I want new wedge- one that does what it should

[scorpion12]

I played a round of 9 holes yesterday and wound up in 2 sand traps. While I normally don't have a problem getting up and out of a sand trap (open stance, open club face, swing away), I failed miserably. I lost 7 or 8 strokes trying to get out of them yesterday.

I know I'm not a pro and it's my fault but I want to replace my sand wedge (I just don't like it) but can't spend a lot of money on it. Mizuno, Vokey, and Mack Daddy 2, are what I want to try but can't justify the cost to my wife. So I'm looking at cheaper but equal quality wedges.

I have a 50 degree approach wedge that I like a lot and seem to hit somewhat reliably so I'm thinking a 55 degree sand wedge with standard bounce would suit me better. Plus, who doesn't like a new wedge right? and then I might be able to also pick up a 58 degree gap wedge with low bounce.

The club I'm replacing is a crown viper 52 degree sand wedge.

Looking at what Golfsmith has to offer in left handed wedges, I've got a few options:

Snake Eyes 3500 SL

Snake Eyes SL4

Lynx Black Cat Wedge

Adams Watson Wedge pack (3 wedges for $99)

Granted, I'm going to check my local Goodwill and see what they have (and pick up a couple of starter clubs for my 14 yo son to learn on) hoping they've got some left handed Vokeys or Mizunos or even Clevelands there for me to check out.

[Valleygolfer]

I played a round of 9 holes yesterday and wound up in 2 sand traps. While I normally don't have a problem getting up and out of a sand trap (open stance, open club face, swing away), I failed miserably. I lost 7 or 8 strokes trying to get out of them yesterday.

I know I'm not a pro and it's my fault but I want to replace my sand wedge (I just don't like it) but can't spend a lot of money on it. Mizuno, Vokey, and Mack Daddy 2, are what I want to try but can't justify the cost to my wife. So I'm looking at cheaper but equal quality wedges.

I have a 50 degree approach wedge that I like a lot and seem to hit somewhat reliably so I'm thinking a 55 degree sand wedge with standard bounce would suit me better. Plus, who doesn't like a new wedge right? and then I might be able to also pick up a 58 degree gap wedge with low bounce.

The club I'm replacing is a crown viper 52 degree sand wedge.

Looking at what Golfsmith has to offer in left handed wedges, I've got a few options:

Snake Eyes 3500 SL

Snake Eyes SL4

Lynx Black Cat Wedge

Adams Watson Wedge pack (3 wedges for $99)

Granted, I'm going to check my local Goodwill and see what they have (and pick up a couple of starter clubs for my 14 yo son to learn on) hoping they've got some left handed Vokeys or Mizunos or even Clevelands there for me to check out.

Maybe you need a new technique, one that does what needs to be done. Not trying to be a jerk but as usual it is the archer not the arrow.

I would add a 56° wedge instead of removing one for around the greens. More wedges are usually needed over less wedges. Honestly with those wedge choices, you may as well go with the cheapest one and once you get a better budget, be more particular.

[dbuck]

Right now, I would suggest a 54-56 with 10-12 bounce and a little weight to it depending on the type of sand you play in most often. This club will still be usable for many other shots. Then develop a solid basic technique for a no brainer get somewhere on the green shot, and use that consistently. The lefty situation sometimes makes the next suggestion more difficult, but look into used wedges from various sources. There are some great pre loved wedges available for not much money, and at our level of ballstriking, a little wear or the latest model doesn't really matter, especially from sand. I am not talking worn out, mind you. I recently picked up a PING mid bounce 56 in very nice condition for $10 locally off Craigslist.

I have been playing over 40 years and occasionally have periods where I am horrible from the sand, and reverting to the basics for a few rounds usually gets me straightened out.

[scorpion12]

Technique schmecknique. It's not ME, it's the club.

Seriously though, I know it's not the wedge. One shot I opened my stance too far and didn't swing hard enough... another I was too far from the ball... but at least I didn't wind up wedgeless like my buddy who tried to see if his sand wedge could float. (It didn't).

The sand wedge is a cheap Chinese copy of a King Cobra wedge from the early 90's. It definitely needs a regrip and I'd rather just replace the thing entirely so it would more match the other clubs in my bag.

Coincidentally, I had kind of pinned the option for a new sand wedge down to something like a 56 degree club with 14 degrees of bounce. I've got it written down on a piece of paper at home... along with the angle of attack for all of my clubs, and the other 2 wedges I want but probably am not good enough to use.

I'll hit Golfsmith and see what they've got in the used section (as well as Goodwill). I was just looking to see which club was better than the other... I remember Snake Eyes being popular back in the day and hadn't really been around the Black Cat brand at all nor heard anything about them... I know Adams makes good hybrids and rescue clubs but don't know if it transfers well into their wedges.

It sucks being left handed.

[WUTiger]

Mizuno ended up with lots of JPX Black Nickel wedges in January, and some golf and sports shops here in USA have cut the price to $50.

This model has several left-handed clubs, including a 54* and 56* SW.

Also, I have never before heard of a 52* Sand Wedge. 52* may be why you're having trouble.

[Valleygolfer]

[URL]http://m.rockbottomgolf.com/callaway-golf-lh-razr-x-black-wedge-graphite.html[/URL] Here's a 54 for 20 clams. Better hurry if you want it. I would still hold out for a 56 and work on technique.

[scorpion12]

I appreciate the suggestions.

I think it's a 52 deg wedge... that's the info I'm finding when searching for crown viper sand wedge. I've got a bid on a wedge on ebay so I'll know in a day or so whether I have a new to me sand wedge or not. I took the advice and went with 56 degree instead.