Wedge Configuration?

[softconsult]

Guess I am feeling contrarian. Early last year one of my buddies, who is a 3, said that I was actually hurting myself with Pro V1 sucking back on too many shots. I hit it high with a lot of spin. He suggested I try the NXT Tour. I did and find it more than adequate for the greens we play. Sucks back a little less, but stops nicely.

 

[johnnymarlboro]

Guess I am feeling contrarian. Early last year one of my buddies, who is a 3, said that I was actually hurting myself with Pro V1 sucking back on too many shots. I hit it high with a lot of spin. He suggested I try the NXT Tour. I did and find it more than adequate for the greens we play. Sucks back a little less, but stops nicely.

Well, of course one must go with what fits their game the best. If it's cheaper then that is a bonus! I like to hit my wedges low so I prefer the higher spin, as well as the the extra spin around the greens. In reference to your earlier comment, I was also considering the Ping wedges because I think they look nice, and I thought the 17-4 stainless would be more durable than the majority of wedges.

 

[mgranato]

The difference between two year old grooves and 2 day old grooves won't make the shot off a great lie from the fairway. However, groove performance goes up (or down) exponentially as the lie condition drops and the distance of the shot decreases. It's from less than ideal lies that the fresh grooves earn their money. Then the question becomes, who plays from worse lies on a more consistent basis... 4 handis or 10 handis?

Can't stand knock-off components. They're bad products and bad for the game. But there are some very good original component companies out there that make some very good heads from excellent materials (some better quality than OEMs). Keeping the shaft and swapping heads when needed is absolutely a viable way of keeping your grooves fresh. Your golf ball can't tell the difference from an OEM name or a boutique name stamped on the back of the club, but it will know the condition of your grooves.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

The difference between two year old grooves and 2 day old grooves won't make the shot off a great lie from the fairway.

I know where you're going with your entire statement (i snipped it only for the above part) but when it comes to wedges this isn't entirely true. The #1 factor in real spin creation is the level of friction on the face; there's actually a conforming level in the rulebooks somewhere. That's why the diamond faced purspin inserts are illegal and can spin the ball back on concrete. So the groove itself won't matter on a fairway lie, you are 100% correct on that, but a 2 year old wedge will be verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry worn out in regards to face friction and that will definitely effect the spin rate.

Again above is for wedges specifically.

 

[mgranato]

I know where you're going with your entire statement (i snipped it only for the above part) but when it comes to wedges this isn't entirely true. The #1 factor in real spin creation is the level of friction on the face; there's actually a conforming level in the rulebooks somewhere. That's why the diamond faced purspin inserts are illegal and can spin the ball back on concrete. So the groove itself won't matter on a fairway lie, you are 100% correct on that, but a 2 year old wedge will be verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry worn out in regards to face friction and that will definitely effect the spin rate.

Again above is for wedges specifically.

Correct. I went with "make the shot" rather than "make a difference" because as you noted their is a difference. There will always be a difference, but for most, that difference can be harder to discern from the best of lies. To the degree is will effect spin rate from good lies depends on a number of factors. Is it a 500 rpm difference, a 1,000 rpm difference, a 1,500 rpm difference.... well it depends.

 

[Burner]

Hearing some of these comments, I'm definitely inclined to buy new wedges cheaply from a company like Adams. Maybe even cheaper. I'd rather not spend $360 or so on wedges every single year.

I think you should focus on your swing rather than what you are swinging and your problem will soon pale into insignificance.

Buying new wedges is just paying to get a new problem.

 

[GeoffDickson]

I sometimes think that 'more spin' is overrated, given that most punters leave the ball short of the hole on approach shots.

 

[tongzilla]

The #1 factor in real spin creation is the level of friction on the face;

not spin loft?

 

[magicmarker]

I will have to jump in to the other side of the ring on this one in order to give my insight. I play callaway x forged wedges, the vintage ones that look like they've been left out in the rain for 6 months... I love them, they're old and I know it. The 56 has 14 degrees of bounce and the 52 has 12. I have tried new wedges and there is no question they would add a lot more spin to all shots. But I have gotten so used to how shots come off that if I got new wedges it would change my intended landing spot on nearly every shot. I can still make these bad boys stop on a dime when I need them to but it is nice to get more distance and less spin on my misses. Ever hit a bad chip or pitch with mucho spin. Talk about an ugly shot... Chunk a chip and have it stop on a dime and you'll know what I mean. I guess my point is that if you are going to get used to fresh wedges, you're going to have to keep buying wedges... I have gotten used to worn out grooves and don't like all the extra spin so they have become the last clubs I would want to have to replace. The groove rule I think somewhat proves my point in a way. Everyone freaked out that the new grooves wouldn't spin the ball as much and then what happened on tour. Guys didn't lose control of their wedge shots they gained control if anything because now they all say that they don't have to worry about sucking balls off the front of a green anymore, thanks usga. The only amount of spin you need is enough for the shots you prefer to play. I don't wanna come off as the devil's advocate here, just want to put another perspective out there since I am obviously in the minority.

 

[hp12c]

Why not buy something ultra-cheap like MacGregor or Snake Eyes wedges?

Hey lifter I bought the snake eye 52 degre wedge head and 8 degrees bounce put a true temper steel shaft, cost 42 bucks . I do the gluing and grip works and I already had the shaft and grip. Works nice from sand, around the green, fairway.

 

[Lifter]

Hey lifter I bought the snake eye 52 degre wedge head and 8 degrees bounce put a true temper steel shaft, cost 42 bucks . I do the gluing and grip works and I already had the shaft and grip. Works nice from sand, around the green, fairway.

Thanks, hp12c, I'll look into it!

 

[tongzilla]

agree with you magicmarker, just get used to your wedge and play a consistent ball...ProV1

 

[hp12c]

Thanks, hp12c, I'll look into it!

Youre welcome, also try the Wilson duo ball, for me that club head and ball combo are good. The reason is I like the ball release a little when it lands on the green and the pro v and other high dollar balls were not releasing and spinnig back to much( yes sometimes to much spin can be bad).

 

[magicmarker]

Lifter, I would also add that before you start looking into your bounce configuration and what not, that you make absolutely sure that your wedges have the right lie, they must be 'flat enough' for the bounce to really work the way it's designed to IMO. Plus flatter helps to keep your misses on the toe side, also a plus.

 

[Lifter]

Thanks, magicmarker

 

[DCgolf]

On this wedge topic, what does widening the sole toward the toe do? Like new Nike wedges? We have Paspalum platinum here now and the green side shots are super tight. Driving a lot of my students crazy, I'd like to help them with club recommendations. Ideas?

 

[hp12c]

On this wedge topic, what does widening the sole toward the toe do? Like new Nike wedges? We have Paspalum platinum here now and the green side shots are super tight. Driving a lot of my students crazy, I'd like to help them with club recommendations. Ideas?

I read this here "the hell digs and the toe cuts" or something like that, so I would say it would help those who dig the heel in the turf on those chips shot. which is why on those tight lie chip shots I keep the heel high and the toe lower so not to heel dig on those shots, or I use the 4degree wedge (my putter)