Golf Wedges
An ever increasing section of the golf market, specialist wedges should not be ignored by golfers from intermediate to advanced ability. All golf professionals carry specialist wedges, some up to 4 of them at a time. The reason for this is that they allow you to play a variety of shots from within 100 yards and around the green more consistently which, in turn will allow you to get closer to the pin. The average 18 handicap golfer may only hit 4-6 greens in regulation per round, hence more often than not a green will be missed and a chip will be required.
Non-Conforming Wedges
In 2010 a new rule was introduced regarding the size and shape of the grooves of a wedge. Golf club manufacturers had been producing wedges which gave “too much spin” which made the game too easy for Tour professionals. These “non-conforming” wedges are not allowed to be manufactured after 31st December 2010 but they can be sold until stocks are exhausted through 2011. They are allowed to be used in all most golf club competitions until 2024. These wedges are worth investing in – there is a reason why they have been outlawed!
Low Handicap
As you progress in your game, it becomes essential to carry more wedges. Most top golfers carry 4 wedges and it’s recommended that you do so also. Once you become proficient is using then, 4 wedges can give you many options from 100 yards into the pin which is the most crucial part of the game of golf.
There are two aspects to wedges. Firstly filling in the gaps of a typical set which could include a PW (pitching wedge) and a SW (sand wedge) is important with the addition of a GW (gap wedge) and LW (lob wedge). Check the lofts of your PW and SW to ensure the best spread. A recommended set up could be 48 degrees (PW), 52 degrees (GW), 56 degrees (SW) and 60 degrees (LW).
Secondly, the type of wedge can assist greatly around the greens. Consider the head shape and finish that you like to give you the best chance of a good shot. Another important consideration is bounce. The bounce of a wedge is important and by buying a specialist wedge you can get the exact bounce you need.
The bounce of a golf club is the angle between the ground and the front of the sole when the club, the leading edge (rear) of the sole, is placed on the ground. Higher bounce is generally good for softer turf conditions and escaping from bunkers. Lower bounce is good for firm conditions. Standard bounce is a good all round choice for non-bunker shots. If you dig into the turf with your iron shots then more bounce will help prevent this and vice versa; if you hit shallow iron shots then low bounce will help.
Medium Handicap
As you progress in your game, it becomes essential to carry more wedges. Most top golfers carry 4 wedges and it’s recommended that you do so also. Once you become proficient is using then, 4 wedges can give you many options from 100 yards into the pin which is the most crucial part of the game of golf.
There are two aspects to wedges. Firstly filling in the gaps of a typical set which could include a PW (pitching wedge) and a SW (sand wedge) is important with the addition of a GW (gap wedge) and LW (lob wedge). Check the lofts of your PW and SW to ensure the best spread. A recommended set up could be 48 degrees (PW), 52 degrees (GW), 56 degrees (SW) and 60 degrees (LW).
Secondly, the type of wedge can assist greatly around the greens. Consider the head shape and finish that you like to give you the best chance of a good shot. Another important consideration is bounce. The bounce of a wedge is important and by buying a specialist wedge you can get the exact bounce you need.
The bounce of a golf club is the angle between the ground and the front of the sole when the club, the leading edge (rear) of the sole, is placed on the ground. Higher bounce is generally good for softer turf conditions and escaping from bunkers. Lower bounce is good for firm conditions. Standard bounce is a good all round choice for non-bunker shots. If you dig into the turf with your iron shots then more bounce will help prevent this and vice versa; if you hit shallow iron shots then low bounce will help.
High Handicap
As a higher handicapper you have probably purchased a full set of irons most likely 4-SW. This is an eight iron set which includes irons 4,5,6,7,8,9, a PW (pitching wedge) and a SW (sand wedge). The two wedges will be of similar design to your iron set with a cavity back and they will be very forgiving. At this level they will be fine for general play and you will probably use your PW around the greens and SW for bunker play.
However you should think about adding extra wedges into your set as you improve. The GW (gap wedge) is designed to sit in between your PW and SW and this is useful for shots into the green of a distance which is in between PW and SW. For example if you hit your SW 70 yards and your PW 100 yards then there is a big gap between the two. Hence a GW could fill this gap as you may hit it 85 yards which is a lot easier to do than to slightly under hit a PW.
Also a LW (lob wedge) will give a higher golf ball flight and less distance that a SW and may hit this, say, 55 yards which gives you another option around the green. Don’t be deterred to invest in extra wedges as a high handicapper as hitting full shots around the green is much easier.