Which Callaway X-Forged wedge?

[glueguy]

I am relatively new to the game (approx 6 rounds) and shoot 100-110. I have a set of Ping Zing 2 irons, including PW and SW (from Google I think that these are 47 and 52). Drivers are good (TM R7) and putter is good. I have a gift cert to Callaway worth about $60. I was thinking about using on a wedge. I've searched here and am still slightly confused. I believe that I should probably go with a 56 SW but wanted to get opinions on my set of conditions. Should I get a 48 or 52 to replace one of the current clubs? Would that be better? I would guess that going to 58 or 60 would leave too much spacing?

Or should I stay with the two that I have and spend the Callaway money on something else?

[is2linda]

If i were you i would get the 56.

The 56 is such a versatile club and i use it everywhere, sand, chipping, approach. 60 is just too hard to use for high handicappers and its just better to stick with 56 till you get better.

your 52 sw is actually a gap wedge, so you have pw gw and sw. Its a good set.

[TaylorMadeMark]

I personally think a 56* would be beneficial I play 4 wedges myself 48*, 52*, 56*, and 60* and my wedges are truly my scoring clubs. I am actually in the market myself for a new wedge and have been researching the Callaway x-forged wedges and from what I've heard and from demoing the club I defiantly think it is going to be the next club in my bag, O and if you fine them for 60$ let me know where you get it from cause there about 119$ online almost everywhere I look.. Also don't forget to consider the bounce degree when you pick out your new wedge. Good luck...

[MI Rob]

I would also go with the 56* SW. Should have a 4* gap between your wedges.

[glueguy]

I personally think a 56* would be beneficial I play 4 wedges myself 48*, 52*, 56*, and 60* and my wedges are truly my scoring clubs. I am actually in the market myself for a new wedge and have been researching the Callaway x-forged wedges and from what I've heard and from demoing the club I defiantly think it is going to be the next club in my bag, O and if you fine them for 60$ let me know where you get it from cause there about 119$ online almost everywhere I look.. Also don't forget to consider the bounce degree when you pick out your new wedge. Good luck...

I agree with the $119 price, I was going to use the $60 to offset to bring the price that I have to pay down to "cheap." Figure a new wedge for $60 beats just using the gift certificate on a glove and some balls....

It looks like there is only one choice for bounce - a 56 / 14. Am I not understanding my options?

[glueguy]

If i were you i would get the 56.

The club is markes with an "S". Is this because technology has marched on since the clubs were new and the designations have changed?

[NativeTxn]

It looks like there is only one choice for bounce - a 56 / 14. Am I not understanding my options?

56* is typically your most common loft for SW. Most SW have a higher bounce to help get through the sand and not just cut down into it and stick there. Thus, the 14.

[Stacey_E]

If my memory serves me right, there is only one bounce option in the 56*. I don't think 14* is too much bounce for a beginer, unless your course conditions are extremely dry. Bounce will equal forgivness for a steep swing. Low bounce wedges, if not hit pure, are very demoralizing. There is nothing like being on the fringe and hitting a fat chip that moves 1 foot! Low bounce wedges are way more apt to dig on mishits.

Also, you probably will need more bounce in the bunkers than a scratch player. You can always grind a little bounce off later if need be. The 56/14 is a classic design that should serve you well for some time. Plus the extra bounce will prevent you from playing the unecessary (at this point in your game) flop shot. Instead you can work on a slightly delofted hop and stop pitch and probably save more strokes than you would loose on average with an open faced shot.

Just my $.02. Good luck!

[Stacey_E]

One more tidbit of advice if I may. Before buying any wedge I'd do two things.

1. Check the Ping website under their vintage club specs. You should be able to go to their irons page, where you can then find a link to vintage club specs.

2. Have your wedges (and irons for that matter) measured and lofted to, or near, the factory specs.

After doing these two things, you should have little confusion in which wedge to buy next. But I wouldn't be too quick to go greater that 58* of loft just yet.

[glueguy]

Thanks all!

[WUTiger]

I have the X-Forged 56*/14 wedge.

It has a slightly smaller head than game-improvement clubs. The smaller head cuts the ball out of the rough quite nicely - less likely to hang up in grass. And, it works well out of the sand.* If you practice with it a little, it's a super club.

As you notice, I don't carry a lob wedge. is2linda warns correctly that a lob wedge is hard for high handicappers to use. One reason - you really have practice with just the LW to learn to use it. Some middle handicappers don't do lob either. Your 56* will do you better as highest loft wedge, unless you decide to turn pro.

*Note: If you end up in hard, firm sand, you might go with a gap wedge. The 14-degree bounce of the 56* makes it less likely to "dig in," and the club might skip off the firm sand and cause you to blade a shot. If you can find some firm sand, compare 56* with your GW to see which works best.