Pick my 14th club

[jrm1493]

I saw another guy with a post like this so I'd like some advice myself. The first option would be a 53 deg wedge, and eventually in the future replacing or bending my 56 to a 57/58 which would give me nice angle gaps. I don't really want to go with a 60 because I have a hard enough time judging distance with my 56 and I'm confident doing just about all the short shots with my 56 except for flops off of tight lies (because of the bounce). Flops are such low percentage shots anyway that I think I'm better off just taking a safer standard chip/pitch and leaving a longer putt.

The other option would be a 5 wood, which I think I would hit higher than my 3 hybrid and possibly a bit longer (my hybrids are much more iron type than fairway wood type). I don't really hit my 3 hybrid any higher than my 3 wood unless I'm into the wind and a high 190-200 yard shot is something I find myself needing fairly often. Right now I'm stuck trying to run a 3-hybrid up there or try to crush a 4-hybrid (which I can hit reasonably high).

I'm leaning towards the 5-wood because I think at my skill level (17.5 index) having a 3rd wedge would leave me with too many options around the green which could lead to some confusion. I'm not a real long hitter and find myself needing a higher trajectory ~190-200 yard shot somewhat often (long 3's and 4's and short 5's). What do yall think?

[RandomRaiderTTU]

Obviously these are only my opinions, but I'd go with the 5 wood.

With your handicap (and admittedly knowing nothing about yoru game), I'd be playing a lot of bump and runs with 7,8, and 9 irons, and when you need to get up and over something, use that 56. Get it on the green and rolling when you can. Too much of a chance to duff/chilly dip a 56 off tight lies until you get it down really well.

You'll be able to get by without that 53 for a while (though I am a fan of adding that later when you can get your stroke average down a bit).

I haven't been able to get my 5-wood out of my bag. I bought a 3-hybrid (20 deg) and my 5-wood is a 19-deg. I took my 3-hybrid out of the bag to reach 14 clubs because I couldn't get rid of the 5.

Edit: Didn't read all your post.

I still think you should go with the 5. Of course that depends on if you can find one you can hit as good or better than your hybrid. I find mine indispensible on short par 4s (320-340) and the occasional long par three.

Good luck!!

[bobsuruncle]

you sound like you are already leaning toward that 5W, so perhaps that's the best bet. An option would be to change the 3W to a 4W, and get the 52-53 GW also. Do get a shallow faced 4W or you may have troubles getting it off the ground.

[wrx_junki]

Is changing out your 3 hybrid for a 5 wood and getting the 53 an option? By the way what loft is your PW that you have a 49* wedge. Just asking since my PW is a 48* and the one previous to that was 47*.

[bIGwIRE]

By the way what loft is your PW that you have a 49* wedge. Just asking since my PW is a 48* and the one previous to that was 47*.

Yeah I noticed the same thing... your PW should be around 48*... so you can ditch the PW or the 49 degree and get your 52* wedge and the 5 wood, while keeping the 3 hybrid...

[DriverTees]

My dad bought a Cleveland Niblick "Chipping Iron" which is as close as you can get to fully automatic. A 5 wood is nice, but if you're really 5 yards short all the time try a different ball. Otherwise, it'll come once you start swinging better and faster.

[David in FL]

I tend to agree with you that a lot of people carry too many wedges, but I think a gap wedge would make the most sense for you.

[bunkerputt]

What are the strengths of your game? If you can hit it straight, get another wedge and work on your short game. If you aren't hitting fairways, dump that 8.5 degree driver, and the 15 degree 3-wood, get a 13 degree 3-wood, a 5-wood, and another wedge.

[jrm1493]

Yeah I noticed the same thing... your PW should be around 48*... so you can ditch the PW or the 49 degree and get your 52* wedge and the 5 wood, while keeping the 3 hybrid...

my PW is 45°, which is why I bought the 49° wedge. The 3 hybrid is also 20° so that is really something between a 2 and 3 in "traditional" lofts.

A couple people have commented on me dumping the 8.5 deg driver. I also have a 10 deg driver and I hit the 8.5 straighter and higher... I think the shaft fits me better. The driver was such a good deal (used) and I couldn't pass it up and it turns out I hit it a lot better than the old 10 deg. Its a strange thing I know but when I tried out the 8.5 I hit it so well I just had to buy it (and the price was right). I would have probably gotten it in 9.5 or 10 if I could have found it but I pretty much buy used clubs so I take what I can get at golfsmith (don't trust e-bay). Thanks for all the comments!

[Titleist Man]

Id bend your 49* to a 52* and your 56 to a 58* that gives you a lob shot with good distance gaps. From there id get a 5 wood.

[Leftygolfer]

I don't think you can have too many wedges. I would go with a gap wedge. I like having the exact right club and not have to take some off or put some on.

I am considering ditching the 4 iron for a 5th wedge.

A great 4 iron I am probably still not making birdie. A great wedge I got less than 10 feet.

[David in FL]

A great 4 iron I am probably still not making birdie. A great wedge I got less than 10 feet.

A great 4 iron and you don't need

any wedges.....just bring the putter.

[Leftygolfer]

A great 4 iron and you don't need

I agree about that. I guess my point isn't clear. Let's say I have 190. I flush my 4 iron, hit a great shot, and it ends up about 25 feet. I will usually 2 putt (not saying I have not or will not make alot 0f 20 footers) but usually not. Lets say I instead have to hit a 3 iron because I don't have the 4. I make a good swing to the back of the green. I have 50 feet. I two putt. Same score even thought the 4 was closer.

The 4 iron was the perfect club but I still made par with both. In the same situation with the same quality swing where my 56 is the perfect club (100 yards) I will have less than 10 feet. With my 51 degree wedge I would have to take some off which is hard for me I will probably hit it to no better than 20 feet. I like my chances to make birdie with the first club. As the distance for the shot increases, the same margin is multiplied by distance. That is why when you hit a great wedge it is 5 feet and when you hit a great 5 iron it is 20 feet. Make sense??

[bIGwIRE]

my PW is 45°, which is why I bought the 49° wedge. The 3 hybrid is also 20° so that is really something between a 2 and 3 in "traditional" lofts.

That makes more sense.... in that case I would drop the 56 degree and add a 54 and a 59 degree.

[jrm1493]

I agree about that. I guess my point isn't clear. Let's say I have 190. I flush my 4 iron, hit a great shot, and it ends up about 25 feet. I will usually 2 putt (not saying I have not or will not make alot 0f 20 footers) but usually not. Lets say I instead have to hit a 3 iron because I don't have the 4. I make a good swing to the back of the green. I have 50 feet. I two putt. Same score even thought the 4 was closer.

I like your thinking.... wedge is sounding better. Actually if I had unlimited funds I'd probably drop the 3h and get a 5w (since I hit the 4h about as far as the 3h and more consistent) and add 2 wedges (54/59 like suggested above). I find it easier to hit my 3w well than my 3h, even off the deck, so I'm sure I'd do better with a 5w than a 3h. The hybrid is nice from deep rough and to chip with, however, but my 4h is just as good for that as my 3h.

Now yall have convinced me I need 3 new clubs!!!!!! I need a bonus at work.

[umpiremark]

You're using a 15* 3-wood, a 20* and 23* hybrid and wanna add an 18* or 19* 5-wood?
That'll give you four clubs within 8* of each other. Every 4* of loft is roughly (this can be debated) about 9-12 yards. You'll have four clubs to choose from for that 24 yard varience.

You have a 45* PW, 49* wedge (AW?) and then a 7* gap until SW. Between AW and SW is a 20-25 yard hole/gap. I'd pick a 52* wedge and close that gap. Here's why: Let's say you hit the AW 100 yards, the SW 75 yards. What if you're 82 out? What about 86, 90? A smoked SW (shank, skull, slice or too short???) or back off the AW (punch, pull, duff, too long)?

If you're 205 out, the difference between 3-wood, 5-wood, 3H & 4H, is minimal compared to getting on the green inside 100 yards.

Add the 52* wedge. You're an 18 Hndcp (like me, 16) getting on the green and putting for par is more important that the 200+ yard shot and having 4 clubs to choose from + or - 5 to 8 yards each club; close the wedge distance gap.