Anyone out there use one wedge for 50y and in?

[MJP]

I'm so comfortable with my 60 degree that I use it on every short game shot. Except the bunkers I use my 56 because it has double the bounce (14 degrees). But I open it up to at least 60 degrees so I basically only use the 60 degree.

Ive tried using short irons to chip but I find I can control distance and direction (much less break to deal with) by landing a low checker 10 feet from the whole having it check to 5 or less feet. Landing it 10 feet is just an estimate based on my average short game shot. Sometimes I gotta land it much shorter or sometimes much further, also depending on slope.

But it's much easier to control distance when the ball stops where I land it. For me, anyway.

[Fourputt]

I'm so comfortable with my 60 degree that I use it on every short game shot. Except the bunkers I use my 56 because it has double the bounce (14 degrees). But I open it up to at least 60 degrees so I basically only use the 60 degree.

Only downside to that is that it never goes in the hole unless you land it there. When the ball rolls out, it has a better chance of hitting the hole or the flagstick and dropping in. The whole theory behind chipping is that the ball rolls like a putt, and thus actually gets a better opportunity to find the hole because it touches more of the green surface.

I used to hole a lot of chips, then I went through a long period where it almost never happened. I realized that I had gotten onto the same thing you do... hitting the ball sharply and making it check. Once I changed my stroke and started letting the ball roll again, I started holing out chips again.

[soloredd]

I've moved to using my 56* from about 70 yards in. I actually gave a buddy my 60* today and am replacing my 52* with a 50* in a week or so. I might switch to the 50* for those shots if I can get better roll out because right now my 52* technique isn't giving me much - I'm still learning it because before I would take my 60* and try to plop it next to the pin.

Actually today was the first day I used strictly the 56* and it was great. I probably had 5-6 from <70 yards and I probably left 4 of them on the green but well short of 1-putt distance. I just need to practice it more.

[bigoak]

My sand wedge is so old that it has an Aluminum shaft and I use it for all turf shots inside of 50 yards. I use a lob wedge in the traps however.

[WUTiger]

Depends on turf conditions... going uphill, downhill, or level.

I've been trying to do the quarter, half, and three-quarters swing with different wedges at different distances. Only problem was, I calibrated my wedges with range balls, which don't go as far. So, on half-swing or more, I airmailed several wedges 15 yards past the flag. Will adjust yardstick for future.

Also, some courses trim the front fairway fairly close instead of surrounding green with shaggy collar. In that case, 8i chip and run works quite well.

[jamo]

Only downside to that is that it never goes in the hole unless you land it there. When the ball rolls out, it has a better chance of hitting the hole or the flagstick and dropping in. The whole theory behind chipping is that the ball rolls like a putt, and thus actually gets a better opportunity to find the hole because it touches more of the green surface.

Maybe, but I am much better at getting the ball close to the hole when I control it in the air the longest. Chipping in is so rare no matter who you are, so would rather play to get the ball close.

For the record I use my LW for EVERY shot from 85 and in, including sand shots, excluding putts.

[ChipShot]

That would have been a 60* wedge for me until I left it on a course and lost it about 3 weeks ago. Since then anything under about 90 yards I have been using my 56* and actually have been hitting it better than I did the 60*. I'm like you though, use the 56* for all short shots.

[wrx_junki]

Maybe, but I am much better at getting the ball close to the hole when I control it in the air the longest. Chipping in is so rare no matter who you are, so would rather play to get the ball close.

Wow that's crazy. Can't imagine using a LW for every shot inside 85. I've only used my LW for short approach shots and greenside rough. Guess whatever works for you.

I use mainly my sandwedge but once I get greenside I like to use different clubs.

[clubchamp]

Maybe, but I am much better at getting the ball close to the hole when I control it in the air the longest. Chipping in is so rare no matter who you are, so would rather play to get the ball close.

I have to disagree with you slightly if you are green side a chip and run give you a pretty good chance to hole it. The further you get from the green obviously flying it to the hole becomes the better option. If you are good with chip and run you'd be surprised how many you can hole out. However if you are chipping a lot you're missing greens which has the greatest effect on your score.

[jamo]

Wow that's crazy. Can't imagine using a LW for every shot inside 85. I've only used my LW for short approach shots and greenside rough. Guess whatever works for you.

It's just easier to keep everything straight. I don't have to every worry about different trajectories and spin levels of different clubs.

I have to disagree with you slightly if you are green side a chip and run give you a pretty good chance to hole it. The further you get from the green obviously flying it to the hole becomes the better option. If you are good with chip and run you'd be surprised how many you can hole out. However if you are chipping a lot you're missing greens which has the greatest effect on your score.

I should clarify then that I can (and do) hit low running shots with my LW. Short ones are much better on the ground.

[MJP]

Only downside to that is that it never goes in the hole unless you land it there. When the ball rolls out, it has a better chance of hitting the hole or the flagstick and dropping in. The whole theory behind chipping is that the ball rolls like a putt, and thus actually gets a better opportunity to find the hole because it touches more of the green surface.

Jamo hit the nail on the head. I use my 60 degree 75y and in now that I think about it. 75 is a full swing.

Without a putter in your hands, you are in no position to realistically make birdie. Just think about that. My ball only rolls out 5-10 feet. Ideally it would check 3-10 feet infront of the hole (could be more depending on length, slope) and roll a foot past the cup. I really only started this thread because I've heard of so many people using multiple clubs in close. To me that just adds too many variables to this already complicated game. I figure the more loft around the greens, the better. Why? Because I can control the distance better when I fly the ball and a higher degree wedge causes the ball to land more softly.

[Joeyvee]

"I really only started this thread because I've heard of so many people using multiple clubs in close. To me that just adds too many variables to this already complicated game."

Ding ding ding. You are correct sir. And that's why I will ALWAYS go to my 8 iron for a bump and run. I trust that more than my LW unless theres a bunker or something in the way. For sand I use a SW. Call me old fashioned.

Different strokes (literally) for different folks.

[Bryan SD2]

I use my 56 degree for every shot from about 80 and in. Full shots, high shots, low spinners, flop shots, bunker shots, etc. The only exception is a bump and run with an eight iron from just off the green, and I have green to work with. I'll hit nearly full swing monster flops, little two hop and grap then trickle chips, etc.

Personally I see no reason to carry a 58, 60, 64, 70, 72 degree or whatever they decide to build next. When you can swing a 64 degree like a bump and run 8 iron and get away with it.... well, there is something about that which robs the golfer imo. Either of feel around the green, or the enjoyment of pulling off a legit chip/flop with the face open, using the bounce properly, etc.

I would personally rather play three rounds of golf than to go out and buy a new 60 degree wedge, when I already have the high soft shot in my bag. My 56 becomes a 60 pretty easily. I guess I'm old school, cheap, have kids in private school, or all three.

[westcyderydin]

i use my 60 degree 90 percent of the time. i use it from everything from bump and runs to flop shots..the only exception is sand shots and lies that are in wet fairway, then i use my 56 cuz it has more bounce.

[TourSpoon]

I tend to use the 60 from 85 to 65 pretty exclusively and from inside of there I go 60 or 54 depending on the lie and wind. Around the greens I use the 54 more often and the 60 in the bunkers. Lately, I have been thinking more about trajectory and found that the 54 around the greens is more consistent for me to get it close.

[bwdial]

I use my 56° wedge for most shots. Honestly, I don't know why I even carry the 60°. I only use it when I just need to get the ball straight up in the air, which I'm finding is rarer these days.
My 56° is ported, so it doesn't go really high, and I can keep it low and spin it pretty hard. When I'm greenside and have some room, I like to chip with my eight iron as well.

[xxsoultonesxx]

I use my 56° wedge for most shots. Honestly, I don't know why I even carry the 60°. I only use it when I just need to get the ball straight up in the air, which I'm finding is rarer these days.

what does "ported" mean? and I generally use my 56 within 85 yds, unless I'm trying to go under branches, or pull some nutty stunt shot.

[Mattplusness]

Depending on the lie I use two clubs (3 for a bunker): 60* and 52*. 60* gets up more but doesn't roll out as much, which is why I use the 52*.