Wedges

FairwayDodger

FairwayDodger

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I see Cleveland are bringing out a new range of wedges.

I've never owned separate wedges. I always just use the ones from my set of irons. So my question is... am I missing a trick? Do these "specialist" wedges actually add anything over the usual SW/PW from an iron set?
 
I got fitted for some Cleveland 588 RTX wedges and they made a big difference over what were my standard wedges.....to be totally honest I'm not one of these that believes that the grooves on one wedge vs another makes a MASSIVE difference, but having a higher spinning shaft made all the difference for me.
 
FairwayDodger said:
Ok. But why?
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your usual SW is a specialist SW ie it's designed as a SW!

There's huge scope for confusion in the terms people bandy around here :confused:

The question as to whether you would benefit from a different one is exactly the same as your driver or any other club in your bag.

The wider question as to whether it's better to have wedges that match you irons, a seperate set of matching wedges or individual wedges that you know and love for what they are is always a good debate.

Generally -

When people change their irons they increasingly get smaller and smaller iron sets as they choose to retain their hybrids/woods/whatever at the long end, and wedges at the short end. In the UK this has been so extreme that you can struggle to actually get the full wedge options for your iron set - in the US it's easier/more common.

As to whether it's better to stand over all your irons and have a consistent look and feel (the SW will nearly always have a heavier swing weight even in sets) is really one for individual players, and to a degree the nature of their clubs.
 
FairwayDodger said:
I see Cleveland are bringing out a new range of wedges.

I've never owned separate wedges. I always just use the ones from my set of irons. So my question is... am I missing a trick? Do these "specialist" wedges actually add anything over the usual SW/PW from an iron set?
Click to expand...

Yes you are, and the key reason is the amount of loft and bounce options specialist wedges offer.

Lofts should be self explanatory, with a set you are stuck with what you get, but by buying separately you can choose your make-up to suit your swing and requirements. This should lead to even distance gaps, so out on the course you make more full swings (the type you most likely practice), and less manufactured half and three-quarter swings that are harder to replicate consistently.

Bounces relate to ground conditions and your personal angle of attack at impact. A low bounce is better for tight lies, dry fairways and players with a shallower attack angle, while high bounces suit players used to softer fairways and with a steeper angle of attack. Again, standard PW/SW from sets tend to come in a set bounce option, so can't be tailored to suit your swing.

Hope that helps!
 
FairwayDodger said:
I see Cleveland are bringing out a new range of wedges.

I've never owned separate wedges. I always just use the ones from my set of irons. So my question is... am I missing a trick? Do these "specialist" wedges actually add anything over the usual SW/PW from an iron set?
Click to expand...


I have brought it wedges to plug gaps... I also think its a confidence thing - I don't like to chip with my Pw/SW don't ask why like I say its just how I feel.

Just brought Cleveland aswell... First round today ;-) will let you know how many chip ins from 100 - 30 yards I get
 
Few iron sets go right through to SW as standard now, bit like the 3 iron going in most sets at the other end.
The word specialist is where it goes a bit wrong IMO, a wedge is specialist by its nature as is any other club, loft choice is the only real reason I can see, pk some talk about bounce like its the new holy grail of chipping but really how much does it matter to an inconsistent swing/AoA?
I carry a 52 because I didnt want 3/4 or 1/2 PW swings and a 56 because my set only went to PW and a SW is only available overseas.
 
Jake O'Reilly said:
Yes you are, and the key reason is the amount of loft and bounce options specialist wedges offer.

Lofts should be self explanatory, with a set you are stuck with what you get, but by buying separately you can choose your make-up to suit your swing and requirements. This should lead to even distance gaps, so out on the course you make more full swings (the type you most likely practice), and less manufactured half and three-quarter swings that are harder to replicate consistently.

Bounces relate to ground conditions and your personal angle of attack at impact. A low bounce is better for tight lies, dry fairways and players with a shallower attack angle, while high bounces suit players used to softer fairways and with a steeper angle of attack. Again, standard PW/SW from sets tend to come in a set bounce option, so can't be tailored to suit your swing.

Hope that helps!
Click to expand...

I'll go along with what Jake says.

I have mid bounce 7° and 10° on my wedges as I have a steep'ish AoA with my wedges.

Tried low bounce before and it wasn't pretty.

Lofts I have give me a consistent distance gap after my PW as that's all I was interested in.

Nothing specialist, just fit for purpose.
 
It's just a point of having more options. There are some great choices out there from many manufacturers as well as the specialist wedge builders. Specialist clubs will add something to your game I'm sure - if chosen wisely; huge enjoyment, confidence and trust.

Leaving technicalities aside, as there's better folk than me to explain it, it's well worth investing in time to find some wedges you absolutely love as they will save you more shots than almost anything else. Sure you already know this but I for one have to remind myself of this from time to time... They're not usually a big outlay either considering the rewards available - £250 for a new driver vs £120 for custom built wedge??!!
 
Firstly no-one hits SW/GW/LW with a full swing.....correction, some do but its mostly for bravado or inexperience as these are the main scoring clubs and full power is way down the list.

IMO if you have good ball contact with wedges it wont make a blind bit of difference having 'special grinds' 'tour grinds' certain degrees of bounce blah blah. You are a weekend amateur who is delighted if you get within a few shots of your handicap when you play for fun.

The caveat I would make though are wedges are like putters, you have to like how it looks to your eye and how it 'feels' and sounds when swinging (weight being a big factor). But if anyone tells me they can tell the difference between an 8* tour grind and 10* bounce in a blind play test then they are either a PLUS handicap elite amateur or a Pro.


@FD, you are 4.9 because you strike the ball well, not because of special grinds to suit your type of course turf.

You can also have far too much choice, Mizuno's new wedges are a perfect example and a company creating their own market, and filling it.
 
CMAC said:
Firstly no-one hits SW/GW/LW with a full swing.....correction, some do but its mostly for bravado or inexperience as these are the main scoring clubs and full power is way down the list.

IMO if you have good ball contact with wedges it wont make a blind bit of difference having 'special grinds' 'tour grinds' certain degrees of bounce blah blah. You are a weekend amateur who is delighted if you get within a few shots of your handicap when you play for fun.

The caveat I would make though are wedges are like putters, you have to like how it looks to your eye and how it 'feels' and sounds when swinging (weight being a big factor). But if anyone tells me they can tell the difference between an 8* tour grind and 10* bounce in a blind play test then they are either a PLUS handicap elite amateur or a Pro.


@FD, you are 4.9 because you strike the ball well, not because of special grinds to suit your type of course turf.

You can also have far too much choice, Mizuno's new wedges are a perfect example and a company creating their own market, and filling it.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I have stopped using my "specialist" wedges for chipping around the green and just gone to my stock G10 PW or SW. I really think you need to spend time practising with blade style wedges if you really want to reap their benefits. If you don't have time to practice then a big cavity back, huge sole wedge is going to get you a much more consistent strike time after time. They are designed to be forgiving, so even miss hits are generally a lot less destructive. Once I have time to practice more, then the other wedges will probably come back into play, but until then I will chip away with my c/b's.
 
We're nearing the end of season, I have vouchers burning a hole in my pocket and don't really "need" any golf stuff.

I'm happy with the wedges I have, my short game is OK as long as I maintain a certain amount of practice...

And yet, the golf marketing gurus have got into my head on this one. I agree with the idea of finding wedges you like and sticking with them. When I changed irons a couple of years ago it was some time before I felt happy removing the old SW from my bag.
 
I replace my old rag tag army of wedges this year for a new set of Cleveland RTX 588's, during the trade-in deal.

Has taken me 6 months or so of regularly playing and (less regularly) practicing, with them to get to the point now where I can see and fell the difference, more consistent striking, more control around the green and improving results.
 
FairwayDodger said:
We're nearing the end of season, I have vouchers burning a hole in my pocket and don't really "need" any golf stuff. And yet, the golf marketing gurus have got into my head on this one. I agree with the idea of finding wedges you like and sticking with them. When I changed irons a couple of years ago it was some time before I felt happy removing the old SW from my bag.
Click to expand...

In this case why not try before you buy? If you like what you see then you've got the winter to practice and get used to your new yardages, if not then invest elsewhere, like lessons (if your vouchers allow) or clothing.
 
I think the answer is a definite 'maybe'!

Unless you are finding yourself in too many situations where you have to manufacture a shot that you are not entirely comfortable with, then your current setup is fine.

But more choices gives you, er more choice. Whether that's a good or bad thing is really an individual consideration. I actually find it very easy/preferable to play half and 3/4 shots (9 o'clock and 10:30 swings), so like having the choice, but some folk don't like the 'confusion'.

There definitely seems to be scope for a Gap and Lob wedge in your bag, though Lob Wedge can be 'dangerous' in soggy ground.
 
I have always found the SW on offer as standard with most sets always look chunky and doesn't suit my eye. Nothing wrong with them per se but I prefer a choice of loft and bounce and not the standard offering. I also want to have my gap wedge (52 degree) matching my SW and so I'll always get a separate wedge(s) if and when I change. Fortunately the last time going from G25 to I25 there wasn't any need to change them as I'd got the Ping Tour wedge design when I got the G version
 
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