Easy Wedges?

[akronswitness]

I wanted to get some opinions on wedges specifically made for mid-handicapper maybe even a high handicapper. Im a 15 right now and am playing very well (for my standards) in most aspect of the game.....besides chipping. Im at the point where Im losing probably 5 strokes per round because I cant chip. Ive practiced for hours, tried many different techniques, ect and its still just not there. Almost like I have the yips and so much going through my head at address that it forces a chunk or thin shot. Its the one part of my game that has actually gotten worse with time and its costing me big time on the course.

 

I also am very well aware that this is a 'quit buying new clubs to fix a user error problem' situation but its also a 'Ive lost all confidence in these wedges when I take them out of the bag' situation.

 

Right now I play Callaway MD 5 wedges. 50/54/58. Usually chip around the green with the 54/58 depending how confident I am that day. I bought the wedge set 2 years ago and have never really hit them well unless its a full swing. Chunking around the green or when I do hit it clean, its way too long 20ft past the hole.

 

Ive been researching if there are easier wedges to hit, that are not a blade style wedge like the MD5 and came across the Cleveland Zipcore CBX. Would that type of cavity back wedge help that much? Less digging into the ground, more easy/forgiving bounce just to pop the ball up out of the rough and not HAVE to hit it so perfectly like I feel you do with the MD5? Are there any other wedges besides the Cleveland CBX that you would recommend? (it seems to be far and away the most popular wedge for crappy chippers like myself).

 

Also, Im not looking to get a full new set of wedges because I do hit the MD5 50* and 54* well from 100-120 with a full swing. I just need something for that 5ft. off the green in the rough to about a 20 yards out wedge that I can just pitch the ball up on the middle of the green with.  Would that be a 56? a 58? What is the best loft for greenside chips to maybe 15-20 yard little pitches?

Edited September 14, 2023 by akronswitness

[grinder1320]

A true case of the yips is multi-issue. The primary fault is technique, but playing ill-fitted equipment can trigger the beginning, and the mental challenges and chaos follows....

 

I went through it off-on (mainly on) for 10 years. My wedge short game inside 60 yards was bad. Like Charles Barkley bad. Round destroying bad. There were odd good periods with rounds even in the 70s, but I always knew it was still there. It was crushing.

 

I'm now fully past it, but everything (I mean everything) in my game, including all my equipment, had to get better to do it.

 

Not sure where you are at, but I'll assume it is bad.

 

Here is general advice only regarding wedge setup which helped me.

 

- Simplify setup to 1 or 2 wedges: 52 & 58, or 50 & 56, or just 54/56

- If 2 wedges, get both the same length (e.g. order 58 +1/2" long to match 52)

- Heavier shafts e.g. 110g+

- Grip weight no more than ~65g, but with 2+ wraps or mid-size or MMC Plus4

- Swing weight D3+ (lead tape as needed)

- One wedge high bounce (e.g. 12+) and the other med or high bounce (e.g. 10+)

- Grinds on both for square face setup (e.g. Vokey F, S, K)

 

Use the low loft wedge (50 or 52) whenever and whereever around the green including bunkers. The higher loft wedge for lobs, very high grass and non-shallow bunkers.

 

When it was bad for me, I had even less confidence with lower loft wedges and always grabbed 58 or even 62. For me and many, that is wrong. Now, my overwhelming default is 52. You have more margin for error and if your wedges are reasonably new, can play spin shots, etc...and cover most all needed. High bounce with wider sole will still let you play many pitch shots too.

 

Don't practice with your lob wedge. This can lead to bad habits and technique. Paddy Harrington on his youtube lessons says he never practices more than a few balls with lob wedge. I changed after I heard this. I use to hit more 58s than anything else.

 

If it is bad, yips is a complex problem. For some, they can't truly fix it. Equipment alone is most often not enough.

 

Some equipment setup advice that helped for me.

 

Good luck!

Edited September 14, 2023 by grinder1320

[HGLucky13]

I would put the 58* away. Start using the 50* or even your PW for everything unless you really have to get elevation over something, like a deep bunker, then use your 54*. Most times you will find you do not need that pretty "flop" type shot. Just bump it up on the green. That technique took a few shots off of every round for me.  I stopped having that thin shot go across the green, or the chunk that only goes half the distance to the pin. One of my friends uses his 8 iron and swings it more like a putter on everything that he has a clean shot at. Keeps his mishits under control that way. Scorecard doesn't have pics of your shots on it. 

Edited September 14, 2023 by HGLucky13

[alittleoverpar]

If you're looking for forgiving wedges and want to stick with Callaway, take a look at the Sure Out model.  They are definitely forgiving, lots of bounce, but still usable.  They got me though a problematic stretch with my chipping/pitching.

 

 

[PopeofTexas]

I’ll throw my support behind the CBX Zipcores. I was really struggling with my chipping beginning of this season to the point where I considered getting a CHIPr and I traded in my Jaws Wedges for some Zipcores. They are not a magic wand but I do find them much easier to hit and more forgiving. That said what helped the most was finding an easily repeatable technique and just drilling it. I also don’t think you need a 58. I carry a set Gap Wedge and a 54* Zipcore and I can hit anything I need to. You don’t need to be Phil Mickelson to have a good short game, you just need to get comfortable with a club or two and a technique or two and that’s plenty. I play off a 6 for reference. 

[akronswitness]

43 minutes ago, PopeofTexas said:

I’ll throw my support behind the CBX Zipcores. I was really struggling with my chipping beginning of this season to the point where I considered getting a CHIPr and I traded in my Jaws Wedges for some Zipcores. They are not a magic wand but I do find them much easier to hit and more forgiving. That said what helped the most was finding an easily repeatable technique and just drilling it. I also don’t think you need a 58. I carry a set Gap Wedge and a 54* Zipcore and I can hit anything I need to. You don’t need to be Phil Mickelson to have a good short game, you just need to get comfortable with a club or two and a technique or two and that’s plenty. I play off a 6 for reference. 

 

Thank you, the main reason I was attracted to them is because they are essentially marketed as wedges that are much harder to chunk/thin shots with and thats my main problem. I get in my head with the MD5s, think of 3+ different things I need to do in my swing and the majority of the time I end up getting to wristy or decelerate and chunk it because I know they are not forgiving. It really feels like these wedges dig with the edge into the ground, almost like its not really made to hit anything but tight lies. It might just be because I use the 54/58 for chipping and not the 50, but who knows I would have to try it.

 

If the CBX wedges are easier to hit from having high bounce and dont dig like the blade of a MD5 does, Im all for it lol I need something that skips off the surface if I dont hit it perfectly, not dig into the ground and chunk the hell out of everything 2 ft. I truely feel like with the MD5 wedges they are not the right fit for my game and what I need. They are probably great for great short game players who can spin the ball and stop it or have it check up--but thats not me lol I just need something that is easy to just pitch shots 5-15 yards and land them in the same vicinity as the pin.  

Edited September 15, 2023 by akronswitness

[PopeofTexas]

The Jaws wedges felt diggy for me too. I’m sure I had the wrong grind but I haven’t had that problem with the Zips. The Zipcores spin plenty too!

[kthomas]

Blade style wedges can be difficult to play with if your game isn't on.

 

CBX/CBX2 are very forgiving. Between those and the wedges you are currently playing are Ping Glides.

 

I personally moved on from SM wedges to Glides, and my short game has only improved. Sometimes I'll pull out my T7 wedges when I'm feeling on, though they are certainly more demanding.

 

I would avoid using the high lofts (58-60°) unless you really have to have a high trajectory shot, otherwise use lower lofts for chipping. I use my 52° for the vast majority of my green side work.

[Klubster]

Unless you have to hit over a hazard and stop the ball, it is a lot easier to hit a bump and run with a 7 or 8 iron.  If you are chunking your wedges, more bounce and a wider sole may help, but not a cure for bad technique.

[akronswitness]

11 minutes ago, kthomas said:

Blade style wedges can be difficult to play with if your game isn't on.

 

CBX/CBX2 are very forgiving. Between those and the wedges you are currently playing are Ping Glides.

 

I personally moved on from SM wedges to Glides, and my short game has only improved. Sometimes I'll pull out my T7 wedges when I'm feeling on, though they are certainly more demanding.

 

I would avoid using the high lofts (58-60°) unless you really have to have a high trajectory shot, otherwise use lower lofts for chipping. I use my 52° for the vast majority of my green side work.

Got it, so would a 52* for chipping and a 56 for bunkers and higher lofted shots be the number?

 

Side note: Everyone always says to basically do a general sweep motion like a putter stroke and I keep telling them I can't because as soon as my club hits the grass it grabs and stops. If I try to not hit the ground and sweep I just end up blading the crap out of it lol

 

Maybe it's because I'm using a 58 and not a 50. Maybe it's the blades working against me. Maybe it's both.

[kthomas]

10 minutes ago, akronswitness said:

Got it, so would a 52* for chipping and a 56 for bunkers and higher lofted shots be the number?

 

Side note: Everyone always says to basically do a general sweep motion like a putter stroke and I keep telling them I can't because as soon as my club hits the grass it grabs and stops. If I try to not hit the ground and sweep I just end up blading the crap out of it lol

 

Maybe it's because I'm using a 58 and not a 50. Maybe it's the blades working against me. Maybe it's both.

 

There's no general rule - but higher lofted wedges are less forgiving and are the cause of many amateur golfer's chipping woes.

 

I find that a 52° works for me. Maybe it will be your preference too with practice. Or maybe the PW. Or a 8i or 9i. 

 

The best advice is to pay for lessons. Barring that, there are some good chipping fundamental videos on YouTube. Watching Phil Mickelson YT tutorials (a long with some help from her husband along the way) transformed my wife's chipping game. It really helped her to understand what a chip swing really is.

 

Learn the fundamentals of chipping and then practice, practice, practice.

[kthomas]

Lee Trevino has some great videos as well, FYI. His videos on chipping and pitching have simple tips that are excellent.

[kthomas]

And for bunkers - that's also a personal preference thing.

 

For wedges, I carry a PW, 52° and 58°.

 

For green side bunkers I use the 58°, if they are slightly farther out and out of range with the 58°, then I use the 52°.

[Brentwood]

Big supporter of the CBX Zipcores and have three of them in my bag currently. For me, they’re especially helpful in mitigating the chunky shots.
 

As others have said, don’t feel like you need to game a 58/60 lob wedge. Bumping those green side shots might be easier with an 8i.
 

It takes time to build confidence with wedges, especially those shots that require finer touch. Just keep at it! 

[akronswitness]

1 hour ago, kthomas said:

 

There's no general rule - but higher lofted wedges are less forgiving and are the cause of many amateur golfer's chipping woes.

 

I find that a 52° works for me. Maybe it will be your preference too with practice. Or maybe the PW. Or a 8i or 9i. 

 

The best advice is to pay for lessons. Barring that, there are some good chipping fundamental videos on YouTube. Watching Phil Mickelson YT tutorials (a long with some help from her husband along the way) transformed my wife's chipping game. It really helped her to understand what a chip swing really is.

 

Learn the fundamentals of chipping and then practice, practice, practice.

 

Sure sure Im looking for a little bit more distance than a bump + run. Im talking like the shots where you kicked right/left of the green and your probably 10-15ft off the side and you need to pitch the ball back up on the green from the rough--usually requiring to give it some sort of loft to get it up and on or stop it if the pin is close side.

 

I found a really good deal on the CBX 52/56 set new, but I just wish that 56 was a 58 just for those shots I really need to put it on and stop it. If Im only going to carry 2 wedges I think I would rather have them be a bigger gap apart and noticeably different. I might be wrong though. Maybe 52/56 is good enough and I should abandon the 58 entirely.

Edited September 15, 2023 by akronswitness

[imsurokim]

I used Ping Chipr and helped me around a green. But that club is literally 9 iron choked down 2”.  

[RiskManagement79]

Cleveland CBX for me.  I use the 52 to chip and feels great.  

 

I have the Cleveland C Wedge for bump and runs.  42 degrees loft feels good.  

[mootrail]

If you want bounce that will not dig on chips, get a Cleveland Smart Sole S.  It's 58° and designed for the bunker, but it really helped me get back on track with my chipping.

[Port and Starboard]

16 hours ago, akronswitness said:

I wanted to get some opinions on wedges specifically made for mid-handicapper maybe even a high handicapper. Im a 15 right now and am playing very well (for my standards) in most aspect of the game.....besides chipping. Im at the point where Im losing probably 5 strokes per round because I cant chip. Ive practiced for hours, tried many different techniques, ect and its still just not there. Almost like I have the yips and so much going through my head at address that it forces a chunk or thin shot. Its the one part of my game that has actually gotten worse with time and its costing me big time on the course.

 

I also am very well aware that this is a 'quit buying new clubs to fix a user error problem' situation but its also a 'Ive lost all confidence in these wedges when I take them out of the bag' situation.

 

Right now I play Callaway MD 5 wedges. 50/54/58. Usually chip around the green with the 54/58 depending how confident I am that day. I bought the wedge set 2 years ago and have never really hit them well unless its a full swing. Chunking around the green or when I do hit it clean, its way too long 20ft past the hole.

 

Ive been researching if there are easier wedges to hit, that are not a blade style wedge like the MD5 and came across the Cleveland Zipcore CBX. Would that type of cavity back wedge help that much? Less digging into the ground, more easy/forgiving bounce just to pop the ball up out of the rough and not HAVE to hit it so perfectly like I feel you do with the MD5? Are there any other wedges besides the Cleveland CBX that you would recommend? (it seems to be far and away the most popular wedge for crappy chippers like myself).

 

Also, Im not looking to get a full new set of wedges because I do hit the MD5 50* and 54* well from 100-120 with a full swing. I just need something for that 5ft. off the green in the rough to about a 20 yards out wedge that I can just pitch the ball up on the middle of the green with.  Would that be a 56? a 58? What is the best loft for greenside chips to maybe 15-20 yard little pitches?

 

I had the yips going really bad with my wedge short game over the winter well into late spring this year.  Even played around with the Ping Chipr and Cleveland Smart Sole chippers.  I think back to where it began, and it was basically a few thinned/chunked pitches & chip that I let drag down my confidence level.

 

 

I finally had enough and went out in the back yard and hit about 300 chips & pitches one morning.  I made every swing trusting the bounce, and making sure that I was swinging all the way through on every shot. 

 

Pretty much cured it right there............. even if the wife wasn't very impressed with the damage to the yard.

 

 

 

 

[JimmyC59]

9 hours ago, Klubster said:

Unless you have to hit over a hazard and stop the ball, it is a lot easier to hit a bump and run with a 7 or 8 iron.  If you are chunking your wedges, more bounce and a wider sole may help, but not a cure for bad technique.

^THIS!^

[Kai Slater]

12 minutes ago, JimmyC59 said:

^THIS!^

100% on the idea of using a 8 or 9 iron bump'n'run.  I have become quite proficient with this shot out of necessity, since I miss most of the greens that I try to hit into.  My advice, spend lots of time practicing the bump'n'run.

[alittleoverpar]

The thing that finally fixed my chipping/pitching woes was to focus on keeping about 70% of my weight on my front foot.  My strike immediately improved and my confidence is back.

[JimmyC59]

2 hours ago, Kai Slater said:

100% on the idea of using a 8 or 9 iron bump'n'run.  I have become quite proficient with this shot out of necessity, since I miss most of the greens that I try to hit into.  My advice, spend lots of time practicing the bump'n'run.

It's easier to roll the ball into the hole, than throw it. I see guys all the time chip with high lofted clubs from just off the green and they almost always leave it very short. Outside of Pros/Scratch type players, very few are proficient at it

[HGLucky13]

11 hours ago, akronswitness said:

 

Sure sure Im looking for a little bit more distance than a bump + run. Im talking like the shots where you kicked right/left of the green and your probably 10-15ft off the side and you need to pitch the ball back up on the green from the rough--usually requiring to give it some sort of loft to get it up and on or stop it if the pin is close side.

 

I found a really good deal on the CBX 52/56 set new, but I just wish that 56 was a 58 just for those shots I really need to put it on and stop it. If Im only going to carry 2 wedges I think I would rather have them be a bigger gap apart and noticeably different. I might be wrong though. Maybe 52/56 is good enough and I should abandon the 58 entirely.

Unless you are trying to go over a bunker to a short sided pin it is sooo much easier to bump and run with a lower lofted club. from any distance. Don't think of it only as a short shot from 15'. It works all the way out to full swing distances. Ive done bump and run from 100 yds out with my hybrid cause I had to go under trees. 

[jrg75]

I can tell you I went through the same experience as you.  I was having a massive problem with finding the bottom of my chipping with thins and fats being a regular occurrence.  I went to CBX2 wedges (48, 54, 60) and it helped me massively.  The sole/bounce/grind just works for me.  Saw an instant improvement (several strokes per round) and am currently hording used wedges with the realization I probably will never play anything else.

[Streuner]

Also a CBX Zipcore User… i am HCP 13 and I like my Cleveland wedges, the shaft could be 10gr heavier, but who cares… 

i have a set of Mizuno S series wedges at home as well, that are easy to play. But the CBX are idiot proof, so better for me… 

[mikedejong33]

For a relatively decent player (I am about a 3 handicap), I am a really poor chipper. If there is grass under the ball in the rough, I am ok. But anything off a tighter lie and I was completely lost. I would usually just putt from everywhere if I could or bump 8 irons. I took a lesson, learned how to open the face on the way back, keep the weight forward, and use the bounce through. Get the club skidding across the ground and just picking up the ball if that makes sense. Then I got the most forgiving wedges out there, for me: Ping Glide 2.0 stealth with the widest sole and max bounce. I am still not a great chipper by any means, but at least I can hit the green from 10 feet off now, which I honestly couldn't even do before. Then its just practice. Get a few decent fundamentals down, a forgiving wedge, and then work on it. I still hate chipping!

[MountainKing]

Wider sole clubs tend to be more forgiving to help avoid these issues.  Technique wise, generally guys I see that chunk/thin shots use too much wrist action and get the club too inside going back.  Keep feet almost together, all weight on the forward foot, stand close to the ball with high hands so the heel of the club is off the ground and move the clubhead with your shoulders. 

[MountainKing]

22 minutes ago, mikedejong33 said:

For a relatively decent player (I am about a 3 handicap), I am a really poor chipper. If there is grass under the ball in the rough, I am ok. But anything off a tighter lie and I was completely lost. I would usually just putt from everywhere if I could or bump 8 irons. I took a lesson, learned how to open the face on the way back, keep the weight forward, and use the bounce through. Get the club skidding across the ground and just picking up the ball if that makes sense. Then I got the most forgiving wedges out there, for me: Ping Glide 2.0 stealth with the widest sole and max bounce. I am still not a great chipper by any means, but at least I can hit the green from 10 feet off now, which I honestly couldn't even do before. Then its just practice. Get a few decent fundamentals down, a forgiving wedge, and then work on it. I still hate chipping!

 

That's pretty much it, i love tight lie chips that I can fly most of the way and just have them hit and check.  I know they say get the ball running as soon as you can, but I've always preferred to use the air as much as I can since I've never been great at putting or rolling things.

 

Also love it because it messes with people, the shot looks like it's going to rock miles across the green when you hit it right.

Edited September 15, 2023 by MountainKing

[ShortGolfer]

I find my clunky SGI 9 iron works great for bump and runs of tight lies.  A little hop to reach the green then a nice roll.

You may want to find a practice chipping green and experiment with the clubs already in your bag.

Edited September 15, 2023 by ShortGolfer