New wedge?

[windlaker]

Good day all,

 I’m kicking around getting a new wedge, and I’m wondering what you all think.

 I currently have a Pitching wedge, my 100 yard club.  I have a Cleveland 54˚, which I use from 80 yards to the green.  I also have a Cleveland 58˚, which I very seldom use.

 I normally am not able to put a lot of spin on the ball.  I focus on hitting the green, and that’s about it.  My Summer goal is to learn to spin it…hit the green and make it stop.

 My 54˚ is pretty well used, I bought it used…lot’s of wear on the face, scratches, etc.

 Do you think it’s worth it for my skill level to buy a new wedge at this time?  Or should I wait until I see if I can learn it, then get a new wedge?

 Thanks in advance.

[lastings]

at a 19.7 handicap, learning to spin a wedge is about the least of your possible concerns.   heck, I'm a 10 handicap and that is about item #468 of things in my game i want to improve. 

That said, I would say making solid, accurate contact with it.  If you like the wedge and you're comfortable with it, I'd say to just stick with it.  but, if it doesn't make you comfortable standing over the ball, maybe look into something that fits you batter.  

 

[DeadMan]

Spin is a function the ball, too. If you're using a distance ball or something like that, you're going to have a harder time getting any spin. As a 19 handicap, you're probably not hitting the ball all that solidly, so you'll get less spin that way. It's possible your wedges are worn enough that they don't impart as much spin as new ones would.

Here's what I would suggest: next time you find a ProV1, hit a shot with one of your wedges and see what happens. You'll get some spin. It probably won't spin back, but it might. It definitely won't roll out very much, though.

[3jacker]

C'mon.

We all know he's getting the new one.

He's a golfer.

[dennyjones]

2 hours ago, windlaker said:

My 54˚ is pretty well used, I bought it used…lot’s of wear on the face, scratches, etc.

It's time...

[Foot Wedge]

It it's real beat up, get a new one and practice your ballstriking in general.  Don't focus on 'trying' to spin it.  A quality strike with a decent wedge will give a decent ball enough height and spin to stop quick enough.  It won't zip back like the pros, but you'll be putting for birdie.

[WUTiger]

3 hours ago, DeadMan said:

Spin is a function the ball, too. If you're using a distance ball or something like that, you're going to have a harder time getting any spin.

If you don't go with ProV (expensive and has more spin than a mid-capper can handle). Try a midspin ball such as Callaway SuperSoft and TopFlite Gamer.

Also, your swing motion may be hurting you. I recommend a short-game lesson every couple of years just to make sure your basic set-up isn't hurting you.

One short-term self check: For partial wedges, vary backswing length but do a full follow-through. Deceleration on downswing is a short-game killer.

4 hours ago, windlaker said:

 My 54˚ is pretty well used, I bought it used…lot’s of wear on the face, scratches, etc.

If you have worn out the grooves on the 54˚ (probably your SW) replace it. I replace six-year-old Cleveland CG14s, and I'm getting more bite out of light rough and sand. 

[The Hook Meister]

If youe wedge is really beat up go ahead and buy a new one, other wise  I would wait.

[Patch]

I say if you want a new wedge then go for it. New clubs make every golfer feel better about their game. 

As for spinning the ball to get it stop, I'd say learn all the the things that go into putting a lot of spin on a ball. If you can't put a lot of spin on a ball now, a new wedge may not be of much help right now. 

The golfer's swing, the lie if the ball, and how receptive the green is, all have a lot to do with getting enough spin to stop a ball on the green. Also some balls spin better than others. 

I also think alot of golfer's think putting enough spin on a ball to get to back up is more "cool" than actually a help. Of course spinning a a ball back is the mark of a quality swing, and impact position.

Me, if I need to stop a ball quickly on the green, and have a suitable lie, I hit flop shots. They go high, and come straight down. They might hop 2-3 times, then stop. I can hit flops with all my irons for different distances. 

To me, a flop shot is easier to learn for the amateur, than learning how to put a lot of spin on a ball. My flop shot swing is alot like my sand shot swing. Only difference I see is the ball has better contact with the club face on a flop shot. 

[windlaker]

Thanks for all the replies.

I DID NOT buy a new wedge.

After taking the clubs out of the rafters, it's my 58 degree that's pretty beat up.  The 54 isn't too bad.

I ended up going to the range this weekend, and spent a LOT of time chipping.  Practiced Flop Shots, and wedge play in general.  

After an hour or so, the ball was stopping pretty good.  NO backspin, but not running off the green either.

Now I just need to bring that to the course.

[cooke119]

Go for the new wedge anyway, it may not help your game but you'll feel good. A new club is always fun, (spoken as a true club hound). My garage is full of "good feelings."