I've also had this problem with my 712 AP1s. But it's important to maintain a proper spacing of degrees throughout your wedges. With the set up you're suggesting you'd be going straight from 44* - 50* and playing a 6-4-4 in wedge gapping, Unless you're able to hold back on your pw (44*) and hit it 120 yards comfortably. If you feel like you need to change the wedge gapping you could go 5* gaps going 44-49-54-59 bending some of your wedges. But the ideal gaps are of 4* which create 10-15 yards gaps between each club.

I am currently struggling with the same issue as yours, and I have my own thread running on this issue. I, too, have the 714 AP1 irons. The 9 iron comes with a 40 degree loft, so there is a 6 degree gap between the 9 iron and the first available loft of 46 degrees on the Vokey wedge selection.

I blame the golf club manufacturers for creating the "vanishing loft" issue. The 716 AP1 9-iron has a 39 degree loft. Either Vokey has to start making a 44 degree wedge or else the Rules of Golf need to change the 14-club rule to a 15-club rule.

I have actually gone to keeping 5 wedges in my bag, but for all practical purposes, I consider my lowest lofted wedge as a 10-iron. Now, some will say to just increase your wedge gaps from 4 degree loft incrementals to 6 degree loft incrementals. But, I don't want to do that with my most important scoring clubs - - the wedges.

In your current situation, you do have an issue with the large distance gap between the 52 degree wedge and the 58 degree wedge. So, I do agree that a 44-50-54-58 selection provides better distance coverage. If you could bring yourself to add a fifth wedge, a 44-50-54-56-60 selection would be ideal.

I plan to buy a 716AP1 PW and bend the standard loft of 43 degrees to 44 degrees. Along with that arrangement, my other wedges are 48-52-56-60. That will be perfect for me.

Rich

Mark - I like Rich's suggestion. Unfortunately, it means you would need to drop the (new) 52-degree wedge and get a 50- and a 54-degree.

Recently ordered and just received my 716 AP1 irons. When fit (Titleist Thursdays event), the fitter had me get a 52-08 bent to 51-degrees. That way, I could keep my existing 54- and 58-degree wedges. So, I have 43-47-51-54-58.

thanks for the input. I'm thinking i'll bend back the 48 and 52. I have a few options. maybe go with a 44-49-54-58 so the gaps are 5-5-4. 44-50-54-58, with 6-4-4 gaps. 44-49-53-57, with 5-4-4 gaps. 44-49-53-57 with 5-4-4 gaps. or i could just keep it the same and stop over thinking.

just curious, when you have a wedge bent, either decreasing or increasing loft, how does that affect the club? Do you need to shorten/lengthen? What about the bounce?

Mark - sorry for the tardy response. For bounce, one degree stronger loft reduces bounce by the same amount. For example, my 52-08F is now 51-07. I could have gone with a 50-08F and weaken it to 51-09. Bending the wedge does not appear to affect the length.