Which wedge (degree)

[mattttt25]

Looking at a new set of clubs that finish with a 45 degree pitching wedge and 50 degree gap wedge. If I were to add one more wedge, what would it be? Thinking 54 or 56, but not sure which.

Another option would be to scrap the gap wedge and pick up a 52 and 58. Thoughts?

[ghalfaire]

I carry four wedges 45, 51, 56 & 60. I find them all useful and use them all. But if I had to give one up it would be the gap wedge (51*). You can cut a 45* (flop) for the gap wedge distance an chip with a slightly closed sand wedge (56*) if necessary. But since a lot of my game problems are short game I believe giving up my 7 wood was for the gap wedge was a good trade.

[Valleygolfer]

Looking at a new set of clubs that finish with a 45 degree pitching wedge and 50 degree gap wedge. If I were to add one more wedge, what would it be? Thinking 54 or 56, but not sure which.

What kind of swing do you have?

[ks8829]

I carry:

47 130 yards
52 100 yards
56 90 yards
60 80 Yards

what are your yardage of your 45? and 50? and what distance gap are you trying to fill?

[sean_miller]

Looking at a new set of clubs that finish with a 45 degree pitching wedge and 50 degree gap wedge. If I were to add one more wedge, what would it be? Thinking 54 or 56, but not sure which.

How's that Tommy Armour 1-iron working out for you?

Anyway, I'd go with a versatile 56 - one you can open up. I can't think of that type of grind but old Mizuno Pro and some Vokeys sit flat when opened up. The flange is not overly long. Imagine the opposite of a Ben Hogan "sure out".

[mattttt25]

The 1-iron sits at home in the bedroom, awaiting someone that may come through a window one day.

I currently carry driver, 3-wood, 2-hybrid, 3-P, gap and sand. But these new clubs and stronger lofts just suck. My current P is 48, but now looking at a set with a P at 45. Hence, my question.

[Shooter McGreenkeeper]

matt, good to see you have ambition and own a 1 iron.

4 deg increments is the norm
and 48 is normal for a PW

the 52 is a great club under 100 yards and versatile to chip greenside with

and a 56 is 4 above that.

i carry 52 deg and 57 deg


also what is equally important is the degree of bounce on the club you buy, generally the better golfer has a lower degree of bounce...
if i was to recommend deg bounce on 25 HCP i would give someone 8 - 10 deg bounce on their wedges

[WUTiger]

...Another option would be to scrap the gap wedge and pick up a 52 and 58. Thoughts?

Scope out your possible new iron set. Are the PW and GW the same shaft length?

Reason I ask: For numbered irons, the rule of thumb is 1/2" shaft difference and 4* loft difference equals about 10 yards distance difference between clubs for the average golfer. But when stock wedges made for iron sets come into play, sometimes it's only 1/4" between shafts. Or no difference at all. Shaft lengths, plus the loft, will help determine how far the distance difference is between clubs. Then, if you bring in specialty wedges (CG15, Vokeys, Mizuno T series), you have to determine what distance gap between stock PW (most keep it) and the specialty wedges you bring into your mix. So, you might want to start by comparing the specs/shaft length for all clubs involved in your plan.

[jamo]

The 1-iron sits at home in the bedroom, awaiting someone that may come through a window one day.

Is there any way that the stronger lofts allow you to drop a longer club? If not it really depends on what kind of shots you like to hit. If you like to hit flop shots and/or prefer chipping with clubs of higher lofts, I would scrap the GW and get a 52 and a 58 (or 60). If you like chipping with a SW, you should keep the 50 and just add a 56. Keep in mind though in my experience, if you are getting a strong lofted set that usually means they are cavity backs, and chipping with a cavity backed 50* GW can be kind of tricky. It's just not very versatile. If you were to get rid of the 50* GW and get a 52*, it would most likely be a blade, which are easier to chip with IMO.

[mcgriff]

56.10 is solid.

[mattttt25]

Thanks for the advice. I went with the gap that matches the set. Stopping at 4 iron, I do have room to add two wedges. Yesterday I played with just the 50 gap and a 60. I was ok on most holes, but I will probably add a 54 or 56 to the mix.

[golfro]

56.10 is solid.

yep. 56.10 is what i've been using as my main SW and all-around greenside wedge for years now. Really can't go wrong with it.

The alternative I used thoroughly is 54.10 which is also a good all around wedge. For me, distance with wedges isn't a big factor...it seems whether I go with 54*, 56*, or 58*, all my wedges go just about 90-100 yards on full shots. I'm just much more comfortable now with 56*.

[motteler621]

The 1-iron sits at home in the bedroom, awaiting someone that may come through a window one day.

Might want to switch that 1-iron out with a bat. With a golf club you would have to hit someone with the head of the club; if you hit them with the shaft, it will just bend and they will hardly feel much pain.

[$2 Nassau]

45 is a very strong PW, it's a 9i in some sets. My PW is 47, which is still kind of strong. I do not carry gap wedge, I have a 54.10 and 60.05.