From: jcampbel@metz.une.edu.au (MR J CAMPBELL)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf
Subject: Re: 3 Wedges
Date: 14 Dec 92 04:23:39 GMT
Reply-To: jcampbel@metz.une.edu.au
Originator: jcampbel@metz.une.edu.au





	I think that there may be more then just a few misunderstandings out
there on the nature and purpose of various wedges. The primary considerations
in choosing a wedge are the loft and bounce characteristics most suited to the 
conditions of the corse you are going to play. This will most certainly mean
that the wedges are likely to be a brand other than the rest of your irons.

Here is a breif summary of the two primary considerations in wedge choice.


LOFT : a standard set of irons begins with a one iron of some 16 degrees 
of loft, each consecutive iron increases in loft (initially by 2 degrees
then 3 and finally 4 degees) until the standard pitching wedge is reached
with a loft of 49 degrees-note that some perimeter weighted irons have lofts
1-2 degrees stronger than this due to their inherent higher launch angle 
and ball traj.
	The perceived problem arises then when we note the standard sand 
iron has a loft of some 56 degrees, an increase of 7 degrees on the wedge.
The final loft increment is larger than that between the other short irons
and as such golfers notice a larger than normal yardage gap between ther wedge 
and sand iron than with the other clubs. Hence we intoduce the concept of 
the "middle wedge" of loft 52-54 degrees, with the aim of bridging this gap.
	A second problem arises from the fact that the usage of the sand iron
is most certainly not restricted soley to the sand trap, in usage it would be 
second only to the putter in a professional's bag (and no they wouldn't hit 
their driver more often, most pros - Daley excepted - would only use their
driver 4-5 times in a round). This becomes a problem since most standard sand 
irons are generously bounced and thus not much use from tight lies and laying
them open for a flop shot from the fairway only increases the bounce hence
the justification for the "third wedge" of loft 60-anything ridiculus degrees
usually with little bounce. This brings us to the second consideration...

BOUNCE : a standard pitching wedge carries 4-5 degrees of bounce which is fine
from most lies, however the standard sand carries anything from 8-15 degrees
of bounce. This makes the standard sand iron useful from dry sand and lush 
fairway. However from wet packed sand and tight fairway lies the bounce will
preveny the club from digging sufficiently and end up with a thinned shot.
Thus many manufacturers offer a third wedge (~60 degrees) with little or no 
bounce for use exclusively from the fairway.

	Most manufacturers now offer some wedge options and it pays to check 
out everthing available decide what clubs you require and then test them out
to find which brand you prefer. Don't disreguard second-hand clubs as
sometimes this is where some excellent clubs may be found. Some manufacturers
you may wish to start with include; Cleaveland Classics (a wide range),
Ram Watson Series (including the low bounced Troon Grinds), Wilson JP's
Titleist Specialty and Mizuno. Generally you will find the wedges available 
will fall into one of the following categories,
	-Pitching wedge : loft 48-50 degrees, bounce around 4 degrees, use
from fairway and rough and wet sand.
	-Middle wedge (low bounce) : loft 51-54 degrees, bounce 3-6 degrees,
use as per Pitching wedge but less distance.
	-Middle wedge (high bounce) : loft 51-54 degrees, bounce 6-12 degrees,
use from dry sand and lush fairway, distance between Pitching wedge and Sand 
iron.
	-Sand iron (low bounce) : loft 55-57 degrees, bounce 3-6 degrees, use 
as per low bounce Middle wedge.
	-Sand iron (high bounce) : loft 55-57 degrees, bounce 6-15 degrees, 
use as per high bounce Middle wedge but less distance.
	-Third wedge (low bounce) : loft 58-64 degrees, bounce 0-4 degrees,
use exclusively from the fairway.
	-Third wedge (high bounce) : loft 58-64 degrees, bounce 5-15 degrees,
use as per high bounce Sand iron but with less distance.

	You may find that you can't decide which club to leave out of the 
bag to add the third wedge in which case as slightly weaker pitching wedge 
(e.g. 51 degress) or a slightly stronger sand iron (e.g. 54 degrees) may
be the solution. Personally I chose wedges with lofts of 49, 53 and 58
degrees, as this gives a regular progreesion of loft increments, the 49
and 53 are low bounced and the 58 is high. This alllows me to play basically
any shot except a cut lob from a tight lie, which isn't exactly a percentage
shot anyway.

	I hope this information has shed some light on this matter.

	For the record.
	Handicap : 5
	Age : 25
	Playing years : 13
	Equipment : Driver (10 degrees) and 3 woood (14.5 degrees) Dennis
	Brosnan Tour Classic (persimmon).
		    2I-6I Ceaveland Classics Tour Action 588P
		    7I-9I Cleavland Classics Tour Action 588T
		    Cleavlend Classics Tour Action 588 Special (59 degrees
		    loft 4 degrees bounce)
		    Cleavland Classics Tour action 588 Diadic (53 degrees
		    loft 4 degrees bounce)
		    Ram Tom Watson Scoring System Spin Groove Cobalt 
		    (58 degrees loft 12 degrees bounce)

		Cheers
		Cambo
Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf