Recommendation for a new 56* wedge

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

I am in the market for a new wedge. What's your recommendation?

Does my swing speed or other factors of my swing help determine what I should look for as far as bounce, brand, etc?

Thanks in advance

[PiKapp23]

A few factors to consider when buying a wedge:

1. How much are you willing to spend?

Cleveland, Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist Vokey, Nike and Mizuno (and several others) are all a little over $100 new. Some custom wedges can cost upwards of $150 (Scratch Golf is one) You can get several lesser brands for much less than that (including the Adams Tom Watson wedges and Wilson just to name a couple). Like most things there is a bit of difference in quality and feel with the cheaper wedges, but many people play and like these as well or better for their games.

2. What's the primary usage and conditions?

If you are wanting a 56* primarily for greenside bunker play then you'll probably want a higher level of bounce (12*+). If you are wanting it for full swing yardages and/or chipping you may want less bounce (8-10*), which will make it more versatile. Also to consider is what the turf conditions (or sand conditions) are like on the courses you play most often. If the conditions are soft then you will probably want more bounce - less bounce is good for firm conditions. Depending on the rest of your set makeup, at least 1 wedge with a little more bounce is good unless you play in very firm turf and sand.

3. How often do you hit sweet spot?

Some wedges are a little more forgiving than others. I have always found Cleveland wedges to be the most forgiving. The CG-14 wedges are pretty forgiving, but not too big still. Most of the other wedges are somewhat less forgiving with probably the Vokey's being the least (and TaylorMade a close second).

4. What is your swing style?

Another consideration is how steep your swing is and how much of a divot you take. A steeper swing is usually better with more bounce and shallower better with less bounce. This helps keep you from digging too deeply with a steep swing (less 'fat' shots) and on a shallow swing helps prevent 'bouncing' the club into the ball off the turf (less 'thin' shots). As far as swing speed, this usually isn't much of an issue for most people. Most wedges have a stiff flex shaft. If you plan to use this primarily for full swings from fairway you might want a shaft that matches your other irons and wedges.


Like most clubs, wedges can be a very personal thing. I have always been a fan of Cleveland and recently started using Mizuno, which I also really like. I have also used Callaway, Nike, Wilson and Titleist Vokey and have been somewhat happy with all of them, but they were all different in feel and look. Hope this information helps you make your decision on what to look for in a wedge.

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

Thanks PiKapp

[alcorn]

Personally, I play vokey wedges. I did play clevelands but the felt lighter and I had some trouble with them in the thick stuff. Personally, I'd listen PiKapp if I were you. Deciding how much you want to spend and what you want to use it for is going to be key.

Vokey, callaway, or cleveland wedges are the ones I'd stick with.

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

would an 11 bounce be too much? From 80 and in it's all I use

[pshizz]

would an 11 bounce be too much? From 80 and in it's all I use

How much bounce does your current wedge have? If you are taking divots too big with it, than i would get a higher bounce. If you dont take any divots than i would get less bounce than you currently have.

[mikelaw]

cleveland
mizuno
vokey

for me...

[SteelDriver]

I have a bridgestone WC liquid copper 56 and 60. if you want backspin, these have the most agressive face and grooves. they will total your ball, but you sure can pull the string on it.

[Shorty]

I am in the market for a new wedge. What's your recommendation?

It depends.

If you want it for a sand wedge (56 is "normal") just make sure it has the right bounce. Unfortunately, this might make it a sand only club depending on the grass at your course. I have several Vokeys and think the 56 is perfect for sand, but it has too much bounce for tightish fairway lies.

[svchiefs19]

i say go for the cleveland cg14. its a little pricey, but its worth it.

[Gioguy21]

I play cleveland cg12's and they're a bit firm but, when you want control it's what to look for IMO. i have a 56* with a 10 bounce and a 60* with i believe an 8.