Benefits and Negatives of specialist/bladed wedges

[VVega]

Last Titleist wedge fitting day I went to the fitter let me have the wedge of my choice based upon my research which I then took out on to the practice green and practice area including the practice bunker hitting the balls I normally play to see if it was what I wanted.

I agree that’s a good approach, pretty much like a putter selection it comes down to feel/aesthetics. Could also be done with demo clubs at your favourite golf shop/pro.

Unlike the fitting days that Titleist runs at clubs the fitting at St Ives is not free, hence my points above.

 

[VVega]

That's really useful advice

My current bladed 54 I carry far, far less than I expect, and I'm sure that's likely for the same reason as you state with a Vokey blade, right?

Yes, I’d expect the difference at any loft.

 

[Imurg]

One of the differences between CB and blade wedges is launch.
With a CB wedge the weight is low so the CoG is low so the ball launches higher, probably with less spin
The blade wedge's CoG is much higher so the launch will be lower, probably with more spin.
If you hit low on the face of a bladed wedge the head tilts down slightly, lowering the launch even more
Low of the CB wedge is catered for by the lower CoG.
The tendency is for the "better" player to prefer the lower flight so they opt for the blade wedge.
Although, to be honest, there hasn't been much choice up till recently.