advice on purchasing wedges

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By Brandon

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  1. Brandon

    Brandon
    Pottsville, PA

    Hey guys! i just purchased my new set of 716 AP1 irons, now im in the hunt for wedges to complete my set..

    with the set i got the 4-GW , whats your recommendations on a SW and LW? should i go with a 54 and 58 degree wedges or should i go with a 56 and 60 degree?

    thanks for everyone's input and advice prior 

  2. jonathan s

    jonathan s
    Indianapolis, IN

    The lofts have changed dramatically with the 716 ap1 irons so your question is interesting. Ultimately the best way to figure this out is to find your yardages for different wedges and select the club based on the yardage gap. In the absence of being able to do that you can look at the specs of the irons and target the gaps using the loft. Looking at the specs on the ap1 irons you have a 4 degree loft difference between your 9 iron (39*) and PW (43*) and similarly a 4 degree loft difference between your PW (43*) and GW (47*). Based on these lofts I would suggest a 52 degree and a 56 degree wedge. A 56 degree wedge with the proper grind is very versital and can be opened up to add loft. I don't think you really need a 60 degree wedge. If you were to include a 60 degree lob wedge you would only have one club to fill a 13 degree gap between your gap wedge and lob wedge. Additionally, the instances where you can/will use a 60 degree is very limited. I carry a 58 degree and only maybe use it a handful of times a round. My 54 degree is much more versital and I can play it at many different yardages just by modifying the length of my back swing and/or by shortening the club an inch or so by griping down. It's also important to look at the bounce and grind for the wedges you're going to select. I typically keep one higher bounce club in my bag and then another with a lower bounce so that I have some versatility and can play both from softer or firmer lies. Additionally there are a number of different grinds to chose from that can also help you. You should try to play some with each and see what grinds work best for you. I could definitely see you using a 52* F grind with 12* of bounce and a 56* M grind with 8* of bounce. If I were in your position that is what I would be looking at getting. 

  3. 19hole

    19hole
    Reading, MA

    A 54 would give you about 7° between your GW and the 54. Then another 6° to the 58. I would suggest going to a 52, that will give you a 5° gap to the GW and then either a 56 or 58. For some players, the 52 to 58 gap can become a problem; for them I would got to a 56. If you can work with the 52 to 58 gap, that setup gives you a lot of flexibility.

  4. Brandon

    Brandon
    Pottsville, PA

    i appreciate the well in depth, very informational blog Jonathan. ill have to look at a few clubs when i head to Golf Galaxy next weekend.

  5. jm.thome

    jm.thome
    Richmond, BC

    Brandon, I don't have a clue what would suit you best for wedge lofts. My only thing is to keep it Titlest. : )

  6. Ryan G

    Ryan G
    Calgary, AB

    The Ap1's are very strong in the loft department and it makes it tough to gap your scoring wedges.  Personally I would ask if you can get your new irons 2 degrees weak (they are still going to be rocket long).  I have Ap2's and my dad has the Ap1's (714), and I hit his a good club to 1.5 clubs longer than mine (I just don't need the distance and like the feel better).

    That way you can easily put in a 54 degree and a 58 bent 1 degree weak, or a 60 bent 1 degree strong to make it 59 degrees (weak adds a bit more bounce, and strong removes the bounce).   If you keep the stock lofts I would go with a 52 degree, and a 56 bent to weak to 57 or 58 strong to 57.  Also go with the same shaft in your new Voke's as your Ap1's.  I find more consistency on the full shots, but if you tend to do more partial shots go with a 1/2 flex weaker or soft stepped for more feel.

  7. Christopher T

    Christopher T
    Sapulpa, OK

    Brandon said:

    Hey guys! i just purchased my new set of 716 AP1 irons, now im in the hunt for wedges to complete my set..

    with the set i got the 4-GW , whats your recommendations on a SW and LW? should i go with a 54 and 58 degree wedges or should i go with a 56 and 60 degree?

    thanks for everyone's input and advice prior 

    Brandon, I also have the set up that you have, and I chose to go with the 52 and 56 degree offerings for Vokey wedges.  The big gap in loft is why I chose those two lofts, so I could have some semblance of uniformity.  And since I can not hit a 60 degree to save my life, I chose not to get that loft.  But we are all different and your skills with the wedge game might be much better than mine.  Good luck with whatever you choose and enjoy those AP1's.  

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