Wedges - to use longer ones or stick with standard?

[MCG Ireland]

I use 1/2 inch longer and 2 degs upright irons (TM Tour Burners). I've always used standard length wedges.

I've always had a 54 degree SW and 60 degree LW combination and have had everything from Clevelend, Titleist, Callaway and Taylor Made over the years. I renew fairly frequently and I like to mix it up a bit ;)

Aaaaanyway, does anyone have an educated opinion on whether getting 1/2 inch longer and 2 degs upright on the wedges would be a good or bad thing?

Here's what I'm thinking so far...

Pro - there is a big yardage gap between by PW and SW, 1/2 an inch on the SW would shorten the gap

Con - but I don't mind too much cos I hit a pretty good 3/4 PW

Con - extra length could mess up the weighting/balance of the club even tho I'd be getting them custom orderd from the factory - it's a concern

Con - more length means less control?

Pro - having a different lie than my irons probably isn't a good idea

Pro - I find it hard to hit a hard full SW - possibly because it's a short stick and I'm tall?


Even as a 3 h'cap I was never that great from 60-110 yards despite working quite a lot on it. I'm now an 8 h'cap after taking a 3 year break and having fun experimenting with equipment now that I'm out of college and have an income!

I had a look at the Taylor Made Z Grooves today - they look awesome I have to say.


Any help welcome!

[bIGwIRE]

I also hit +half inch on my irons.. I'm 6'4" but I still hit standard legnth wedges. I did notice that distance gap you mentioned between pw and sw being a little more pronounced, which is one major reason I went to a three wedge setup.

[bigoak]

Make sure that the wedge fits you. If you need longer irons, why wouldn't you need a longer wedge. Best way to tell is to pattern your wedge shots.

Do You "PULL" wedges often
or
Do you "PUSH' wedges often

the pull may not be a pull but it may be the heel catching in the turn first and closing the face and making the ball go left..

the push may not be a push but it may be the toe catching the turf first and opening the face and make the ball go right.

[Caddyshack]

If you have gone to the trouble of getting your irons custom fit then why not the wedges? common sense would say that you need the same length / lie angle on all your irons and at the end of the day your wedges are still irons. I had my new wedges set up the same as my irons + 3/4 inch and 2° up and it has made a huge difference.

[MCG Ireland]

Yes but the Titleist website, in the vokey section of custom fitting only mentions lie, bounce and sole design - length does not seem to be something they advise toying with...

I'm really at a loss here guys...

[bigoak]

Call Titleist on the phone and they'll custom length your wedge. You could have an extension attached to the butt. know that as you lengthen a shaft that 1/8th inch is a swing weight point and the club will get flexier on you

[Surefire]

I have the same irons, and same set up (+1/2" and 2* upright 6.0 shaft).

My wedges are CG12's I have those +1/2" but only 1* upright. I also have a stiffer (6.5) shaft in my wedges.

The only difference is the burners stop at 9 and my wedges are 46*, 52* and 58*

Can't say it will def work for you, but it is food for thought.

[Hokie2k5]

I have 2* in my iron set and 1* in my wedges. Works great

[MCG Ireland]

I have the same irons, and same set up (+1/2" and 2* upright 6.0 shaft).

Cheers that's helpful to know. I'm hanging on with standard wedges for the moment but it's good to know there's someone else using longer ones succesfully if I feel the need to change.