Lob wedge debate: I've changed my mind

[Tiger]

There was a monster debate on here a while back about lob wedges started by Peaty I think. I came on and said that I wanted to improve the quality of my chipping before I bought one. I then found out our pro would sell me an ex demo 60 degree Vokey for £40. It was in great nick and a bargain.

My chipping technique has improved considerably recently and I have started to take the lob on the course. So far so good. I think I have used it about six times and on three of those occasions it was followed by a one putt. I still think you need to be a confident chipper or pitcher to get the most out of them because you have to commit to the shot. That said I no longer think they are restricted to low handicap golfers as I once did.

Braced for a deluge of banter, criticism or scepticism but be warned I may bite back

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't think it is the exclusive right of low players to use a lob wedge but I've just found over the years that the +/- percentage when I use it always comes out in debit. I am not a confident chipper anyway and it's arguably the most unforgiving wedge out there and so I don't use one. Personal choice rather than anything else and I've found ways to make the 58 as versatile as possible

 

[brendy]

Tiger, there is nothing stopping a high handicapper using any club, it all comes down to whether you are using them correctly, know what you are doing and if your handicap comes down due to them.
With most guys, at least one of the answers is no.

 

[Whereditgo]

I'm a high handicapper and I carry a 60 deg, though not in winter. This time of the year the ground tends to be either frozen hard or very wet mud, both of which can spell disaster for me and the lob wedge combo! Plus I find that an extra club in the other end of the bag is more useful, there's only 4 degree's difference between the 60 deg and my sand wedge so that fills in if necessary.

I generally only use it if I have to get up and down over a greenside bunker and even then only if the lie breeds confidence.

Lots of people say a high handicapper shouldn't hit driver either, but the game needs to be fun as well!

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I've just got one, will let you know in a few weeks if I should be carrying one

 

[scozzie]

I have one but its been in the shed for a few seasons now! home course is links & I would say I dont need it really around there and would say I am a decent "scrambler" around the greens, I happily get around without lobby and its very tight margins for success/error!! thats it for me really,Im looking for a good spot on the green & try to get there from in close as low to the ground as possible.That said it always great to see someone throw it up there & watch it stop stone dead,just I have enough nerve shredding moments already!! they can be good from bunkers tho......

 

[Tiger]

To be fair my decision making process goes something like this. Am I on the fringe and close to the green? Could I get away with a putter? Bit further away from the green, is there anything in the way? Can I play my 8 iron. Need to get over some humps and lumps or bunker with plenty of running room PW. Need to clear quite a bit and stop it relatively soon GW/SW. Need to drop it and stop it get the lob!

 

[Deke]

As another high handicap(none yet,give me a few weeks!)lob wedge user I am happy for you mate.From 50 yards in it is usually my go-to club,especially for chipping and pitching.Enjoy it Tiger,in no time you will be flopping like a pro!

 

[Imurg]

At the right time, used correctly, it's a life-saver
At the wrong time, used incorrectly it's a card-wrecker

 

[mostivoi]

Couldnt agree more. I finally invested in one last summer. Best move i made. For one there great for greenside bunkers. Also find this time of year there so easy to use off tight lies. Couldnt live with out it. Saved me a couple of times this weekend and today

 

[USER1999]

I very rarely see them used properly. Ditto for high h/caps with blades in the bag. Chuck in a two iron, and I know I'm taking the money.

Each to their own I guess.

 

[Smiffy]

Chuck in a two iron, and I know I'm taking the money.

Smiffy's golden rule....... never play a bloke who has a deep suntan, squinty eyes and a 2 iron for money.

 

[pokerjoke]

At the right time, used correctly, it's a life-saver
At the wrong time, used incorrectly it's a card-wrecker

Wise words.

 

[birdieman]

At the right time, used correctly, it's a life-saver
At the wrong time, used incorrectly it's a card-wrecker

Wise words.

You could apply that thinking to any club including a putter!

Once you've played a 60 LW for a while it is easy peasy to use effectively. You do not have to lob a lob wedge, get the hands forward and ball back in stance and you have a low flying shot you can hit hard into greens and it will check really hard and stop.

 

[HRC99]

For me a Lob Wedge is much like a two iron, if you're technique is ok and you're striking it well, they can be effective.

But as soon as either your technique or striking goes a little bit, you're in trouble with them. This is why lower handicappers get on much better with them than higher handicappers.

I carried one for quite a while and it worked great for me when I got it. As my short game dipped a bit, the results with it were disastrous. But like a muppet, I persevered with it for far too long before consigning it to the gof bag in the cupboard under the stairs.

It's the same adage as chipping and putting: a bad putt will be nearer than a bad chip. Well, a bad chip with the 48 (or lower) degree wedge will be nearer than a bad chip with a 60 degree wedge.

Use it while you're running hot with it but be prepared to drop it as soon as you get cold.

 

[Up_Point_1]

I "dabbled" with a 60 degree lob wedge a few years back but found it didn't really offer me anything more over and above what a 54 could do. With a little bit of jiggery pokery (opening up the blade etc) the 54 serves me just fine from most situations.

I can see the merits of people carrying a 60 degree lobber, it's just not for me.

UP1.

 

[daymond]

Welcome to the club Tiger.

HC 14