I currently have a Pitching wedge, but at some point will probably need a sand wedge and I don't know about a gap wedge. But anyway, what would be a good sand wedge?
At some "point" you will need a sand wedge?...you need a sand wedge NOW. Get a good 56 degree sand wedge with 13 or 14 degrees of bounce now. You will also benefit from a gap wedge to fill the spot between the PW and SW. The SW will do double duty, both out of sand traps and for high pitches near the green. You can add a lob wedge of 60 degrees too, but a SW alone can do almost as well. But at least pick up a sand wedge. I could not play without one. Even when I manage to keep out of the bunkers, my SW is useful around the green. For the money, it's hard to beat a Cleveland Model 588 SW. They are almost the gold standard in sand wedges, but any good brand will do as well. The Vokey is another super wedge.
wb4tjh is right in that you really need to get yourself a sand wedge. I'm going to explain exactly why: A SW has a large extra mass on the bottom of the club. How much extra down there is known as the bounce of the club, typically measured in degrees. Most SWs come with very high bounces. This bounce is there to allow the SW to glide just under the top layer of the sand. Glide as opposed to digging into the sand; it is analogous to an airplane wing -- just like the wing directs air above and below the wing, the extra mass on the SW directs sand around the club. Gliding increases the margin of error on sand shots quite a lot. For example, you can enter the sand as much as an inch farther behind the ball with a SW and still have a pretty acceptable shot. It won't be perfect -- you did miss your intended target by an inch -- but it probably will still be decent. If you missed by that far with a low bounce club, it would dig deep into the sand and all you'd do is throw a bunch of sand around and probably not get the ball out. It is also important to glide through the sand since in the majority of sand shots, you are going to want to hit the sand with the club first and let the ball be scooted out on top of the thrown up sand, in general, for sand shot you do not want to hit the ball first as opposed to almost every other shot.
Traditionally, a SW comes at around 56 degrees. If there is a large gap between your PW and SW, that is where a gap wedge comes in handy. Today, there are sets that have PWs as strong as 45 degree. Most people need a club between them, but you don't have to have one. Or, you can try to find a wedge that would close the gap some, like a 54 degree SW. Or, if you do want to get a gap wedge, then you could consider a 58 degree SW. Whatever degree you choose, you just have to make sure that it has a high degree of bounce, at least 10 degrees and most are around 12 or 14 degrees. Then, if you find you want to shoot the ball up even higher, a lob wedge at 60 degrees or more loft can be useful there. However, some people find that that high of a lofted club is very hard to hit, so try one out before you purchase. (That flat of a wedge is easy to fluff and easy to skull, at least in part because most 60 degree wedges come with very low bounces, you have to hit it exactly perfect). A 60 degree wedge is not a necessity like a SW really is. It is only in the last 15 years or so that LW have really become common, there was a lot of really good golf played before they became common so they aren't a necessity. Compare that to Gene Sarazen inventing the modern SW in 1930 and soon thereafter everyone on tour had one. A SW really is a necessity.
Finally, any club with a reputable company's name on it will be good. I'd suggest you go to your local store and try out as many different ones as you can to find the one that is right to you. For example, the heads from different companies can weigh different amounts, the shafts will be different, and of course they will look different. You could buy a good used one to practice with before you decide which brand new one would be best for you and your game. But, as with wb4tjh said, you need a SW NOW -- you will find it incredibly easier to get your ball out of the bunker with a SW than your PW.
Last edited by Bignose : July 2nd, 2007 at 03:50 AM.
At some "point" you will need a sand wedge?...you need a sand wedge NOW. Get a good 56 degree sand wedge with 13 or 14 degrees of bounce now. You will also benefit from a gap wedge to fill the spot between the PW and SW. The SW will do double duty, both out of sand traps and for high pitches near the green. You can add a lob wedge of 60 degrees too, but a SW alone can do almost as well. But at least pick up a sand wedge. I could not play without one. Even when I manage to keep out of the bunkers, my SW is useful around the green. For the money, it's hard to beat a Cleveland Model 588 SW. They are almost the gold standard in sand wedges, but any good brand will do as well. The Vokey is another super wedge.
I would get one now but don't have the money for it.
Be careful what kind of wedges you purchase. My short game is decent enough now so I purchased the Callaway X-Tours, however, these are not as forgiving a club (as are many of the "tour" wedges).
You don't need to spend a lot for a SW. Founders Clubs make very good equipment at very reasonable prices. Edwin Watts carries them. If you are a high handicapper go to Walmart and buy a SW there. You can get one for about $19.99 and can experiment with it without spending much money. That what I did when I started focusing on my short-game, and upgraded slowly as I got better.
Be careful what kind of wedges you purchase. My short game is decent enough now so I purchased the Callaway X-Tours, however, these are not as forgiving a club (as are many of the "tour" wedges).
You don't need to spend a lot for a SW. Founders Clubs make very good equipment at very reasonable prices. Edwin Watts carries them. If you are a high handicapper go to Walmart and buy a SW there. You can get one for about $19.99 and can experiment with it without spending much money. That what I did when I started focusing on my short-game, and upgraded slowly as I got better.
Okay, got a 25 dollar SW at Wal-Mart, they had one for the same price that looked more like a Driver, but had the angling of a SW, the Dunlop no problem 56*. I went with the more classic looking SW, now to my next question, I saw a club that looked like a putter but was angled like a wedge, the club head said it was a chipper, what is this and should I have one?
Okay, got a 25 dollar SW at Wal-Mart, they had one for the same price that looked more like a Driver, but had the angling of a SW, the Dunlop no problem 56*. I went with the more classic looking SW, now to my next question, I saw a club that looked like a putter but was angled like a wedge, the club head said it was a chipper, what is this and should I have one?
Some people find a "chipper" easier to get through the grass when they are chipping. It's supposed to prevent blading the ball or hitting it fat. I've never had one so what I am relating is just anecdotal.
Some people find a "chipper" easier to get through the grass when they are chipping. It's supposed to prevent blading the ball or hitting it fat. I've never had one so what I am relating is just anecdotal.
IMO its a gimmick, tried it and i think a 7 iron or your good old Texas Wedge(putter) is Best.
July 1st, 2007, 09:59 PM
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