Help in choosing a wedge !

tigermj · April 24, 2006

Hi,

I have a slingshot iron with PW in 46* and my sand wedge is nike sv SW 56* 14* bounce.

Just want to have info on what is best gap wedge you tried and what's the degree and bounce should i get given the PW and SW I mentioned. I thought of getting one because my approach shot to the green always come short with my SW.

One more thing, often time i over shoot the green and find my ball in the rought just 10-20 yards from the green, I always use my SW 56* with 14* bounce, will a 60* lob wedge help me get out better in this kind of situation ?

Thanks.

abc123tyler · April 24, 2006

Wedges are so personal it is hard for me to recommend a "best" gap wedge. If you like what you are using now in your sand, maybe you should look to something similar in shape/finish to that. If not, find what looks best to you and inspires confidence, which is the most important part of performing those little tricky shots.

As for a lob wedge, they aren't for everyone because they are not the easiest club to hit... it really depends on your short game and if you are ending up long all the time maybe a lob wedge wont instantly fix that problem. One possibility that I could throw at you would be a gap wedge and maybe a sand/lob wedge such as a 58* or something like that. So your PW at 46, GW at 52, SW/LW at 58.

taylormadefan · April 24, 2006

Wedges are so personal it is hard for me to recommend a "best" gap wedge. If you like what you are using now in your sand, maybe you should look to something similar in shape/finish to that. If not, find what looks best to you and inspires confidence, which is the most important part of performing those little tricky shots.

As for a lob wedge, they aren't for everyone because they are not the easiest club to hit... it really depends on your short game and if you are ending up long all the time maybe a lob wedge wont instantly fix that problem. One possibility that I could throw at you would be a gap wedge and maybe a sand/lob wedge such as a 58* or something like that. So your PW at 46, GW at 52, SW/LW at 58.

Great advise.

Another thing to consier are the lofts of your current set. A gap wede from that set will have the proper loft game based on your set, and since it's constructed the same way, trajetory and distance will be consistant with the rest of the set.

I'd say get the gap wede from the sling shot set. Since it's a full swing loft (and the sling shots' are rather strong lofted), it'll be a good transition.

slicer365 · April 24, 2006

I think you should think as a gap wedge being something that fills the gaps. So going 6* of separation is perfect, but you'll have to get your 56* bent at 2* weak. Let me recommend a few wedges for you:

Cleveland CG11

PING Tour

Both have a nice cavity back which promotes a little forgiveness. I wish I would chosen them earlier on. Good luck.

tigermj · April 24, 2006

Thanks for the input.

Im thinking of having the 46, 52 and 58 setup because I've learned that 60* is not that easy to handle. maybe not yet for me.

I would trade my SV 56W because it is in chrome finish and if the sun is up it kinda reflects in th face of the club while at address.

I checked the Rac black Tp and both the 52* and 58* comes in 8* bounce, would it matter that they both have the same bounce ? Would I need more bounce for 58* since I will be using it both as a SW and LW ?

abc123tyler · April 24, 2006

Typically, the bounce on lob wedges is lower than a regular sand wedge and it is usually the same for gap wedges. Mostly because a gap wedge really isnt a sand club and is used a lot from the fairway, meaning you want less bounce. Lob wedges are ranged in bounce based on what you want to do with them, too.

It is too bad that the TM Rac Black has one bounce option because I play the 54.10 and did not like the bounce/grind on the 60... It really depends what your typical course conditions are and what type of shots you are going to hit with them.

In my instance I have pretty tight fairways and really soft bunkers, both shots I like to be able to play with my 60* as well as with my 54*. The 60.11 X-Tour wedge I bought worked out really well because of the grind, it gives me bounce when I want it, and a clean pick on the ball when I want it as well.

Again, think about what you need to do with the wedge, and pick a head/grind/bounce based on that.

Also, are you a digger (take big divots) or a slider (pick the ball off the ground) and what are your typical course conditions and what do you want to do with a SW/LW, then I could make a better estimate/recommendation on what kind of bounce you should have.

tigermj · April 24, 2006

I am more of a slider.The fairway and the sand where i usually play is typically soft.

Actually I am thinking of using my SW/LW for greenside bunkers while the gap wedge i would want use it from the fairway since i always end up short if i use my SW 56 * if my PW is too long.

I have difficulty using the SW 56* in the first cut of rough 10-15 yards around the green especially uneven lie, which wedge should i be using ?

abc123tyler · April 25, 2006

Depending on the lie/direction to the hole and danger in between you and the hole it could be a bump and run with your gap wedge or it could be a little "flop" type of shot with a 58*. With those type of shots with a higher lofted club it is something that takes practice in being aggressive enough to get the ball there. With a GW it is safer to run it up having less room for error.

tigermj · April 25, 2006

Thanks.

I am going to the pro shop later and would try some wedges for feel and look preference.

Would the TM Black rac 52.8 and 58.8 be fine with thosee situations i just mentioned or should i check a different bounce in either the GW or the SW/LW?

abc123tyler · April 25, 2006

Considering you are a slider the bounce should work relatively well.

Also, depending on your course bunker conditions and the strengh of your sandplay the 8* of bounce on the 58 might or might not be enough. Usually I like a tad bit extra bounce on my sand club so I can be agressively down into the ball. But that is just me.