Adding length to wedges

[Back 9 Bandit]

I was recently re-fitted for my clubs and I was told to go up to 1" over and 1* up rather than .25" over and standard. My swing has changed and the fitter felt this was best. I was wondering if it is custom to add length to all my wedges I play a 48* 54* 60*. I have hit my wedges fine at std length but will should I change them? Anyone have experience with this?

[mvmac]

Going from your 9 iron to pitching wedge, from 1" over to standard, would be a noticeable change IMO. I'd add some length to those wedges. Ask your fitter what he thinks. My irons are .25" over and my wedges are standard.

[trickyputt]

Are the lie angles of the clubs all 64°? If so the shaft lengths should all be the same and gap distances can be tweaked with loft instead of you being forced to raise your wrists into a more outward and upward setup. The rest of the clubs make you do this as they get longer and somewhat flatter. How long is the shaft of your favorite iron/wedge? What lie is it? If you know this, it has a hidden number that you can discover describing a preferred handle height at setup. The lie of that favorite club(s) plus the angle described by the shaft grip end straight down to the ground has to = 90° and with that upper angle and the club length you have enough info to calculate how high you like to set your hands on your favorite club. You can google for a trig calculator and fill in the values. Once you know this preferred height of hands it can be applied to the other clubs based on the lie. I like this idea in wedges, where I find .25 shaft length changes virtually useless. I would be cautious about applying the idea to longer irons and especially fairways and driver as it is a standard to allow the hands to progress up and away as the clubs get longer for swing reasons.

[Back 9 Bandit]

Are the lie angles of the clubs all 64°? If so the shaft lengths should all be the same and gap distances can be tweaked with loft instead of you being forced to raise your wrists into a more outward and upward setup. The rest of the clubs make you do this as they get longer and somewhat flatter. How long is the shaft of your favorite iron/wedge? What lie is it? If you know this, it has a hidden number that you can discover describing a preferred handle height at setup. The lie of that favorite club(s) plus the angle described by the shaft grip end straight down to the ground has to = 90° and with that upper angle and the club length you have enough info to calculate how high you like to set your hands on your favorite club. You can google for a trig calculator and fill in the values. Once you know this preferred height of hands it can be applied to the other clubs based on the lie. I like this idea in wedges, where I find .25 shaft length changes virtually useless. I would be cautious about applying the idea to longer irons and especially fairways and driver as it is a standard to allow the hands to progress up and away as the clubs get longer for swing reasons.

The shaft on my favorite club is a 39" 5 iron has a lie angle of 61*. Applying the math the length should be 34.1. Which is the size of my pitching wedge. My question is will this put my wedges more upright?

[trickyputt]

When you say "size of my pitching wedge" I have to invoke some request for clarity, as that phrasing seems not the size, but rather the height of the handle end from the ground. If you like the setup of the handle height to the ground at 34.11" on your 5i, then the wedge that is at 64° lie could have a overall clubhead+shaft length exemplified in this photo, barring of course any preferences you have acquired as a taller person using shorter standard length clubs. The wedges are longer given the lie. By using both 1° up (+1" equivelent) in conjunction with +1" actual length, you see what your fitter was giving (+2" effectively) fits roughly the same as a this actual measurement. I am not advanced enough to tell you if the forces used on one setup or the other are equivelent, and would leave that for the more knowledgeable members of this site. I can say I have used these setups myself and actually gained yardage on my 5i but mainly found consistency in the shorter clubs.

[Back 9 Bandit]

When you say "size of my pitching wedge" I have to invoke some request for clarity, as that phrasing seems not the size, but rather the height of the handle end from the ground. If you like the setup of the handle height to the ground at 34.11" on your 5i, then the wedge that is at 64° lie could have a overall clubhead+shaft length exemplified in this photo, barring of course any preferences you have acquired as a taller person using shorter standard length clubs. The wedges are longer given the lie. By using both 1° up (+1" equivelent) in conjunction with +1" actual length, you see what your fitter was giving (+2" effectively) fits roughly the same as a this actual measurement. I am not advanced enough to tell you if the forces used on one setup or the other are equivelent, and would leave that for the more knowledgeable members of this site. I can say I have used these setups myself and actually gained yardage on my 5i but mainly found consistency in the shorter clubs.

Thank you very much for your help!

[DrvFrShow]

I had to add length to my wedges to get them consistent with the rest of my set, and I had to get the lie angle adjusted as well. Bear in mind lengthening adds swing weight.

[trickyputt]

And dynamic lie angles become exaggerated as shafts become longer. Flex becomes softer slightly.