Choosing Your Wedges Properly Can Lower Your Score
Choosing your wedges It is estimated that 75% of shots during a round are played within 100 feet of the pin.
As a consequence, over the past decade, wedges have become increasingly sophisticated, and dexterity with these instruments will certainly both lower your score and add to your enjoyment of the game.
Many golfers, including pros, now carry 2 to 4 wedges in their bag, yet what sets them apart is their mastery, through practice.
The pros spend hours every day honing their skills with their wedges.
Grooves in irons channel moisture and grass away from the club surface, thereby allowing for better, cleaner contact with the golf ball much like treads on a tire.
Effective this year there have been rules to limit groove volume.
This basically means the limits on grooves on all clubs, excluding drivers and putters, are going to be reduced and they will become shallower and narrower, but these arguably will have a minimal effect for the average golfer.
Grooves are either of the U-groove, Square -groove or V- groove nature.
Larger grooves allow for more spin.
The sharpness of the edges of the grooves will also be more stringently regulated on all clubs will a loft of 25 degrees or more (roughly your 5 iron through to your wedges) which will also help to preserve your golf balls for slightly longer.
My personal belief is that limiting the size of grooves will bring more skill back into the game and force ball manufacturers to produce a different ball.
All of which will dilute the 'Bomb and Gauge' mentality prevalent in today's game, AND it will also bring back a lot of golf courses, which technology today has necessitated increasing their lengths, to normality.
Non-professionals will have until 2024 to change their clubs which at this point in time, should not present a problem as the existing clubs will be outdated and old models.
Particular grinds, like a C grind, are becoming increasingly popular with short-game artistes.
This is where the heel and toe are ground down on the trailing side of the sole.
This allows the sole and leading edge to lay flat on shots where the face needs opening, while still providing bounce relief on full shots.
In actuality, these wedges can give the best of both worlds to golfers of all levels.
Gap Wedges Gap wedges were designed to fill the gap that exists between your pitching and sand wedge.
A gap wedge allows you more opportunity to play full shots when you are faced with those difficult in-between distances.
Today's pitching wedges have lofts from 44° to 48° and sand wedges from 54° to 58°.
That's a difference of around 10.
The loft differential between a standard nine iron and pitching wedge is 4, so the gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge is almost 2.
5 club lengths.
One is therefore forced to choke down on the wedge shots much of the time, and we all know that 3/4 shots are much tougher to play than full shots.
Gap wedges generally have 51° or 52° degrees of loft, which places them nicely in the middle.
Most of the premium manufacturers produce gap wedges that match their sets.
There are also specific companies that specialize in wedges, in all lofts, such as Feel Golf, Vokey wedges, Bettinardi Golf and Eidolon Golf.
Unfortunately, one of the best wedge manufacturers, Sonartec, closed up shop, due to a company raider, rather than the quality of the wedges.
Gap wedges have "bounce", but the measurement or degree of bounce isn't that relevant because gap wedges are mainly used for full shots.
Bounce is where the trailing edge of the wedge sits below the leading edge at the address position.
If possible, look for a gap wedge with a similar face profile and shaft weight o your existing wedges.
Sand Wedges Sand wedges are designed to slice through bunker sand and can also be used for approach shots and chipping around the greens.
They too have "bounce" which allows the club head to slide smoothly through the sand without digging.
Sand wedges are available in different "degrees' of bounce: Low handicaps - may prefer a little less bounce (around 8).
This enables a low handicapper to judge shots more accurately from all sand conditions.
However, it requires more skill to benefit from the low bounce - you must be able to hit the selected spot behind the ball with good precision, especially in softer sand where the sole will not slide that easily.
High handicaps - are most secure with high bounce (around 16) sand wedges.
These provide maximum margin for error out of sand (especially soft sand) because of the high "bounce' angle - you can hit with a generous degree of latitude behind the ball without much resulting difference.
However, while high bounce wedges are great from soft sand, they are a disadvantage from firmer sand bunkers as they may be inclined to "bounce".
When chipping with a sand wedge, the same rules apply as in lob wedges.
Lob Wedges Lob wedges perform those delicate up and downs around the greens better than any other club.
They generally have 60° to 64° degrees of loft and are therefore one club more lofted than a sand wedge.
Lob wedges are primarily used for chipping around the greens.
The extra loft gets the ball up quickly, and the additional spin that the loft applies, stops the ball more effectively.
Lob wedges are great for popping the ball up quickly, over bunkers or for attacking the pin in tight positions 'a la Phil Mickelson'.
Lob wedges are most effective from 60 yards in.
Caveat: Do not purchase a lob wedge if you're battling to chip with your sand wedge.
Because it has greater loft, you're required to execute a fuller swing to cover the same distance, which greatly increases your risk.
Practicing on a consistent basis is a necessity, not just with the lob wedge, but also with all aspects of your short game.
When it comes to bounce, the same rules apply: * Low bounce lob wedges (around 4 degrees) tend to be best for lower handicaps and are perfect for players who like to be creative around the greens.
They are also the most effective option from tight lies and firm turf conditions.
The combination of less bounce and a narrower sole lowers the leading edge of the blade to promote clean contact.
However, mistakes are heavily punished because the leading edge digs in on mis-hits.
* There isn't enough bounce to help it slide through.
In bunkers, low bounce lob wedges are only effective in firm or hardpan conditions - they don't have enough bounce to slide through medium or fluffy sand.
Mid bounce lob wedges (around 8 degrees) are great for mid handicaps.
They are versatile and offer a good blend of finesse and forgiveness.
Mid bounce lob wedges can be used in a wide variety of sand and turf conditions.
The bounce is sufficient to prevent over digging and helps create a smoother gliding action under the ball for more consistent shot making.
They are effective from bunkers as well as around the greens.
Recommended mid bounce lob wedges: High bounce lob wedges (around 12 degrees) are generally preferred by higher handicaps and work best in lush and soft turf conditions and from soft, fluffy bunkers.
They react well on mis-hits behind the ball and are generally more forgiving.
During winter, or on courses that don't have much grass cover, high bounce wedges may "bounce" excessively through impact resulting in skinned/thin shots.
Caveat: For lower handicaps, high bounce wedges are clumsy and difficult to "finesse".
Lastly, remember that less expensive wedges are only made from traditional stainless steel, which may feel a little harder and offer less spin.
Premium wedges are either forged or cast from soft carbon steel which gives/imparts a softer feel and a little more spin.
Similarly, copper and brass options are also a little softer and offer the same benefits.
Black oxide and other non-standard finishes reduce glare (reflection), but do not offer any appreciable playability advantage.
A chrome finish is the most popular finish found on today's wedges.
As with all types of tools, to develop proficient skills, practice makes perfect and the more time you spend with your wedges, the faster you will accomplish reducing your score.
The answer is in the dirt!
As a consequence, over the past decade, wedges have become increasingly sophisticated, and dexterity with these instruments will certainly both lower your score and add to your enjoyment of the game.
Many golfers, including pros, now carry 2 to 4 wedges in their bag, yet what sets them apart is their mastery, through practice.
The pros spend hours every day honing their skills with their wedges.
Grooves in irons channel moisture and grass away from the club surface, thereby allowing for better, cleaner contact with the golf ball much like treads on a tire.
Effective this year there have been rules to limit groove volume.
This basically means the limits on grooves on all clubs, excluding drivers and putters, are going to be reduced and they will become shallower and narrower, but these arguably will have a minimal effect for the average golfer.
Grooves are either of the U-groove, Square -groove or V- groove nature.
Larger grooves allow for more spin.
The sharpness of the edges of the grooves will also be more stringently regulated on all clubs will a loft of 25 degrees or more (roughly your 5 iron through to your wedges) which will also help to preserve your golf balls for slightly longer.
My personal belief is that limiting the size of grooves will bring more skill back into the game and force ball manufacturers to produce a different ball.
All of which will dilute the 'Bomb and Gauge' mentality prevalent in today's game, AND it will also bring back a lot of golf courses, which technology today has necessitated increasing their lengths, to normality.
Non-professionals will have until 2024 to change their clubs which at this point in time, should not present a problem as the existing clubs will be outdated and old models.
Particular grinds, like a C grind, are becoming increasingly popular with short-game artistes.
This is where the heel and toe are ground down on the trailing side of the sole.
This allows the sole and leading edge to lay flat on shots where the face needs opening, while still providing bounce relief on full shots.
In actuality, these wedges can give the best of both worlds to golfers of all levels.
Gap Wedges Gap wedges were designed to fill the gap that exists between your pitching and sand wedge.
A gap wedge allows you more opportunity to play full shots when you are faced with those difficult in-between distances.
Today's pitching wedges have lofts from 44° to 48° and sand wedges from 54° to 58°.
That's a difference of around 10.
The loft differential between a standard nine iron and pitching wedge is 4, so the gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge is almost 2.
5 club lengths.
One is therefore forced to choke down on the wedge shots much of the time, and we all know that 3/4 shots are much tougher to play than full shots.
Gap wedges generally have 51° or 52° degrees of loft, which places them nicely in the middle.
Most of the premium manufacturers produce gap wedges that match their sets.
There are also specific companies that specialize in wedges, in all lofts, such as Feel Golf, Vokey wedges, Bettinardi Golf and Eidolon Golf.
Unfortunately, one of the best wedge manufacturers, Sonartec, closed up shop, due to a company raider, rather than the quality of the wedges.
Gap wedges have "bounce", but the measurement or degree of bounce isn't that relevant because gap wedges are mainly used for full shots.
Bounce is where the trailing edge of the wedge sits below the leading edge at the address position.
If possible, look for a gap wedge with a similar face profile and shaft weight o your existing wedges.
Sand Wedges Sand wedges are designed to slice through bunker sand and can also be used for approach shots and chipping around the greens.
They too have "bounce" which allows the club head to slide smoothly through the sand without digging.
Sand wedges are available in different "degrees' of bounce: Low handicaps - may prefer a little less bounce (around 8).
This enables a low handicapper to judge shots more accurately from all sand conditions.
However, it requires more skill to benefit from the low bounce - you must be able to hit the selected spot behind the ball with good precision, especially in softer sand where the sole will not slide that easily.
High handicaps - are most secure with high bounce (around 16) sand wedges.
These provide maximum margin for error out of sand (especially soft sand) because of the high "bounce' angle - you can hit with a generous degree of latitude behind the ball without much resulting difference.
However, while high bounce wedges are great from soft sand, they are a disadvantage from firmer sand bunkers as they may be inclined to "bounce".
When chipping with a sand wedge, the same rules apply as in lob wedges.
Lob Wedges Lob wedges perform those delicate up and downs around the greens better than any other club.
They generally have 60° to 64° degrees of loft and are therefore one club more lofted than a sand wedge.
Lob wedges are primarily used for chipping around the greens.
The extra loft gets the ball up quickly, and the additional spin that the loft applies, stops the ball more effectively.
Lob wedges are great for popping the ball up quickly, over bunkers or for attacking the pin in tight positions 'a la Phil Mickelson'.
Lob wedges are most effective from 60 yards in.
Caveat: Do not purchase a lob wedge if you're battling to chip with your sand wedge.
Because it has greater loft, you're required to execute a fuller swing to cover the same distance, which greatly increases your risk.
Practicing on a consistent basis is a necessity, not just with the lob wedge, but also with all aspects of your short game.
When it comes to bounce, the same rules apply: * Low bounce lob wedges (around 4 degrees) tend to be best for lower handicaps and are perfect for players who like to be creative around the greens.
They are also the most effective option from tight lies and firm turf conditions.
The combination of less bounce and a narrower sole lowers the leading edge of the blade to promote clean contact.
However, mistakes are heavily punished because the leading edge digs in on mis-hits.
* There isn't enough bounce to help it slide through.
In bunkers, low bounce lob wedges are only effective in firm or hardpan conditions - they don't have enough bounce to slide through medium or fluffy sand.
Mid bounce lob wedges (around 8 degrees) are great for mid handicaps.
They are versatile and offer a good blend of finesse and forgiveness.
Mid bounce lob wedges can be used in a wide variety of sand and turf conditions.
The bounce is sufficient to prevent over digging and helps create a smoother gliding action under the ball for more consistent shot making.
They are effective from bunkers as well as around the greens.
Recommended mid bounce lob wedges: High bounce lob wedges (around 12 degrees) are generally preferred by higher handicaps and work best in lush and soft turf conditions and from soft, fluffy bunkers.
They react well on mis-hits behind the ball and are generally more forgiving.
During winter, or on courses that don't have much grass cover, high bounce wedges may "bounce" excessively through impact resulting in skinned/thin shots.
Caveat: For lower handicaps, high bounce wedges are clumsy and difficult to "finesse".
Lastly, remember that less expensive wedges are only made from traditional stainless steel, which may feel a little harder and offer less spin.
Premium wedges are either forged or cast from soft carbon steel which gives/imparts a softer feel and a little more spin.
Similarly, copper and brass options are also a little softer and offer the same benefits.
Black oxide and other non-standard finishes reduce glare (reflection), but do not offer any appreciable playability advantage.
A chrome finish is the most popular finish found on today's wedges.
As with all types of tools, to develop proficient skills, practice makes perfect and the more time you spend with your wedges, the faster you will accomplish reducing your score.
The answer is in the dirt!