Gap Wedge?

[Kltdefer]

I've seen some good advice offered. I think any of it would/could work for you. Here's another suggestion: Buy the gap wedge when you can afford it - try e-bay for some low price alternatives.
I'm suggesting drop the 3i and the 3W. Keep the 5W for those long par 3 when teeing of with a wood works better for ya. Obviously a 5W won't be a long as a 3W but it will make you think about how to play the longer holes.

[BCEagles722]

  MrSandman said:

I use my 60 degree all the time. I use my 52 and 56 frequently as well. Depends on the lie, the situation, how much green I have to work with, the course, etc... Some courses I play, the 60 might stay in the bag most of the day, as they greens are soft, not many elevations, and pins are in the middle. Other courses, I might rely on the 60 degree all day.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm leaning towards taking the 3i out, as I barely ever use it. It will leave me about a 20-25 yard gap between my 4i and 5W, but I think I'll just learn to live with that as my GW will be much more useful.

As for the book, I haven't read it, but I've seen a lot of people here mention it and have been thinking about picking up a copy. Does it give you ways to practice different aspects of your short game to help implement the techniques he teaches, or is it just a how to book?

[localgolfer808]

i recently played a tournament and i never used my 5w at all. i carry 4 wedges, pw utility, sand and 58 wedge. i used all multiple times. my utility is my money shot club. i know i am more versatile around the green due to many options that i have and the clubs. I took out my 5w replaced my old callaway 3w with the X and haven't turned back.

[slackhouse]

I'm definitely planning on getting a 50 wedge and 58. I currently have a 46 PW, 54 SW, and 60 LW. But, I want to get 4 degrees of separation. So, adding a 50 and 58 is a no brainer. Also, I only use the 60 for sand shots because I can't hit it very consistent away from the green. So, I'm hoping that 58 will gain me some consistency.

As far as types of clubs, I'm planning on building two forged Maltby wedges to fill this space in my bag. Right now, I'm carrying around an old 1 iron blade just for looks that I never swing because I have an extra spot. So, I'll drop that and the 60 and I'll be done.

[MrSandman]

  BCEagles722 said:

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm leaning towards taking the 3i out, as I barely ever use it. It will leave me about a 20-25 yard gap between my 4i and 5W, but I think I'll just learn to live with that as my GW will be much more useful.

I just added a 3W and dropped the 3I. It was either the 3I or the 4I, and I think I hit my 2H and 3I a comparable distance, and my carry on the 4I is comparable to the 3I (the distance differential is mostly in the roll, and a 4I is a little easier to hit).

Regarding that Pelz book, the guy was a rocket scientist for NASA. If anything, he is too detailed in his different practice aspects and such. It is much more than a How To book, he gives all sorts of techniques and scoring thoughts.

[scooterguitar]

If I can ask w/o hijacking too much...
I want a gap and think it would be helpful. My ? is...do I go with one of the Clevelands or Vokeys or get one that macthes my set of irons? I like the allure of the popular ones, but kinda think one that matches my irons would be a better fit.
Any suggestions here?

[MrSandman]

That's a good question, scooter.

My gap wedge is similar to my sand and lob wedge. My father, on the other hand, bought a gap wedge to match his set of irons.

Do you like the feel of a Vokey wedge with a full shot off the fairway (the most likely use of your GW)? If so, go with the Vokey/Cleveland style. If you don't like hitting full shots with a sandwedge looking club, then go with a GW that matches your irons.

[joshtpa]

If you hit your irons well, go with those.

[scooterguitar]

Thanks.
I like the "allure" of the VOkey, but prefer the confidence of my irons!

[joshtpa]

I tried Vokeys and they just didnt work well enough for me to spend the money. Im sure it is me, and not the clubs. I used to play Clevelands, and loved them. I tried the Adams set where you get 3 for $99 and absolutely LOVE THEM.

[maschoemaker]

Gap wedges are very, very useful. That's why I don't have a 56/60 degree wedges combination, but one 58 degrees wedge (which is very useful).
I think that in your combination, you're definitely missing a gap wedge! You have an 11 degree gap there! Fil it up with a wedge of 50-52 degrees! Makes life a lot easier. But then, since you have to many clubs in the bag, replace your 5-wood and 3-iron with one 3 hybrid, if your budget still allows you to, and if not: make sure it will in the future and untill then leave one club out. That's what I'd do.