Why aren't wedges included in iron sets?

[virtuocity]

I'm shortly looking for a new gap wedge and lob wedge.

I think it's fair to say that the majority of people have their PW and SW included within their iron set.

Question is- why are gap wedges and lob wedges not included in iron sets? Are they not good enough?

 

[One Planer]

My 63's only came with a PW.

I think it's because people prefer different loft and bounce options than maybe the standard set offers.

 

[Alex1975]

I would guess that most of us don't have the SW from there set for the exact reason you point out, no gap wedge.

It seems to me that it's available more in the US. I know they have a JPX 800 Pro GW at 50* that you can't get in the UK.

Props to Ping for the U wedge, even if they are fugly!

 

[virtuocity]

It just seems mad for me that you would have a load of irons with a different brand of club at the top end.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Most sets don't have SW anymore, I guess because most manufacturers make specialist wedges that the want to flog you, and because not everyone wants the same loft\bounce on their wedges

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I only ever want my irons to be 4-PW so I can add my own gap (52) and SW (58)

 

[rob_golf1]

As stated above, most iron manufacturers produce wedges as well, so it would be silly for them to include more than one wedge in your iron set!

 

[MGL]

Two reasons:

Firstly so you can be sold specialist wedges at a higher price.

Secondly, as PW lofts have strengthened over the years - the gap to the SW (which loft has never really changed) - gets bigger, so it therefore gives the manufacturers at least one more wedge (GW) and possibly a second (LW) that can be sold.

 

[Revolt]

cg16's just came with a PW (44 deg :O) had to put a 50,54 and 58 in there

 

[MGL]

cg16's just came with a PW (44 deg :O) had to put a 50,54 and 58 in there

That's bad form from the maker IMHO! Nothing after 44* is just extortion!

 

[slicer79]

As mentioned its a personal decision as to what loft/bounce options are needed so it wouldn't make much sense to include say a 56 degree wedge as standard as an individual may prefer a different option

 

[pbrown7582]

That's bad form from the maker IMHO! Nothing after 44* is just extortion!

They do make cg16 is various lofts and bounces so it's then personally choice if they included extra clubs in set it would only add cost anyway.

With regard to the OP most people will choose there own specialist wedges to suit there own course/game some will buy matching clubs others will go with specialist clubs market research will guide manufacturers as well as reducing club numbers is good for headline price.

 

[CMAC]

you fellas that say you want to choose what gap wedges you have are only doing it because the manufacturers dictated it many years ago. 3-SI was the norm then along comes 47*PW then 46* and as MGL pointed out the SI has pretty much stayed 56* so they can now sell you another club.
Then, they start selling specialist grinds..............99% of amateurs wouldnt know or notice the difference in grinds/bounce on a wedge....IMO

Its all commercially driven.................and why not.....it's a business after all

 

[MadAdey]

My first real set of clubs was a set of the original Titleist DCi 20 or so years ago and they did not come with a SW. So it is not a new thing like most people think. I personally do not want a 56* SW as I only carry 3 wedges so want a 54*SW. I think they stopped doing it as most golfers did not want the standard SW at 56* for the same reasons as me.

 

[fundy]

Bought my irons and wedges as an entirety. Same manufacturer but purchased the lot together to ensure I had the right distance gaps through my irons and into my wedges. Find it amazing the amount of people who can have 20 and 30 yard gaps at that end of the bag

 

[MashieNiblick]

My old TP-21s came with a gap (mid) wedge and sw included. First time I'd ever had a gw and it was then that I realised what a useful club it was. In those days (late 90's) not many manufacturers were offering specialist wedges as well but that soon changed.

The TP-21s cost £500 for 10 clubs (IIRC) 15 years ago. Even if you are now paying that for 3-PW and have to factor in an extra £100 - £150 or so for a gw and sw I reckon that is in fact not a lot more expensive in real terms.

 

[Fader]

My cobras come 4-PW as standard and they lofts are stronger, the PW is 43* which is a 9 iron in most other sets you'll buy. However the BUT here is Cobra included a free gap wedge with the set, problem I had was they had no S2 Forged GW in stock where I bought them from. So a quick call to cobra rep by the guy that sold me the irons and they shipped me a free upgrade to a Trusty Rusty GW instead. So I actually did a lot better out of it as rather than getting the standard one that they were advertising as a freebie with the clubs I got a much better club for nothing.

 

[Slab]

Separate gap wedges are the manufacturers way of selling you something to fill the space between your ears where your brain used to be!

 

[JohnF]

When I bought my burners they included the sw. Also when buying them TM was doing a promo when buying any set of irons from them and they gave you a free wedge too so got 52* gw.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Bought my irons and wedges as an entirety. Same manufacturer but purchased the lot together to ensure I had the right distance gaps through my irons and into my wedges. Find it amazing the amount of people who can have 20 and 30 yard gaps at that end of the bag

Same for me