If the short game is where the most shots are to be saved then learning the short game starts with a wedge. Wedge clubs being specialist come in many shapes, sizes and lofts but the groves and finish are just as varied. Recent advances in manufacturing have made the wedge a very potent weapon for the professional. So much so that the USGA and R+A, golf’s governing bodies, have set new regulations that will come into effect in 2011 for manufacturers to change the groves to make them less predictable. So if you are thinking of buying a new wedge you can still buy one at the old specification in 2010 and use it until 2024 as a club golfer.
The question is which ones do I need?
Wedges come in lofts greater than the standard 9 iron 42 deg:
These lofts can vary and the Pitching Wedge is sometimes club no. 10 is some sets (this is useful as it gives a similar feel to the other clubs for shorter approach shots).
Club loft will determine how the ball flies but more so the spin and how the ball lands. Generally you need to have 2 or 3 wedges in the bag, the Pitching Wedge, Sand Wedge and Lob Wedge. The Sand Wedge is slightly different in it is likely to have more of what is call ‘bounce’. Bounce relates to the shape of the bottom of the club and is usually 8 deg for normal wedges and 16 deg for a Sand Wedge but this can vary. The sand wedge has more bounce to make it rise through the sand and not dig in too much where as hitting a ball from a hard close lie would be difficult if the club head bounces of the ground causing you to ‘top the ball’.
One of the very best users of the wedge is Phil Mickelson. His shot saving abilities with a range of golf wedges are almost legendary.
Learn the short game for a lower score.