When do you use your SW

[FloppedBalls]

I've always shy'ed away from using my SW from anything but a bunker but I'm beginning to think I'm missing out on some good opportunities.. specifically anything around 100-80 yards. How many of you use your SW from the fairway or rough from around that distance? What bounce do you have on your club and how does it come into play?

I have the following wedges:

46º/8º Vokey PW

50º/8º Vokey GW

54º/?  TaylorMade R7-XD SW

60º/8º Vokey LW

Wondering if I was going to replace my SW what would be a good loft/bounce?

Thanks

[inthecup]

Vokey 56 14. Bounce is your friend.

[FloppedBalls]

I've always read that but the last time I was at the range I was practicing full swings off the grass and I always went way under the ball with that much bounce. Are there any adjustments to be made with a high bounce?

[FloppedBalls]

Originally Posted by inthecup

Vokey 56 14. Bounce is your friend.

Also, is that a big gap between 50º and 56º when I have a 60º to hit most shot within 80 yards

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by FloppedBalls

Also, is that a big gap between 50º and 56º when I have a 60º to hit most shot within 80 yards

Personally, I like the 54-11 or 56-11 because the grind is more versatile - you've still got bounce, but this grind can do more and not have you skulling the ball over the green.

http://www.vokey.com/wedges/pages/wedge-selection-guide.aspx

[Big C]

I'll use my SW almost every time from 95 yards and in (my full swing distance), with two exceptions.

1. If I have a greenside pitch with a lot of green between me and the pin, I'll use my gap (52 deg.) or PW (48) because I find myself leaving it short too often with my SW.

2. If the wind is blowing hard with or against me, I'll drop down to a 2/3 swing 9 iron or PW, in lieu of a SW - only because I hit the sand wedge so darn high that it is difficult to control in these conditions.

[Big C]

To your second question, I think the gap between 50 to 56 is fine. I hit my 52 degree about 10 yards farther than my 56. Truthfully, I would prefer that gap to be a bit larger (right now, I have no full-swing for those 110-115 shots). If I were doing it all over again, I think I would actually purchase a 50 in lieu of my 52.

[Dave2512]

Tough question to answer. Could be anything from whacking a ball back into play after hitting into trouble to blading a ball with a putter stroke if it's up against the rough on the edge of the fringe. The only thing I don't use it for is hitting from the tee box, there aren't any par 3's that short where I play. So pretty much anything but that is possible.

[FloppedBalls]

Originally Posted by Big C

To your second question, I think the gap between 50 to 56 is fine. I hit my 52 degree about 10 yards farther than my 56. Truthfully, I would prefer that gap to be a bit larger (right now, I have no full-swing for those 110-115 shots). If I were doing it all over again, I think I would actually purchase a 50 in lieu of my 52.

What bounce to play with?

[Dave2512]

Originally Posted by FloppedBalls

What bounce to play with?

Considering bounce can be overcome more is better than less. It adds versatility.

[Big C]

Originally Posted by FloppedBalls

What bounce to play with?

I'd say there isn't one answer to that, it's really a personal decision. Many on this board advocate more bounce, because it allows to hit a more diverse array of shots. Personally, I don't like the look of a club with a lot (say 14 degrees) of bounce during my setup position. Visually, it doesn't work for me on full length shots. I use 8 degrees for my 56 and 10 degrees for my 52 and that works fine for me.

[Mr. Desmond]

You're looking at the wedge with a limited view. You have to look at the entire sole grind and not just a Bounce number.

[WUTiger]

Last year I played Cleveland CG14s of 54* + 58*, but this spring replace the two with a the model's 56.14.

I use my 56* SW for bunker shots, and for partial wedge shots as they fit into my wedge matrix.

The SW is useful for chips and short pitches out of fluffy lies, as the high bounce gives me a margin of error on the shots: A square hit will fly out and bite, while a shot a little fat will hit short and, low on backspin, run up to the proper length.

Remember, I was hitting greenside cut shots with my SW for 20 years before the LW was invented.

[jmanbooyaa]

I use my Nike 56/14 with dg spinner for all shots inside 70 yds. I have switched wedges alot and dumb luck picking the Nike VR pro with 14 bounce has worked. The combo of spinner shaft and bounce has made this a favorite of mine. The bounce and my swing work from all types of lies and those uncomfortable 15-30 yd shots have become non issues.

[jmanbooyaa]

I use my Nike 56/14 with dg spinner for all shots inside 70 yds. I have switched wedges alot and dumb luck picking the Nike VR pro with 14 bounce has worked. The combo of spinner shaft and bounce has made this a favorite of mine. The bounce and my swing work from all types of lies and those uncomfortable 15-30 yd shots have become non issues.