Matching Golf Wedges To Your Game...
Golf wedges are a very important part of the game and can have dramatic results in your score. Did you know that during a round of golf, golfers play 70% of all their shots from 120 yards or closer to the pin! Before we break down wedge design and technology in our quest to find the best golf wedge, it's important to understand how a wedge shot works. The make up of the golf club wedge is as essential as it's versatility.
Lets do a golf wedge review by starting with the groove technology of today. There has been alot written about the difference in the shape of the grooves in most wedges, but to be honest with you it really doesn't matter if they are U- or V-shaped. Testing shows that the ball only makes contact with the front 4 or 5 thousandths of the top of the groove that is 20000 to 25000 of an inch deep. The rest of the groove just works as a sort of channel to move the other variables such as dirt, water, grass, etc out of the way during the shot. The one important thing to look out for when searching for the best golf wedge is a consistent transition form the grooves to the flat face of the wedge. Meaning you need a good sharp edge(not razor sharp) on each groove to generate spin on the ball.
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Grooves in golf wedges have improved incredibly over the past number of years because the manufactures have started to machine cut them instead of casting them from moulds into the club face. This casting process has proven to be too inconsitent, where as CNC machining the face makes them perfectly consistant from groove to groove and wedge to wedge.
Golfers can also choose from raw or coated materials for their golf club wedges. Golfers can get a little more spin on their golf wedges by picking raw models that have not been coated with traditional protective chrome plating. These clubs begin to rust quickly after use, which creates added friction on the shots, therefor more spin.
Typesof Wedges
Pitching wedge
This club will usually come with your set when it is purchased. The loft on these clubs are found to be between 46 and 50 degrees. This club is used anywhere from 125 yards into the pin. click here for more...
Gap wedge
This club can be purchased separately from any online retailer and comes in many different varieties. The loft on these clubs is usually found to be between 51 and 54 degrees. This club is used to fill the gap between the pitching and sand wedge. click here for more...
Sand wedge
This club will usually come with your set when it is purchased. The loft on these clubs is normally found between 55 and 59 degrees. This club is used from 95 yards into the pin and also out of the sand traps or green side bunkers. click here for more...
Lob wedge
This club can be purchased separately from any online retailer and comes in many different varieties. The loft on these clubs are normally found to be between 60 and 64 degrees. This club is used for shorter very high controlled shots that stop quickly. click here for more...
As a general rule, it is suggested that the average player have a gap of 4 degrees between each different wedge.
Other Great Golf Wedge Articles
Golf Wedge Bounce
Golf Wedge Set
New Grooves On Your Wedges - What Does It Mean to You?
Many people don't understand what has taken place in terms of the new rule set forth by the USGA. Were gonna lay this out on the table as clear as possible and tackle this "Big Groove Issue". The new rule basically has everything to do with the groove volume on the clubface.
The controls on the grooves of your wedges are going to be limited and they will become shallower and narrower than the older grooves. This also means that the sharpness of the edges of your grooves will be more tightly regulated. This will help save the covers on your golf balls and hopefully make them last longer.
What the USGA is trying to do is make it a little bit harder for the player to spin the ball when coming out of the rough. This will make a bigger difference in reward for hitting your approach from the fairway or the rough grass. You might not be able to control the spin on incoming shots to the green, forcing the player to play more conservatively to the middle of greens and not go at the flags all the time. There simply won't be as much backspin or "juice" on your shots.
This is a phased in change of rules. Here are some of the important dates to remember:
January 2010 - PGA and European Tour players must start playing with these new grooves in competition.January 2011 - All new wedges made from this day forward must conform to these new rules
January 2014 - The "Conditions of Competition" will be set to include all minor pro tours and elite amateur tournaments
January 2024 - It`s time to replace your old clubs if you still have them as all players are required to abide by the new rules from this day forward.
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