Couple of wedge questions

Ian_S

Ian_S

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Like the title says, a couple of wedge questions.

First, I'm looking to sort out my lofts, bounces etc as the chop, buy, sell and change since I started has left me with a 45 deg PW, then a 54, a 56 and a 58. Any recommendations that people have on wedges? Not looking to break the bank but do appreciate a quality club if it's worth it.

Second one is more a clarification about bounce angle options. As I can see many cases where I might be chipping or pitching off both tight, hard lies and fluffy grass/sand, should I mix it up and include both low and high bounce clubs?
 
personally I mix them up because I play a range of course in a range of conditions year round - but then again I don't have them all in the bag all the time either. They give me an additional confidence over and above the ability (or not) I bring to any shot.

the club that gets the most use in the bag most rounds is a 52/8 (bar the putter obviously) - get a good one that you are comfortable with for a range of strokes, inc full shots. It has also sat well with all the iron sets I have ever had and has been a constant for many years.

I'm not a huge fan of gapping wedges - it's more important to know the distances you get with them than have a particular or regular gap between them; if you have one that goes 92 yds then you won't have one that goes 85 anyway!
 
I have just come off the back of a fitting with Iain Clarke from ICY golf, first time I have ever had this sort of fitting and it was an absolute revalation.

First up we measured the lofts of my existing Cleveland. What I thought was 49/56/60 degree. Was actually 46/56/62!!! I always though my lowest wedge went a bit far and the lob wedge was short but this kind of explained why.

Your comments on different lies is really relevant to where i found myself. I play on a dry heathland course and have increasingly struggled pitching and chipping. As part of the fitting Iain talked about how to use the bounce of a wedge properly and gave a fair bit of instruction. Turns out i have not really been making best use of the bounce. His kit has a sole grind that keeps the bounce even despite your face position.

Not been able to give them a proper try out yet due to work commitments but with the different amounts of face opening I seem more able to cater for the different lie in front of me. Incredible amounts of grip as well, just crazy spin.

You really could do a lot worse than giving him a try.
 
50, 56 medium bounce and a lessons.

I have had 3 short game lessons so far this year and my pitching and chipping has never been better.

Most people throw in one or two short game lessons a year but never follow them up. Try having 2-3 in a row with a couple of weeks between.
 
Pickapocket said:
I have just come off the back of a fitting with Iain Clarke from ICY golf, first time I have ever had this sort of fitting and it was an absolute revalation.

First up we measured the lofts of my existing Cleveland. What I thought was 49/56/60 degree. Was actually 46/56/62!!! I always though my lowest wedge went a bit far and the lob wedge was short but this kind of explained why.

Your comments on different lies is really relevant to where i found myself. I play on a dry heathland course and have increasingly struggled pitching and chipping. As part of the fitting Iain talked about how to use the bounce of a wedge properly and gave a fair bit of instruction. Turns out i have not really been making best use of the bounce. His kit has a sole grind that keeps the bounce even despite your face position.

Not been able to give them a proper try out yet due to work commitments but with the different amounts of face opening I seem more able to cater for the different lie in front of me. Incredible amounts of grip as well, just crazy spin.

You really could do a lot worse than giving him a try.
Click to expand...

yep, totally agree great wedges. That's custom fit and not the generic grinds the companies are doing right now. I won't get another OEM wedge again so long as Iain keeps grinding them, plus you can go back as many times in the first year to get them sand blasted again. 53 and 58 for me.
 
How long should you keep your wedge before it needs replacing? Or an easier question how do you keep the grooves in good condition?
 
I find peole get too caught up trying to split the lofts, what you need to look at is the distances you hit each of them. I have a 52 54 60 in the bag, the 54 may sound too close to the 52 but it has a much higher bounce so is a little shorter it can also be opened up easier.
 
Higher bounce tends to make it more difficult to open up in firmer conditions.

It lifts the leading edge higher potentially bringing it closer to the middle of the ball causing the dreaded thin.

It 'can' be harder to slide under the ball in firm condition.
 
my PW is 46, so i have a 50 deg with low bounce and a 56. i did have a 10 deg bounce on the 56 and use that for flighted chips and full shots from 60 to 85 yards. just swapped to the reserve 56 i have in the same model but that has 13 deg bounce.

You just have to go with what works for you.
 
The grinds do play a roll. Some assist the player if they like to open the blade.


That being the case, increased bounce angle does not assist the player when opening the blade. as I said, when you do this it raises the leading edge. Open the club too much with lots of bounce angle which increases even more when you open the blade, you run the risk of the club not sliding under the ball. Firm ground with no give is the classic example of when this happens.
 
I have four 60 . wedges. 11 10 8 and 4 bounce. The higher the bounce the less I open. the lower ones I can open a lot but not the higher ones for the reasons outlined already.

Head to a links course and lay one of those high bounce 60s open and you will struggle to slip the club under it. Blade city.
 
garyinderry said:
I have four 60 . wedges. 11 10 8 and 4 bounce. The higher the bounce the less I open. the lower ones I can open a lot but not the higher ones for the reasons outlined already.

Head to a links course and lay one of those high bounce 60s open and you will struggle to slip the club under it. Blade city.
Click to expand...


This in particular.

Not everyone plays hard links courses. Tailoring your wedges bounce to not only your swing but the type of course you play is just as important.

I play a parkland course and have no issue laying my 58° open. I've tailored what I carry to the courses I play as well as my swing.

I'm looking to make a very slight change c to my wedge set up at the end of the month for, purely chipping reasons.

That and new shiney syndrome :D

I'm not disagreeing with you Gary, I agree that the leading edge sits higher, but on the course I play, it makes little difference.
 
Lost my LW out of the bag as it cost me too many shots around the green. Phil Mick I'm not! I'm happy to have an even gap and find they do have a fairly equal split in distances and can open the 58 up if I need to. Horses for courses although I am looking to get a Vokey fitting and discuss grinds and bounce again
 
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