Wedges- stupid question, but seriously...

Ditty_72 · July 14, 2006

Is a wedge "just a wedge"?

Is a wedge "just a wedge" or is it really worth spending $100+ on a wedge? I'm looking to get some wedges; I currently have a 45*/55*/64* wedge setup. I'm looking to maybe add a 50* in there. I just want to know if it's really worth spending a lot of money on a wedge or a set of wedges. Money is a concern with me because I'm not rich or anything, plus I just bought 2 new hybrids to replace my 2 and 3 iron (I was a bit slow to jump on the hybrid bandwagon, but better late than never).

I know it's probably a stupid question, but can you really notice a difference in performance between a $20 wedge and a $120 wedge?

Trxjw · July 14, 2006

It's really more about what you can get out of any given club, than how much it costs. If you hit a 60 dollar club and get fantastic results out of it, why bother paying more? For me I was fortunate enough to win a Cleveland CG10 56* wedge in a tournament I played in a while back. Until that point I was playing an old Ram 55* sand wedge and I barely ever took it out of my bag due to the condition it was in. After playing the CG10 I found a world of difference in feel, trajectory, spin and distance. My first time out with it I chipped in twice for eagle and every approach shot I hit was within 10 feet. I know theres a lot of crap out there about "this club or that club changed my life in one day," but this one really did.

I'm not saying go out and buy the same club I have, but certainly check out some of the more expensive wedges. They arent cheap, but thats normally because of the technology and the acclaim they recieve.. they're worth looking into for sure. Leave your ego at the door and go out and hit any wedge you want.. then pick the one you like best.

You can get all the advice you want, but nothing beats first hand experience.

Hope this helps. :drinks:

*Edit* Thats also a mighty unique wedge setup you have there. Never seen someone have 10* of space between wedges, let alone play a 64* wedge (cept Mickelson). You might want to consider a 46/52/58 setup or if you're PW is a 48*, add a 53* and a 58*. But like I said.. nothing can beat experience.. so get out there and try things out!

golfernut78 · July 14, 2006

if you look at the different wedges, you should notice that the more variations that wedge comes in (finish, loft, bounce) the more it typically costs. nike sv comes in 6 models - none the same loft and only one finish - and they are $80; the titliest vokey comes in 19 different loft/bounce combinations between the 200 series and the spin milled. additionally they have two different finishes, giving them 38 models. they cost $100-$110. so there is some of the cost increase.

as for performance, i had a lot of luch with my old wilson harmonized wedges, but they quickly lost there bit. even after 2-1/2 years, i've got a set of vokeys that still have a lot of bite to them. also, the wilson only came in 3 loft options.

my point is, there might not be a lot of difference between a $80 and $100 wedge (not including spin milled grooves, y-cutter grooves, mac daddy grooves, etc...), but there is a difference between a $80-$100 and a $25 wedge.

Ditty_72 · July 15, 2006

It's really more about what you can get out of any given club, than how much it costs. If you hit a 60 dollar club and get fantastic results out of it, why bother paying more? For me I was fortunate enough to win a Cleveland CG10 56* wedge in a tournament I played in a while back. Until that point I was playing an old Ram 55* sand wedge and I barely ever took it out of my bag due to the condition it was in. After playing the CG10 I found a world of difference in feel, trajectory, spin and distance. My first time out with it I chipped in twice for eagle and every approach shot I hit was within 10 feet. I know theres a lot of crap out there about "this club or that club changed my life in one day," but this one really did.

I'm not saying go out and buy the same club I have, but certainly check out some of the more expensive wedges. They arent cheap, but thats normally because of the technology and the acclaim they recieve.. they're worth looking into for sure. Leave your ego at the door and go out and hit any wedge you want.. then pick the one you like best.

You can get all the advice you want, but nothing beats first hand experience.

Hope this helps. :drinks:

*Edit* Thats also a mighty unique wedge setup you have there. Never seen someone have 10* of space between wedges, let alone play a 64* wedge (cept Mickelson). You might want to consider a 46/52/58 setup or if you're PW is a 48*, add a 53* and a 58*. But like I said.. nothing can beat experience.. so get out there and try things out!

Yeah, the wedge setup really is unique. My pitching wedge is 45*, so I was looking for a gap wedge to go with my 55 and 60, but then I thought it over and I thought that a 64* would benefit me more. So I took the plunge and bought one, took the 60 out and right now, I'm happy with my decision. It took a while ago; the 64 was a shank machine and so unreliable and inconsistent that I nearly took it out of the bag. But I didn't, I decided I'd give it one more chance, and boy did it ever perform. On my 3rd shot on a par 5, I had 44 yards to the hole. I hit the 64 (9 o'clock swing) onto the lip of the cup. That birdie at the par 5 9th gave me a 1 under 35 (handicap between 6 and 7). Unfortuneately, I lost the same feel on the back and shot 41, giving me a 76, which was (and still is) my lowest score of the year from the back tees. That was enough to keep it in the bag, ad since then, I've had a beautiful chip-in birdie and I've gotten up and down thanks to some great touch around the green with this wedge. Around the green, this is fast becoming my money club. It's an unconventional club, and I get laughed at and the jokes often come my way because of the club, but it's amazing how the jokes about hitting a spatula don't come around as much after you hit some great shots with it.

sfdoddsy · July 15, 2006

Just buy used. You should be able to get a high quality wedge for well under half their retail price.

Cheers

Steve

KevCarter · July 15, 2006

I agree with Steve. There is a huge difference in quality between high end and low end clubs. If you don't have the money to buy a new wedge, do some detective work and find what fits you in a good quality used wedge.

Kevin

CyFan · July 15, 2006

If you're not worried about "designer labels", take a look at the Tour Edge wedges. They were rated highly by Golf Digest's "Hot List", so I picked up two for my 14 year old son. Of course, I fooled around with them - and they compare very nicely with the Cleveland 588's I play.

:drinks:

The have multiple loft/bounce options and come in two different finishes. If you find someone who carries them, they can be had for between $40-$50 each.

Jim