Change in Wedge Setup

[ScooterMcTavish]

Hello all,

 

Been going down a bit of an equipment rabbit hole this year, started with the acquisition of a new set of W/S D7 Forged Irons.  The combo of smaller head, less offset, and KBS $ Taper Lite shafts worked for my swing, and I saw very good LM numbers.  They've also performed well on course, though I have been struggling with consistency due to a lack of play/practice over the last month.

 

Regardless, the irons created a new challenge for me, as I've typically carried traditional loft irons with a 48* PW.  The gap between the D7 PW at 44* and my 52* is a bit steep, as I often find myself needing a 110-120 yard club.  Typical bag makeup is D, 3W, 3h, 4-PW, 52, 56, 60, P.

 

So I added a 48* Vokey to the mix, and dropped my 4i.  And of course there were two times I needed it that 9-hole round - once for a longer punch with some overhanging branches, and once for a second shot on a Par 5 into a strong wind.

 

I also haven't been all that impressed with the Kirkland wedges either.  I've never had new wedges, and I am disappointed at the lack of improved spin vs what I was expecting.  I honestly had better spin from a slightly used inexpensive Wilson Harmonized wedge I had a few years back.

 

To try and find room in the bag, I thought experimenting with a 48* - 54* - 60* wedge setup may allow me to keep the 4i in the bag.

 

Curious if anyone else has tried this, and what they felt the positive and negatives were from this.    

[North Butte]

My preferred wedge set for many years was 50/55/61 (the 55 was a 54 bent weak, the 61 was a 60 bent weak) and that was working off a 45-degree shortest iron (DCI 9-iron or Ping PW). 

 

Nowadays my irons have a 43-degree PW but the set also offers a 48-degree gap wedge. To my surprise I'm finding the 48 (shortest iron) then 50/54/60 (wedges) set gaps nicely. I think that's because the 48-degree iron set club I swing just like any other short iron while with my wedges I'm always opening the face and my stance and hitting a more flighted type shot.

[jarediogolf]

I play 44/48/54/60 and I like it a lot. 
Each wedge has a distinctive flight.
Saw a playing lessons with the pros (or some show like that) with Annika Sorenstam and she was 48/54/60 from what I remember. 

I prefer the extra club at the long end over a 48/52/56/60 setup. 
 

If I were to try another setup it would be 48/52/58. 

[Striker Ace]

The 48, 54, and 60 is the way to go in my opinion. 52 and 56 can be a little overkill, but then I just play to enjoy myself. I find that I can get reasonable accuracy with the three wedge setup.

[JourneyToBreak80]

I went a route similar to Rocco Mediate just to experiment. Basically just three wedges, I use a 46* PW, a 50* F Grind, and then a 56* M grind, which I'll be subbing out for a 56* S grind from Callaway. I've really enjoyed the simplicity, and haven't really missed the 60*. Although I've also been working pretty hard at playing varying height/distance shots with my wedges. I may end up throwing a low bounce 58* back in if I get antsy.

 

For me personally this split still keeps my yardage gaps easy on full swings, and then it just comes down to how much power oddball distance shots need closer to the green. 

Edited July 16, 2023 by JourneyToBreak80

[J_Tizzle]

I'm kinda the same boat, I currently play 45/50/54/58/62 and wouldn't hate the idea of another club at the other end of my bag.  If I ever ended up doing that I'd almost guarantee I'd go 45/50/54/60 with the 60 being a low bounce option (possibly bent to 59*).  I love the 62 but do feel like it leaves me a gap at the top end of my bag and when I pull the 62 I'm typically in complete jail so my chances of getting up and down are already pretty low.  However, I've hit some absolute dimes with the 62 that I know I couldn't have done with a 58/60.

[Jeff58]

50/56/60. 
 

The ZX5 PW is 44 and for me ~125 yards.

 

The 50 is ~110 yards, but it’s very easy to either hit it or the PW into the gap between them. The 50 is an excellent chipping club.

 

A 56 is a far better sand loft than 54 at least where I play. The likelihood of a high lip would force me into a lob wedge much of the time vs. a 54, making carrying it close to worthless.

 

60 is more than enough loft for anyone in any conditions and is essentially the limit of full swing control.

[bossman641]

Why not 44/48/52/58? Could even have the 52 bent to 53.

[bobfoster]

I'm 46/52/58. Quite content with that setup, can do pretty much anything I want, and like having the extra spot at the long end on the bag. 

[dcdavis25]

I am 45/50/56/62. I recently added the 62. Not missing the extra club at the top of the bag and the 62 can get me up and down from spots that I wouldn’t be able to otherwise.

[Tyler724]

I play 48, 54, and 60 and it works just fine. Closer spaced wedges for me and I get too indecisive. With the 6 degree gaps it makes decision making easier IMO

[ScooterMcTavish]

Interesting update.

 

Played a quick 9 today, and ballstriking was off after ~100 swings on the LM today.

 

Still had my 4i out, and did not pull any of the 52, 56 or 60.  For pitching I used the 48 Vokey which had fantastic grab on the greens.

 

And I sure missed the 4i on a few shots.  Looks like this may still be a good idea.

[Roejye]

I'll have to check my build sheet but I believe I 45° pw, 50° aw, into a 56° sw. This is allowing me to try out a 5 iron and 5 hybrid. Honestly, I haven't really missed the 60°, but I also probably need to practice more, especially my wedges. 

 

The benefit I have found is it does simplify things, and it doesn't allow me to pull the 60° when I don't have to. 

Edited July 17, 2023 by Roejye

[JamesG12]

I just switched to a 46/52/58 from a 48/54/60 set up. Still getting used to it. 

[jarediogolf]

On 7/16/2023 at 8:59 PM, Tyler724 said:

I play 48, 54, and 60 and it works just fine. Closer spaced wedges for me and I get too indecisive. With the 6 degree gaps it makes decision making easier IMO

Most of my short game shots are 48 or 60 (low or high). 54 comes in when 48 or 60 does not seem right. 

[kthomas]

I use 46/52/58.

 

This works well enough for me, and keeps things a bit more simple than a 4 wedge setup. 

 

The 46/PW is used for full swing shots. The 52 is the work horse, from everything to full swing shots to short chips. It's really versatile and I've learned to use it really well. The 58 is for its designated "dead arm" swing distance, green side bunker shots, and the occasional niche shot that requires a lot height and/steep descent (a shot I typically avoid unless necessary or if I'm feeling sporty). Rarely/never use the 58 for full shots.

[North Butte]

5 hours ago, kthomas said:

I use 46/52/58.

 

This works well enough for me, and keeps things a bit more simple than a 4 wedge setup. 

 

The 46/PW is used for full swing shots. The 52 is the work horse, from everything to full swing shots to short chips. It's really versatile and I've learned to use it really well. The 58 is for its designated "dead arm" swing distance, green side bunker shots, and the occasional niche shot that requires a lot height and/steep descent (a shot I typically avoid unless necessary or if I'm feeling sporty). Rarely/never use the 58 for full shots.

My swing coach uses the same lofts (at least approximately, not sure if he has any of the lofts tweaked a little strong or weak) and in the same way. He has a certain range of shots he hits with that 52 everywhere from 110 yards down to little bump and runs. And he does a variety of open or closed face, creative or recovery shots with the 58 as well as really liking it from bunkers. But he'd rather throttle way back on the 52 to hit a 85-90 yard shot rather than playing a stock swing with the 58.

 

It's not really how I've arranged my wedges over the years but I do see a lot of value in that approach. I've had a few wedge lessons with him in recent years and lately I'm starting to work some of his "52-style shots" into my game with my 54-degree. My yardages are way shorter (even with my 50-degree Vokey a full swing is about 85 yards) but scaled down to my distances I can see and feel how his and your approach hits qualitatively different shots than my own preference for full swings (or nearly full) with several different wedges. 

[oskaru]

I made some changes to my bag coming into this season. Used to play 3-P with a 47 degree wedge and then into a 54/60 setup. Overhauled the whole iron set to get a better loft progression (and reduced offset in the short irons) so now going off of a 45 degree 9-iron I go to a 51/56/60 setup. 

 

Found that I'm less often in a situation where I'm between clubs and unsure about what to do. Be it to hit a soft 9 or hard wedge because they are too close, or where I'd have to take uncomfortably much off the wedge or crush the nuts off the 54. I was generally comfortable hitting different shots with my 54 but having the 51 for delicate shots around the green rather than having to go down to a 47 definitely helps. And the 45 degree 9-iron is such a good middle ground for bump-and-run shots.

[jacho22]

My current setup is 44 (matched set), 50-55-60 and works well for me.  

[Pepperturbo]

On 7/16/2023 at 6:47 AM, ScooterMcTavish said:

Hello all,

 

Been going down a bit of an equipment rabbit hole this year, started with the acquisition of a new set of W/S D7 Forged Irons.  The combo of smaller head, less offset, and KBS $ Taper Lite shafts worked for my swing, and I saw very good LM numbers.  They've also performed well on course, though I have been struggling with consistency due to a lack of play/practice over the last month.

 

Regardless, the irons created a new challenge for me, as I've typically carried traditional loft irons with a 48* PW.  The gap between the D7 PW at 44* and my 52* is a bit steep, as I often find myself needing a 110-120 yard club.  Typical bag makeup is D, 3W, 3h, 4-PW, 52, 56, 60, P.

 

So I added a 48* Vokey to the mix, and dropped my 4i.  And of course there were two times I needed it that 9-hole round - once for a longer punch with some overhanging branches, and once for a second shot on a Par 5 into a strong wind.

 

I also haven't been all that impressed with the Kirkland wedges either.  I've never had new wedges, and I am disappointed at the lack of improved spin vs what I was expecting.  I honestly had better spin from a slightly used inexpensive Wilson Harmonized wedge I had a few years back.

 

To try and find room in the bag, I thought experimenting with a 48* - 54* - 60* wedge setup may allow me to keep the 4i in the bag.

 

Curious if anyone else has tried this, and what they felt the positive and negatives were from this.    

I have always been a traditionalist when it came to equipment and lofts.  MY other set of irons are 620 MB, 3i – 48' PW.  My T-MB 17' 2 iron fit nice between 3i and 3wd.  Late last year, I thought I'd see if strong lofts were worth the jabber.  Bought T200 17' 2i and 22' 4i, and a set of T100s, 5i-W.  The Wedge is 48', so fits nicely with my 52 and 58'. 

 

Current setup D, 3wd, 2i, 4i, 5-W, 52 & 58 & putter.

 

I'd replace the 56' with 58' and drop the 60.  Problem solved.

[jdl]

Changed from 52/56/60 to 50/54/58 when I realized my PW was 45 degrees. Still a small gap there but much less than before. When I went for a fitting last year the fitter asked if I used the 50 around the green at all. When I said "no", he recommended that to 50 should match the rest of my iron set vs matching the wedges as I have now. Still haven't got new irons though, but am replacing the 54/58 with new Jaws raw.

[Biscayne]

I have a 46/50/54/58 set up, which enables me to take 75% shots across the range. The constancy is nice to have. It also allows me to dial up or down if needed.

[bodhi555]

After a bit of messing around I've settled on 47/52/56. The courses I play don't really call for anything higher lifted than a 56, and if I do need it to stop quickly I can open the 56 up without too much bother. I went for the TW Grind 56 which changes the bounce when you open the face, and I find it easier to use than a standard 60. 

 

YMMV etc etc 

[Garydean]

I got 47,52,56,60 but I think I'm gonna get rid of 56,60 for a 58 because 56 doesn't get used too often 

[edwelly]

I play 45, 50, 54, 58 - but I rarely hit the 58.... and when I do, I usually regret it. 

-Erik

[nitram]

I played 48/53/58 for a long time and wouldn't have any quarrels about going back to it.

[dabohammer]

Just had my set PW bent 1 weak to 45, and set gap 2 weak to 50, dropping my 52 in the process to pick up a ~220 club. I haven’t played a round like that yet but my gapping previously was about 10 yds between the PW and gap, and only ~7 yds between gap and 52. 
 

really tough choice for me since I love all of my wedges, but it was definitely overkill 

[hagimihale]

OP, I went down the same rabbit hole you did.  PW is 44*.  My old GW was 50*, but that wedge set is now in the backup bag at dad's house.

 

New wedge set started at 52*.  I filled the gap with a 48* (dropped my 5i which I rarely used).  That 48* quickly became my favorite club both around the greens and from layup distance.

 

For the last season or so I've been at 44*, 48*, 54* and 60*.  Most of my work around the greens is with 2 clubs (48 and 60).

 

Now experimenting with 44/48/52/56/60.    I prefer to hunt pins with 3/4 shots, and this gives me an additional distance to layup to.  We'll see how it works out...

[ScooterMcTavish]

Thank you everyone for your input.  I now have a set of slightly used SM6 Vokeys at 48-54-60 to be put into play this week.  Will report back.

 

But did have a nice round this week and dropped the 4i for the 60.  I needed the 60 three times and the 4i once so looks like a good call.

[lance1420]

My irons this season are 2° stronger than I have played for as long as I can remember. 
 

I have always played 52/56/60 and had a gap I didn’t like with these numbers. 
 

I generally always full swing a PW. 
 

52 I use for full swings that check or bump and runs. 
 

56 is really only for sand. 
 

60 is my go to for basically everything around the green. 
 

I’m currently playing 50/54/58 and like the gapping better. It’s minute but it keeps my 46° pitching wedge closer to my gap wedge. 
 

I thought I was going to play 50/55/60 but haven’t felt the need.