Wedges / short game

[inthecup]

To let you know where I coming from. I started from scratch last year. After playing outing golf for years with the swing I “developed” when I was 12. I started lessons in the middle of last summer and told the pro I wanted a correct swing. I didn’t want to groove my current swing. My swing at that time was all arms. Since them I have struggled with the change, it was a big one. I now have a pretty good classic swing. Irons are decent and the long clubs are coming around. Still have the tendency to swing too hard/fast.

I recently started working on my short game which is really hurting my scores. I read Dave Pelz book and watched Phils video.

I shoot Callaway X-18’s, I have the pitching wedge 46 degrees, that came with the set. I added an approach (gap) wedge which is 51 degrees. I have the 56 degree sand wedge and I added a Cleveland 60 degree.

Today I try to lay up to 110-125 yards. That gives me an approach or PW in which I am comfortable with. QUESTION 1: I hit my SW around 60 yards full swing. Is that normal? My buddies hit them for like 90 or 80?

I have been working on 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 “dead hand swings” which I am getting more comfortable with. My pitching and chipping are coming along.

Finally more questions. I tend to pitch and chip with my Approach wedge, I am the most consistent with it. The 60 degree is either great or horrible I tend to only use it when I need a very short flop (3 feet) to drop the ball on the edge and let it roll down a slope. The approach wedge is cavity back and not a classic wedge shape.
Should I swap out my wedges to Vokey’s or something else?

I realize this is a babble but I guess that sums up where my short game is. I am trying to decide if my equipment is correct.

[anthony]

I think if you consistently hit it 60 yards, that is fine regardless of what your playing partners are hitting.

I've been making a conscious effort to know how far I hit each of my clubs from pitches to my 5 wood. While I've developed a decent swing it always seems like I'm a club short or long when going for the green. So, learning how far YOU hit the club is what's important.

[inthecup]

I think if you consistently hit it 60 yards, that is fine regardless of what your playing partners are hitting.

I agree, I don't care how far it goes kind of. There is that messy gap between 100 and 60 though.

[iWALK18]

I guess its alright if you only hit your sand wedge 60 yards, but I'm gonna tell you that my 1/2 swing with a sand wedge is a 50 yard shot, so that seems really short to me. Do you hit it really high? Do you swing really easy?

Just trying to wrap my head around that yardage.

I would not change your wedge btw. If it works, don't mess with it.

[inthecup]

I guess its alright if you only hit your sand wedge 60 yards, but I'm gonna tell you that my 1/2 swing with a sand wedge is a 50 yard shot, so that seems really short to me. Do you hit it really high? Do you swing really easy?

I hit all my clubs high, Examples:

4 iron 190 5 iron 175 8 iron 145 PW 125 I think if I were to video my swing I would find I do not have a descending blow and my hands are behind the ball when I hit it. I am going to take a lesson this week to work on that and keeping the drives straight.

[Leftygolfer]

That is the problem. You have to work on keeping the hands in front of the ball with the irons and wedges. You will be best off to work on that right now, you might hit some fat and really suck for a bit, but getting to the point when you are delofting the club and hitting them with spin is what quality players do. I hit my lob wedge about 85 yards and don't hit my irons any farther than you hit yours. I fly my driver about 245.

[inthecup]

You will be best off to work on that right now, you might hit some fat and really suck for a bit, but getting to the point when you are delofting the club and hitting them with spin is what quality players do.

Hmm more sucking for a bit, great. That is wearing a bit thin, one step forward two steps back. I am not really sure how to accomplish hitting with my hands in from of the ball. I have not really tried it on the range so we will see.

[anthony]

I agree, I don't care how far it goes kind of. There is that messy gap between 100 and 60 though.

I'm in the same boat with my 4 iron to 5 wood. There's about a 30 yard gap between them. I think I'm gonna pick up a 3 hybrid though. Maybe even a 4 hybrid since I don't always hit my 4 iron the greatest other than off the tee on a par 3.