Today's question from Rich Parrow, a Surgite from Georgia who is really interested in improving his short game based on the instructional videos he has purchased. He wants to know how many wedges I recommend the average player carry in his or her bag. Since the short game really depends on your feel for each shot, the answer becomes one of preference more than anything else. The a modern wedge, for those that don't know, typically falls into one of four categories:
- Pitching Wedge (48 degrees +/-)
- Gap Wedge (52 degrees +/-)
- Sand Wedge (56 degrees +/-)
- Lob Wedge (60 degrees or more)
I personally only carry two wedges these days, a 48 degree PW and a 56 degree SW. Occasionally, if course conditions dictate it, I will carry a 60 degree LW. I don't carry a Gap Wedge anymore because the manufacturers are all building them like Sand Wedges and I would prefer mine to be more like my Pitching Wedge. So when I am faced with that in between shot where my PW will be too much club and my SW not enough, I just choke down a little on my PW and take my regular swing. By choking down on the club I am, in effect, "shortening the string" and therefore the ball will not fly as far as a full PW shot. I find that not having a GW has actually improved my shot-making skills as I now have to work the ball a bit to produce the shot I need.
So, Rich, the answer to your question would be three, at most, and more likely just two. Remember, if you only carry two wedges that will allow you to add another club, perhaps a hybrid, that will help you out in some other phase of your game. This could be really helpful to anyone who has a swing with slower than normal club head velocity.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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