dbuck

My simple answer to your initial question would be "yes", at least in most cases, because of the design, grooves, weight distribution, etc. My choice like others have mentioned is to use the extended set through 53*. My first "specialty wedge" is 56*. I have a 52 Vokey but don't carry it, because I am more consistent distance wise with the 53* AP1 for full shots, but the Vokey was definitely more spinny.

I use both gaps in my set, and am more comfortable that way as opposed to using specialty wedges for those gaps. My PW-G-G2 are 43-48-53. I am not good at full shots with specialty wedges. I carry 56 and 60 Vokeys, but am toying with the ideal of going to 1 specialty wedge.

+1-I can't add to this advice. I will say that I love my AP1s, but again this is a very personal decision. Try several-get fitted if possible, and get what YOU like.

1. I did re-enroll in GHIN. My current handicap is 13.0. so I made it halfway to my goal. I have been as low as 12.9. I have improved my putting, and reduced 3 putts, and my lag putting is much better. I still have the occasional blow-up. For instance, Saturday on a 352 yard par 4. my drive was in the fairway, second shot pin-high in a greenside bunker. I proceeded to thin the sand shot into the water! Overall, my driving and iron shots are steadily improving. My GIR, and near GIR are improving. 2. This was accomplished and has contributed to better play. 3. I have not been able to accomplish this. I have come close a couple times, with the only sixes being bogeys on par 5's.

10/28/2018 I shot an 87 over 6338 yards, par 72, rating 70.4/123, I was actually pleased with the way I hit the ball overall. I had four 3-putts, four bad shots, and 3 double bogeys. Putting: I need to improve my "read" skills. I hit the putts the way I wanted, but miss-judged the speed required and left myself some marginal second putts. Of the bad shots, two were cold tops of my fairway wood. I only very rarely do this with my hybrid which has the same shaft, and I never do it when I hit the 3 off the tee, and I tee it only very slightly higher than an iron. But I am having a fairly frequent top off a tight but good fairway lie with my 3 wood. This score will likely make my index go up .1 to a level 13. I started the year at 14.9, and my goal is 10.9.

I like the Titleist AVX, but it doesn't meet your $35/dozen criteria. I am a half club longer with it off my irons, vs the ProV1x. If you can find them still around at someplace like Dicks, the prior version of the Bridgestone B330 series was a great ball, and they were selling in the $30 range as they were closing them out. I have been meaning to try the Snell MTB Black and Red, but just haven't gotten 'round to it.

I have had ups and downs in my game. I have never been a 5 index, but I have been close to a 9 at one time. Other than that one summer in my 20's, I am probably more consistent now at 60 than I have ever been. I have improved this season, lowering my index by 2 shots from where I started. I can understand your frustration though, having experienced lulls myself. Last summer I had a few weeks where I could not hit the ball well at all. I made a few changes, returned to some basics in my swing, and changed some equipment. As long as health permits, I can't see myself ever quitting. Did your change in scoring happen suddenly, or over a period of time? Is your attitude toward the game because you aren't scoring well, or because you just don't like to do it? If you suddenly played better, would you want to play more?

I have a 21* hybrid. For me, it is good for about 200 max. I can choke down and hit it 175-180.

I don't know your age, handicap, or clubhead speed, all of which could have some bearing. How do you hit your current driver? It is possible that you may actually gain distance with a 12.5 degree club off the tee, due to better launch and better contact from the usually shorter shaft. Most mini drivers/strong 3s are around 43 inches. It is also possible that you will lose distance off the deck. It takes a good strike from a good lie with some speed to maximize these clubs off the deck. Still, it can be a viable option, improving tee shots and improved performance from the fairway in appropriate situations, and using another club like a 16-18 degree fairway for most of your fairway shots.

Those MP52's are beautiful, and I understand somewhat forgiving for a players iron. If you can stand the bump, the JPX 900 is even more forgiving and prices are starting to come down now that the JPX 919 version is out.

Generally, at least lately, I have traded several in. I have accumulated too much over the last couple of years and needed to thin the stockpile. I am holding on to my Titleist 915D2 for now, but the TS2 is getting about as reliable, so I may trade it or pass it down to my son. Or it may just hang around as a safety. I have a 52* Vokey that may get traded for something, but I really don't need anything else right now.

Many great responses; I especially like those by Vinsk. It is the only sport at which I have ever had a real desire to improve my skills. I am 60, and still make efforts to get better. Making a good strike and watching that ball fly is nirvana.

I voted never replace, but I am joking. I have been through the whole bag in the past 12 months, and I am really satisfied and set for a few years. The only thing I am toying with is trying a 58* wedge with a higher bounce--likely an SM7 D grind. If I did this, I might drop my 56 and 60 and put the 4 iron in the bag. This would tighten up my gap on the top end between my 5 iron and 21* hybrid, and should work ok because I have a 53* gap wedge in my set. I have spent a lot of time with only one specialty wedge, and it works for me. The gap at the top is not too bad though, and I might be better off with more options on the bottom end. Probably, I am just manufacturing an excuse to try that D grind wedge.

I will still try to hit it on open holes, but go to my 3 wood and 21 degree hybrid as needed. My new driver is working well though.

I think mine is 15 degrees and 43". As others have said, if I went down in length, I would likely go up in loft.

The only thing I really keep in the truck is a pair of shoes in a shoe bag which reside under the back seat. I occasionally stash a sleeve of balls in one of the back door cubby holes.

I would think so. Normal retail on a lot of staff bags is $300-$500.

I have a set of the old PING woods as well. I have used Titleist DT SoLo's, Wilson Duos, and Callaway Supersofts, but actually ProV1s work just fine. Many of the modern balls currently in use are actually softer than the balls we used in the heyday of wooden clubs.

Congrats!

Can you try the TM's before buying? That would be the best. They will definitely have a different feel, but whether it is "better" is up to you. What is important is the ball flight and results.

This pretty much sums it up. If you can document a club as actually being used by a player, or if it is one of the especially collectible items, is the only way they are worth much. I have a bunch of persimmons and blades that I bought for $3-5 per stick. If you like golf décor, clean them up and use them in your man cave or office.

Saturday 9/22. I shot an 83 with a triple and two doubles. I also had 2 birdies.

I have traded my Rogue in for a Titleist TS2

I don't keep one, but I will review my actual scorecard as a "shoulda". It is my way of reviewing my mistakes. I should almost never make a double. If I make a double, I like to review the hole to see what my mistake was. Of course I can hit a bad shot; plenty of them. When I make a double, it is often the result of an attempt at a heroic(for me) recovery.

The short answer is that the "sand wedge" is still in use but not as common as it used to be. More wedges now are identified by the loft, grind, and amount of bounce. The traditional "sand wedge" is still available though as a 54-58 degree club with generous 10-14 degrees of bounce and what is known as a full grind. In a Vokey for instance, the K grind is similar to what we would think of as a "Sand Wedge". I most often use a 56 degree Vokey with 10 degrees of bounce and the S or Stricker grind. It is similar to a fairway or F grind with just a little taken off the trailing edge which allows for a little manipulation around the green. If was in fluffy sand a lot, I might opt for more bounce and a wider sole grind.