Christian,

Do you have your irons a degree strong? If so, why did you decide to have them a degree strong?

I ask that because maybe getting them a degree weaker might close the gap some. I am a big believer in being very comfortable with the wedges. These are scoring clubs for good players like yourself. Changing lofts and bounces can cause some disruption and possibly impact your scoring until you get used to the new lofts and bounces.  

I have the MBs and my PW is 47*. I then have a 52*, 56* and 60*.

If you decide to stay with your iron lofts then I would suggest 50*, 56* and 60* since you are already familiar with 2 of those lofts. The 50* should not be that big a change as it will most likely be used for more full shots. I think this would probably reduce the risk of changing too much. I would be careful on a 62*. It is tricky and I can go underneath it more often than I would like. I find the risks for me are greater than any benefit I might get. 

On grinds, I would say demo them. It really depends on what you like. I like a lot of bounce (even when I play firm courses). That is just me. It really depends on where you think you will use it and need it most and what you prefer. 

What bounce do you have now? Do you like them? Do you open the face to get more loft? If so, do you want it to sit better at address?

The great thing is Titleist has so many options. I am sure you will find the grind you feel most comfortable with. That is all that matters, what you feel most comfortable with.

Good luck. You'll find what you are looking for. Play well on the college team, that is a great accomplishment playing college golf. 

The reason that my irons are a degree or two strong is that I have always had a very high ball flight and while thats okay here in California, in Iowa, where I go to college its crucial to keep the ball down and out of the wind.  A little extra distance helps a little guy like me as well. 

What I am thinking about doing is leaving the PW at 45* and getting the 50* to close that gap for approach shots.  My current 56* is what I reach for around the green so I think I'll get another 56* and the 60 I have now I love for short sided chip shots where I have to go over a hill, tree or bunker and I think your right about the 62* being a little too much.  I'm hoping to go try these wedges out today and get them ordered.  

I appreciate your comments and if you or anyone else has anymore advise I'm all ears. 

Christian,

I think that sounds like a good plan. 

If you are happy with the clubs (bounce and sole) you have now I think I would try to replicate that. If you are having some issues with those clubs in some instances then really look at all the grinds available.  Certain grinds and bounces will be better for certain shots. Titleist has so many great options now that can fit well with how you chip, play sand shots, and hit fairway shots that you can find something that will help where you are weaker and not hurt your strong areas.

Demo the grinds and put them in different lies and see how they feel. How they react with your swing and the ground. Take some time demoing them so you can find the best clubs for you.

Good luck on finding your new clubs. They are great wedges. PLay well.

Hi Chris,

If I was in your shoes, I would get the 50 to gap tot he pitching wedge. But green-side I would stick with the lofts that I was already comfortable using, the 56 and 60. The new wedges will simply bring your equipment into conforming standards, but it shouldn't really change performance on clean lies. If you change the loft, you might start to adjust your setup because it wont look right standing over the ball, and that is what will mess you up in competition.

Personally, I would be more concerned with turf conditions and grass. As you are aware, we Californians are in a serious drought, so fairways might be a little more hard and dry compared to other states. You may need to look into getting more bounce. Maybe you should wait until you play a practice round or two in Iowa to see how your current grinds interact with the turf.

One modification that he could make to stick with the "ball down" approach is 49, 54 lofts and then a 58 ... As someone who was a little smaller in college I had the old 49 degree wedge and struggled to get the gap filled myself in the 115 yard range. For a strong college player that seems like perfect distance for a 54 degree wedge or a 75 - 80 % gap wedge. I agree that it's about what the player is comfortable with, but where I play keeping it down sometimes means adjusting from what you have done to what you need to do. Steven Hogan - Dallas, TX