Wedges

[Golfer71]

I'm thinking about updating my iron set with some new wedges and am hoping someone could help explain the background to the aftermarket wedge market.

My ping raptures include a sand 54, approach 50 and pitching wedge 46 degrees of loft. What's the benefit in replacing them with aftermarket wedges, say the ping w-tour or i wedges? I understand that i'll be able to specify precisely the loft and bounce angles but are there other benefits - more spin, better feel to gained?

I generally get along fine with my current wedges except the sand wedge, this works fine in sand but is tricky to use on full shots from the fairway or tight lies (easy to catch thin / fat). I wonder if this has something to do with the bouce being high - 13 degrees. I play a varied assortment of courses, but as a generalisation the turf is slightly hard at my most frequently played course. I guess i'd probably pick standard boune angles unless the bounce on my sand wedge is related to my problems using it effectively from the fair way. Any thoughts welcome.

[Never3putt]

Your assumptions about the bounce and hard pan are good. Hard pan presents a particularly difficult aspect and requires a cleaner contact with the club face. One wants to be striking downward on the ball to cleanly nip the ball. Hitting the earth first with a club that has bounce will cause all sorts of issues that only result in less than stellar results.

The advantages of other wedges rather than the ones that match your set depend highly on a) your set and b) which wedges you replace them with. I don't think there's a clear cut answer that will fit. Higher end wedges offer various combinations of loft and bounce that one can use to tailor their selection to the types of courses they routinely play. Some offer high spin conditions. In other cases, it's a personal taste in the feel and look of the clubs. It's a lot like a putter -- very personal, since these are your scoring clubs (putters and wedges).

If you're having issues using your sand wedge outside of the bunkers, use the gap or lob wedges instead, as they both will have less bounce than the sand wedge and are better suited for play from the fairway in most cases.

[anthonykim3]

well aftermarket wedges will give you more spin if use chosse the right ones ie. titeliest vokey spin milled clevlend cg 10 12 14 with zip groves and from hard fairways i would try a standard 14 bouce 56 degree vokey spin milled best wedges on the market today and they will give you much more fell control and spin