wedge help

[chip barm]

since taking up golf in july i've been building my set. i want to say gradually but it wasn't. i basically lost my mind and sploffed a ton of cash straight away. it's ok though because after a lot of reading and research, i made really sensible purchases but there is a hole in my bag and it needs to be filled with wedges.

i'm hovering over the purchase button for a 52° and a 60° cleveland 588 RTX 2.0. satin black. £111 delivered. never hit them. they're a stiff shaft and my irons are regular mizuno JPX850.

are two wedges enough? is this going to be my first non-sensible purchase? if so can anyone recommend any for an improving golfer?

 

[JT77]

Hi,
If you are getting two I would consider 52&58. The rtx 2 are lovely wedges, I had them myself in 52&58 just felt like I had more options with that combo.

 

[SteveW86]

where are you based? For wedges, I had a great experience visiting Iain Clarke of Icy Golf, who is based near leicester. There are several very positive reviews of his service on here too. Even if you don't come away with any clubs from him, you will leave with a much clearer picture of what you do want and what wedges will suit you.

Id say drop him and email or a quick phone call and go from there.

I currently have 3 wedges in my bag, 52 and 58 which I got from Iain, these are both very playable and can be opened up really easily to add loft (mainly aims at the 58) and I have a 56 vokey sm5

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I never had a 52 until half way through this year. I bought a cleveland rtx and now it is my go to club anywhere from 80 yds in. Never hit a bad shot yet with that club. Love it. I then have a 60 degree but 58 or 60 is up to you.

I took out my SW, 54 degree, as I rarely used it and I was carrying it for the sake of it. It may depend on the course you play, how full you want your bag to be but I would say start with those two and see how the season goes. If you feel you are missing something then go for it but I suspect most people will find they are enough.

 

[davemc1]

I have the jpx 850s (cast) and 52 & 58 rotex 2s. Good solid wedges, nothing to fear on making an impluse buy in my mind. I chose the cb version in the 52 for a bit of confidence. The one thing I would say is a have a 30 yd gap between my pw and 52. So im on the lookout for a 48 as well

 

[turkish]

What's the loft of your PW? mines is 44 so I've got another 3- 48, 52 and 58 degree vokeys. 58 was recommended over 60 to me due to being a little more versatile and a tighter gap.

 

[brendy]

I have/had the 53 and 56 RTX 2's in my bag, nice clubs. I have found that I never need more than a 56 (sandwedge), if you need a 60, in my opinion, you are taking on too much and there is bound to be an easier shot to take on.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Brendy - I use a 60 when I am close to the green with a bunker between me and the surface. I don't get backspin so the 60 chucks it up and drops down with little roll. I don't use it for big shots, short distances only but it is great for those type. If there is a clear run to the flag, nothing blocking you then I would agree with you.

Live a little. Pretend you are Phil every now and again.

 

[chip barm]

my JPX PW is 45° and i find it really useful in most situations but as it's the only one in my bag, i have to moderate my swing depending on the situation i'm in which costs me shots, obviously. so just wanted a decent spread of various lofts that i can hit consistently and know what i'm getting from each. i'm not precious about a 60° wedge but had the chance to use one and found it really useful for exactly the shot mentioned by lord tyrion above. having said that, i haven't really been in that situation on my last 3 rounds, so maybe i'd get more wear out of a 58°.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Chip - It all depends on the courses you play, the shots you may need. On the course I play I get to use my 60 about 3-5 times a round. I played a different course a week ago and didn't use it once.

I may find a 58 is better for me as well but I don't have one to test. I never thought I'd use a 52 wedge but since getting it I would buy one tomorrow if mine was stolen today. More people are suggesting the 58 so I would go with their advice.

 

[njrose51]

Forgive the probable ignorance of this question but why would you have 3 wedges? I have a 56 rtx which I use for bunkers and shots to green. I also use my pw for shots to the green. I kind of know how far each one goes and can adjust each shot. Also the 7,8 and 9 can come into play as well. Granted it doesn't always go to plan, but I still don't quite understand the what difference a 54,56,58 or 60 actually makes. As I said it's probably an ignorant question based on lack of experience / knowledge so go easy on me!

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Forgive the probable ignorance of this question but why would you have 3 wedges? I have a 56 rtx which I use for bunkers and shots to green. I also use my pw for shots to the green. I kind of know how far each one goes and can adjust each shot. Also the 7,8 and 9 can come into play as well. Granted it doesn't always go to plan, but I still don't quite understand the what difference a 54,56,58 or 60 actually makes. As I said it's probably an ignorant question based on lack of experience / knowledge so go easy on me!

60 degree and up you can really get creative and send the ball nice and high over obstructions like a bunker 10 yard in front of you

more wedges enables you to take a full swing more often and dial the distance in is prob a simpler way of looking at it

lots of people struggle with taking something off a club

 

[turkish]

60 degree and up you can really get creative and send the ball nice and high over obstructions like a bunker 10 yard in front of you

more wedges enables you to take a full swing more often and dial the distance in is prob a simpler way of looking at it

lots of people struggle with taking something off a club

Is the simple answer- I struggle with non full shots and it's a work on progress so having a 10-12 yard difference from 44-48-52-58 is a big advantage for me.

I probably would like to have a space in the bag to change in and out a hybrid for rough play in poor conditions but I'd say having more wedges more beneficial for me.

 

[patricks148]

Ive had JPX irons in the past and used the same wedges I have now.

50 deg low bounce and a 56 high bounce... it would be handy to have 60, but would only use it for the odd shot maybe once per round so don't bother rather have a 3 iron in the bag

 

[bobmac]

lots of people struggle with taking something off a club

So what do they do when they are 30-40 yards away?

 

[turkish]

So what do they do when they are 30-40 yards away?

Obviously they have to bob you pedant!!! but for the 110-80 yards ranges it's better for me

 

[Papas1982]

So what do they do when they are 30-40 yards away?

I am comfortable hitting my 54 and 60 degree 30/40 yards. And would choose depending Upon how much green was left between me and the flag.
So whilst the argument of playing full shots I agree with. I still think the extra wedges are of more benefit to my game.

Fwiw unless there was a bunker, I know people that would attempt to putt!

 

[MadAdey]

my JPX PW is 45° and i find it really useful in most situations but as it's the only one in my bag, i have to moderate my swing depending on the situation i'm in which costs me shots, obviously. so just wanted a decent spread of various lofts that i can hit consistently and know what i'm getting from each. i'm not precious about a 60° wedge but had the chance to use one and found it really useful for exactly the shot mentioned by lord tyrion above. having said that, i haven't really been in that situation on my last 3 rounds, so maybe i'd get more wear out of a 58°.

They do a matching gap wedge for the JPX850 that would sit nicely in your set. Then probably get a 54 and 58 to go with it.

 

[Imurg]

Forgive the probable ignorance of this question but why would you have 3 wedges? I have a 56 rtx which I use for bunkers and shots to green. I also use my pw for shots to the green. I kind of know how far each one goes and can adjust each shot. Also the 7,8 and 9 can come into play as well. Granted it doesn't always go to plan, but I still don't quite understand the what difference a 54,56,58 or 60 actually makes. As I said it's probably an ignorant question based on lack of experience / knowledge so go easy on me!

It's not just loft
You have to factor in the bounce of the club and what the prime use is going to be.
Low bounce for sliders and on tight lies, high bounce for diggers and deep rough.
And many variations in between....

 

[brendy]

Brendy - I use a 60 when I am close to the green with a bunker between me and the surface. I don't get backspin so the 60 chucks it up and drops down with little roll. I don't use it for big shots, short distances only but it is great for those type. If there is a clear run to the flag, nothing blocking you then I would agree with you.

Live a little. Pretend you are Phil every now and again.

I dont know, my short game isnt awful and I used to have a 58 and a 60 before that. I am now firmly of the mind that if the flag is tight against something and you need to get over it, you are better going a little longer and at least getting a look at the roll and be safer in the knowledge you don't have a wet/sandy/whatever next shot. Going for the hail mary rarely gives the intended results.