The old wedge shaft debate

[BubbaP]

Long nights and cold outside, and at risk of discussing golf related things ?, thought I'd see what views are around on this. Granted it's most likely personal preference, but what thought processes do people have.

- Same shaft specs in irons & wedges
- Different shafts in wedges
- Doesn't really make a difference to most weekend chompers ?

And for those preferring different, with the loft strengthening over the years, where does the change kick in?

Opinions welcome, no right or wrongs here ?

 

[Ethan]

I think it depends. Some players at the highest level use a slightly softer shaft in wedges, say S400 rather than X100 like the rest of their irons, to give more feel. Personally, I have always struggled with wedges that are light, so I like a bit of weight and use the momentum of the club more. My wedges depart from the iron set between the 46 PW and the 50 gap wedge.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Controversially….I’d say the opposite to Ethan. I know Rory played PX 7.0 in wedges, and PX 6.5 in irons, and I think a lot would have something slightly stiffer or heavier in a wedge over their iron shaft.

Definitely should be a different shaft though, imo

 

[Oddsocks]

I’m the opposite to Ethan in the fact that in the past I’ve liked lighter wedges so have always gone with a standard wedge flex. That being said I recent had a game with an old set of vintage pinseeker irons and noticed that instead of my modern wedges releasing and rolling up to the hole, the heavier wedges flew to the hole and stopped. The spring may see new wedges but if the FG’s go I’ll be getting fitted.

 

[KenL]

I'm at the highest level and have the same shaft in my wedges. ?

Seriously, I would say shaft flex matters less in wedges than in other clubs. Swing speed is slower for a start.

Lie angle is probably something less people think about. I have my wedges in the same lie as my irons.

 

[Ethan]

Controversially….I’d say the opposite to Ethan. I know Rory played PX 7.0 in wedges, and PX 6.5 in irons, and I think a lot would have something slightly stiffer or heavier in a wedge over their iron shaft.

Definitely should be a different shaft though, imo

That isn't the opposite. I said "some players". I check out the WITBs and it is not uncommon for slightly softer wedge shafts, but as you point out, not universal.

Just had a look on GolfWRX WITB. Looked at first 3 players I recognised, and Rory:

Kevin Tway. X7 shafts in irons, X100 in PW and S400 in other wedges.

Scott Piercy: X100 irons, S400 in more lofted wedges

Brandt Snedecker: AeroTech SteelFiber i95 in irons, S400 in wedges

Rory: PX 7.0 irons, 6.5 wedges (dated Jan 2020).

 

[Imurg]

I have a similar weight shaft in my wedges and irons..
I'm going to stick my neck out and say that, for the Average Golfer, as long as they're not too heavy, it doesn't make much difference what the shaft is.
Inconsistency of strike will override any benefit of a particular shaft.
Get down into low singles figures and it probably does..

 

[pokerjoke]

I have a similar weight shaft in my wedges and irons..
I'm going to stick my neck out and say that, for the Average Golfer, as long as they're not too heavy, it doesn't make much difference what the shaft is.
Inconsistency of strike will override any benefit of a particular shaft.
Get down into low singles figures and it probably does..

I think it does matter
I have S400 I have tried S200 and the same swing is 10 yards less.

 

[Imurg]

I think it does matter
I have S400 I have tried S200 and the same swing is 10 yards less.

You're not an average golfer Tony

 

[fundy]

It depends, go and have a fitting

someone had to say it

 

[jim8flog]

I switched the shaft in my 52 to R300 but I only use for 90% max swing shots do not really notice much difference to the wedge flex in my 54
There is quite a variety in my assortment of wedges and to be honest I find them all pretty much the same.

My irons have ascending weight shafts in anyway.

 

[BubbaP]

It depends, go and have a fitting

someone had to say it

It was inevitable! ?

I was browsing wedges, as you do, and noticed I could chose the same shafts as in my current irons. But what if I change my irons and end up in a different shaft - oh so that may be a fitting for irons, then a fitting for wedges, and so it begins ?

Or as some have said does it really matter. Would likely adjust.
Thanks guys for the input so far.

 

[fundy]

It was inevitable! ?

I was browsing wedges, as you do, and noticed I could chose the same shafts as in my current irons. But what if I change my irons and end up in a different shaft - oh so that may be a fitting for irons, then a fitting for wedges, and so it begins ?

Or as some have said does it really matter. Would likely adjust.
Thanks guys for the input so far.

When I had my Orkas built I ended up with the same shaft in both irons and wedges, subsequently replaced the wedges and was happy enough to keep the same shafts in the new ones. But thats just me...

 

[bobmac]

I have never owned a specialist wedge, only the PW and SW that came with the set so matching shafts.
I think a lot of this is just manufacturers waffle to sell you more clubs, that's why the irons/PW lofts are so strong so you have to buy a gap wedge. More £££

 

[Maninblack4612]

I have never owned a specialist wedge, only the PW and SW that came with the set so matching shafts.
I think a lot of this is just manufacturers waffle to sell you more clubs, that's why the irons/PW lofts are so strong so you have to buy a gap wedge. More £££

Rubbish!

 

[Voyager EMH]

I have never owned a specialist wedge, only the PW and SW that came with the set so matching shafts.
I think a lot of this is just manufacturers rubbish to sell you more clubs, that's why the irons/PW lofts are so strong so you have to buy a gap wedge. More £££

Is that better?

 

[bobmac]

Rubbish!

So you're going to tell me that manufacturers have to strengthen the lofts to balance out the high launching characteristics of new club designs? And the longer shafts aren't used to create more speed, meaning the new 7 iron is more like an old 6 or even 5 iron? Which leaves you a huge gap between PW and SW so you have to buy a GW or 2

 

[Voyager EMH]

I really like the wedges that came with this set that I bought earlier this year. They are numbered 8,9,10 and the club pro measured the lofts at 44, 49 and 54. Perfect.



I don't feel any need to change the shafts.

 

[Maninblack4612]

So you're going to tell me that manufacturers have to strengthen the lofts to balance out the high launching characteristics of new club designs? And the longer shafts aren't used to create more speed, meaning the new 7 iron is more like an old 6 or even 5 iron? Which leaves you a huge gap between PW and SW so you have to buy a GW or 2

Looks like I don't have to tell you, you've worked it out for yourself. I told people for years that nobody needed more than three wedges, now I have four! BUT, I've also got a four iron with the loft & length of a three iron, which I can actually hit much better than I can hit a traditional three. OK, I'll acknowledge that the manufacturers have used a bit of psychology in the numbering but any intelligent person can see that. I just wish the makers would make a set of 5 irons covering the length & loft currently covered by the 4 to 9 iron so that I could put the 5 wood back into the bag.

And I don't think the manufacturers sell more clubs because of this. Where someone would previously buy a 4 to PW set they might buy 5 to PW plus a hybrid, or even 6 to PW & two hybrids.

People who say the manufacturers are conning the public are underestimating the intelligence of the majority of customers.

 

[Crow]

Another reason why the old way of buying all your irons in one set made life simpler.

The shaft tips were cut so that the distance to the first step got shorter with each club as the irons went down to the SW, giving a nice smooth progression down to your sand iron and you didn't need to worry about what shafts came with you wedges as they already matched your irons perfectly.

The picture below isn't great and doesn't include the SW but hopefully shows what I mean.