Do I need a lob wedge?

[Bogee]

I currently have a Pitching wedge and Sand wedge in my bag, but have lately been toying with the idea of buying myself a lob wedge.

My regular playing partner has one and I’ve “procured” it a couple of time down the range. Now I’m no golfing pro but the “feel” of it is great. It just seems to get nicely under the ball and swooshes it off the mat with lots of height and not too much power. FYI, It's a Srixon club, not sure on the model but was about £40 this year from Nevada Bob's.

One of my biggest problems when playing at the moment is toning down the power with my pitching wedge; if I’m circa 20 yards from the hole I have an annoying tendency to over-hit and when I do try to hold back, I lose the rhythm of my swing and more often than not hit a total duffer.

What do you guys think? Is a Lob wedge something every golfer should have in his bag or am I kidding myself that it’s going to make a big difference? Maybe I should just practice with my Pitching wedge more?

 

[Tommo21]

Don’t get one yet………..off the mat and off turf is two different things. Get a loan of a friends and hit a few off different surfaces, not a mat. I personally use a 58 as my lob and sand wedge. That allows me to have a PW, 49, 53 and 58.

 

[Twire]

At this stage in your golfing life, I would have to say no. The lob wedge is a great club for flop shots and getting the ball up and over things quickly, but it's not the most friendly club in the bag, and needs lots of practice to get right. With your pitching wedge, don't "hold back" on it, just shorten your swing.

 

[haplesshacker]

Gap wedge?

FWIW, find something that sits between your PW and SW. It'll offer more versatility than the lob wedge. This was the first 'bridge' that I filled, and it's been worth every penny. Okay, I did get a LW a little later on as well!

If you're of a mind to. Check out the MD Superstrong range of wedges. Almost half the price of Vokeys, Mizuno etc, but certainly not half the quality. You might find that you can 'stretch' to the GW and LW then!

 

[Robobum]

It's entirely your choice whether to get one or not, they are no more difficult to hit and master than any other club in your bag. (So that equals pretty tricky!! )

However, even with a 60+ degree lob wedge in your bag you will still have to play less than a full shot to cover that distance. Even the shortest of hitters will move a lob wedge 40yds.

I'd say spend more time hitting partial shots with the clubs you have before jumping at the 1st lob wedge that you see.

 

[birdieman]

The fact you're even asking the question says no you don't or you'd already have one.

I wouldn't be without one personally.

 

[Bogee]

Some good tips guys - thanks for the responses.

Working on 40-70% shots I think is going to become a priority for me soon. I'm getting reasonably consistent at full hits but definitely struggling when it comes to shorter shots.

I think I'll have a word with my teacher on Sunday and work on getting "the feel" for those shorter shots.

 

[Sneds]

Check out this thread. I posted a very similar question a couple of weeks back, some good opinions in there.

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk//showfl...true#Post177107

 

[USER1999]

I struggle to see the need for anyone to have more than 58 degrees. I play with loads of guys with 60s or even 64s, and most of the time they don't get very good results with them. I have tried both 60 and 64, and tbh, I do think they are tricky, and the potential for utter disaster is massive, especially on full shots. They might be great off tight links turf, but that isn't what I play off. To me leave well alone. Not for nothing are they refered to as the blob wedge.

 

[freddielong]

As you have just started I would say less is more in terms of clubs, learn to use what you have really well. once you are out on the course it will become appparent if you need one.

 

[Fyldewhite]

I'm assuming that you are fairly new and/or mid to high handicap (apologies if this is not the case), but from what you have said then the answer would be a resounding no.

First, it's very doubtful that the addition of a 60 degree club will help with 20 yard shots. You will get better results by learning to use a 9 or 8 iron and control the distance more like you would a putt.

Secondly, if you duff the odd PW you will do this more often with a LW or maybe thin it through the green too. Every very bad shot in this area costs you at least one stroke. Consistency of shot is what matters, just accept that the result isn't always perfect. You will improve your control with practice.

 

[jack1]

Agree totally with Fyldewhite but would say that i use an 8 or 9 in the way he describes when a bunker is not in front of me, when i will take the lob. However, for me it is better out of semi and too dangerouse off a bare tight lie.

 

[Bogee]

Some great advice - thanks guys. I'm definitely a high handicapper, only been playing 6 months as a guest member at various courses so actually I haven't calculated a handicap yet, hence I'll say it's 28 for now. But having had lessons for the last 6 months or so, I do feel I've been improving a lot and the last few lessons have been what I would describe as "breakthroughs", so looking to consolidate that.

Consistency of contact and reasonable guaging of power are my two biggest goals at the moment so useful to know that a lob wedge won't necessarily help me out on that front.

 

[slugger]

I'd say get one and practice with it. Then you can make the choice to use it on the course or not.

Think about how often you need to play a shot to the green from within around 50yds and you know it makes sense to at least give it a go.

Don't forget to practice an even more important shot from the same distance though... the chip and run with a 7 or 8 iron.

 

[USER1999]

50 yards is a pitch though (less than half a swing with a pw or 9i). Not any where near a full swing. A pitch will always get closer than a full swing with a lob wedge. Unless you are big Phil in disguise.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'd have to say that in my experience, a 60 degree can actually cost more shots than it saves. I can do more or less everything I need with my 58 degree and so for me a PW, 52 and 58 is the ideal combination. If you are having trouble close in I'd look at the technique and not the club. Try and get the ball running onto the putting surface as soon as possible (less variables) and look at the length of swing.

 

[Robobum]

A pitch will always get closer than a full swing with a lob wedge.

I'd take that bet with a lot of people!!

 

[Ethan]

No.

The number of shots where you will do better with a lob wedge than a sand or a running shot is a lot lower than the number where you will make a balls of it.

 

[Timh27]

I bought a lw at the weekend as there is about 3 or 4 holes at my local course where a flop shot is required. I had a quick go with it at the range then took it out on the course. I only used it twice all round and both shots where it would be hard to really mess up. So far it seems to be working ok but it's still early days and i will know better in a few months if it is worth getting.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I find that many youngsters look to smashing the drives and second shots as far as they can without giving any thought to the final approach shot onto the green.

Say you are on a 430 yard par 4
you smash the drive 225 yards leaving you 205 to go.

You then get your 5 wood and send it 185 yards, leaving you a tricky 20 yard chip.

Maybe if you had used a 6 or 5 iron and sent it only 150 yards instead leaving you an easier 55 yard chip, you could be better off.

My advice is to get to know your yardages, how far do you hit a particular club, with both full and half swings.

These distances will change as you get better, but when you start a hole, have a vision in your minds eye as to what your shot plan is, where do you want to be for your approach shot? then work out how you get there.

I have a pw, 52 and a SW

Fragger