Wedges - what difference is 2-degrees?

[hodgepodge75]

Hi all. Long time reader, first time poster.

I have a question about wedges, and a specific situation that has been happening more frequently as my game comes together this spring.

Basically, I'm hitting my gap wedge (part of TM R7 iron set) too far; flying over greens from 100-105 yards out pretty consistently. The next wedge in my set is a 56-degree Vokey that I can't hit over 90 yards, so I have a bit of a gap there.

In the same situation, what would you do?

a) run out and buy a 54-degree wedge (only 2-degrees stronger than my current)
b) run out and buy a 52-degree wedge (only 2 degrees loftier than my gap wedge)
c) just grip down on my gap wedge when hitting from the 100-105 range.

I'm leaning towards (c). Partially because of money, but also because I'm not convinced that a 2-degree loft change in either direction will make a huge difference. Am I wrong?

Thanks in advance.

[Hacker]

A TM R7 Approach Wedge has 50* of loft, the TM R7 PW has 45* of loft and the 9I has 40* of loft

If I were you I'd take your 56* to GT and have them bend it to 55*, that would leave you with 50*, 55* and a 60* if you carry a lob wedge.

This should help close your gap and it will provide a nice 5* difference between all of your scoring irons.

My 2 cents

[jeffc]

I had my 52 deg TM Z-cutter bent to 50 to close the gap. I would hit the 52 about 95 yards and I wanted to be able to hit it further. I hit the 50 about 110. PW for me is 130. So for me, 2 deg = about 15 yds for this set-up.

[jvincent]

A couple of points to consider:

1. All clubs have tolerances for loft so your current lofts may not be to spec.
2. If you bend clubs, especially wedges, the bounce angle changes and depending on what club you are bending the resulting bounce may/may not be helpful.

[hodgepodge75]

Thanks guys. I still have some thinking to do, but jeffc's situation seems to mirror mine pretty closely. We both seem to be hitting a 50-deg in the 110 range. Judging by Jeff was hitting his 52 before the modification, it looks like I can at least take the option of a 54-deg off the table for me. I'm still a bit nervous about having clubs bent.

A couple trips to the range and a couple more rounds with my current setup should shed some more light on the situation as well.

Thanks again - have fun out there this weekend!

[Hacker]

Thanks guys. I still have some thinking to do, but jeffc's situation seems to mirror mine pretty closely. We both seem to be hitting a 50-deg in the 110 range. Judging by Jeff was hitting his 52 before the modification, it looks like I can at least take the option of a 54-deg off the table for me. I'm still a bit nervous about having clubs bent.

A couple trips to the range and a couple more rounds with my current setup should shed some more light on the situation as well.

Thanks again - have fun out there this weekend!

Don't worry about having your wedges bent. So long as they are forged this is NOT a big deal at all. Even if they are cast, a 1* bend is no cause for concern. As for the effect on the effective bounce of your club, reducing the loft of your sand wedge by 1 degree will reduce the bounce angle by 1 degree - not really a huge change

[Chieflongtee]

Check this first before having anything bent:
http://golfworks.com/images/art/Iron...0Not%20Rec.pdf

I recently snapped a Cleveland wedge that was not on the list. Bummer

[jeffc]

Thanks guys. I still have some thinking to do, but jeffc's situation seems to mirror mine pretty closely. We both seem to be hitting a 50-deg in the 110 range. Judging by Jeff was hitting his 52 before the modification, it looks like I can at least take the option of a 54-deg off the table for me. I'm still a bit nervous about having clubs bent.

A couple trips to the range and a couple more rounds with my current setup should shed some more light on the situation as well.

Thanks again - have fun out there this weekend!

clubs get adjusted all the time for lie and loft. I'd be willing to bet the specs of your existing clubs are not what they say, most OEM's aren't. Don't sweat it, just find a good club builder that can do it for you.

Andre, thanks for the list...good to see.

[Hacker]

Check this first before having anything bent:
http://golfworks.com/images/art/Iron...0Not%20Rec.pdf

I recently snapped a Cleveland wedge that was not on the list. Bummer

Hmmm I didn't even realize that other club manufacturers made wedges........I thought that everyone used Titleist Vokeys

[Chieflongtee]

Hmmm I didn't even realize that other club manufacturers made wedges........I thought that everyone used Titleist Vokeys

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