Gapping

[delc]

I am looking at changing my irons and have been custom fit for a set that is 2 clubs longer than my current set. The new irons are lovely, but they are creating 2 problems:

Problem 1:
My existing PW (MP53) goes about 120 yards and my gap wedge (50 degre Vokey) goes about 107. That gap is great, now that gap looks like changing to 33 yards which means an additional club. The new set (Srixon Z545) doesnt have an 'approach' wedge so the only thing I can think of is to get another vokey 46 degree wedge. Right?
I would have preferred having a cavity back 'pitching wedge', but I dont fancy getting another wedge into the mix .e.g Cleveland RTX 2 cavity back. Any other ideas?

Problem 2:
At the top end of the bag, the 5 iron is going to be the same distance as my 3 hybrid. Doesnt seem to be any point in having that, so thinking of getting rid of my 3 hybrid and getting a 2 hybrid.

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated

Cheers,
GS

Your problem is largely caused by the ridiculously strong lofts that manufacturers put on their clubs these days! Traditionally a PW had about 50 degrees of loft, but nowadays it's more like 45 degrees, equivalent to an old time 8 iron. I guess that golfers are fools to themselves. We were impressed by how far pros could hit their wedges, so they (manufacturers) give us what we want. But then you get a huge gap between the Sand Wedge (which still has to be 55/56 degrees to do its job) and the PW. Hence it's getting to the point where you need two gap wedges! :mmm:

 

[duncan mackie]

Your problem is largely caused by the ridiculously strong lofts that manufacturers put on their clubs these days! Traditionally a PW had about 50 degrees of loft, but nowadays it's more like 45 degrees, equivalent to an old time 8 iron. I guess that golfers are fools to themselves. We were impressed by how far pros could hit their wedges, so they (manufacturers) give us what we want. But then you get a huge gap between the Sand Wedge (which still has to be 55/56 degrees to do its job) and the PW. Hence it's getting to the point where you need two gap wedges! :mmm:

I have 7 iron sets in the shed locker and bag. Bought since the 19th from different manufacturers Inc TO and none have a PL close to 50

 

[delc]

I have 7 iron sets in the shed locker and bag. Bought since the 19th from different manufacturers Inc TO and none have a PL close to 50

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_(golf)#Specifications

Note the comparison tables between modern and more traditional clubs.

 

[bobmac]

I have 7 iron sets in the shed locker and bag. Bought since the 19th from different manufacturers Inc TO and none have a PL close to 50

My PW is 50 deg from 1988

 

[CMAC]

Your problem is largely caused by the ridiculously strong lofts that manufacturers put on their clubs these days! Traditionally a PW had about 50 degrees of loft, but nowadays it's more like 45 degrees, equivalent to an old time 8 iron. I guess that golfers are fools to themselves. We were impressed by how far pros could hit their wedges, so they (manufacturers) give us what we want. But then you get a huge gap between the Sand Wedge (which still has to be 55/56 degrees to do its job) and the PW. Hence it's getting to the point where you need two gap wedges! :mmm:

deliberate strategy by the manufacturers- quite smart really. fill the 'gap' (groan) in the market that they themselves create.

 

[Spuddy]

My old ping eye 2s had a 45 degree 9i and 50 degree Pw

 

[duncan mackie]

My PW is 50 deg from 1988

apparently some are

I was merely observing that mine weren't - although the date got lost in my post. My forged muscle back irons were apparently 'Tour' lofts and the PW was a mere 48 degrees; most of the rest are 47.

strangely, in the context of this discussion, I've only ever had 1 GW (52) and it's fitted in fine with all my iron set PWs...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Cranked up lofts have been around for ages. It's a cynical ploy to get golfers thinking they are hitting further when all they are really doing is hitting a 6 iron with 5 iron loft and it creates gaps at the bottom end requiring gap wedges (is the name a coincidence?). As for two clubs long, well I'd have to have seen it on a launch monitor myself to believe the fitting could give such a huge difference. If the OP says that's what he's got then fair play although I'm a cynic when it comes to such distance increases

 

[BTatHome]

of course if your creating a gap at the wedge end then dropping the hybrid gives you that gap for another club, and hopefully the expense of another wedge is recovered when you sell the hybrid that you dont need.