Fitting advice

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By David ARK

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  • 12 Replies
  1. David ARK

    David ARK
    Long Beach, NY

    Looking for some fitting advice. Looking to upgrade to the SM8. The 54.08m grind has been my go to for years. Wanted to get one in the SM8 however that’s not an option anymore. The m grind has been my favorite grind forever. I have a 50.08f gap and 60.08m lob which I’m comfortable upgrading. So, do I get the 54.10s like the wedge selector suggests? Do I get a 56.08m and bend it strong to 1 degree to 55.09 to split the difference? Any advice? With the current state of the world, going for a fitting is not an option for a while and I don’t want to wait till the majority of the season is over. Thanks for any advice! Wish Cathi was still around, she was always my go to for these types of questions.

  2. Dave M

    Dave M

    The 54.12 D grind is basically the higher bounce version of the M grind. If you use the 54 for bunker shots the extra bounce could be beneficial, the shaved down heel/toe will still allow you to open the face like you are used to doing. The S grind is designed for more of a square face style.
  3. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    54.12D is a very similar grind to the M, but with 4 degrees more bounce. I played the 54.10S in the SM7s, but switched to the D when I got my SM8s. Doesn't feel any different to me on full shots, but is much more versatile on open faced pitch and chip shots from around the green. I also use the D grind in my 58* SM8 wedge, same as my old SM7 58*. I have no issues with the 12* of bounce on the 58, and I open the face (at least a little bit) on nearly every shot I use it for from around the green. Flop shots are an everyday occurrence for me with my 58* and are also easy to execute with the D grind. I would certainly consider the D-grind option in your new SM8 54. It will be much closer to your old 54M than the new SM8 54S grind will be.
  4. Mike M

    Mike M
    Marblehead MA

    Hi Doug. Reading your response,because you've played both the S and the D, and had a couple questions. I just got the SM7-54.10S. I needed something I could hit full from 100, and I can't hit a 56 that far anymore.I chose the S for a couple reasons; first, the Titleist wedge tool pointed me in that direction. Secondly, I already have a 58.08M that I can really open up for all shots around the green. I looked at the 54.12D in the new SM8 line, but I play a course where conditions are firm, and was concerned about the leading edge bouncing into the back of the ball.Although I come at it a little steep, in my mind conditions out weighed angle of decent. After doing some reading, especially here on the TT forum, I'm having second thoughts.

    Your thoughts?
  5. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    I am a steeper swinger myself, with my wedges and short irons. I take thin, dollar-bill-sized divots most of the time on my full wedge shots (through about 8i). My home course has generally medium conditions as far as turf and sand firmness go, but certainly we have periods where things get very firm, as well as periods where they get quite soft. I never had a problem using my 54.10S in any firmness, and so far the 54.12D has not been any different. We have had both very soft and very firm conditions since my new SM8 wedges were put in the bag.

    What I HAVE noticed with the 54.12D is the ease of chipping with a slight open face, compared to going mostly square-faced as I more often did with the 54 S grind. More of a quicker-stopping pitchip-style than bump and run type of shot. Though I can still bump and run just fine with the D when I so choose.

    Unless you typically hit it fat due to something lacking in your swing mechanics, I seriously doubt you would have a problem with the D grind. It's nearly the same as the M grind you already like and trust in your 58.08. (If your swing mechanics are off or very inconsistent, it probably won't matter which grind or how much bounce you have.)

    The more you open a wedge, the more the grind and bounce come into play. So, if you play most of your open-faced shots around the green with your 58, it sounds like opening the face will be less likely for you with the 54. (IMO, a touch of openness can be quite helpful from certain lies or for various terrain considerations.) Yet, for open-faced greenside bunker shots, the 54D probably gives you a better option than the 54S did.

    There's my 2 cents.

  6. David ARK

    David ARK
    Long Beach, NY

    Doug E said:

    I am a steeper swinger myself, with my wedges and short irons. I take thin, dollar-bill-sized divots most of the time on my full wedge shots (through about 8i). My home course has generally medium conditions as far as turf and sand firmness go, but certainly we have periods where things get very firm, as well as periods where they get quite soft. I never had a problem using my 54.10S in any firmness, and so far the 54.12D has not been any different. We have had both very soft and very firm conditions since my new SM8 wedges were put in the bag.

    What I HAVE noticed with the 54.12D is the ease of chipping with a slight open face, compared to going mostly square-faced as I more often did with the 54 S grind. More of a quicker-stopping pitchip-style than bump and run type of shot. Though I can still bump and run just fine with the D when I so choose.

    Unless you typically hit it fat due to something lacking in your swing mechanics, I seriously doubt you would have a problem with the D grind. It's nearly the same as the M grind you already like and trust in your 58.08. (If your swing mechanics are off or very inconsistent, it probably won't matter which grind or how much bounce you have.)

    The more you open a wedge, the more the grind and bounce come into play. So, if you play most of your open-faced shots around the green with your 58, it sounds like opening the face will be less likely for you with the 54. (IMO, a touch of openness can be quite helpful from certain lies or for various terrain considerations.) Yet, for open-faced greenside bunker shots, the 54D probably gives you a better option than the 54S did.

    There's my 2 cents.

    Doug... “pitchip-style”, I love it, stealing that one, lol
  7. David ARK

    David ARK
    Long Beach, NY

    Doug E said:

    I am a steeper swinger myself, with my wedges and short irons. I take thin, dollar-bill-sized divots most of the time on my full wedge shots (through about 8i). My home course has generally medium conditions as far as turf and sand firmness go, but certainly we have periods where things get very firm, as well as periods where they get quite soft. I never had a problem using my 54.10S in any firmness, and so far the 54.12D has not been any different. We have had both very soft and very firm conditions since my new SM8 wedges were put in the bag.

    What I HAVE noticed with the 54.12D is the ease of chipping with a slight open face, compared to going mostly square-faced as I more often did with the 54 S grind. More of a quicker-stopping pitchip-style than bump and run type of shot. Though I can still bump and run just fine with the D when I so choose.

    Unless you typically hit it fat due to something lacking in your swing mechanics, I seriously doubt you would have a problem with the D grind. It's nearly the same as the M grind you already like and trust in your 58.08. (If your swing mechanics are off or very inconsistent, it probably won't matter which grind or how much bounce you have.)

    The more you open a wedge, the more the grind and bounce come into play. So, if you play most of your open-faced shots around the green with your 58, it sounds like opening the face will be less likely for you with the 54. (IMO, a touch of openness can be quite helpful from certain lies or for various terrain considerations.) Yet, for open-faced greenside bunker shots, the 54D probably gives you a better option than the 54S did.

    There's my 2 cents.

    Thanks for the advice everyone! Although I can be very impatient at times, I think I decided to wait this pandemic out. I’m very comfortable with my sm7’s, there’s not much golf going on now and the titleist facility is shut down anyways. I just hope that I can go for a proper wedge fitting in the near future. I REALLY want those 8’s and would never buy them off a rack. It doesn’t pay to guess, especially with the scoring clubs. Thanks again!
  8. Mike M

    Mike M
    Marblehead MA

    Thanks Doug.I did notice, that when I dressed the 54D, it was easier to "open" than the S. Because I already have the 58M for green side and short shots, I'm not sure I'll have the need to open a 54 as well. Either way a tough call. Thanks again for your input.
  9. Mike M

    Mike M
    Marblehead MA

    If your mind is made up on the M grind vs the S, I'd say get the 56 and bend it to 55. I had the same dilema; I have a 58.08m. I was looking for a 54, and ended up with the SM7 54.10s. I just put it in play, and really like it.I thought about the 54.08M (which you can still get in the SM7), but I wanted a little more bounce.
  10. Bax

    Bax
    Nebraska

    I’m with you David, and yes I am in the same situation with them not making the 58 L. I have mentioned this twice and never a response. I really miss Cathi, she would either respond or I could give her a call. I hope she’s doing well!!
  11. gary h

    gary h
    Torrance, CA

    David,

    After Coronavirus settles down, please register for a Titleist Thursday to get fitted.
    more bounce does not always mean you can hit well in soft sand and open up to hit balls may have different affect to the ball.

    Good luck,
  12. David ARK

    David ARK
    Long Beach, NY

    That’s the plan Gary. I’ve been fitted before and am comfortable with my 50f and 60.08m. Since the 54.08m is no longer an option for which I was previously fit for, I need to figure out what to replace that with. Thanks, David
  13. CrazyGolfNut

    CrazyGolfNut
    Omaha, NE

    I decided to sign up for a Titleist Thursday fitting for next week. Never had a fitting for wedges before so I hope the fitter can help out.

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