Jump to content
IGNORED

Sand wedge shaft flex question. Also questions about playing a SW like a LW, or PW like a GW


Note: This thread is 3679 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

Hey all.  So I just got fitted into some new irons.  I am running stiff DG300's 3-PW with an extra inch and a quarter of length to account for my being tall.  This length softens the flex slightly. Here's the question, after spending a load of cash on new irons I really need to take a break from buying new clubs.  I would love a new wedge but financially I really shouldn't go for it.  So I am stuck with my regular flex Tom Watson 56 degree 11bounce sand wedge (it is an inch long so plays slightly softer than regular).  Will this difference in flex between my irons and SW be very noticeable to my shot dispersion with the SW?  I feel like it wont be a problem with chip shots because of how short the shaft is and because most shots with the SW wont be exactly full swings.

Also, I would love a lob wedge but probably won't be getting one for some months due to the same reason. Could I play the SW like a lob by just opening up the club face a bit at address?  Likewise, could I play my PW like a GW simply by opening up the face?

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Moderator

Will this difference in flex between my irons and SW be very noticeable to my shot dispersion with the SW?  I feel like it wont be a problem with chip shots because of how short the shaft is and because most shots with the SW wont be exactly full swings.

Correct it won't be much of an issue around the green. Even for full swings you won't see much dispersion, it's tough to put a lot of curve on wedges.

Also, I would love a lob wedge but probably won't be getting one for some months due to the same reason.  Could I play the SW like a lob by just opening up the club face a bit at address?  Likewise, could I play my PW like a GW simply by opening up the face?

You can open it up a little. Can also lower the handle and have the handle back at address. Like the right pic.

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
Golf Terminology -  Analyzr  -  My FacebookTwitter and Instagram 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Hey all.  So I just got fitted into some new irons.  I am running stiff DG300's 3-PW with an extra inch and a quarter of length to account for my being tall.  This length softens the flex slightly.

Height is only one factor that might push you toward longer than standard irons. A more critical measure, which probably was done, is wrist to floor length. I just point to it because it is common error in fitting.

Originally Posted by Mizuno1

Will this difference in flex between my irons and SW be very noticeable to my shot dispersion with the SW?  I feel like it wont be a problem with chip shots because of how short the shaft is and because most shots with the SW wont be exactly full swings.

Also, I would love a lob wedge but probably won't be getting one for some months due to the same reason.  Could I play the SW like a lob by just opening up the club face a bit at address?  Likewise, could I play my PW like a GW simply by opening up the face?

On a SW it won't be noticeable. Keep in mind, there is no standard for flex. A stiff for one OEM may be regular for another. The only way to really know is to measure. On a wedge, the inconsistency won't matter that much. As opening up the face, etc. Yeah, that's they way it has been done since the days of Old Tom Morris. However, that is for chipping around the green. On longer shots, don't be messing with the face of the club. All distance control is is shortening the backswing - just like you do on a short putt vs. a long one. You still turn through the ball fully. Control distance with the length of your swing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Your TW 56.11 SW has younger brothers now.

For about $100, you can get a Tom Watson Wedge 3 Pak. You get a 52.08, a 56.12, and a 60.08. All three have modest heel relief (metal recessed on sole), so you could open the face a little when need be. (Not sure what kind of shaft they have.) If you order online, make sure you specify R-hand or L-hand pak.

http://shop.adamsgolf.com/c/short-game_watson-wedge-pack-ix

Another option for you, Mizuno1 ... Mizuno has a backlog of JPX Series wedges, and golf shops are selling them for $50 each.

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Note: This thread is 3679 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Posts

    • Day 12: Same as last couple days, but focus was on recentering aspect of flow. When I recenter earlier I make decent contact most swings but if I recenter late or not at all it’s a roll of the dice. 
    • A couple of things.  Some of the clubs in your bag should be dropped immediately.  A 2-iron for example with what obviously seems to be a lower swing speed or possibly not great swing yet is a definite no-no.  To be hitting that 120-140 yards, which I assume includes run, is a sign that you are not getting the ball airborne at the correct angle to maximise distance.  The reason your 3 and 5 hybrid are going the same distance is that your launch angle is better with the 5.  Loft is your friend. Ideally I would suggest going to a golf or sporting store where you can hit golf balls on a simulator without being disturbed to understand your club carry distances and hopefully swing speed.  With that information we can definitely guide you better.
    • Let us be clear, unless you have proof of cheating, you just sound like a case of sour grapes.  In our club we have a guy who won club titles for many years.  Yes, he was a low single digit handicapper, but there have been quite a few others who played at his level.  Yet his mental strength and experience helped him win in many years when he shouldn't have.  Did he sandbag.  DEFINITELY NOT.  Did he just minimize his mistakes and pull out shots as and when needed.  Definitely.
    • Day 111 - Worked on my grip and higher hands in the backswing. Full swings with the PRGR. 
    • First off please forgive me if this is not a proper post or not in the proper location, still learning the ropes around here. Second, it's important that I mention I am very new to the game with only about 10 rounds of golf under my belt, most being 9 holes. Only this year have I started playing 18. That being said, I am hooked, love the game and am very eager to learn and improve. To give you an idea of my skill, the last 2 18 rounds I played were 110 and 105. Not great at all, however I am slowly improving as I learn. Had been having bad slicing issues with the driver and hybrids but after playing some more and hitting the range, I've been able to improve on that quite a bit and have been hitting more straight on average. Irons have always come easier to me as far as hitting straight for some reason. Wedges have needed a lot of improvement, but I practice chipping about 20-30 mins about 3-5 times a week and that's helped a lot. Today I went to the range and started to note down some distance data, mind you I am averaging the distances based off my best guess compared to the distance markers on the range. I do not currently own a range finder or tracker. From reading some similar posts I do understand that filling gaps is ideal, but I am having a some issues figuring out those gaps and understanding which clubs to keep and remove as some gaps are minimal between clubs. Below is an image of the chart I put together showing the clubs and average distances I've been hitting and power applied. For some reason I am hitting my hybrids around the same distances and I am not sure why. Wondering if one of them should be removed. I didn't notice a huge loft difference either. The irons I have are hand me downs from my grandfather and after playing with them a bit, I feel like they're just not giving me what could potentially be there. The feel is a bit hard/harsh and underwhelming if that makes sense and I can't seem to get decent distances from them. Wondering if I should be looking to invest in some more updated irons and if those should be muscle backs or cavity backs? My knowledge here is minimal. I have never played with modern fairway woods, only the classic clubs that are actually wood and much smaller than modern clubs. I recently removed the 4 and 5 woods from my bag as I was never using them and I don't hit them very well or very far. Wondering if I should look into some more modern fairway wood options? I appreciate any feedback or advice anyone is willing to give, please forgive my lack of knowledge. I am eager to learn! Thank you.  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...