Wedges: Why do so many bag a 52*, 56*, 60*?

[jmorg19]

49* and 54*. Call me weird, but I don't see the need for 4 wedges

[darkhunter139]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

I play 49, 55, 59.

Right now I play 44, 52, 56, 60 but I want to switch to 44, 49, 54, 59 soon.   The distance gap between my PW and 52 kills me.

[pt71658]

46, 50, & 56. I can hit any shot I am reasonably capable of with these. I basically learned to hit a variety of shots with 2 wedges coming up so I typically hit the 50 from almost anywhere 100 and closer and the 56 in the sand or for flops from real nice lies.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by jmorg19

49* and 54*. Call me weird, but I don't see the need for 4 wedges

You dont see the need for versatility and shot options in your short game?  To make a 54* work in a flop shot you have to open the face up so wide that theres a really small margin for error.  I honestly couldnt imagine not having a lob wedge in my bag...

[jmorg19]

Originally Posted by GaijinGolfer

You dont see the need for versatility and shot options in your short game?  To make a 54* work in a flop shot you have to open the face up so wide that theres a really small margin for error.  I honestly couldnt imagine not having a lob wedge in my bag...

I open the face way up and get it to flop. I don't use that shot too much, but when I do, it gets the job done. Plus the 54*, I can move the ball within my stance to change the angle enough to completely subtract a club from my bag.

[WUTiger]

Originally Posted by GaijinGolfer

...  I honestly couldnt imagine not having a lob wedge in my bag...

Defining a lob wedge is interesting.

Tidbits:

• A Golf Digest survey from a few months back said that 58* was the highest lofted wedge in the bag of about half the tour pros.
• Several teaching pros told me that 58* is easier to hit than 60* for many golfers.

• A high-bounce 58* (12 or above) is often considered an SW, whereas a lower bounce 58* is considered a LW, especially if it has single-digit bounce.

I grew up in the 1970s hitting greenside cut shots with a SW, and I find it somewhat more reliable than an LW. I see many golfers, however - of all HDCP levels - who really make the LW work. Also, I tend to use an 8 iron for chip shots, whereas many LW users have figured out how to chip with it too. Whatever works...

Gaijin... If we played together on a scramble team, I think we'd pretty well have the short game covered!!

[Goonsidious]

56* is good for me around 70yards out..

but that 60* wedge is what does so much magic for me near the green.. i dont know what I would do without it.

[LBlack14]

I can do whatever I need with a 56* max loft. I play 44* PW, 52*GW & 56*SW. Sometimes I play 50*GW & 56*SW.

[onesome]

Carry 54 and 58 just don't feel the need for a 60.

[zeg]

I have a 46° PW, then a 54° and 60° wedges. The 54° is my sand wedge and I use it for full shots. The 60° is what I use for almost all chipping and for pitches under 40-50 yards. I get about 65 yards out of it on a full swing, a bit longer if I punch it.

I've played around with a couple of other setups. Used to have a 56° sand wedge (I think it's still in my signature at the moment) and had a 52° wedge as well. It was all right, but I don't really see any change in my scores. I like the 54° sand wedge a bit better because I'm more consistent on full swings and I can hit longer sand shots more reliably.

I don't really see the need for a ton of wedges. Maybe if I had the time and inclination to work out a whole bunch of distances, but it's rare that I really find myself wishing I had a club I don't have. If anything, I suppose a gap wedge might be occasionally useful, but somehow it doesn't come up all that often.

[BrokeLoser]

Well, I've decided I'm officially in the market for a 50*, 54*, 58* set....Now I just need to figure out which set to get and where to get them...Suggestions?

[CentralFC]

Just purchased a 54.12 and 58.8 from CallawayPreOwned. Both wedges showed up in phenomenal condition (bought them "Like New"). I can't fully attest to their performance, but after 39 holes (yes, 39), they've definitely improved my short game. The 54 is enough of a difference from my PW and covers the range where the PW becomes far too much. I love the 58 around the green and is by far enough loft. I would recommend those but it really comes down to personal preference. It's a place to start, I guess.

Their warehouse sale ends tonight. I paid $132 for the two clubs. You can find several options that are ridiculously cheap. Check it out!

[Roblar]

I play a PW ('E' since it's an Apex Plus -- apparently 46), then I have a 52 and a 58 (which I rarely, rarely use).

I try to play as many wedge shots as I can with the 52, and I spend about a quarter of my range time just hitting the 52 to different distances (and despite spending all that time on it, I still have no consistency).  I'll use the 58 from the sand or if I have very little green to work with (and if I can't just bounce the ball on the green with a 9, PW, or the 52).

I own a 54 and a 60, but I never put those in the bag.  I'm just focused on learning the 52 at the moment.

[ClayHbg]

My Mizuno irons bent pretty strong so I choose to play a 49* GW instead of 3 wedges.  I don't have enough shots in my bag to need three more lofted wedges.  I've noticed a lot of mid to high handicappers bagging a 60* lately.  More often than not they try to play an unecessary flop shot and end up skulling the ball into the woods.

[ClayHbg]

Originally Posted by BrokeLoser

Well, I've decided I'm officially in the market for a 50*, 54*, 58* set....Now I just need to figure out which set to get and where to get them...Suggestions?

Vokeys.

Ebay.

[Mr. Desmond]

I really don't care what people call a wedge - I care about what a wedge does. For the highest lofted wedge, I go for a high stated bounce wedge with lots of relief - heel, toe, and trailing edges - because it is versatile, and that is typically a 58-60.

For a 54 to 56 - it typically has decent bounce - 12 or so - less relief, and as a result, may be slightly better out of the bunker. I use it for running chips around the green, and bump and run shots. For long bump and runs, a 49. But that shot is rarely used.

Another thing - people talk about more bounce - but they're talking stated bounce. Actual bounce may be less, or more depending on the width of the sole and relief. That's why it's good to demo.

[BrokeLoser]

Originally Posted by ClayHbg

My Mizuno irons bent pretty strong so I choose to play a 49* GW instead of 3 wedges.  I don't have enough shots in my bag to need three more lofted wedges.  I've noticed a lot of mid to high handicappers bagging a 60* lately.  More often than not they try to play an unecessary flop shot and end up skulling the ball into the woods.

Haha..that's to funny...the 60* hype / gimmick...most would be better off leaving it at home so they aren't tempted to hit it and ruin their score...much like a driver.

[namkrats]

I play 50,54, 58