What grind?

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VVega

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I’m considering a new lob wedge primarily for around the green shots when short sided. I’m looking either at Ping s159 B grind or Callsway Opus Plat Z grind (both 8* bounce). No one locally has them to try. Has anyone had any experience with either by any chance?

More generally, does anyone bother with their “grinds”?

Disclaimer: I do appreciate that some good players (@bobmac 😎) can play 40-year old wedges and still score far better than the rest of us. Having no such talents, I’m looking for all the help I can get from the equipment 😂
 
S159 is a fine wedge but only tried the 50...not seen an Opus yet....
My LW is a Vokey 58 with 8° bounce and the M grind.
Use it for short lobs around the green and it's useful out of firmish bunkers
SW is Callaway 54 with 12 bounce and the W grind because I need all the help I can get in the sand...
GW is a S159 50 with 10 bounce and the S grind and it's an absolute magic wand.....
Grinds and bounce are more important than many think...but, at the end of the day, if what you use gives you the consistency you need there's no right or wrong answer to the loft/bounce/grind conundrum.
 
Have a look at a low bounce Vokey K grind too.

The grinds do make a difference, really needs to match the conditions and how you hit the ball (shallow/steep). I went from a 'W' Ping Glide to a 'S' Vokey in my 54° and it's much better.
 
Find a fitting day and try a few, you will genuinely be surprised at the difference in feel and flight between all the different grinds, lofts and bounce options. I replaced a Vokey 8 54* with a Vokey 10 and pulled the same grind/bounce out the test bag. The fitter got me to try different options, ended up with something completely different.

Or take the advice on here and buy blind (y)
 
3 jabber said:
Find a fitting day and try a few, you will genuinely be surprised at the difference in feel and flight between all the different grinds, lofts and bounce options. I replaced a Vokey 8 54* with a Vokey 10 and pulled the same grind/bounce out the test bag. The fitter got me to try different options, ended up with something completely different.

Or take the advice on here and buy blind (y)
Click to expand...

I’d also make sure you hit off grass when testing out wedges.
 
In answer to the second question " do I bother.."

Absolutely yes . I have a range of wedges, many have the same loft, but what varies is the sole design. Different wedges are in the bag at different times of the year according to course conditions.
 
To those recommending fittings, testing off the grass... All great in theory, in practice it's not that useful (of course, still better than just "internet research"). The independent fitters just don't have the stock of less common bounce/grinds and the OEM fitting centres can only offer what they make so you'd have to travel around quite a bit to try them all. Both will have you using practice balls (of various quality) off the matts or hitting it into the net with the ball you play.

No one offers anything like hitting it around the green with the proper ball, off the real turf, different lies, different distances etc. with a launch monitor next you to every shot -- just doesn't happen, at least not in the UK? Not even mentioning the fact that hitting off the ground now has a very limited value for choosing a wedge for playing at the height of the summer on baked grounds. :)

I'd be delighted to be proven wrong and if you know a fitter who can do a wedge fitting as described above, do shout ;)

FWIW, had a go with a few wedges just now and a new candidate emerged - Mizuno Pro T1 - lovely clubs.
 
jim8flog said:
In answer to the second question " do I bother.."

Absolutely yes . I have a range of wedges, many have the same loft, but what varies is the sole design. Different wedges are in the bag at different times of the year according to course conditions.
Click to expand...
Can you share your selection bounce/grind for lob wedges?
 
VVega said:
To those recommending fittings, testing off the grass... All great in theory, in practice it's not that useful (of course, still better than just "internet research"). The independent fitters just don't have the stock of less common bounce/grinds and the OEM fitting centres can only offer what they make so you'd have to travel around quite a bit to try them all. Both will have you using practice balls (of various quality) off the matts or hitting it into the net with the ball you play.

No one offers anything like hitting it around the green with the proper ball, off the real turf, different lies, different distances etc. with a launch monitor next you to every shot -- just doesn't happen, at least not in the UK? Not even mentioning the fact that hitting off the ground now has a very limited value for choosing a wedge for playing at the height of the summer on baked grounds. :)

I'd be delighted to be proven wrong and if you know a fitter who can do a wedge fitting as described above, do shout ;)

FWIW, had a go with a few wedges just now and a new candidate emerged - Mizuno Pro T1 - lovely clubs.
Click to expand...
My Titleist fitting was at my own club, around the chipping green using premium balls. I suggest you look at manufacturers websites or contact local clubs to ask if they have any fitting days coming up.
 
VVega said:
To those recommending fittings, testing off the grass... All great in theory, in practice it's not that useful (of course, still better than just "internet research"). The independent fitters just don't have the stock of less common bounce/grinds and the OEM fitting centres can only offer what they make so you'd have to travel around quite a bit to try them all. Both will have you using practice balls (of various quality) off the matts or hitting it into the net with the ball you play.

No one offers anything like hitting it around the green with the proper ball, off the real turf, different lies, different distances etc. with a launch monitor next you to every shot -- just doesn't happen, at least not in the UK? Not even mentioning the fact that hitting off the ground now has a very limited value for choosing a wedge for playing at the height of the summer on baked grounds. :)

I'd be delighted to be proven wrong and if you know a fitter who can do a wedge fitting as described above, do shout ;)

FWIW, had a go with a few wedges just now and a new candidate emerged - Mizuno Pro T1 - lovely clubs.
Click to expand...

I’m not sure that’s fully true.

The pro who I have lessons from stocks titleist, so I was able to try every bounce/grind offering off grass and with a trackman.

Couldn’t try every brand, but I got to try the ones I was interested in.
 
VVega said:
To those recommending fittings, testing off the grass... All great in theory, in practice it's not that useful (of course, still better than just "internet research"). The independent fitters just don't have the stock of less common bounce/grinds and the OEM fitting centres can only offer what they make so you'd have to travel around quite a bit to try them all. Both will have you using practice balls (of various quality) off the matts or hitting it into the net with the ball you play.

No one offers anything like hitting it around the green with the proper ball, off the real turf, different lies, different distances etc. with a launch monitor next you to every shot -- just doesn't happen, at least not in the UK? Not even mentioning the fact that hitting off the ground now has a very limited value for choosing a wedge for playing at the height of the summer on baked grounds. :)

I'd be delighted to be proven wrong and if you know a fitter who can do a wedge fitting as described above, do shout ;)

FWIW, had a go with a few wedges just now and a new candidate emerged - Mizuno Pro T1 - lovely clubs.
Click to expand...
Our Pro stocks Titleist as well as other wedges, he has a huge bag with the various loft, bounces and grinds. Our chipping and pitching green gives a variety of lies, lengths and bunkers to test from.
 
where about in UK you are, there have to be some independence fitters that offering wedge fitting on the grass.
sggt have a place in Edinburgh and Chesterfield and offering great service

www.sggt.co.uk

Wedge Custom Fitting SGGT in Scotland

Wedge custom fitting covering every wedge brand combined with over 20 different shafts. Every loft and bounce custom fitted at SGGT in Edinburgh Scotland, Chesterfield England, UK
www.sggt.co.uk
 
You asked for a different wedges but you can't go wrong with vokeys, they have plenty of options with grindes and bounces.
Properly fitted wedge will make your game easier.
 
VVega said:
Can you share your selection bounce/grind for lob wedges?
Click to expand...
to sum it up
I have high bounce 14 degree SWs 54, 56 and 58 for when the bunker are soft and fluffy and the rough around the greens is long
I have a low bounce 54 and a low bounce 52 for when the sand is wet and compacted
Grinds are also slightly different between the two, with the higher bounce having a double sole so you can play them off your back foot for lower shots

I have a selection of 52 wedges, my go to wedge for general play in to a green for fairway lies
A range of makes bounces and grinds from
I have 52 negative bounce narrow sole for links type soil
52/4 for when the grass is very tightly mown
Several 52 standard 8 degree wedges different makes with slightly different soles
I still have my 'used everywhere' extra weight 51 degree wedge, wide sole.
 
I'm extremely picky on what wedges and grinds I use.
I play in Ireland which means I play most of the year in soft conditions. Bounce is a must for me. I've used low bounce wedges in the past. Completely useless to me. There's no room for error in soft irish parkland courses.

I used f grind on both gap and sand wedge. K on my lob.

The K is the longest serving club in my bag. Absolute cheat code. 😄

20250202_212204.jpg
 
garyinderry said:
I'm extremely picky on what wedges and grinds I use.
I play in Ireland which means I play most of the year in soft conditions. Bounce is a must for me. I've used low bounce wedges in the past. Completely useless to me. There's no room for error in soft irish parkland courses.

I used f grind on both gap and sand wedge. K on my lob.

The K is the longest serving club in my bag. Absolute cheat code. 😄

View attachment 56882
Click to expand...
I also have an SM5 w K grind - served me well, only swapped it last year for a full face Jaws.
 
Vokey has a wedge selector tool, I know you’re not looking at vokeys but it could steer you in the right direction as a lot of the grinds between manufacturers are similar. Worked great for me.

Wedge Selector Tool | Find the Best Wedges for You | Vokey SM10 - Vokey.com

Use the Vokey Wedge Selector Tool to see the best golf wedges for your game and swing. Find the loft, bounce, and grind to command your short game. Try now!
www.vokey.com www.vokey.com
 
I have recently had a fitting and went with the S159 58 degree with a B Grind with 8 degrees of bounce. It allowed me to open up the face and also play it square when/if the bunkers are firm.

Found the marks I was making on the bottom of the club were right on the bounce.
 
Last edited:
Shooter McPowick said:
Vokey has a wedge selector tool, I know you’re not looking at vokeys but it could steer you in the right direction as a lot of the grinds between manufacturers are similar. Worked great for me.

Wedge Selector Tool | Find the Best Wedges for You | Vokey SM10 - Vokey.com

Use the Vokey Wedge Selector Tool to see the best golf wedges for your game and swing. Find the loft, bounce, and grind to command your short game. Try now!
www.vokey.com www.vokey.com
Click to expand...
I thought I'd do this just for fun/curiosity but I'm stuck on the second question.
1738665962907.png
Where is the option for 41?? :unsure:
 
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