Lob wedge

[keb]

I am considering purchasing 60 degree lob wedge. I have Big Bertha PW - 45, AW -50, and SW - 55. Considering going outside Callaway and looking at the CG14 from Cleveland Golf. Recommendations or suggestions?

[New Guy]

I just picked up the Cleveland 588 RTG 60* last week and love it. I went with it mainly for price and am very happy.

[gas_can]

  keb said:

I am considering purchasing 60 degree lob wedge. I have Big Bertha PW - 45, AW -50, and SW - 55. Considering going outside Callaway and looking at the CG14 from Cleveland Golf. Recommendations or suggestions?

keb,

Stick with the 56, just get a more versatile one before you do add a lob wedge. Lob wedges can be notoriously difficult to hit and some of the best short games in the world such as Tom Watson and Stan Utley have been honed with simply a 56. The Big Bertha sand wedge has a very thick sole and while I bet that is a help out of bunkers, it is probably very difficult to hit high, soft shots from tight lies. I would look into a Cleveland 588 RTG, they can be had for a song and is still one of the best wedges ever made. Once you get used to hitting a smaller headed traditional sand wedge, you can decide if you are ready to add a lob wedge. You might be surprised at the number and variety of shots you can hit with a 56 when you experiment with opening and closing the face.

[keb]

Gas can,

Specs (bounce and angle) for the 588 RTG don't look all that different than my Sand wedge. Is the 588 better all round wedge outside the sand because of a thinner sole? Would the 588 replace the Big Bertha S wedge or do you see that still being useful in the trap. Thanks for your thoughts.

[gas_can]

  keb said:

Gas can,

keb,

Although the bounce numbers don't vary much between the two, the extremely wide sole on the Big Bertha can be a liability around the greens. The much thinner sole of the 588 will help around the greens considerably especially on tight lies. Also you'll be able to get used to hitting full shots using a club without a cavity. You will learn to adapt to the thinner sole in bunkers and heavy grass by opening the wedge up to expose more bounce, it's a very versatile bunker club. Find yourself a practice green and try your hardest to get up and down from every conceivable lie.