Should I add a loft wedge to my bag?

[Sheekamoo]

I recently bought a whole new set of clubs to replace my 1970's hand-me-downs. For the irons I went with Callaway 5-SW. The PW is 45 degrees and the SW is 56 degrees. I was thinking I should probably add a 60 degree loft wedge to my bag to complete my iron set.

So my two questions are...

1.) For a beginner golfer with a high handicap, would it be worth adding a loft wedge to my bag when I have a pitching wedge and sand wedge already? I see a lot of people on here have 4 wedges total (including a gap wedge which I believe is between the PW and SW). But since I'm still trying to get down my swing and learn more about how to hit each club in different situations, would a LW be helpful for me? Or should I be fine for now with my PW and SW?

2.) If I should get a LW, should I get the X-22 to match my Callaway set? Or should I buy something else? Maybe something with more bite on the club face? Any recommended clubs for a high handicap golfer?

[denver_nuggs_15]

  Sheekamoo said:

I recently bought a whole new set of clubs to replace my 1970's hand-me-downs. For the irons I went with Callaway 5-SW. The PW is 45 degrees and the SW is 56 degrees. I was thinking I should probably add a 60 degree loft wedge to my bag to complete my iron set.

1.) How many clubs do you have? If you have only 12, then why not add a GW and a LW? I think, especially at a higher handicap, that a GW would save more strokes than a LW. That way, you don't have to mess with shots when you're in between distance. LW's also take practice and time to get used to around the greens. I also think that when you're a higher hcp that you should play all (almost all) shots around the green with your SW. That way you get used to one club. It helped me and many others learn. It is also recommended by many teaching pros (Stan Utley, etc.) to primarily use one wedge around the green.

2.) I would buy a matchin GW if you are going to use it primarily for full shots. Same thing with a SW if you are going to use it primarily on full shots. You will get a very consistent distance spacing. For a LW, I would buy a more 'traditional' wedge (i.e., Vokey, Callaway X, etc.). I think you'd get more spin and versatility with it over the X22 LW. If you are going to use your SW around the green more than your LW (as suggested by #1) then I would buy a 'traditional' SW. Ask away if you have any questions.

[PiKapp23]

If I were you, the first thing I would do is purchase a GW. Most likely the best choice for this club would be the X-22 that matches your other irons (the loft will probably be 50*). If you're like a lot of golfers with a GW, you'll find it will be one of the most used clubs in your bag.

As for the Lob Wedge, that is a very personal thing. A LW is very often the most difficult wedge to hit well and for many higher handicappers either sees very little usage or should see a lot usage than it does. For the lob, as denver says, you should probably look for something more traditional such as a Callaway X or Cleveland CG10/11/12/14 and most likely will want something with low 'bounce' (if you're not sure what bounce is look it up either using the 'search' function at top of page or research it on google or other internet search engine - it's important to understand it when purchasing wedges especially). I think it's probably better not to even have it in your bag for a while. Once you learn to hit your other wedges somewhat consistently you may realize you either must have it or you don't need it.

Good luck with new clubs and welcome to this damn game. You'll love it and hate it at the same time every round. If you have additional questions about wedges (or other stuff) you can either post question or PM me. I'm always happy to help.

[keb]

I agree that the gap wedge is your next club to purchase. I have Callaway Big Bertha's. When I bought my set I purchased the irons (4-PW) and supplemented that with matching gap wedge. From time to time I have thought about lob wedge, but I think I can accomplish much of the same with my 55 degree sand wedge. My next club is going to be the 37 degree Cleveland Niblick for bump and runs and chipping around the green.

[svchiefs19]

id suggest getting a 50* or 52* GW to fill the gap between the PW and SW. if that goes well, then get a 60* LW. the lob wedge is harder to hit, so save that for last.

i found this video on youtube and it helped immensly (sp?) with my short game. check it out:
(for what ever reason, it wont let me post the link. so, go to youtube.com and type this into the search bar: "PurePoint Golf Video Lessons - Vary Your Short Game Distances" and select the first video that shows up. also check out his other videos, he has some really good stuff!

[jcrob902]

  svchiefs19 said:

id suggest getting a 50* or 52* GW to fill the gap between the PW and SW. if that goes well, then get a 60* LW. the lob wedge is harder to hit, so save that for last.

I'ts unanimouse the GAP WEDGE, hit a couple at different lofts say 50*,51*or a 52* see which one fills the yardage gap best between your p-wedge and s-wedge.

[Fourputt]

I agree... a 50° or 52° wedge will do more for your game right now than a lob wedge will.

[ScruffyScraper]

The obvious choice is the Callaway gap or approach wedge that fits between and matches your pitching wedge and sand wedge.

If you bought the matching sand wedge, then this choice is the logical one over an after-market model.

Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson somehow managed to get their names engraved on some pretty prestigious trophies without carrying a lob wedge.

The lob wedge came out in the late seventies and didn't become universally popular until well after that. My guess is that at your stage in our great game, you might be able to scrape through another season or two without one!

[Sheekamoo]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'll go ahead and order an X-22 51 degree gap wedge and that will give me 3 wedges to use for now. Once my game improves a bit and I see a use for the LW I'll go ahead and pick one up.

[tim31x]

shoot for the GW first. go with something between 50-52*. a lob wedge will be tough for you to hit, it took me months to make mine useful enough to keep it in the bag, and alot of time grinding the sole and working the bounce on my old wedge before i got it just the right way. the GW will be alot more usefull to you on full shots, where the LW will give you some nightmares if you haven't mastered it yet. i personally prefer non-matching wedges to my iron set. i like all my wedges to be aftermarket, but of the same brand and model for a consistent feel.

[Fourputt]

  Sheekamoo said:

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'll go ahead and order an X-22 51 degree gap wedge and that will give me 3 wedges to use for now. Once my game improves a bit and I see a use for the LW I'll go ahead and pick one up.

That sounds like the ticket. Good choice!!

[s0lid]

I'm fairly new too, but my first iron set came with 4-GW, and then I went out and picked up a SW and a LW.

I'm still figuring out the LW, and am much more comfortable with the SW around the green. The GW gets a lot more use than the LW.

I'm slowly getting more comfortable with the lob though.

I think you made the right choice with the gap wedge.