Are you too cool for the Texas Wedge?

[JohnnyDee]

In our roll up group of 20 or so assorted players with handicaps ranging from 7-24, there seems to be a lot of stigma attached to the use of the Texas wedge.

Many frown upon it as not being the 'done thing'. One of our number will use it as far out as 30 yards given the right conditions (honestly), another is genuinely scornful of its use...ever, and whenever one of us uses it (be they high or low handicap) there is always considerable abuse hurled at the 'offender' from the rest of the 4-ball. All good natured of course.

But why does this shot carry baggage of shame?

Banter aside, personally I'm happy to use it whenever I can, as for me (12 Hcap), it gives a much more predictable result, as I figure a ball that is only rolling rather than flying, landing then rolling out has fewer variables to consider. However my best golfing mate will chip when on the apron and maybe as close as a foot from the actual putting surface, arguing "that is the way such a shot should be played!" and firmly of the opinion to Texas wedge it is to bottle out.

Now of course there's no right or wrong and what's right for you is what's right for you - no pictures on a scorecard etc.

But just curious really. What *is* right for you?

 

[Dan2501]

There's no right, wrong or cool on the golf course. There's what works, and if putting instead of chipping works when just off the green, then I don't care. If you're worrying about what you should be doing, you'll score worse than if you took the option that you know will work. There's no pictures on the scorecard.

 

[need_my_wedge]

There's no right, wrong or cool on the golf course. There's what works, and if putting instead of chipping works when just off the green, then I don't care. If you're worrying about what you should be doing, you'll score worse than if you took the option that you know will work. There's no pictures on the scorecard.

Beat me to it..... play what works best for you, there is no stigma attached to it..... honest

 

[duncan mackie]

Horses for courses

You should use the club that gives you the best result in each situation. Best includes probability!

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

What's a Texas Wedge?

 

[virtuocity]

I know a 4 handicapper who does nothing but putt from 30 yards and in. Gosh, I even know a decent player who uses the back of his driving iron!

Really doesn't matter. Just play to your percentages. So, on the fringe, ask yourself: what club will get me closest to the hole. If it's a putter, hybrid or chipper, who cares?

 

[virtuocity]

What's a Texas Wedge?

Putter. Called that due to the dry conditions which makes fairways run like greens, therefore putter is often used from off the green.

 

[Dan2501]

[video=youtube;Hb2IHEdpDfc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb2IHEdpDfc[/video]

If it's good enough for the pro's, it's good enough for me.

 

[tsped83]

I use my hybrid and putt with it for certain shots like this. Works a treat.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Putter. Called that due to the dry conditions which makes fairways run like greens, therefore putter is often used from off the green.

Ahhh this thread makes more sense now.

Thanks! :cheers:

 

[North Mimms]

Am I right to think that a "Texas wedge" is using a putter from off the green?

I'll putt if the conditions allow, but I admit that chipping is not my strong point.

I've played with a couple of people who will never use a putter if not on the green- I've seen them both chip when only an inch off the green. They both say that it saves making the decision "when to putt, when to chip"
Interestingly, very different standards of golfer- one a single figure female player, the other a man playing off 28+

 

[JohnnyDee]

Agree with all replies so far. I say as much in my OP

I was more curious really if anyone has a particular strong view on the TW (pro or anti) Seems we're all singing off the same hymn sheet so far. (did I really write that last sentence in view of my thread on management speak yesterday )

 

[North Mimms]

To be honest, there's a lot of snobbery involved in certain shots and equipment.

I've read posts on here saying "real golfers don't use hybrids, a real golfer uses a 2 iron" etc.
Really? So all the Pros that use them aren't "real golfers"

Whatever works for you , is ok

 

[Hobbit]

Its how many, not how. Would you want to score 75 with floaty wedges or 73 having used a texas wedge?

 

[guest100718]

Depends on the course.... at my last place the fringes and aprons were variable to say the least and I was much happier chipping over them . At my new course they are a world away and putting through them is much more predictable.

 

[FairwayDodger]

As others say, whatever gives me the best chance of holing it or at least getting up and down. Depends on the lie, what the fringe grass is like, how far from the hole I am, what contours on the green do I have to putt over (that I might be able to take out of the picture with a chip) and, if I'm honest, it depends on how well I'm chipping and how confident I feel at that moment.

 

[North Mimms]

The positive thing about NOT putting from off the green is that it hones your feel for chips around the green.
My 28+ hcp mate always chips, never putt from off the green. His chipping is the best bit of his game- he's much better than me, (16 hcp)

 

[the smiling assassin]

I know a 4 handicapper who does nothing but putt from 30 yards and in.

have we met

 

[3565]

It Depends how far off the green you play it from, it can be a more difficult shot to play then a pitch/chip due to the terrain, length of the putt and differing length and types of grass you play through. If it works, carry on.

 

[Crazyface]

Tom Watson should have used it in the Open. I'm damn sure there wasn't just me screaming at the TV telling him to put that stupid wedge away and putt the damn thing.

A putter is the safest club in the bag. Use it whenever and wherever you can. FULL STOP