything <150. Having a 4 wedge setup (PGSL) helps to create nice distance matrix of Full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/3 shots (16 possibilities!) plus they are skilled to easily add/remove flight/spin. DJ is a notable exception: big bomber but he only carries I believe a 52 and a 60.

 

I think most players don’t need such a comprehensive matrix because the yardage gap and consistency just isn’t there. You may hit a partial shot “exactly 100” but that may actually be 95-105 whereas a pro is probably 99-101. So if your wedge shot matrix has a 100 option and a 92 option, the ranges are likely to overlap, ie 105-95 and 97-87.

 

Also, the fact is that it can be difficult for some players to get good compression out of a full swing with a 60, 58, or even 56/54 wedge, making their “full” shot go the same distance as a 3/4 shot.

 

If you’re one of those who can easily compress a 60, or hits their 9i pro level distances, well done, good for you, don’t get offended cuz this post isn’t for you.

 

If you hit your 9i 120yd, and struggle with full shots with your lob and sand wedges, then maybe it’s time to carry less wedges and more headcovers (woods/hybrids).

 

This is one of those times I don’t think there’s a hard and fast rule for what to carry. If you’re not hitting full shots (why hit a lob wedge full to 75 when a pitch with your 9i will do the same with much more ease and feel), then wedges become about touch and feel. Assuming your set goes down to PW, I would say you need a wedge for sand, and a wedge for close greenside work. And you use whatever lofts and bounces YOU like, gapping be damned, because gapping only matters if you’re hitting full shots.

 

I personally currently carry 4 wedges (PW, 50, 54, 58). My 9i now goes to 140 on a golf course swing, but I really don’t get good compression out of a 58 and again I prefer pitch shots and partials for the accuracy. I recently did my matrix and there are clearly some overlaps. The only benefits are easy manipulation of shot height. Once these wedges wear out, I will revisit the matrix but I get a strong feeling that I’ll be going to a high bounce 52, maybe bent to 53 for sand, and a low bounce 60 for greenside work.

 

And yes I’ll be carrying 13 clubs.