Titliest AP3 wedges

[Hobbit]

Anyone using AP3 irons but struggling with the wedges? I've had my set for over 18 months now. Scores are decent, and GIR's are probably the best I've had for years. The long irons are performing better than any set I've had for years. However, if I miss a green I might as well accept it will take me 3 to get down from 20-30-yds in. Once upon a time, pre-AP3's, I would get up and down the majority of the time. Now, its as rare as hen's teeth.

Maybe its me, well it is actually me, but I just don't like the look of the bounce. It looks excessive, and I feel I'm struggling to get the leading edge under the ball as I'd like. Its that bad I feel I'm on the verge of chipping/pitching yips. There's little feel, and I'm inclined to knock it way past the hole or miles short. I'm now inclined to knock it in with a 53* wedge but I feel I'm having be creative when I could just set up normally with the right club.

So, AP3 users, are you happy? Do they work for you? Have you put in a different wedge for those mid-range shots from around the green?

I don't want to change the irons at all. Full shots, right through the bag, are fine apart from the odd one that goes 10yds further than expected - those shock ones right out of the screws. But how about adding a decent 47*-49* bladed wedge?

Thoughts...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Can't speak specifically for the AP3's but I rarely like the SW in any off the shelf set but any manufacturer and while I can use the PW in most sets I'll always have to specialist wedges (52 and 58 degrees) that have bounce more suited to my pitching style and the sand on my course. If you are struggling with PW as well then a specialist set including one of those seems the logical move

 

[apj0524]

Hobbit

I have had AP3s for 18 months and tried all sorts:

1) Tried the AP3 AW which is 48 deg - 52 Cleveland RTX 2.0 & 58 Cleveland RTX 2.0 could not get on with the AP3 AW and the 58 lost me more shots than its worth.

2) Then tried a 48 Cleveland RTX 2.0, preferred it to the AP3 but still had the same issue with the 58

3) Current Bag is 46 Cleveland RTX 2.0, 50 Cleveland RTX 2.0 & 54 Cleveland RTX4.0, so basically " old School " Pitching Wedge 110 yards in and around the green chip and run, 50 degree 75 yards in higher flighted shot and for around the green inc long bunker shots (my go to wedge around the green) and the 54 short sided shots and bunkers)

The only thing I am thinking of trying is the Cleveland CBX 2 cavity back in 46 to see how that goes, or maybe a Ping Glide 3.0 in 46 as a couple of the guys had tried them an said the Glides are lovely.

Like you I lover my AP3s but the PW at 43 is really a 9i so the settling on a wedge set has been if buts and maybes, I could have 4 specialist wedges but I find with the 3 I have I never don't have a club or shot that I cant play because I have the wrong wedge

 

[Matty6]

I’ve had my AP3’s for 4 months now. Dropped 4 shots as a result! Absolutely love them.

I go from AP3 PW to a 50 degree SM6. It is a large gap which I’m thinking of rectifying by bending my wedges 2 degrees stronger. But, I never use my PW around the greens. It’s always a 50 or 54 for me.

Not really much help for you though pal!

 

[Wilf]

I have the Ap1's which I know are slightly more chunky than AP3's and have the 48 gap wedge which I only use for full shots, anything closer I have a 52 S18, the thinner profile and more specific wedge grind and bounce fit my eye better for the touch shots.

 

[clubchamp98]

Anyone using AP3 irons but struggling with the wedges? I've had my set for over 18 months now. Scores are decent, and GIR's are probably the best I've had for years. The long irons are performing better than any set I've had for years. However, if I miss a green I might as well accept it will take me 3 to get down from 20-30-yds in. Once upon a time, pre-AP3's, I would get up and down the majority of the time. Now, its as rare as hen's teeth.

Maybe its me, well it is actually me, but I just don't like the look of the bounce. It looks excessive, and I feel I'm struggling to get the leading edge under the ball as I'd like. Its that bad I feel I'm on the verge of chipping/pitching yips. There's little feel, and I'm inclined to knock it way past the hole or miles short. I'm now inclined to knock it in with a 53* wedge but I feel I'm having be creative when I could just set up normally with the right club.

So, AP3 users, are you happy? Do they work for you? Have you put in a different wedge for those mid-range shots from around the green?

I don't want to change the irons at all. Full shots, right through the bag, are fine apart from the odd one that goes 10yds further than expected - those shock ones right out of the screws. But how about adding a decent 47*-49* bladed wedge?

Thoughts...

Got rid of my AP3s for exactly the reason you stated.
One in ten was just stupid yardage I could hit 9 seven irons 150yds then the tenth 175yds .
It put me off them .
I always go 4/9 irons and Callaway MD wedges to suit the lofts of the irons.

 

[Hobbit]

Got rid of my AP3s for exactly the reason you stated.
One in ten was just stupid yardage I could hit 9 seven irons 150yds then the tenth 175yds .
It put me off them .
I always go 4/9 irons and Callaway MD wedges to suit the lofts of the irons.

Cost me a win last Wednesday. Last hole, 143 to the centre, about 147 to the flag. Back edge about 154. Slightly uphill but negated by a very slight breeze from behind. 8 iron to stay below the hole on a sloping green. 2yds through the back, and a dreaded 3 to get down from there

 

[clubchamp98]

Cost me a win last Wednesday. Last hole, 143 to the centre, about 147 to the flag. Back edge about 154. Slightly uphill but negated by a very slight breeze from behind. 8 iron to stay below the hole on a sloping green. 2yds through the back, and a dreaded 3 to get down from there

That might of been the adrenaline and not the clubs ,lol.
But next time you have that shot and hit 9 iron and come up short ?
I just couldn’t trust them.

My mates a pro and he said that is the proper distance for my swing with that iron. 7i 175yds.
It’s just that most of the time my swing is not perfect so contact is not as good so my average shot with 7iron is 150yds.
That hurt.

 

[Hobbit]

That might of been the adrenaline and not the clubs ,lol.
But next time you have that shot and hit 9 iron and come up short ?
I just couldn’t trust them.

My mates a pro and he said that is the proper distance for my swing with that iron. 7i 175yds.
It’s just that most of the time my swing is not perfect so contact is not as good so my average shot with 7iron is 150yds.
That hurt.

TBH, it had a lovely high, gentle draw. I haven't hit a shot that well for at least 15 years. Was it worth the extra 15+yds? Well, it was a beaut!!

 

[clubchamp98]

TBH, it had a lovely high, gentle draw. I haven't hit a shot that well for at least 15 years. Was it worth the extra 15+yds? Well, it was a beaut!!

Nice memory of when you nearly won then. Ha.
Golf is a frustrating game .
If I am pin high I am usually left or right
Bang on line short or long it’s those ones you button that make you come back.

Get yourself a forged Mac Daddy the dogs goodies of wedges I have never hit one of these to far.

 

[JGolfer]

I was worried about the same thing with my ap3's and after a few months I was fed up. They are all 2° weaker now. And I'm much happier. 43° PW was just too strong whereas 45° more reasonable.

 

[Karl102]

Same issues here with the strong pw.... i like Jordans idea of getting it bent to 45 deg. I also had the 48 deg AW, but its on the naughty step atm. Full shots are ok, but struggle to grip down on it. much happier with a 50 deg S7.

 

[Carpfather1]

I’m playing ap3s and I got the matching aw 48deg I too have struggled with the wedge line up I’m toying with the idea of a set of cleavland cbx and making my gapping easier just unsure what way to go loft wise .
I currently got a rtx 54,58 to go with the stock aw plus I got my 50deg rtx gathering dust in the house (the cleavlands are my old wedge set up which matched my old Nike’s)I’ve struggled swing wise all season but after some lessons and a few big changes I’m striking my irons well again The long irons in the ap3s are beasts I’ve never hit long irons like it and as a result I ordered a 4 iron to match .
I’m also going to have a play with the u510 as a hybrid replacement .There is definitely the odd hot shot off the ap3/ when you do really flush one on the screws that’s the only real concern .

 

[Hobbit]

I was worried about the same thing with my ap3's and after a few months I was fed up. They are all 2° weaker now. And I'm much happier. 43° PW was just too strong whereas 45° more reasonable.

I'm not too hung up on the stated loft, as the dynamic loft is always different. My experience is that the PW still goes 120yds, just like in my previous set, even though the loft is 4* different. And the odd flier I'm willing to accept - lets be honest, there'll be the odd occasion when a flier actually stops the ball coming up short.

As per the original post it around the green thats the issue. I've had my 52* knocked up a little but my gut feel is to buy a 46*-47* with a low bounce.

Won't be buying a chipper though...

 

[garyinderry]

Would a titleist mb pitching wedge not work as your gap wedge?

 

[Hobbit]

Would a titleist mb pitching wedge not work as your gap wedge?

Its definitely something I'm considering, i.e. a sneaky Ebay purchase of a blade wedge.

 

[garyinderry]

Its definitely something I'm considering, i.e. a sneaky Ebay purchase of a blade wedge.

I was trying to work out last night what you could do with some bending of lofts and blending where you could fit in a few blades but just sticking a blade pw in there might be the simple solution.
I also didnt know what the rest of the bag set up was like so you might have ended up with 16 clubs going down that route. Lol

 

[Imurg]

It's a problem with the current hot face irons..I know Patrick has had issues in the past and I have too
I'm trying to steer clear of the low loft/hot face versions in favour of slightly weaker lofts and softer feel.
Forget the wedge, try a chip and run with a hot face 7 iron!!
I trialed the Apex earlier in the year - 43° wedge that went a mile
Weakened the loft to bring it back into line and I feared for my nose....plus supposed "soft, forged feel" felt hard as nails.
Just couldn't control the distances.
With the i210s, although cast, they have weaker lofts and a softer feel and the consistency is impressive.
On a par 3 the other day I hit 3 tee shots, 1 flushed one, 1 ok one and one pure thin.
They all pitched within 3 yards of each other and finished within 5.