Should I add a gap wedge

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

A little background, I have been playing about 2.5 years now. Recently, I am not sure what (other than restricting my hip turn a bit in the backswing), but my irons are going straighter with a baby draw opposed to a slight fade. For instance, my 7 iron was usually a 145ish iron, now it goes 160-165. Believe me I am happy for the distance, but where it is now penalizing me is with my wedges.

Before my wedges were:
60* ~ 65 yds
56* ~ 85 yds
W ~ 100-105 yds

Now they are:
60* ~ 75 yds
56* ~ 95 yds
W ~ 130 yds

A few times this past week I was trying to muscle my 56* to fly bunkers and land on the green, when I needed 105ish etc, which lead to more inconstancy.

So, I was talking to a friend about this and he suggested I add a gap wedge. He explained that I should get a 52* wedge to fill that distance, but that would give me 4 wedges. I guess I could drop my 3 wood, because I can't hit it and never pull it out.

Do any of you all play 4 wedges? Is that recommended for a high handicapper?
Have you had this problem? Any suggestions?

[Elsfan]

I carry 4 but the main purpose of my 52 is chipping. I probably could drop the 48 cause I barely use it.

[GaijinGolfer]

Id replace the 56* with a 52*. You have a pretty big gap between your PW and your 56* and with a PW, 52* and 60* you would have a pretty even spacing between your wedges.

[uttexas]

I have a forged 50* gap wedge that I absolutely love. It is one of the most fun clubs to hit. I can draw it, fade it, hit it low or high. I use it as my stock 120yd club. I'll use it for 100yd shots into the wind or significantly uphill. I also use it for long bunker shots to the green (30 yard bunker shots). Just swing it as I would a sand wedge...presto easy 30 yard bunker shot.

I would get a GW soley for it's versatility. Having a club that makes 20-40 yard bunker shots easy is very valuable.

[CG031]

A 52 degree gap wedge would be very useful for you. I use that as my 100 yard club.

[soloredd]

I'm a higher handicapper than you and I play with 4 - a 48, 52, 56, 60. The gap wedge has helped me from about 100 yards - I tend to hit my P wedge about 110 and I'm not good at shortening my swing yet. I do chunk my gap wedge more than any other club, not sure why.

[wrx_junki]

52º is my 110 club and is very useful aruond the green as well. I've played from the red tees with just the GW and I play close to my handicap with it.

[kafka01]

I love my gap wedge (50°), whenever i´m somewhere between 105-120y out, that thing comes out and delivers (all below is mostly 54°). I probably hit my gap 5 times more often than my pitching wedge.

I dropped my 3i for it and got a 2h instead and dont carry a 5wood.

[dan1724]

One thing you could experiment with (on the range, of course!!!) is opening up the clubface and your stance a bit more at address and taking your normal swing with your PW. I have found that my PW with a normal full swing can range anywhere from 75 yards to 125 yards without losing feel or accuracy. It does take some experimenting at the range, though. And you will find that reading the distances at the range is much easier than on the course. It takes time, but not carrying the Gap will allow you more options in the bag.

[Dub]

I wouldn't want to take my gap outa the bag.

For me, it's the perfect 100 yard stick.

[sjwano]

I play a 60, 56, 52, and PW (46 I believe). The 52 Gap wedge is the perfect club for any shot that is a solid 100-115. I can hit the 56 Sand Wedge 100 but have to really pure it and too often hit a pull as I swing too hard. I have a bit of a gap between the 52 and PW as my PW flies about 125-130, but I just hit it 3/4 for anything over 115-120 that I can't get to with the Gap safely.

Although I have been considering switching up my setup, my wedges are getting a little older...going to a 58/54/50 type setup. I like the 60 degree but probably could be more consistent with the 58, the 54 would let me go from 75-100 with ease, and a 50 might fit better between my PW....

Definitely recommend over a club you can't hit.

[lumpuckeroo]

I would definitely look to even the gaps on your wedges, my set up is PW 48 120 yds, GW 52 100yds, SW 56 80 yds. I fell lucky that I have a nice even spread with my wedges but gaps a side, IMHO, I think you need to find a wedge that you can play to. What I mean is, I play to 100 yards, on long par 5's, short par 4's and the like, that puts my favorite wedge in my hands at a very comfortable distance.

I also use my GW for most of the odd lengths that you sometimes get in, like a 75 yard shot, or a 35 yard shot.

[Where's the Cart Girl?]

I carry the same wedges that you do, and I can say that I have been very much in the same boat you are..

Muscling wedges, for me anyway, just tends to generate more spin, a higher flight, and essentially exactly what I'm trying not to do, so I've moved away from that. If you move the ball back in your stance though, depending on how much spin you typically generate you might be able to find the extra few yards if thats all you need. If I switched to anything, I'd move to a 52/58 setup I think bcuz I don't typically use my 60 unless its the perfect number or I'm trying to be a hero.

Before you change anything up though I'd suggest going to a range and 3/4 swinging your short irons, maybe even dancing the ball around in your stance while you do this or narrowing it up. For me it's a 9-iron, but go out and swing the 8/9/PW like youre trying to hit a 70 yd. shot with th 56 and I bet you'll find a setup that will produce the 100-110 shot you want.