Quote:
Originally Posted by Malzahn  First, let me say I'm new to posting in the forum. I've read for a while, but finally registered.
Now, to my question. I've been golfing for less than 12 months, so I'm still learning. (be gentle) My question is, how many wedges should be in my bag? I have a pw, sw, and a lob wedge that was given to me. A friend of mine said I needed a gap wedge also. Do you guys carry 4 wedges? If not, which ones do you leave out?
Thanks in advance. Love the forum.
-Malzahn |
Best advice to a new player.... Carry a pitching wedge and a sand wedge and learn to use them... get comfortable with what you can do with them, then make a decision on whether you need to add more, and which ones you might need. 2 wedges are plenty for a beginner.
The guys I know who are really good with their wedges, usually started with just one or two, learned the fundamentals, then only added to or changed the mix when they realized a NEED for it. The real key is to practice and get reasonably good with one or two at most, then you will have the experience to make a better judgment for what YOU need. I've seen more beginners short games ruined by trying to play a 60° LW before they really know what it's for, or what techniques are needed to be successful with it. They get frustrated by trying to use it in situations where they shouldn't because they see Phil or Tiger doing it, never realizing that this is very advanced stuff. And the best use for gap wedge is for bridging the full shot gap between the PW and SW, most useful once a player can hit his clubs about the same distance every time. Most beginners just add confusion when they start trying to use 3 or 4 different clubs for chipping and pitching too soon. Short game success is all about confidence, and being uncertain or indecisive is a sure path to a weak shot. Fewer club choices makes for easier decisions and more confident swings.
My original set didn't even have a PW. My first pitching was done with 9I. Then I got a full set and learned to use a PW and an 8I for chipping and other greenside shots. It was about 10 years after that, when I replaced that first full set that I finally bought a SW to go with the new clubs and learned to play bunker shots properly. I also learned that the SW is a valuable club to have even when not used for bunker shots. I don't recommend waiting that long to get the SW because it is a necessary tool, but I would leave the LW at home until you feel really good about your short game and can really begin to see where the LW should properly be used. A 56° SW can do most of what people try to use a LW can for, and it's more dependable for getting you out of the sand. Right now, after a lot of changing and experimenting, I'm only carrying 2 wedges.... the 45° PW that came with my set of Cobras, and a 56° Cleveland SW.
Summary... I'd keep the PW, get a 56° SW with about 12°-14° of bounce and learn to use both of them. If necessary take some short game lessons to help you develop good fundamentals. Then, and only then, can you decide what else your short game might need based on the YOUR game and the type of courses you play most often. Don't let anyone else talk you into buying this or that just because it works for them (or they think it does
) ... all that does is get expensive.