Wedge Gapping

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By Zack T

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  • 62 Replies
  1. Zack T

    Zack T
    Lakeland, FL

    I started playing golf around 2 years ago and the first new clubs I ever purchased was the Vokey SM8's. I absolutely love them and the variety of shots I could hit, however, when I bought new irons my gapping was way off. My original 3 wedges were 52, 56, and 60 as that a very common setup and that was the advice I was given by a friend. The pitching wedge of my iron set was 43 degrees though and I really struggled hitting shots between 115-130 yds (which I was left with very often). 2 weeks ago I got a 48 degree Vokey wedge and I can now feel comfortable from that range but I had to take the 4 iron out of the bag. Does anyone else play with a 5 wedge setup (PW-LW)?

  2. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Welcome to the game of golf and to the Team Titleist forum. Being new to the game we kinda rely on recommendations from our friends, which can be good and bad. Most of the time it is not good. They do not do it for a living and are not really qualified, although their intentions are good. We can purchase clubs that do not fit our set up and possibly have the wrong shafts. I always recommend someone who is new to go get a fitting. A tough wedge to hit for someone new is the higher lofted wedges, 60,62, 64. I leave that to the guys on the tour who do that for a living. I am 76 and the most I play with on a normal day is a 56*. I am going to a course that has a lot of fluffy sand I might carry my 58*. A 56.10*S is a great standard wedge for most golfers, then you work backwards at four to five degree intervals. 52, 48, 44. I play T300 irons, because at my age I want an improvement iron and my set up runs 5(22),6(25),7(28),8(32),9(37),P(42),W(47), 52.08F, 56.10S. Yes, I was fitted for this set by a Titleist certified fitter so I know that I have the right heads and shafts. My irons are gapped one degree strong, 2* flat and my shafts are .5 " over. I am 6'2". It all has nothing to do with height, but more so to do with arms length. A lot goes into getting a well fit set of clubs. If it is done correctly on the front end, you save yourself a lot of heartaches and money. I also am set up with a Driver 10.75, Fairway 15.75, and two hybrids 18* and 22*. Hybrids are so easy to hit and can save a lot of strokes.
  3. MICHAEL M

    MICHAEL M

    Play a 56 and 58 thinking about adding a 60 again
  4. JYoung

    JYoung
    Ohio

    I've only ever had a 4 wedge set up. PW, 52, 56 & 60. If and when I upgrade to the T200 or T300 I would have a 5 wedge set like you are talking about. The way some of these distance/game improvement irons change up the lofts I think the 5 wedge set up may become more common.
  5. Derekb

    Derekb

    That's a lot of wedges to carry

    The problem for me with too many wedges would be knowing what shot you want to hit and what you are trying to achieve

    Better to get used to a couple then add more to your bag

    Just my personal opinion
  6. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    derek b said:

    That's a lot of wedges to carry

    The problem for me with too many wedges would be knowing what shot you want to hit and what you are trying to achieve

    Better to get used to a couple then add more to your bag

    Just my personal opinion

    Sometimes less is more. I agree. It does get confusing with 5 wedges. One time I carried a 46* PW. Vokeys were 50-08F, 54-10S, 58-08M and 64 (Callie 64/10 PM Grind). It's more clear cut with a 48* PW, 56-12D (bent to 54), 58-04T (bent to 59) and Wedgeworks 64W. I have been a Wedgeworks 64W for almost 3 years now. There's also no rule in Golf that says you have to carry 52-56-60 either. Even way back when, I carried 50-58-64 (which is what I played at Torrey in 2018 too). That has been pretty much a winning combo. My 3 wedge setup is 48-56-64 (58-14K bent to 56).
  7. Dan S

    Dan S
    Westchester, IL

    I do. Dr, 3W, 3H, 5-PW set, then 48, 52, 56, 60 Vokey Sm9s. No 4 iron. Wedges are "scoring" clubs which I feel is more important to me than my 4iron which I didn't hit consistently solid as my hybrid. I choke down on my 3 hybrid and hit it my 4 iron distance. My old 714-AP1s PW was 48* now that's my gap. New PW lofts have a lot of us with an "extra" wedge.
  8. Zack T

    Zack T
    Lakeland, FL

    That's the problem I've found... the lofts of irons have constantly been getting stronger and the gap between wedges seem to be larger from PW to the next wedge in the bag. It seemed a little off to carry 5 wedges but if you think the modern PW is lofted more like a 9 iron it makes more sense. Thanks for your help!
  9. Steve H

    Steve H
    St. Charles, MO

    Have to agree, sometimes more is not the answer. I like 4 wedges, I have a set of Titleist 150's, strong loft, so I bent the PW-44 to 45, GW-48 to 50, Like a little more bounce on my SW so I bent the 54 to 55 and left the 60 as is.
    Like everything, try changes and see what works best for you.
  10. Kenny PGA Associate

    Kenny PGA Associate
    Massachusetts

    My advice would be with a 43 degree pw
    48, 54, 58 or 60 depending on how comfortable you are with lofted wedges.
  11. ZBlanco

    ZBlanco

    I was just asking where I can find a 48 sm8 in black
  12. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    ZBlanco said:

    I was just asking where I can find a 48 sm8 in black

    Probably Golf Mart
  13. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    They were released 7-8 years ago. New from Titleist is not an option. Start with eBay, and try resellers like 2nd Swing, 3 Balls, Rock Bottom, etc. As well as local golf shops. You may need to shop over months until you get lucky. Even the chrome finish will be relatively rare. In black - are you feeling lucky?
  14. Mary Beth S.

    Mary Beth S.
    Lenexa, KS

    I carry five wedges and took my long irons (4-5) out of my bag. I can hit my 21* hybrid just as well as the 4-iron with better control and found the gapping between the 21* and my 6-iron works for me (I play T300's and the 5 degrees between the 2 clubs is fine). I feel more comfortable over a wedge than a long iron, too...
  15. DK

    DK
    Northeastern, PA

    I carry and play depending on the shot, a PW, 50, 55, 60, and 64. Love them all for the conditions I face and what I like to do with them. Different course conditions call for a different wedge.
  16. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    48-53-58-64 for 4 wedges. 48-56-64 for 3.
  17. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Lou G said:

    48-53-58-64 for 4 wedges. 48-56-64 for 3.

    K grind on the 56 loft at my home courses. D and T grind if I play on a course I’m not familiar with.
  18. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Lou G said:

    48-53-58-64 for 4 wedges. 48-56-64 for 3.

    As my profile pic shows, I have both in a carry bag but leave out the 6 and 8 irons. One of my home courses has both soft and hard bunkers so I carry 4 wedges. My other home course I now use 4 wedges. I can play K grind on either course.
  19. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    46-52-58-64. I bring a 56–12D bent to 55 on other than my home courses
  20. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Lou G said:

    46-52-58-64. I bring a 56–12D bent to 55 on other than my home courses

    I’m keeping the 56-12D in for thick grass.
  21. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Lou G said:

    46-52-58-64. I bring a 56–12D bent to 55 on other than my home courses

    I have a 56-08M bent to 54, 56-12D and 58-04T. In reserve I have a 60-14K bent to 58 and a Wedgeworks 64W. I have one course I play where the 56-08M and 58-04T is sufficient and another that I played a 54-10S bent to 52 and the 60-14K. If I use a carry bag, my lofts are 48-56-64 and I’ll play the 56-12D or a forged 58/12 bent to 56.
  22. Bob T

    Bob T

    I am in the same situation. Have carried a 47 degree PW and 52-56-60 SM4s for ever. Revamping my bag this year and got fit for a new set of T200s. I got the set gap wedge but now I’m trying to figure out what to get to replace my trusty SM4 56 and 60
  23. Play18

    Play18
    Aurora, IL

    I play the 2021 T200 5-PW and SM9 48°, 52° and 58°. The SM9 48° has better feel and control than the stock set AW. Check out a Titleist fitter and see if you need five wedges. That is a lot of wedges. I believe golfers play better with fewer clubs and are limited to 12.
  24. CCaputo

    CCaputo

    Good day. I’m a 13 handicap. I’m your typical inconsistent golfer. I use all plus one shafts and use a PW/47, 50 and 56. It’s all I’ve ever needed and our club is challenging.

    It appears from what I notice at the course is people watch to much TV and think they need 6 wedges. Stick to a few and learn to hit them. I open my 56 up if I need extra loft or in an odd bunker.

    Just my 2 cents. Happy golfing!!
  25. Jonathan Smith

    Jonathan Smith
    Charlotte, NC

    I have a 48* A wedge that I rarely ever use. I have a 54* SM9 that I use for chipping and approaches and finally the 60* SM9.
  26. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Zack T said:

    I started playing golf around 2 years ago and the first new clubs I ever purchased was the Vokey SM8's. I absolutely love them and the variety of shots I could hit, however, when I bought new irons my gapping was way off. My original 3 wedges were 52, 56, and 60 as that a very common setup and that was the advice I was given by a friend. The pitching wedge of my iron set was 43 degrees though and I really struggled hitting shots between 115-130 yds (which I was left with very often). 2 weeks ago I got a 48 degree Vokey wedge and I can now feel comfortable from that range but I had to take the 4 iron out of the bag. Does anyone else play with a 5 wedge setup (PW-LW)?

    46-52-55-58-64. The 55 loft is a 56-12D bent strong. I keep it handy for soft bunkers and thick grass. The 46* is a 695MB P. 54-10S bent to 52 for GW. 58-04T and 64W.
  27. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Zack T said:

    I started playing golf around 2 years ago and the first new clubs I ever purchased was the Vokey SM8's. I absolutely love them and the variety of shots I could hit, however, when I bought new irons my gapping was way off. My original 3 wedges were 52, 56, and 60 as that a very common setup and that was the advice I was given by a friend. The pitching wedge of my iron set was 43 degrees though and I really struggled hitting shots between 115-130 yds (which I was left with very often). 2 weeks ago I got a 48 degree Vokey wedge and I can now feel comfortable from that range but I had to take the 4 iron out of the bag. Does anyone else play with a 5 wedge setup (PW-LW)?

    I alternate between 64W and PM Grind 64/10. I set the PW to 48. If I do a carry bag, 48-56-64. I can also pull the 8 iron and go 48-52-58K-64.
  28. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    I now keep it simple . 3 lofts: 48-56-64.

    I carry a 56–12D for soft lies and a 58-04T bent to 56 for tight lies. For my Sunday bag, have two custom forged wedges from a local vendor at 49/7 and 56/10 plus Wedgeworks 64W.
  29. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Actually, the 56-12D works better off tight lies vs the 58-04T. I put a 60-14K in the bag for high bounce.
  30. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Lou G said:

    Actually, the 56-12D works better off tight lies vs the 58-04T. I put a 60-14K in the bag for high bounce.

    My final wedge lofts are 48-54-60-64. I just bent the 56-12D to 54 and started nailing chip shots and some packed sand bunker shots. The 60-14K produced a hole out birdie on the first hole.
  31. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Lou G said:

    Actually, the 56-12D works better off tight lies vs the 58-04T. I put a 60-14K in the bag for high bounce.

    I switched the K grind to T and put the Wedgeworks 64W back in after some extensive wedge practice.
  32. GOCK

    GOCK

    That’s really to each of their own and subject to one’s own swing dynamics.

    I can say if you do better with a D grind off tight lies than a T grind you chip with more with the bounce which is why the D agrees with you more.

    I on the other hand chip primarily with the leading edge and the T grind, I wouldn’t take no other in tight lies.
  33. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    GOCK said:

    That’s really to each of their own and subject to one’s own swing dynamics.

    I can say if you do better with a D grind off tight lies than a T grind you chip with more with the bounce which is why the D agrees with you more.

    I on the other hand chip primarily with the leading edge and the T grind, I wouldn’t take no other in tight lies.

    What’s transpired since that last one is I traded the 58-04T. My thumbnail pretty much shows what I’m locked into for wedges. I’ve since acquired a 60-04T. I have a 50-08F and 58-14K (56*) and 64W that I put in with my Dad’s clubs. The D and T grinds I use both the bounce and leading edge, depending on the situation. I use the T out of hard greenside bunkers. I found that the S grind is much better out of sand vs the 50-08F. I rarely take square stance full swings with anything shorter than the 46* loft (which is a 48-10 bent strong).

    M grind is a lost cause.
  34. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    GOCK said:

    That’s really to each of their own and subject to one’s own swing dynamics.

    I can say if you do better with a D grind off tight lies than a T grind you chip with more with the bounce which is why the D agrees with you more.

    I on the other hand chip primarily with the leading edge and the T grind, I wouldn’t take no other in tight lies.

    What you see in my thumbnail is what has been solid since Dec. I got rid of the 50-08F (returns at Golf Mart/Roger Dunn). As reserve wedges I have a 58-14K (stock loft) and an SM8 60-12D (bent to 58). The intent with the 58-14 is for courses like Torrey Pines. If I want to play a “Sunday” bag, the intent is to use the 60-12D. For almost 3 years, played a 54-10S (52*) and a 58-14K (56*). I could “tighten” the bottom end of my bag by switching the 7-8 and 48-10 to 695CB 6 iron and MB 7-P. I’m using the 54-10S as a gap wedge and for long bunker shots.
  35. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    GOCK said:

    That’s really to each of their own and subject to one’s own swing dynamics.

    I can say if you do better with a D grind off tight lies than a T grind you chip with more with the bounce which is why the D agrees with you more.

    I on the other hand chip primarily with the leading edge and the T grind, I wouldn’t take no other in tight lies.

    I still have the 58-12D bent to 56 and 58-14K (stock loft). I got rid of a couple clubs I don’t use and bought another 58-14K and had it set up at 56*. So things came full circle on my wedge setup. For most conditions, the strong 58-14K works great and I played that for 2 years.

  36. JKawaguchi

    JKawaguchi

    Zack T said:

    I started playing golf around 2 years ago and the first new clubs I ever purchased was the Vokey SM8's. I absolutely love them and the variety of shots I could hit, however, when I bought new irons my gapping was way off. My original 3 wedges were 52, 56, and 60 as that a very common setup and that was the advice I was given by a friend. The pitching wedge of my iron set was 43 degrees though and I really struggled hitting shots between 115-130 yds (which I was left with very often). 2 weeks ago I got a 48 degree Vokey wedge and I can now feel comfortable from that range but I had to take the 4 iron out of the bag. Does anyone else play with a 5 wedge setup (PW-LW)?

    How long is a piece of string?

    I play

    P - 44 degree bent to 45 degree (130 yards carry)
    G - 50 degree (120 yards carry)
    54 degree (110 yards carry)
    56 degree (100 yards carry) high bounce
    60 degree (80 yards carry)

    Can get an additional 5+ yards out of each club if needed, but stopping power is a bit less reliable

    All my wedges are fairly low bounce except the 56 which is 14 for when I play in fluffier sand

    I am not great a half or 3/4 swing wedges which is why I carry so many

    For most holes I would prefer 80+ yards out on an approach unless I can get to around a 20 or so yard chip (which I would most likely get to around the same proximity to the pin)

    If I played more courses where you could bump and run up to the green I would probably take one out (54 or 56) but more often than not approach shots where I play require a carry to the green

    Playing style would partially dictate which wedge gapping works best for you

    It looks like you filled a hole in your game adding the 48, so I would think about the rest of your most common shots and try to build the rest of the wedges around them
  37. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    My iron gaps are 32-38 so I use a 46-10 bent to 44 in place of a 9 iron. My other wedges are 50-08F, 56-12D, 60-04T (bent to 49) and I alternate between a “Phil 64” and Wedgeworks 64W.
  38. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Lou G said:

    My iron gaps are 32-38 so I use a 46-10 bent to 44 in place of a 9 iron. My other wedges are 50-08F, 56-12D, 60-04T (bent to 49) and I alternate between a “Phil 64” and Wedgeworks 64W.

    Correction…. 60-04T stock loft. I have a 58-12D bent to 56 as shown. Very universal. I have K and M in reserve for unknown courses.
  39. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Lou G said:

    My iron gaps are 32-38 so I use a 46-10 bent to 44 in place of a 9 iron. My other wedges are 50-08F, 56-12D, 60-04T (bent to 49) and I alternate between a “Phil 64” and Wedgeworks 64W.

    Typo on the 60-04T; meant 59 but this post is OBE.
  40. Andrew F

    Andrew F
    Pueblo, CO

    Military
    I carry a 50, 54, and 58. my iron set PW is a 48.
  41. J.C.

    J.C.
    Texas

    do a wedge matrix to get your distances dialed in. My PW is 46 and my wedge set was 52/56/60 but found myself in trouble when i had a 125 yard shot. My new wedge set is 50/55/60 I bent my 54.10S up one and not I have perfect gapping.
  42. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    J.C. said:

    do a wedge matrix to get your distances dialed in. My PW is 46 and my wedge set was 52/56/60 but found myself in trouble when i had a 125 yard shot. My new wedge set is 50/55/60 I bent my 54.10S up one and not I have perfect gapping.

    You can kill 10 yards on distance by choking down 1/2”. I have 46-52 also. I get 110 out of my 46 and about 95 out of my 52. I also have been carrying a 64 wedge since 2007. For me, a 54-10S bent to 52 is more versatile than a 50-08F. The biggie is long bunker shots.
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