Buying Guide: Mens Clubs: Wedges
Wedges are an important part of a golfer's equipment. As already stated in the sets of irons section, most sets of irons are purchased with 8 irons being 3 to Pitching Wedge. It's important when you start out to purchase a further Sand Wedge. This is a special type of wedge that makes life a lot easier when trying to escape from bunkers. The SW can be of the same make and model as your main set of irons or it could be a completely separate wedge from a specialist manufacturer.
There are other types of wedges available from lofts of 46 degrees up to 64 degrees. These can be used for a variety of shots around and approaching the green. These clubs are for scoring and as you improve you may want to consider add more wedges to the pitching wedge and sand wedge that you own.
A PW is typically 46 or 48 degrees and a SW is typically 56 or 58 degrees. In between you have a Gap Wedge of around 52 degrees and outside you have a Lob Wedge that is around 60 degrees. The more loft the higher the ball but you can also hold the club face open to increase the loft for different types of shot making.
Choosing Your First Wedge
If you have a pitching wedge and a sand wedge in your set you may wish to consider adding to this as your game improves by looking at a Gap Wedge or a Lob Wedge. The considerations for this will be based on the type of game you have and the type of course you play. Many golf professional carry 4 wedges as they recognise that the ability to get up and down (i.e. one chip and one putt) from off the green is a vital part of scoring well.
Wedge Heads & Materials
Once you have selected the loft that you require then fairly uniquely there are multiple types of head materials and finishes to choose from. There are three main things that manufacturers are working on here. Firstly, the heads are now being manufactured with softer and softer metals, typically steel with a higher carbon content, so that golfers can maximise the feel and feedback they get with each shot. Secondly, the actual finish has deviated markedly from chrome to satin, black or oil can. The reason for this is that these types of clubs with an open face can glare in the sunlight and this is reduced with a non-chrome finish. Furthermore, they can be more durable and resistant to rust. Finally, manufacturers produce different types of grooves on the club face to enhance and maximise spin for more control.
It's inevitable with wedges that there is a high degree of personal preference when selecting a finish and head type. In general the head design of wedges is not so important when considering cavity back design etc. as wedges are easier to hit and not always used for full golf shots.
Another new variable to worry about with wedges is the bounce. This refers to the angle of the sole of the club against the horizontal. To work out what bounce angle you require it's important to understand what type of shots you want to play, what types of courses you play and also what type of swing you have.
In general if you're not sure then start with a standard bounce angle but otherwise lower bounce wedges are good for tight lies and firm turf conditions and also favour players who have a shallow angle of attack into the ball. Higher bounce wedges are for soft turf conditions and especially good for bunkers. They also suit golfers with an extremely steep angle of attack into the ball.
For further advice please don't hesitate to contact our experts at Nevada Bobs: customer.services@nevadabobs.co.uk
Wedge Shaft
The shaft of wedges is nearly always steel and the flex is nearly always stiff. This is because with wedges you are looking for accuracy and consistency and therefore this set up is the best. There are no worries with getting the ball airborne and you very rarely hit the ball at full power with a wedge. If you are matching to a set it's okay to have a regular flex.
Wedge Grip
One other point when selecting any club is grip. The size of the grip can have an effect if you have either particularly small or large hands. If you have small hands a thinner grip can have benefits and if you have large hands a thicker grip can have benefits. Most grips are of a standard thickness and will be fine for the majority of golfers.
They can be easily changed later at your local Nevada Bobs Golf shop if required.
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