Need help choosing wedges.

[gooseta]

I'm looking to upgrade from my PW & SW which came with my set 6 years ago to a nice 3 wedge set, to which I may add a lob wedge later.

I have a pretty shallow attack angle and tend not to make a big divot unless it's a full swing. I am also quite good from bunkers, while not hitting the sand a huge amount. I would call the courses I play on "neutral" in terms of firmness but I am no expert on the subject.

I have been looking at the Cleveland RTX wedges as well as the Titleist Vokey series and am quite confused by the numerous grind options. Any help regarding those and other options for wedges would be much appreciated!

[NewbieJames]

I bought a Callaway PM grind 56 and 64. They were designed by Phil Mickelson and Roger Cleveland, they are great. I think the bounce is basically how much you hit the ground with the bottom of the wedge. If you're more of a beginner, I would go with a higher bounce. If I'm wrong people, feel free to correct me. I'm just a newbie

[TimS65]

The problem nowadays is that most ironset pitching wedges are 44/45°. This gives a huge gap to the "standard" 54/56° SW. Currently I use the iron set gap wedge at 49° then the Adams Tom Watson wedge set of 52/56/60. So technically I have 5 wedges! It works well, but leaves me a club short at the long end of the bag, so like you I may upgrade my wedges to something like a 48/54/60 set (Callaway/Cleveland/Vokey etc). I'm 50 next month so may treat myself! Need to give some a try first, as I've noticed that the swing weights can vary quite a bit between makes, and I suspect what suits one person may be different for another. I'd LIKE to get on with the 588 RTX 2, as they are buy 1 get one half price... :-)

[NewbieJames]

Right, I know my PW is 45 but my set came with a GW at 50. I was taught you should go about every 4-5 degrees. Mizuno JPX EZ PW 45 Mizuno JPX EZ GW 50 Callaway PM Grind SW 56 Callaway PM Grind LW 64 I know my setup isn't perfect on paper (big jump from 56-64) but I'm not sure I really need a 60.

[TimS65]

I like the idea of the PM grind. I like to open the clubface on the 60° where the course I play has 3 foot drops off the edges of the greens. But occasionally in the rough the face will slide right under the ball without hardly moving it!!! Thats where the PM grind comes in... It's definitely on my "try" list.

[dave s]

Some good info at the Titlest Vokey wedge site to help determine what wedge bounce and grind to consider based on the conditions you play in.  For me, I went with the "M Grind" wedges from Vokey.  They seem to work great from everywhere.  Using them off tight fairways, from rough round the greens, from the 'crew cut' areas very near greens.

I've realized that the 'grind' is more important the the bounce number.  As info, I play up north where the ground can be soft and dirt-based rather than rock hard and sand-based like in the south.  Your usual playing conditions can lead you to what wedge, bounce and grind makes best sense for you.  The Vokey website should get you close.

dave

[WUTiger]

Things you consider for bounce would include the steepness of your swing, the turf you normally play on, and your wedge strategy.

• Steep downswing would benefit from more bounce, shallow less bounce, moderate medium bounce.
• Softer turf and plush lies favor more bounce, hard turf and tight lies less bounce (high bounce on hard turf can lead to clubhead skip and a skulled shot).
• Your wedge strategy: If you normally address your wedge square to the ball and just vary swing length, a more moderate bounce would help. If  you do unusual manipulations with your wedge swing, high or low might help you out.

Check out the Cleveland, Vokey, and Edel sites. All three sites address both bounce and sole grinds.

A skilled clubsmith can help you fine-tune your bounce and grind choices.

Note: club designer Ralph Maltby suggests that golfers have at least one wedge that "goes against" their bounce tendency. So, if your game calls for high-bounce wedges, have at least one medium of low-bounce wedge for flexibility  in unusual situations.

[iacas]

Things you consider for bounce would include the steepness of your swing, the turf you normally play on, and your wedge strategy.

Steep downswing would benefit from more bounce, shallow less bounce, moderate medium bounce.

Softer turf and plush lies favor more bounce, hard turf and tight lies less bounce (high bounce on hard turf can lead to clubhead skip and a skulled shot).

Your wedge strategy: If you normally address your wedge square to the ball and just vary swing length, a more moderate bounce would help. If  you do unusual manipulations with your wedge swing, high or low might help you out.

I think that type of stuff is changing. Those "classic guidelines" are shifting. They're too general.

Plus, the width of the sole, the grind, the camber… all sorts of stuff like that can affect the actual static "bounce" measurement.

My LW has 22° of bounce. But it's a thinner sole, has heel and toe relief, and is perfectly playable in soft and firm conditions. It's great off hardpan AND super soft conditions.

[WUTiger]

I think that type of stuff is changing. Those "classic guidelines" are shifting. They're too general.

Plus, the width of the sole, the grind, the camber… all sorts of stuff like that can affect the actual static "bounce" measurement. ...

A good clubfitter can help a golfer take these refinements into account.