Talk to me about bounce

[viscount17]

to sum up, if you're afraid of a lob wedge -












buy a chipper

 

[ScienceBoy]

The only mid to high h/cappers that I have met who can consistently use one well have had to spend an inordinate amount of time practicing with it - to the detriment of the rest of their game.

Concentrate on getting the rest of your game sorted and reducing your handicap first.

LOB WEDGE = BLOB WEDGE

The above may be true for some but is a generalisation. Anyone who practices one shot will suffer but you can hit a flop shot well if you have good ALL ROUND short game technique.

I find it is only hard for me when I put a wristy swing on it and try and flop it. I know I do not need to but sometimes my body says "You need more attack angle" and gets all wristy.

The 60* wedge is fine for full shots and is no more difficult than any other club, the problem comes when someone tries to hit it wristy.

Just like any other club or shot, if your technique is off it is more likely to cost you shots.

It is a very fun exciting club with some great shots you can do with it, I think it is getting a bit too much bashing here! It is just an easier target than a driver as almost everyone carries a driver but most people carry an extra wood or utility rather than an extra wedge.

My advice on short game is 50% holing out with a putter, 20% long puts, 20% chipping and 10% flop and other shots.

 

[Whereditgo]

I think perhaps the discussion has moved on somewhat from the OP?

Lob wedges aren't getting bad press here per se, but their usefullness for someone new to golf with a high handicap is being questioned.

 

[jammydodger]

My advice on short game is 50% holing out with a putter, 20% long puts, 20% chipping and 10% flop and other shots.

good luck with that

I would say 80% chipping in all its guises , 20% putting of which mostly short putts will do with some longer distance work. That'll do for working on your short game if you've got a dodgy technique.

Personally I do about 95% chipping and 5% putting at most

 

[peaty]

Wow I didn't expect such a massive response from my original question although I know the conversation moved away from it, its very interesting to hear different opinions.

Bobmac - no lessons on the short game yet, just on the swing in general and set up. I'm currently using these: http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/product/Wilson-Staff-DNA-Distance-Golf-Balls-Dozen/p14973.aspx Because they are cheap! And I do lose a fair few at the moment

I think I have decided for the moment to stick with what I have, and just practice more, but I do agree that having a lob wedge would be beneficial once I have learnt to use it. I have only got 12 clubs at the moment so certainly have room for another wedge.

 

[Tiger]

Peaty I think this is some sort of record for a first thread. Nice! enjoy the practice and the lessons and keep us posted on your progress!!!!

 

[AuburnWarrior]

What I don't understand from this thread is that certain people would never buy a 60 degree wedge but would perfectly happy with a 58 degree wedge. It's only a 2 degree difference.

So, a quick test.

I give you two wedges to hit - one a 58 degree wedge, one a 60 degree wedge but, and here's the thing, you don't know which is which. Would you be able to tell the difference? I doubt I would.

Nothing wrong with a 60 degree wedge. It's all in the mind.

 

[Leftie]

I think that the "discussion" was evolving into for/con lob wedges, not necessarily an exact degree of loft. 54/56/58/60* can all be equally destructive to a mid/high handicapper unless they had dedicated a lot of time to practice with it - time imho that would have been far better spent in honing other parts of the game.

Lets face it, how often in a game do you really need to play that high risk shot?

 

[MashieNiblick]

Interesting thread. Lots of arguments for and against the LW. Surely it depends on the player. I carry a 60 degree wedge in place of a 3 iron. Now for me the 3 iron is a destructive club. Would rather hit a 4 and be a tad short than hit 3 and be 30 yards right. But if I'm short sided I'm glad I've got the LW. Horses for courses.

The OP was about bounce and that is where my LW adds an option, as much as the exta loft in my view. My SW is 12 degress my LW 6 degrees so they can be used in different situations.

 

[SyR]

So I started playing last September having never picked up a club before.

I've had 3 lessons and things are definantly improving, just need to work on my consistency (tend to top too many shots
)

I went for a game on Monday and was pitching and chipping quite well. Just felt that I could do with a wedge with more loft at times, I had to go over bunkers a couple of times with the pin very close to the edge of the green, so I couldn't get the ball high enough and when it did land it bounced quite a few times before stopping.

I have been recommended to buy a lob wedge 60 degree. I currently have a Pitching wedge 45 Degree and a Sand wedge 55 degree.

I was looking at possibly getting an MD Norman Drew 60 degree wedge, they come in low bounce 4 degree and normal bounce 8 degree. What are the benefits of each one and what bounce do people typically use?

I have a 60 degree lob wedge and the higher bounce on it makes it great for playing from bunkers and fluffy rough. I tend to get unstuck when attempting it from tighter lies or bunkers with very little sand. As a back up I have a sandwedge with a lower bounce that can be used when grass and sand are lacking.