Highest lofted club is a 54 degree wedge - anyone else? (*** MERGED ***)

[AKA_Double J]

I saw this in a local sporting goods store a few years back.  After thinking about it for a few days I went back to get it just to have just for giggles but it was gone. 

[AKA_Double J]

To stay on topic, I carry a 54 and 58 (when playing 14 clubs) that are the same model, grind, shaft, etc.  Only 2 degrees bounce difference and a quarter inch length.  I play with less than 14 clubs the majority of the time, sometimes as few as 7 or 8.  To be honest it really doesn't make any difference if I leave out the 54 or 58.  I don't use either one for full shots, and it doesn't take much opening or closing to add or subtract a couple of degrees.  I could definitely replace them both with a 56 and not feel like I was missing anything.

Edited July 5, 2023 by AKA_Double J

[Michael Shanker]

My PW is 46^o but since I don't take a full swing with my wedges I prefer a 49^o and then either a [53^o/58^o] or just a 56^o

I'm struggling to justify the extra wedges when the 56^o can do everything the other 2 can do for the most part, plus then I can carry a 3 wood.

[Lord Viking]

On 7/3/2023 at 4:57 PM, byoshio82 said:

I know a lot of the older generation played only a 56 for many years. I use my LW a ton around the greens and out of bunkers. From 100 in it’s my go to unless I’m chipping or trying to hit a low hop and stop. 

Yup, all we used around here was 56* and was never an issue

[Naptime]

Aside from the PW and GW that came with the set, I have Ping Glides in even numbers from 52-58 and a TE 60*  I switch between them depending on the course.  I use the 58 as a SW too.

[byoshio82]

I grew up in the era right as the 60 started coming out so I’ve always had one in the bag. However I also use a 56 as well. 60 just gives me a 100-105 stock shot and provides more options at the lower end of the bag for me. 
 

My grandfather use to chip with anything from a 5 iron to a 9 iron and only used a wedge from the bunkers. 
 

just nice to have options for my game. 

[azgreg]

7 hours ago, AKA_Double J said:

I saw this in a local sporting goods store a few years back.  After thinking about it for a few days I went back to get it just to have just for giggles but it was gone. 

That will fill the gap nicely between my 60° and 92° wedges.

[North Butte]

11 hours ago, azgreg said:

That will fill the gap nicely between my 60° and 92° wedges.

I was thinking the same thing, although I may need to have it bent to 77 or 78 so I can hit it exactly 28 yards with a full swing.

[ThinkingPlus]

I try and adhere to the following philosophy about clubs and shots. Never use a solution that is more complex than the problem being solved.

 

I have a bag of clubs. I hit full shots with all of them (sans putter) with reasonable gaps (generally < 15 yards). I cover distances from 75 yards to 210 yards (carry) with lob wedge to driver. That's 4 wedges, 6 irons, 3 hybrids, and 2 woods.

 

My wedges are 45°, 50°, 54°, and 58°. I use the most appropriate club loft and grind for a given shot with the least manipulation because for most problems that is the simplest solution.

[gvogel]

I played the last 10 years with a Vokey TVD 54* wedge, bent to 55*.  It served me very well, and I was able to open it and hit lob shots when necessary.

 

This year I have gone to all graphite shafts, and there is a Ping G425 56* wedge in the bag at the moment.  It works; my other wedge is a T100 PW.  I am trying to play with only 8 or so clubs.

[North Butte]

41 minutes ago, ThinkingPlus said:

I try and adhere to the following philosophy about clubs and shots. Never use a solution that is more complex than the problem being solved.

 

I have a bag of clubs. I hit full shots with all of them (sans putter) with reasonable gaps (generally < 15 yards). I cover distances from 75 yards to 210 yards (carry) with lob wedge to driver. That's 4 wedges, 6 irons, 3 hybrids, and 2 woods.

 

My wedges are 45°, 50°, 54°, and 58°. I use the most appropriate club loft and grind for a given shot with the least manipulation because for most problems that is the simplest solution.

Thanks for saying succinctly what I always ramble on about in these threads. I am happy playing as many shots as possible as a “stock” swing with various clubs. 

[ThinkingPlus]

15 minutes ago, North Butte said:

Thanks for saying succinctly what I always ramble on about in these threads. I am happy playing as many shots as possible as a “stock” swing with various clubs. 

Unless you are really weird, stock swings are what we practice most and have dialed in best. Thus, it makes sense to get the most mileage out of that swing.  All my tweener shots are full swings where I choke down by varying amounts to get the correct distance. I also putt from off the green as much as I can because it is the simplest solution where I will have, on average, the best contact and control. Just seems like the most logical, rationale approach to me.

[Vater]

The highest lofted club I carry is a 54 degree wedge. I feel like I can make any shot I need to and have greater success than when I try to make a 60 deg work. 
 

I’m sure I’m in the minority, but anyone else do the same? For those of you still playing 58+ wedge, how many times a round are you using it? And how many of those times does it do what you want it to do?

[Mobert19]

I use my 58 anywhere from full 80 yd shots to green side bunkers, chipping and pitching near the green. I don’t use my 54 much at all besides full swing or longer chips shots 
 

 

[Ajota]

56 here, tried a 60 this past season, hit two shots with it and sold it to my buddy. 

[Ger21]

Last two months I got rid of my 60°, and just used my 56° for everything.

But I just picked up a 64°, to replace my 3 iron. 🤪

[ANimz]

22 minutes ago, Vater said:

The highest lofted club I carry is a 54 degree wedge. I feel like I can make any shot I need to and have greater success than when I try to make a 60 deg work. 
 

I’m sure I’m in the minority, but anyone else do the same? For those of you still playing 58+ wedge, how many times a round are you using it? And how many of those times does it do what you want it to do?

I still use a 60, and honestly a lot at one of the two main courses I play.  It has small, elevated greens, and I need to get shots to stop quicker.  I really only use it for those instances, and for short bunker shots.  I typically get the result I am looking for, but its not like I am flopping all day with it either.  My preferred wedge is a 56 though.  

[Sean124]

I probably use my lob wedge 7-9 times per round on most courses. 

 

[teedub21]

56 here.  FInding simpler is better on wedges.  Knowing how to use two instead of 4, the ole keep it simple stupid method.  

[NotoM]

Had 54 and 58 but I replaced them by splitting the difference and just have a 56 that can do both 

[Steele47]

I'm in the 56 club.  I just don't play enough to stay on top of/master a Lob wedge.

[b.mattay]

I've thought about this and I hit my lob wedge a lot-probably 8-10 times per round. 

 

I'm going to average 13/18 greens, so five greenside shots. Going to probably be up around the green on 2-3/4 par 5's. That's 7-8 greenside shots in total-probably 5-6 will be lob wedges. Add in another 3-4 approach shots that are lob wedges, and you get 8-10 times per round. 

 

Note: if the greens are slower (say below 10.5 on the stimp), I'll have some more variety in my greenside play. 

Edited November 2, 2023 by b.mattay

[Sean124]

19 minutes ago, b.mattay said:

I've thought about this and I hit my lob wedge a lot-probably 8-10 times per round. 

 

I'm going to average 13/18 greens, so five greenside shots. Going to probably be up around the green on 2-3/4 par 5's. That's 7-8 greenside shots in total-probably 5-6 will be lob wedges. Add in another 3-4 approach shots that are lob wedges, and you get 8-10 times per round. 

 

Note: if the greens are slower (say below 10.5 on the stimp), I'll have some more variety in my greenside play. 

That’s pretty much where I’m at. It’s a massively important club for me. 
 

I got forced into testing this thread topic earlier in the year. The head on my 60 came loose while I was warming up for a tournament. I figured not having it cost me 2 strokes that day. 

[Pym]

I’ve thought about it b/c I just switched from a 52, 58 wedge set up to 50, 54, 58 and dropped a fairway wood that I wouldn’t mind having back.
 

I just don’t know if I could go without my 12* bounce 58 from thick green side rough. 

[Pym]

2 hours ago, Sean124 said:

I probably use my lob wedge 7-9 times per round on most courses. 

 

To people who are playing lob wedge several times per round I’m curious if it’s a high bounce LW or low bounce.  In a wedge with lots of bounce, which I need on Michigan’s wet courses, I think a 58 plays easier than a 54 or 56. 
 

To me a high bounce 58 is like the 7 wood of wedges. 

[Sean124]

3 minutes ago, Pym said:

To people who are playing lob wedge several times per round I’m curious if it’s a high bounce LW or low bounce.  In a wedge with lots of bounce, which I need on Michigan’s wet courses, I think a 58 plays easier than a 54 or 56. 
 

To me a high bounce 58 is like the 7 wood of wedges. 

I hate high bounce in a lob wedge. I have low and medium bounce depending on where I’m playing. 

[ApostateDrive]

I play a 56*/12 wedge as my highest wedge. Haven't really found a situation where I wished I had higher loft. Chipped in from 30 yards out a couple weekends ago, so it's basically my favorite club at the moment.

[Milfordlefty]

13 hours ago, Vater said:

The highest lofted club I carry is a 54 degree wedge. I feel like I can make any shot I need to and have greater success than when I try to make a 60 deg work. 
 

I’m sure I’m in the minority, but anyone else do the same? For those of you still playing 58+ wedge, how many times a round are you using it? And how many of those times does it do what you want it to do?

56° here. Had 54/58, but picked up a Cleveland Full Face 56° and find I can open the face for a high/flop shot when need (can still skull it with a bad swing). Wedges are 45(P), 50(G) and then the 56. I didn't add another club to the bag, down to 12. If I didn't have a 200 yrd par 3 on my home course, I'd drop the 3W and to to 11 clubs.

[phizzy30]

I have a 54 and 58* in the bag.  I take full and partial swings with both and find them to be highly versatile around the greens as well depending on the type of shot I need to hit. 

[phizzy30]

8 hours ago, Pym said:

To people who are playing lob wedge several times per round I’m curious if it’s a high bounce LW or low bounce.  In a wedge with lots of bounce, which I need on Michigan’s wet courses, I think a 58 plays easier than a 54 or 56. 
 

To me a high bounce 58 is like the 7 wood of wedges. 

My lob wedge is high bounce now.  Used to have a low bounce wedge but realized that my delivery into the ball on all shots with lob wedge just works better with high bounce.