Which wedges ?

I am finally coming round to the idea of ditching my 55' sand wedge and replacing it with a 54' or 56' aswell as a 60' lob wedge.

I find the sole on my sand wedge way too deep when playing from tight fairway lies. I am hoping that the thinner sole and lower bounce of a  wedge will help create more stop.

Does anyone have any advice about which brands to look at ? i was thinking about the Titeliest Vokeys, but would be interested in any opinions out there.

Tim, you are a good player, so I have no problems if you do not agree with my take on Wedges.

In my day, a Sand Wedge at 56 deg was the highest lofted club available and this made it imperative to learn all the different shots that can be played with this very versatile club, yes even from tight lies on fairways. I used to play shots that I have never seen repeated by any of the current leading golf professionals. Yes they appear to play the same shot, but they are not using a sand wedge to do it.

The shot from a tight fairway with a sand wedge has to be played with a very steep pick up on the backswing, so that the leading edge of the club is able to get into the ball correctly, thus negating the bounce.  It was known as a cut up shot in my day, and very useful it was as well.

Hi John

I totally agree with your comments, the unfortunate thing is that i cant play the variety of shots you are talking about with my sand wedge.

I cant seem to take the club away or return it to impact steeply enough to negate the bounce, and when i do i often chop down so much that i come up short.

maybe its in my head or maybe i am guilty of trying to buy success rather than working at my swing, however, there is not a pro around that doesnt carry a 60' or even 64' wedge.

I am overcoming a motorbike accident at the moment, so trying any clubs out will have to wait a few weeks, as will getting out on the course.

I will let you know how i go.

Tim.

I use vokey wedges and they are fine, I don't really see a great deal of difference in the wedges and do like the Cleveleand and the Taylor made wedges as well. In terms of lofts it's a matter of preference you need to get what suits your game and sits correctly with your exisiting iron lofts and with the required bounce for your home course.

As a little note though I wouldn't take all pro's having 60 and 64 degree wedges as gospel or as a yard stick. Probaly only half the pro's carry a 60 wedge with very few carrying a 64, and those that do carry a 64 will only carry it for certain events at the sacrifice of a 5 wood or rescue.

Tiger carries a 60 degree wedge but his lofts are already 2 degrees weak on his irons, his PW is probably therefore around 50 degrees so he has a 55 degree wedge between  his PW and LW to even out the gap. If you look at modern irons sold to us in golf shops alot of PW are set at around 45 degrees (a ploy used by manufacturers to con us into thinking we get extended distance with our new clubs) you would have a 9 degree gap between your PW and 54 degree giving a huge yardge gap for some of your most important shots.

I would recomend you check the lofts of your ironds before buying your wedges, A safe bet would be to get a 52 degree gap wedge with low bounce and a 56 with a decet amount of bounce that you can open up to play the higher lofted shots. Like I say though it is all personal preference and try as many as you can before you buy.

I have never ever bought specialist wedges, I have always used the ones that come with a set of clubs, which currently are 48deg PW 52 deg Gap and 56 Sand, all Callaway X14's. I might add that I have no trouble stopping the ball with them.

I'm not a great benchmark due to lack of golf but I also love the Cleveland CG wedges and have great fun with my 60'

I have never bothered what name was on a wedge. I just take them on looks and feel. That is why I have a set of Hippo wedges  54*, 58* and 60* and a 'Go' SW at 52*. They do fine and I then have every shot I want available.

TheLyth