Difference in wedges

[timd77]

I have a set of taylormade m2 irons 5 iron through to sw. The wedge lofts are:

Pw 43.5
Aw 49
Sw 54

I also have a Ben sayers 60 degree wedge that I’ve had for years, very rarely use it these days, find it hard to hit. It used to be a wand but my swing must’ve changed since I started playing regularly.

I tend to use the pw as a normal iron due to the strong loft, anything from 110-125 depending on conditions. I struggle with the sw other than in bunkers, and so I use the aw for everything else, but I’m not great with it.

Most people I know plus those of you on here as well as youtubers, have specialist wedges rather than matching their irons. What’s the reason behind this? Is there a benefit to having specialist wedges?

No doubt I need to improve my short game, but am I missing out not having specialist wedges?

 

[clubchamp98]

Special wedges allow you to fine tune your lofts . And they are forged for more feel.
But most will give you a choice of bounce and grinds to suit the conditions on your course.
A low handicapper will benefit most from these but even higher cappers will play better shots of turf if the bounce suits the turf and their swing action.
I have Callaway Phil Michelson wedges I just like the shape.
Most people think they are weird until they see how they preform.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

If you think about your description, 'specialist wedges' that sort of explains it. They are specially designed for the job that they do. For whatever reason, I'm not a design person, they just work better, presumably because they do not have to fit the shape and look of an iron in a set which is designed for a completely different style of shot, eg 4 iron. If they are designed for the shot it tends to suggest they will be easier to play. It then comes down to which style you prefer.

I use Cleveland wedges, I think they are 588's, not that expensive, plenty available second hand off ebay if you want to try one out first of all. My playing partner, not a good wedge player, has recently bought some Cleveland CBX wedges and his short game has been transformed. He just finds them very easy to use.

Why don't you ask a playing partner for a hit with one of theirs to see whether you can tell the difference and like them?

 

[bobmac]

No doubt I need to improve my short game, but am I missing out not having specialist wedges?

I have never had specialised wedges in my life and I did just fine.
Mind you, I did practice.

If you're not very good with your 49 and 54, I'd say buying new wedges may not help one bit.
Have a wedge lesson then practice what you're taught would be my advice.

 

[Orikoru]

I just bought 'specialist wedges' because my iron set I bought was only 5 to PW and I needed more clubs than that. In all honesty I didn't give much thought to the bounce of each one, I'm still not even sure now what the bounce is on most of them. I think the 56 has lots of bounce, and the 50 and 46 just have a normal amount of bounce.

 

[tugglesf239]

I have never had specialised wedges in my life and I did just fine.
Mind you, I did practice.

If you're not very good with your 49 and 54, I'd say buying new wedges may not help one bit.
Have a wedge lesson then practice what you're taught would be my advice.

Agree on this.

I’ve gave umpteen different wedges in my life. Chopped and changed based on looks and feel and sometimes the money just burnt a hole in my pocket.

I never got and better.

I’ve had one specific shortgame lesson with my Pro (Phil archer) and it literally changed me beyond recognition.

When I’m hot with a wedge now I’m very good and my short game looks and feels like it belongs to a much lower HC

Best lesson I have had personally.

 

[jim8flog]

One wedge that really needs to be 'specialist' is the club you use for bunker play.

All too often different clubs will have different sand in the bunkers and different ideas of how much sand should be in them .

If you play one club much more than any other your SW should be chosen to suit that clubs bunkers.

I also have one club which I have in the collection specifically use when I play links courses or courses with very closely mown fairways.

 

[Jacko_G]

I have never had specialised wedges in my life and I did just fine.
Mind you, I did practice.

If you're not very good with your 49 and 54, I'd say buying new wedges may not help one bit.
Have a wedge lesson then practice what you're taught would be my advice.

Listen to this man ^^^^

100% a lesson or two before splashing cash. PGA professional will sort you out far more efficiently than a bunch of choppers on a forum.

 

[timd77]

Thanks for the responses all, was just after info really, not looking to buy any until my short game needs it.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I would drop the SW and go with a 52 and a 56 in its place.