Upgrade from SM4s to SM5s

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By Fin Z

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  • 3 Replies
  1. Fin Z

    Fin Z
    Queen Creek, AZ

    Hi there, 

    I would like to get new wedges and was hoping you could help me with your insights / experience. 

    Current setup:

    • 46 MP-54: full shots
    • 52.08 SM5: approach, chips
    • 56.11 SM4: bunkers
    • 60.07 SM4: around the green, tight lies
    Possible new setup: 
    • 46.08 F: full shots, chipping
    • 50.08 F: approach, chipping
    • 54.10 M: around the green --> I liked having less loft around the green, distance control a lot easier than my 60
    • 58.11 K: bunkers, trouble --> I liked having more loft out of the bunker, was easier for me with tucked pins
    --> reduced lofts for better gapping
    --> SM5 instead of stock PW since I like approach shots, pitches and esp. chips better with a "wedge-wedge" ;-)
    --> love the versatility  of the M around the green and the ease of the K from the bunker

    The problem is that I have done the testing in San Diego and there is no fitter back home (Germany) whose clubs I could try on my home course.Question is whether I'd run into trouble having to higher bounce wedges,  a sweeping / clipping swing and rather hard bunkers / ground back home.

    Does anybody have experience with the 58.11K as a versatile, around-the-green club? What about harder / less sand in bunkers or tight lies from harder ground around the green? 

    My second combo would be 54.10 M and 58.08M, just to have that lower bounce LW in there, then I would use the 54 for bunkers and the 58 for around the green, even though 

    Thanks a lot for your tips and help guys!

    Fin

  2. Edward K

    Edward K
    Wesley Chapel, FL

    Military
    Fin, Wedges are the toughest call to make for me. There are so many combinations! And to be honest, the only way I'll even try one out is if I'm around a green, with my Pro V's. As for bounce, that is a preference. I have the 58.11 and I like it. But I'm a 54 degree disciple. Greenside play will be preferential to everyone. Like I said, wedges are the toughest call. My buddy is a well-known Tour caddy and he'll tell you all day that people would be amazed at how much the Top players tinker with their wedges.
  3. Fin,

    SM 5 is the way to go

    I use the 58.11 K, I was using the SM4 60.04 all last season but i had a few to many bad shots with it. I use my 58 for just about any situation around the green; the higher bounce helps me get the ball out of the rough without fear of the blade gliding underneath it, i use it for short sided flop shots, chipping is deadly accurate and with the bounce there is little worry of your face opening up on you, i use it out of the sand and have had great success. 

    the course i play has some pretty hard fairways, i was concerned at first about the higher bounce, but to this day the bounce has not posed any problems. 

    every time i pull the club from the bag i have a lot of confidence in the performance of the club and it will do exactly what i want it to do.

    I also have the 50.08 wedge, it is my 95-115 yard club. It feels great, performs great, sounds great, looks great. if i have to lay up on a course i want it to be at 100 yards so i can use that club. 

  4. Andre G

    Andre G
    Glen Allen, VA

    I echo the comments that picking wedges is one tough call.  The 54 is very versatile, good on running chips, good on stopping power from partial swings, and good from sand. 56 degrees is easier from sand but not as versatile. Keep the gaps close, 5 degrees at most to fill in your clubs from the 9 iron to the last wedge (4 degrees is usually optimal).  The trickiest is to find the best grind on the most lofted wedges (58 and/or 60 and higher). 

    Depending on your normal course conditions and the way your swing imparts turf interaction, the sole grind on those clubs can be very determinant in the result of shots into greens.

    The good news is that Vokey gives you a very large combination of loft/bounce/grind options. The bad news is just that you have all those options to evaluate. A good fitter can help you narrow that down.

    If you want to keep it simple, work your way up from the 9 iron, keeping 4 degree increments between the clubs until you complete the set. Sand wedges (54 or 56) will need more bounce, than the higher angled wedges (58, or 60/64). 

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