Practice and Club Wear

[delav]

This is something I've been mulling over lately, perhaps others have thought about it as well.

I've joined a club this year with unlimited use of the practice facilities.  To really work on my game, I'm spending quite a bit of time putting and working on all sorts of shots within 130 yards (most frequent approach distances).

I'll usually hit several hundred balls at the range with a majority of these are with my wedges and short irons.  In the last few weeks, I've noticed significantly more wear on the faces of these clubs, which were a pretty worn to begin with.  The range turf is sandy as well.

While I don't care about the appearance of my equipment, at this rate it seems like I may go through grips and wedges pretty quickly.  I can touch up the grooves as needed, but what about other wear?

Does anyone use redundant equipment for practicing and playing?  Would it make sense to have an identical set of wedges and irons for practice as those used for playing?

[LankyLefty]

It takes quite a bit of wear for anything but the grooves to get close to being unplayable. I have a wedge that is over 10 years old now. It looks like crap, dings and dents everywhere but as long as I keep the grooves crisp it plays.

When I get the money Ill replace it and I'm sure get a much nice club but I think clubs are meant to be used so I just play away.

[B of H]

over time all the iron sets i've owned for an extended period of time have lost their chrome and developed a rust spot in the center of the face.  It's just an enevitability with forged irons from what I can tell.  My 60* wedge is getting there now and it's been used for 4 seasons but I don't hit many range balls with it just my shag balls (prov1s).  The grooves are still plenty strong though and I'm not switching until next season and that is partially to get conforming grooves.

I wouldn't worry about it for a few years.

[golfismyworld]

10 years those must be some fantastic wedges. Ya I have a pair of wedges that look awful and rusted but work like a charm. The grooves are still useable or I guess until the new groove rules come into play for all golfers, so about 20 years.

[WUTiger]

In the past year, someone here on TST said they had two of each wedge they used. Wedges A were used for practice - this person evidently hit a lot of balls - and Wedges B were used for actual play.

Depends on how much extra $$ a person has, I guess.

Another person had a blade 3-iron he practiced with; claimed it made his game-improvement irons easier to hit.

[jamo]

The one problem that I can think of with using a backup wedge for practice is that if it wears faster, you'll get less spin, and you might make some adjustments that could affect your play on the course, with a normal wedge. It's probably unlikely, but maybe something to think about/look out for.

[delav]

Originally Posted by jamo

The one problem that I can think of with using a backup wedge for practice is that if it wears faster, you'll get less spin, and you might make some adjustments that could affect your play on the course, with a normal wedge. It's probably unlikely, but maybe something to think about/look out for.

I think for range use a backup wedge would be fine.  The difference in spin wouldn't harm trajectory or distance a noticeable amount (more than a range ball would).

Pitching and chipping into an actual green would certainly be a different story however.