Why 4?

[bobmac]

Wedges?

If you carry 4 wedges you have to have a gap somewhere in the bag.

Say for example driver, 3 wood, 3-pw.

How do you fill the gap between 3w and 3 iron?
You need to either force the 3 iron or manipulate the 3 wood by choking down on the grip, shortening the swing or swinging it softer. Not easy.

If you only have 3 wedges (say 46, 52 and 58) then you could fill that gap with a 2 hybrid/5 wood.

The reason I ask the question is I see so many people with 4 wedges who cant even hit one properly and certainly cannot manipulate a 3 wood.

I say bring back the 4/5 wood and forget this nonsense about carrying 4 wedges, just because the pros do.
Carry 3 maximum and learn your distances.

Or do you know differently?

 

[JezzE]

Bob,
Couldn't agree more - I think 4 wedges for an average handicap golfer is complete overkill and leaves them struggling for the right club for the distance elsewhere in the bag

 

[Smiffy]

I agree.
For years and years I managed with just 2. PW and SW. Only "peer pressure" has seen me introduce a GW (50) into my bag, but I still prefer to crank open the PW in most instances and use that. For the amount of time I actually use my GW I could quite happily leave it out of the bag and not miss it.
And as for a 60 degree???? Feck that. I'd be either thinning it left, right and centre or coming up short every time.
Forget 4. I could quite happily live with 2.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I read Dave Peltz's short game book.

 

[NWJocko]

I agree. Only now do i have 2 wedges, managed fine with only 1 and, if i needed to go back to 1 to get something else in the bag it wouldnt worry me. That said i dont have 14 clubs as it is!!

 

[bobmac]

I read Dave Peltz's short game book.

Does it explain how to hit the ball 200-220 yds?

 

[Ethan]

Pitching wedge (47 degrees), 52 and 56 here.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I grip down on the 3-wood which is perfectly fine if you practice it enough but I don't find the need very often.

Having said that, I am thinking about dropping my 60deg wedge. Now I've learned to hit my SW different distances it's become pretty redundant.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I read Dave Peltz's short game book.

Does it explain how to hit the ball 200-220 yds?

Nope. That wasn't the question you asked.

 

[bobmac]

I read Dave Peltz's short game book.

Does it explain how to hit the ball 200-220 yds?

Nope. That wasn't the question you asked.

I did ask this...

How do you fill the gap between 3w and 3 iron?

 

[Tiger]

Bob is your issue about distance gaps? I have probs with accuracy in my long game so don't have a driver at present. My PW is strong at 45 degrees and my wedge play is rapidly becoming the strongest part of my game. When I do get a driver I'll probably have the following set up.

Driver, 3 wood, 3 hybrid, 4-PW, GW, SW, LW.

I hit my 4 iron 200 yards, my current 3 iron 210 and my 2 hybrid 225. I assume I'd probably hit the 3 hybrid 215. Now I hit my 3 wood about 245 leaving a 30 yard gap but how often am I going to want to play a 230yard shot?

I get your point but since I've introduced a lob wedge my scores have got better and distance at the other end of my bag isn't a problem. I might be a 28 handicapper but what gets me in trouble is poor shots off the tee not shots from 100 yards in.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I did ask this...

How do you fill the gap between 3w and 3 iron?

21 degree hybrid

 

[Imurg]

I've just gone back to 3 wedges from 4 and I'm not totally missing it. 47, 52, 58 for me from 47,50,54,58.
Sometimes I do find myself with a "54" shot so have to cozy the 52 a little but with practice it's coming together. Just got to sort the top end out - found out I hit my 5 wood almost the same distance as my 3h!!

 

[chris661]

How do you fill the gap between 3w and 3 iron?

By using a 17* hybrid, I have a PW(47 I think) 52 and 56, I do have a 60 but it rarely gets used would depend on the course

 

[Losttheplot]

Morning Bob,
It's as if you have looked in my bag. I now have driver, 3 wood then 4-pw and a 54 and 58.
I cant see the point in 4 wedges. Pw and 2 others is enough.
As for the gap from 3 wood to 4 iron.... Well I'm working on that. I want a 5 wood and a hybrid/rescue 19* because of now I only carry 12 clubs, it was 11 until yesterday...!!!

 

[Imurg]

Doesn't it also depend on the course you play most? If it's not overly long and you can hit a decent distance then maybe 4 wedges will give you more scoring opportunities when you miss the green from 220 yards out, or lay up to you favourite wedge distance on a par 5. Bear in mind as well that we can't control our distances as well as the Pros so trying to lay up to 100 yards might end up as a lay up to 110 or 85...

Is it better to play short from 240 yards and then chip'n'putt or go for the green, miss it badly and then struggle.
Is there really much difference between a 15 degree 3 wood and an 18 degree 5 wood for us mortals? No more than 10-15 yards and at a range of 230-240 does that matter?
Maybe using a 4 wood (17), then a 20/21 hybrid, then a 4-pw + 3 more wedges gives more chance of scoring.

20-25 yards between woods is neglible, 20-25 yards between wedges is a long way.

 

[bobmac]

My point is it's easier to manipulate a wedge than it is a 3 wood and having a choice of 3 wedges from 100 yards in is plenty

 

[GeordieAggro80]

I had a lesson last night on how to get different distances from wedges. Worked amazingly well and all very simple. I use on a sw and pw. No need at all for anything more unless you are a very low handicapper in my opinion. I still think too many people try and master too many clubs. Just coumted and my bag only has 11 inc my putter. Thats enough for me to work on let alone 4 wedges!!!

 

[Tiger]

My point is it's easier to manipulate a wedge than it is a 3 wood and having a choice of 3 wedges from 100 yards in is plenty

I understand that. My question is based on my yardages when would I ever NEED to manipulate a 3 Wood?

 

[bobmac]

My point is it's easier to manipulate a wedge than it is a 3 wood and having a choice of 3 wedges from 100 yards in is plenty

I understand that. My question is based on my yardages when would I ever NEED to manipulate a 3 Wood?

When you buy a driver and you drop the 17 hybrid