Change in Wedge Setup

[golf-RN]

On 7/16/2023 at 9:47 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.    

Which version Kirklands are you using? I got my wife a set of the new V2 wedges the beginning of June, I tried them and for me they spin like crazy. I was shocked to say the least. I liked them so much I sold my Mizuno's and got a new V2 set for myself 🙂

[JAMH03]

I've tried a TON of wedge hybrid and long iron arraignments

48-54-60 will work.

Personally I'd just drop the 5iron and put a mark on the 4iron grip about an an inch down for 5 iron distance. 

Also I've worn out more than a few Wilson Harmonized wedges, I'm shocked that they played better for you than the Kirkland wedges.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Did want to report back - I've now played two 9 hole rounds with the setup, and have had zero regrets.

 

I actually found the 48-54-60 simpler to play with.  Less choices in the bag meant I relied more on smart club selection, and had to choose the right swing tempo.

 

One shot was especially nice.  It was a Par 5, nice drive, nice 4i.  Was 80 out, and I'd normally hit a firm 56.  Instead, I hit a smooth tempo 54, and hop/stopped the ball 6' from the pin.

[ScooterMcTavish]

So further follow up to the topic, as things like this sometimes work nice one week, and not so nice the next.

 

First off, I was the lucky recipient of three Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore wedges as part of a member testing via GolfWRX.  You can read about this here:

 

 

So in the last two months, on top of my D7 44* PW, I have used a Vokey 48* Kirkland V1 52* - 56* - 60* setup, then a used Vokey SM6 48* - 54* - 60*, to a brand-spanking-new Cleveland 48* - 54* - 60* setup.  It has been very interesting, especially as the 52* was typically my ~100yd go to club.  A couple of observations:

 

The 44* PW in the D7 has a pretty hot face, and depending on conditions, it is an easy 120 yds.  The 48* in the Vokey was consistently at 100 yds, same distance as my Kirkland 52*.  There is either an issue with the loft on it, or I simply have not optimized my swing for it.

 

However, the Clevelands do go farther than the Vokeys for equivalent yardages.  I found myself ~100 yds out yesterday from a pin tucked behind a towering poplar (year-end scramble/greenskeeper's revenge) and needed the loft of the 54* to get over it.  Although I fell ~4 yds short of the green, the strike was a solid highly lofted 95 yds, putting it in line with my 100 yd Kirkland 52*, if not a bit farther.

 

Part of this is likely the shafts - the Vokeys have KBS Tour shafts in them, so they are stouter feeling.  The Clevelands have DG Tour Spinners in them which suit my swing much better, and is a shaft I have used happily many times in the past.

 

The main difference I continue to notice between the Vokeys and the Clevelands vs the Kirklands is the sheer amount of bite the ball has.  With the Kirklands, I saw release on pretty much anything except a full 60* into a receptive green.  Both the Vokeys and the Clevelands hop and stop, or suck back slightly.  An odd sight for a below-average spin player.

 

And here is the interesting part, and something the club manufacturers would like you to know: better quality wedges are more versatile, period.  Having the ability to get some check on the ball, even for a lower average spin player like myself opens up all sorts of interesting shots.

 

Want to aggressively flop a 60*  Go ahead.  Want to hit a low 48* and still have it grab?  Sure.  And I did both of these last night, both of which set up our team to save par.  Although I saw some difference with the the Vokeys, the brand new RTX 6 have been game-changing.

 

So maybe to put a pin on this thread:

- Going to a 4 wedge setup has affected me less than I would have thought

- Ensuring you have the right wedges (spin, shaft) is as important as the setup, as good wedges afford more options and consistency than lower-spinning wedges

- Confidence is key, and having the higher spinning wedges give me the confidence to take a large variety of shots 

- And the one less wedge allows me to keep the 4i in the bag (technically a 3i using D7 Forged lofts) which is such a versatile club, especially on well-treed courses, and in windy conditions

 

Think I'll be using this setup for some time to come. 

 

    

 

Edited August 24, 2023 by ScooterMcTavish