Wedge advice

As a newcomer to the game (last summer) i am thinking about buying a    60 degree wedge  to add to my standard set. Do i buy a cheap one to learn with (£15) or wait and get a better one when my game improves. I am also confused about (Bounce) or does that matter for a begginer?

Hi Dave B, I think that you would be better off learning how to play these lob shots with the wedges that you have. You can easily open up the face to achieve the kind of loft that a lob wedge has.

 Yes I agree, I wish I'd never set eyes on them (or listened to articles insisting your bag was not complete without one or two) I've spent many hours trying to master them. I no longer entertain the 64 degrees wedge and only use the 60 degrees when I have to. But as JP states about opening the face: before these came along I simply opened the face of a pitching wedge and I've got to say I think I had more control with that than I do with the 60% wedge.

A PS. I do think that the more lofted the club, the greater the risk, tho' I've probably said that before...If you've green to work with, use a 9 iron everytime. Practice your distances from 5 yds to full swing.

Hi Dave,

I've got a 60 degree wedge and I love it.

I managed to get a Mizuno Raw Haze wedge for £30 brand new so look around and you could get a good deal.

Reading a magazine I once read that if you take a divot then get more bounce on the wedge, but if you sweep the ball then get a wedge with less bounce.

I would suggest having a lesson on how to use the lob wedge properly as it can be a great addition to your bag if used correctly.

Russ

I have a Jack Nichlaus 6o deg lob wedge and I am using it during the winter in the hope of mastering it for the summer. At the moment it costs me shots rather than saves them, but I will persevere as every so often I hit a cracker with it. I would say get one and try. Good luck.

I would be interested to know what you think the purpose of a lob wedge is and how many time you feel you would need it during a round of golf.

Do you think you would be able to play a shot over a pot hole bunker from a links lie. I know I wouldn't even think about it.

Are you using it for full shots, if so, how far does it go.

I got a 60* wedge as a relative beginner (been playing around six months at the time).  I find I used it only once or twice a round at most and before long I was only using it once a month.  It is now lo longer in my bag and I have replaced it and my 56* wedge with a 58* wedge.  This allowed me to put in a 52* gap wedge which I use nearly as much as my putter. 

 Allan, it seems you have it sussed. I aspired to that from 45 yds out but I lacked the purity of strike (often not helped by the lie) which resulted in unacceptable variances in distance which led to a lack of confidence. I find I can get a better %age shot with various 9 iron shots which at least gets me on the putting surface securing a par.

You are obviously a good player, Patrick, but I would be interested to know what kind of nine iron you would play to a flag positioned behind a bunker at a distance of 45 yards.

I have  a fairly good short game and that is one club that I would not take for that kind of shot.

I feel that the more flair and imagination one gets into their game will be of great benefit.

This is even more important to me now that I very rarely can get on a green in regulation figures. Whereas years ago I would only carry two wedges and use them for all kinds of shots, I now have exactly the same setup as Allan B with four wedges, all used for different shots that can arise during a round of golf. These are the scoring clubs.

 Another second attempt.

 John, I hate to admit it but I wouldn't go for the pin unless we're in pairs and partner is safely on, two putts etc.

 In normal paying conditions and a flat green I would take a normal stance (if wind was right to left I may open the stance to get my hips out of the way, and open the blade ever so slightly and fade into the wind) and grip down within a couple of inches of the shaft. Pretty much it's a simple swing with my left arm not passing 9 o clock. I focus on tempo, the plane of swing and 'guiding' (it feels that way) the ball to the target I visualised. I can usually tell what bite I'm going to get once I've struck it. I do hit the ball high. If it's v windy I'll take a 7 iron but the further down I go I can get into the distance problems.

 I have, and still do practice from this distance: 50 balls a piece with a 9, sand (10.30 swing) 60* (normal grip full swing) and 63* (full swing but pushing it for distance). and have consistently better outcome from the 9 iron.

 I do hear what you say about flair and imagination but I don't have that ability to carry it through, no false modesty, honest.

I am a great believer in aiming for the pin as it focuses the concentration much more than just aiming for the green.

I wouldn't use the lob wedge from outside of 30 to 40 yds  and then when I'm looking to land it softly or go over an obstacle. I agree John that I wouldn't like to use a lob wedge from a close lie such as found on links. There I'd take the ground route wherever possible.

 Allan, John, yes I do feel it's a cop out and have to listen to the chicken impressions, usually from those who are losing I might add. It's a tad depressing when the the weight of the shot is good but a bird in the hand... and also the outside chance of a birdie.

 Also that's not to say that sometimes the shot doesn't go over the bunker anyway!

<p class="MsoNormal">Some interesting posts with various methods of getting the ball on the green, just goes what works for some is no good for others.</p>  <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>  <p class="MsoNormal">I carry 3 wedges 48&deg;, 54&deg; and 60&deg; and which one I hit (if it is a wedge at all) depends on distance, pin position, wind, amount of green to work with, hazards in the way etc. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>  <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>  <p class="MsoNormal">I don&rsquo;t have any problems hitting my lob wedge off a tight lie, but then it has very little bounce and if it is very tight I will press my hand forward and play the ball off the back of my stance to make sure of a ball then ground contact.&nbsp; It does result in a lower flight but gets good spin and I find it can get you out of situations you have described (like off a links lie over a pot bunker to a close pin&hellip;.).&nbsp; Same as any shot though, requires practice and confidence!&nbsp; When I used to play allot (BMBK) I would use my 60&deg; anywhere from 75 yards in and expect to get it pretty close.</p>  <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>  <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>  <p class="MsoNormal">Bounce is defined as &ldquo;The measurement of the number of degrees between the clubs&rsquo; leading and trailing edges in relationship to the ground line when the club is in the square position and with the hosel perpendicular to the ground.&rdquo;&nbsp; In practice that means that more bounce means more resistance to the club digging into the turf, but conversely more likely hood of thinning a shot off a tight lie.</p>  <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>  <p class="MsoNormal">But to answer the OP&rsquo;s question, best bet is to try a few out at the range.&nbsp; It will take a bit of getting used to but can be a good club to have in the bag.</p>

 That wouldn't be Dave B from Norman Drew products would it?

Sorry, must be thinking of someone else.

Why would a 60deg lob wedge make it easier to get out of bunkers, that is not what they were designed for.  A good sand wedge has to have  a few degrees of bounce, or don't you agree with that, David.

In my days no one had a lob wedge, no one made them,we just used to open the face up of our normal wedges to create the same type of shot that a lob wedge will produce.

Sorry to but into this private argument?

Yes a 60 degree wedge helps but in the lessons I had I was advised to open the blade and to play the ball in an open stance.

I had several lessons in the bunker and now I change wedges depending on the shot I am trying to play. 60 degree to do a short distance pitching wedge still open face for longer.

David,

agree more difficult on the grass and I would probably change clubs depending what I was trying to do. I would use a 7 iron for a chip and run. If I was chiping over a bunker I would opt for the lob wedge. However I can still screw it up and hit the ball thin and send it miles or hit it fat and put it in the bunker I was trying to avoid.

Well, David I have no trouble opening the blade on any wedge you care to mention.

How successful, who am I to say, I don't thin the ball or miss it, I am still capable of getting the check that I want. I have a lot of flair and imagination and a confidence that I just cannot seem to get rid of.

Yes I do play percentage golf, I have to now, more than ever, as I do not hit the ball very far.

It may take you more to get to the green John, but you are living proof that a good short game is what makes a good golfer.  Most club golfers would sell their mother for your short game. 

And remember, golf is a game of numbers not style.  It's how many it took, not how you did it.  5 iron, 5 iron, chip, putt scores the same as booming drive, pitching wedge, putt, putt. 

"When is the last time you seen a 24 handicap golfer open the blade of a sand wedge??? would you reccomend trying that??? again in your days GOLF HAS EVOLVED!!!!"

Actually my pro taught me that in my first session with him, which was all on my short game. And he is a pretty good coach with very good credentials.

Seconded.  Very first lesson I had I was taught how to grip, stance, a basic half swing and how to play a 20 yard shot with an opened up sand wedge.  Best pro I've ever used. 

Well, DaveB I too am a relative beginner, I bought a cheap 60* wedge a couple of months ago and it has been stuck in my bag since I bought it.  That `very' open clubface is really forbidding when your looking down at it.  Never had the confidence to hit with it out on the course, but....in the last week I've started to hit it off the mat down at the practice range with pretty good success, imagining that I'm trying to get over a bunker that is between myself and the green.

The choice as they say is yours, just dont go spending loads if you want to get one.  Mine was £9.00

 Dave, to get back to the point: as a beginner you wont have all the baggage we seasoned players have about these clubs which is I think a distinct plus and  you'll hopefully see it as a challenge to use one and start with a positive attitude. I believe that a cheap club, as long as it feels ok to you will start you off. My first one was a Dunlop copper wedge for £15 which I still use. I might add I'm not THAT keen on it or I'd have changed the shaft and grip thickness to match my other irons.

 The downside for you will be that you will forgo your percentage shot everytime you use it which will be demoralising after hitting two good shots to get greenside only to fluff it, thin it, a miriad of different ways to mess up though I'm sure if you persevere the good shots will overtake the bad ones 'til you reach that plateau of uncertainty and despair that we're all stuck on. However that's your challenge. Give it a try, though do some practice first, and approach those shots constantly telling that wedge that you're the boss. Good luck.

I have a spare 60 degree  lob wedge, If you are anywhere near leeds you can have it for free to see if you like it. I have just got a new mizuno lob wedge so I don't need the other. I use my lob wedge for most short bunker shots, seems to work well for me.

 Adrian, a Leeds lad. We'll have to have a game.

I use my 60 degree lob wedge for most of my greenside bunker shots.

If I need to carry the ball a bit further then I change to my 53 degree gap wedge.

It seems to be a feature of all the crown golf courses that I have played to have mounds around the greens.

So if I miss the green and I'm on the wrong side of the mound then I'll use the lob wedge to get the ball up in the air and land it on the green.

I never use my lob wedge for short shots if there are no hazards between the ball and the green, I'll use the appropriate club for the distance.

Russ

hi Patrick. are you still a member of calverley gc ? I live near there. I work shifts but can play thru the week and sometimes at weekends ( wife permitting ). Let me know if you're availlable..

 Adrian, ok I'm still a memeber there but wont be renewing. I've not had a day off for a while so shall we pencil in Tues or Thurs next week (weather forcast looks ok, perhaps a bit less wind Tues. Green fee for you no more than £10 I think.

Patrick. I'm working tuesday at 2 pm so need to finish by 1 ish. but I'm not working thursday so that would probably be best. cheers

Jonny P, I don't think it's a case of amatuers know better. It's simply a case from my point of view that I have more confidence with certain clubs than others and the results speak for themselves.

I might fancy a 100 mile trip down the road to join you if you didnt mind...

Not 100% but sounds good.

 Adrian, Stephen, ok aim for Thurs. Also it's ok if you can't make it as I've not put in a days practice for a while.

As long as the tee time is between 10:30 and 11:00 I should be ok.

Be nice to try a new course out!

anytime is good for me on thursday. cheers

I'm in the market for a gap / approach wedge as my PW has 45' loft, which I hit on average 105yds-110yrd & my SW has 56' loft, which I hit on average 60yrds-70yrds, so in between 70yrds to 105yrds, I have to play half / three qtr shots which I don't mind but I would much rather lay up & leave myself a full shot.

I currently have the Taylormade R7 irons but my SW is a Titleist Vokey so I'm open to suggestions??

Cheers.

John.

Hi John, unusually strong wedge you have there, they are normally 48 degrees.

Plenty to choose from here.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_nkwZgapQ20wedgeQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR18QQ_mdoZ

Mine are 48, 52, 56, 60.

PW - 48*, GW - 52*, SW - 58*

John,

I've taken the specs from here http://www.taylormadegolf.com/product_detail.asp?pID=142&section=specifications

I'll have a look & thanks for the advice.

John.

Ah!!! now we know how they market these more powerful clubs, just decrease the recognised lofts on each club.

I don't think these clubs were advertised as "hit them longer" clubs but I get your point.

It's well known that lofts have been slowly decreased over time as a "you will hit our irons further than your current set" sales technique.  If I remember correctly, the average modern four iron is close in loft to a 40 year old 2½ iron (if you know what I mean).  This, in my opinion, has had the added bonus for the club makers of making long irons even harder to hit so they've invented hybrids to sell as well!

I think you have hit the nail on the head there, Chris.

I reckon TaylorMade just made a mistake and etched the wrong number on a set of clubs.  One of their guys said "how come I'm hitting this 9 iron as far as I normally hit my 8 iron?".  They checked, realised their mistake and some bright spark in sales said "Hey, I've got a brilliant idea......."

Kevin,

Cheers, my clubs don't have that or claim to be 'extra long'. I'm now looking for a 50' wedge.

John.

 Re delofting of clubs: is it just me because with the newer type of 'bigger' headed clubs I can never identify what the iron is simply by grounding it...some 5 irons look like 7 irons and vice versa. It's a real turn off. at least with blades a 5 iron looks as it should.

Kevin,

Appreciate the offer but have you forgotten I'm a lefty??

John.