Game Improvement Wedges

[juanrjackson]

Is there such a thing? If so, which brand/wedges would you recommend?

[mcgriff]

I think most GI iron sets come with a SW you can buy that is of the same line. I know my iron set has a 55 SW available. Would be a special order if course. Here is an example of one from one that lines up with your hybrids....

http://www.globalgolf.com/product/go...a3os.aspx?gd=3

[will54]

I know of a couple,my golfing partner has a Ben Hogan sure out which makes getting the ball out of the bunker a breeze,not sure about from the fairway or the thick stuff. I think its a dated model and kinda ugly but you can still find them on Ebay for fairly cheap.

[WUTiger]

Most of your SGI or UGI iron sets offer stock wedges which have (S)GI qualities. The stock wedges tend to have more bounce and just one loft option per wedge type. Specialty wedges, on the other hand, tend to have smaller heads and much more variety on loft and bounce within the model.

In Callaway, the X20 and X22 irons come with stock P, A, S, and L wedges. These wedges tend to have a fair amount of bounce. The more competitor iron sets such as the X20 Tour, X22 Tour and X-Forged, however, stop at PW. The XTour, XForged and Jaws specialty wedges have smaller heads than the X22 stock wedges, but also high bounce.

Titleist skirts the line here a little bit: AP1 and AP2 feature both P and W (Gap) wedges, while the CB and MB iron sets stop at P. But then, you can shift into Vokey for the rest.

Of specialty wedges, Vokey has the widest variety with seven different sole grinds, four finishes, and plenty of loft and lie combinations. Again, smaller heads than SGI irons.

Cleveland has a variety of wedge loft and bounce options (three dot code: low, medium and high bounce) in the CG12, CG14 and CG15 lines. Again, these heads are smaller than SGI iron heads.

Don't get me wrong - I know plenty of middle and higher HDCPs who like the stock wedges available with the iron sets. I personally like the smaller heads of my CG14 GW and X-Forged SW. You have to practice with them, but I hit more reliable shots with them than with stock wedges I tried at first. (X20 PW only has 7* bounce, and it works quiet well)

For wedges, play what works. My current bag with X20 irons are the first time in forever that I haven't played all stock wedges from the iron set.

[juanrjackson]

Thank you for the feedback.

I currently play Cleveland CG14s and I like them a lot. I'm wondering this some game improvement wedges might improve my accuracy.

[WUTiger]

Game improvement wedges will help you some on mishits, but don't give you the control of specialty wedges. According to a Cleveland rep, your CG14s were originally designed with middle HDCP golfers in mind, but caught on with competitive golfers too because they were easy to hit and very accurate.

Stock wedges give you an edge in forgiveness, specialty wedges an edge in workability. You already like your CG14s, and I expect the more you work with them, the better you'll like them.

Also, consider starting off next season with a short-game lesson. Our local Golf Galaxy hosted a freebie Cleveland scoring clinic, and I picked up a couple of very useful tips on getting the most out of wedges.

[sean_miller]

Thank you for the feedback.

What kind of accuracy? Distance control or aim? I picked up a couple GI wedges (Wilson High MOI series). I picked up the GW and the LW but only use them indoors - outside they feel hard and clunky.

[juanrjackson]

What kind of accuracy? Distance control or aim? I picked up a couple GI wedges (Wilson High MOI series). I picked up the GW and the LW but only use them indoors - outside they feel hard and clunky.

Accuracy = Mostly more consistancy with both control and aim. But maybe I just need to practice more :}

[sean_miller]

Accuracy = Mostly more consistancy with both control and aim. But maybe I just need to practice more :}

Sounds like it.

[Gordon McTavish]

Accuracy = Mostly more consistancy with both control and aim. But maybe I just need to practice more :}

I'd go with the latter option. Oodles of perimeter weighting and sole width aren't really going to have much effect on accuracy.

[GolfnGriff]

Have you looked at the "Heavy Wedges"?

[mcgriff]

I hear ya about accuracy. What I am finding is when I miss it is due to poor alignment.

I think the benefits of using a GI wedge diminish when you do anything other than take a full swing. Also, most sets gradually step down in the forgiveness area as the loft increases on the club. Control, feel, and workability found in something like a Vokey > fancy cavity backed wedges IMO.