Buying wedges

[loki16]

I've got a bit of a gap between my wedges: PW (45º), SW (55º) and a lob 60º, so want to buy a wedge to cover that. I was thinking a 50º.

Sooner or later I'll probably replace the 55 and the 60 with matching wedges (cause that's the way I roll).

I live in Spain where the tendency is not to try before you buy (some 80% of new cars are bought without being test driven) so my 2 local golf shops tell me it's not possible to try before I buy (but that Vokey and Cleveland are the ones to get, model types not even mentioned). Golf shops don't recommend getting fit for wedges, say just buy them based on 'gusto' (looks!).

Also both shops are carrying 52, 56, 60 degree stock and say they don't have much call for 50 and 55. They'll probably get them if I insist or I could simply buy from an online retialer in the UK.

I was measured for my irons ( lie is +1.5º and length is extra 0,5”) which seems not far from 'standard'.

Questions:

Is it really worth getting fit for wedges, given I hope to have them for a long time.

Is it worth worrying about 45, 50, 55, 60 as opposed to 45, 52, 56, 60?

Anything else I should consider before buying?

Thanks to all.

[WUTiger]

Loki,

We could use a bit more information:

• What is the distance gap between your PW and SW? You probably want something that would split the distance.
• Do your SW and LW match (same model), or are they different? If they match and you like them, see if you can find a 50* in that model. (Could UK online help?)

"Buying on gusto" seems like advice from very lazy salesmen. Do the people at your golf shop know anything about the game of golf, or are they salesmen who have just read the product brochures?

Wedges are your scoring clubs, so you should make sure they fit your swing (shallow, medium or steep) and the courses/turf you normally play on.

You might go online to the Cleveland and Titleist/Vokey sites and read about the wedges. Also, club designer Ralph Maltby talks about wedge playability in this link:

http://www.ralphmaltby.com/50

Good luck, and keep us posted.