'Wedge flex' shafts.

[delc]

I have just bought a new lob wedge fitted with a 'wedge flex' shaft, which feels as stiff as a poker to me. The R shafts in the wedges that came with my iron set feel much nicer. Is there any good reason for wedge flex shafts that anybody knows about?

 

[Alex1975]

Not sure of the why but "Wedge Flex" is usually S200 - S400 With True Temper shafts.

 

[KenL]

I thought that wedge flex were just stiff flex shafts. They are probably badging them that way in order to not put off potential buyers.

 

[Alex1975]

I thought that wedge flex were just stiff flex shafts. They are probably badging them that way in order to not put off potential buyers.

My understanding is that every wedge manufacture is a little different, most are S400. However if you buy something like Mizuno you can put whatever shaft and flex in their cart in for the same price.

 

[delc]

I thought that wedge flex were just stiff flex shafts. They are probably badging them that way in order to not put off potential buyers.

So why can't you buy specialist wedges with regular shafts? They would suit far more players. It's not as if you often hit wedges flat out anyway!

 

[Alex1975]

So why can't you buy specialist wedges with regular shafts? They would suit far more players. It's not as if you often hit wedges flat out anyway!

I think that might be the reason. Not many full shots so no need for the flex to fit your SS and better to chip and pitch with something that has little flex or twist.

 

[KenL]

So why can't you buy specialist wedges with regular shafts? They would suit far more players. It's not as if you often hit wedges flat out anyway!

I'm sure you can buy them via custom fit. Makers have just decided that a stiff shaft is better overall. I do think they should be clearer with their labelling though.

 

[ger147]

So why can't you buy specialist wedges with regular shafts? They would suit far more players. It's not as if you often hit wedges flat out anyway!

You can, you just need to order them.

 

[Foxholer]

My understanding is that every wedge manufacture is a little different, most are S400.

My understanding is that most are S200s. Same seems to apply to Mizzy ones - unless specified.

 

[ManinBlack]

I would have thought you want a wedge shaft to flex as little as possible. It's a precision tool & you shouldn't be hitting it flat out anyway.

 

[the_coach]

the underlying answer to the question is folks should get custom fit for their wedges - especially so if they have swings on the slower end of the swing speed scale

the reason wedge shafts generally tend to be a tad stiffer is that the wedge clubheads are a bunch heavier than irons 2-9

the wedge shaft profiles were/are developed to aid keeping the wedge clubhead behind the hands some to help folks control dynamic loft better so the energy transfer is not just released more 'up' in the air with not so much forwards travel

with the heavier wedge heads a ways more easy to at strike have the clubhead passing the hands so there's a bunch more 'loft' added so the flight then just balloons with no decent forwards travel

plus majority of wedge use is with much less than a 'full swing' anyways & the object of using a wedge is foremost about 'control', so accuracy over distance, hence the development of tad stiffer wedge flex as the norm - but if you get fitted you can fix the issue before it is one in play

 

[Paul77]

I would have thought you want a wedge shaft to flex as little as possible. It's a precision tool & you shouldn't be hitting it flat out anyway.

I love hitting my Vokey 52 flat out. My fave club in the bag.

 

[One Planer]

I would have thought you want a wedge shaft to flex as little as possible. It's a precision tool & you shouldn't be hitting it flat out anyway.

If I need quite a bit of spin on the ball going into a green and it's the choice of a full wedge or a softer 3/4 shot, I'll take the former option.

To say you should never hit a wedge flat out is a misnomer IMO, as it depends on what your trying to accomplish.