Remember the pitch shot you hit the last time you played golf that flew a little higher than you anticipated, bounced a few times and then rolled 15 feet past the hole? Technique plays a big role in the short game, but if the grooves are worn because your sand wedge or lob wedge is three or four years old, it’s time to consider investing in a new set of wedges.
Most recreational golfers buy their wedges one at a time right off the rack. A 56-degree wedge needs to be replaced, just drive to the store and buy a new one, right?
Maybe, maybe not. Many pros and elite golfers tend to swap out their sand wedges and lob wedges at the same time for two reasons: they wear out both clubs equally fast and they don’t pay for their wedges.
Meanwhile, you do pay for wedges and probably don’t practice and play half as much as the pros do, so it could be tempting to replace clubs one at a time. If your financial situation dictates that, then do it, but replacing your higher-lofted wedges together means you can expect the same type of spin and performance regardless of which club you use.
Pitching wedges and gap wedges are a little different. Those clubs are extensions of your iron set, and you might even use the pitching wedge that came with your irons. That’s fine, just be aware of the distance gaps as you move from your irons to your wedges. Some game-improvement pitching wedges can have as little as 41 degrees of loft, so a typical gap wedge with 52 degrees of loft would create a massive gap in your scoring clubs. A good custom fitter can help you find the ideal mix of irons and wedges, and even manipulate lofts if necessary, to make your gaps logical and systematic.
Lots of research goes into wedges, with new groove designs and head shapes constantly being tested. However, while several companies come out with updated wedge models every year, other companies run wedges on two-year product cycles.
It is also common for brands to introduce a new wedge family but keep the previous generation of wedges available for a second season.
Checking out the clubs below is a great way to start your journey to more spin and better performance around the greens.
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