Wedges

[jeffc]

Since buying my wilson Di7's (which I am very happy with)I have had a gap to fill in the chipping department.
The pitching wedge goes nearly as far as my 9 iron, maybe 5-10 yards difference which some may say is correct but my next club was my Mizzy 58*. This you can hit as hard as you like and it will go 65-75yards.
So I bought a 53* Mizzy gap wedge- guess what- it goes only slightly longer than the 58*. i.e. Still got a gap
damn bugger and fiddle sticks

The gap has closed a little but not what I was looking for, I'm thinking I may have to replace the pitching wedge because my pro told me that manufactures like to make the PW's play long i.e. similar to the 9i so that people think they are getting an improvement and hitting longer.

anyone else have similar experiences?

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
I have just got a 52 degree wedge that is about 25 yards shorter than my PW sorry I didnt go for 50 55 and 60.
Mike

 

[ricardodaintino]

Wilson make a Di7 Gap wedge. This might bridge your gap, the lofts are on the Wilson staff website, also their TW9 wedges look quite tasty.

 

[SS2]

I now have:

48 deg pitching wedge
52 deg gap wedge
56 deg sand wedge
60 deg lob wedge

Top-end distances are:

130 yds
110 yds
95 yds
60 yds

You'd expect there to be the same gaps between them all give that there are 4 deg between each. Perhaps the difference is that the 48 and 56 deg are Titleist DCIs from my 1996 set whereas the 52 and the 60deg are Vokeys from 2008 ?

 

[SS2]

Sorry, didn't really make my point in previous post:

It seems to me that the degrees of loft on a wedge is not the only factor in determining how far the ball will go.

 

[jeffc]

Seems I am not alone in this,

SS2 130yds is your longest wedge that must be more or less the same as your 9i then?

 

[SS2]

Jeff,

9 iron gets about 10yds more than the pw. These are all approx and are "top-end" figures.

9i 140
8i 150
7i 160
6i 170
5i 180
4i 190
3i: don't have one anymore !

 

[USER1999]

I guess alot depends on the strike. I have quite a wristy swing with my 54 and 58, which really pops the ball up, and consequently they don't go far. On the other hand, I crunch through my PW, and hit it a lot further. This leaves a big gap, but I'm not bothered by it. I don't like crunching my 54. I tend to thin it. It is not very forgiving.

Also, spin milled type clubs will impart alot more spin than your other irons, which will cause the shot to balloon a bit, taking distance off it.

This is why in the old vokeys, 54 was the lowest loft in the spin mill, where now they go to 48? but on the 52, 50 and 48 the spin milling is not as agressive as the other lofts.

 

[Leftie]

This you can hit as hard as you like and it will go 65-75yards.
So I bought a 53* Mizzy gap wedge- guess what- it goes only slightly longer than the 58*. i.e. Still got a gap

errrmm... How about practicing 25%, 50%, and 75% swings with your PW? Possibly better distance control than trying to hit every wedge flat out, and save a fortune

 

[MVP]

The harder and further you hit a ball the more important..and bigger the gap becomes between club...thats why a lot of guys get away with the big 58-47...or so .

In my days of using my ping wedges.. i hit my 54 30yrds further then my 60 and my 48 45yrds further then my 54.

now i have 47 52 and 56 and a 60(whether i choose to use it or not) and i cant give you any feedback on them as i havent played enuff with them yet!

One thing to point out, there is an awful lot of spin involved at this end of the scale so that will make a big difference too!

 

[TonyN]

I have mizzy wedge at 48* a gap at 53* and a 58*

I hit these 110 100 and 60 respectfully. and I have the same shafts in all of them. Do you?

I would echo leftie's advice to learn to hit 3/4 1/2 and 1/4 shots. If I want to hit a shot 80 yards, that is just a 3/4 53*

 

[andiritchie]

Dont Wilosn Di7s have a 45 degree pw,if so you be better going 51 and 56 maybe saves carrying loads of wedges and will have a 20 yard gap between all your wedges.

Another option is can the Di7s be bent i not sure but if so you could weaken your pw

 

[Parmo]

I am in the same band, great on wedge full shots but failing on 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 shots.

PW - 44.5* = 110
GW - 50* = 90-100
SW - 54.5* = 75-90
LW - 60* = 50-70 depending on distance and swing speed needed.

I did try what Padraigs caddy tipped Jezza (I think) about leaning on the left side whilst chipping, seemed to work but deffo need firm ground as the divots

Visualisation plays a massive part of all the game, if you relax and visualise the shot 8/10 it works a treat.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

PW = 46 degree - I then have a 52 and a 56. My coach wants me to add a 60 which means either replacing one of the other wedges or taking either the 5 wood or 3 hybrid out. To be fair I'm pretty happy with my set up so I think he and I will be having another "debate" about my short game and the right equipment next time I see him

 

[Tommo21]

Homer, for a long while I had a PW, 52 and 56. I've now changed the 56 for a 58. I like this set up the best, try it.

 

[TonyN]

No need for the 60 H, just open the 56.

 

[Imurg]

It all comes down to how far you hit each wedge and nothing really to do with the loft stamped on the sole.

You might have 48 54 and 60 and you may hit 100, 80 and 60 with them. But someone else may hit 120, 85 and 60. Quality of strike is a big factor as is spin - as mentioned previously by several - as well as the shaft.

So experiment with different clubs and find those that you can hit the distance you require and don't get too hung up on the loft.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I think to add to what others have said it id very important to have all your specialist wedges the same brand / model.That is why I currently have a huge gap as i am waiting until I can afford 3 identical specialist wedges with 50*, 54* and 58* of loft to add onto my 46* PW. Thinking about it I will have the money next month but don't know whether to wait until turf conditions are better to try them out on as I will be getting fitted for them by my pro and trying them off grass on a short game area. I just don't know what to do about bounce at the moment. Anyway less of my dilemma, identical wedges are definitely important.

 

[jeffc]

Thanks for everyones ideas, looks like I need to practise the 1/2 and 3/4 thing with the PW a bit more to fill the gap.
Eaglehunter, discopunt golf are selling the Mizuno RAW haze wedges at £29.99 at the mo and I think they have 53 and 58 available.

http://www.discountgolfstore.co.uk/2531/Mizuno-RAW-Haze-Wedges.html

They also have the MPT at the same price but only in 58.
I ordered the 53 and it came in two days

 

[HartleyHare]

I've just treated myself a set of Cleveland CG12's 52, 56 + 60.
my short game is definitely the weakest part of my game and i thought the best way forward was to get a "set" take a lesson and practice.