Bending Wedges & Bounce - Vokey SM4's

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By Gerald T

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  1. Gerald T

    Gerald T
    Sylvan Lake, AB

    Here's the background:  I play to an RCGA index of 4.3.  I have resisted the trend of generally strengthening the lofts on my clubs so on my most recent set of irons (CG7 Tours), my PW was bent back to 48 and my 9 was bent back to 44.  For the past two years, I have had in my bag CG15 wedges with lofts of 52/10 degrees bounce, 56/16 degrees bounce, & 60/14 degrees bounce.  My carry yardages are about 115 yards with my 52, 100 yards with my 56, and 85 yards with my 60.  I have been told that I have a steep angle of attack on the downswing.  Also, I usually take larger than typical divots after I make solid contact with the ball.  I suspect both of these facts make me a digger?  Roughly 60% of my rounds are played on harder surfaces and 40% of my rounds are played on plush surfaces.

    Here’s the issue: I am very likely getting a new set of AP2 712's and 3 new SM4 wedges this winter.  (I will be fitted by a regional Titleist rep at GolfTown later this week.)  The specs as per Titleist.com for the AP2 PW indicate a loft of 47.  I want to maintain a 4 degree gap between all of my wedges.  If I am to keep the factory loft on the irons including the PW, I will likely have Titleist bend a gap wedge to 51, a sand wedge to 55, and a lob wedge to 59.  My questions are twofold – First - Which direction should I have the wedges bent?  50, 54, 58 to 51, 55, 59 respectively, or 52, 56, 60 to 51, 55, 59?  Secondly, (keeping in mind that bending will impact on the OEM bounce) what bounce should I target for the wedges before bending?  I tend to use the sand wedge exclusively out of green side bunkers and use the 52 and 56 degree wedges on approaches when yardages dictate, and use the 60 degree wedge on approaches when the yardage dictates it and I feel comfortable with the club.  I tend to hit the 60 degree thin when on harder surfaces.  I am thinking less bounce on the gap wedge, more bounce on the sand wedge, and less bounce on the lob wedge.  Can anyone confirm or refute my thinking?

    Thanks,
    Gerald
     
  2. Ryan P

    Ryan P
    Barrie, ON

    Gerald,

    You raise some great points. 

    In regards to your first question, my recommendation would be to err on the side of more bounce.  So this would mean the 50,54,58 being bent strong.  By having years of research and dealing with some of the best players in the world, Bob Vokey has always mentioned "bounce is your friend".  I believe this is true in your case as well.  By being a digger, I would suggest wedges with mid bounce bent strong, essentially adding a degree of bounce.  The reason for this recommendation is 60% of your rounds are played in more firm conditions so the mid bounce will help with that, but the additional bounce will help with your digger swing and those days you do happen to play in softer conditions. 

    With your second question, I would be hesitant about having less bounce on the gap wedge.  Reason being, this wedge is typically hit with higher swing speeds than other wedges (a little less finese shots are used).  With the digger move at the ball, that bounce will absolutely help on those shots.  Perhaps a 50*08 bent 1* strong might be the way I would go.  This year we are now offering a 50* and 52* with 12* of bounce, so another option to be fit into.  I would confirm with you on the others but be careful with the lob wedge, since you are a digger I would not go with too little bounce or it will be difficult to make good contact with the ball.

    I want to interate that these are recommendations that are based on not seeing your swing.  I would highly recommend you discuss these options with the Fitting Expert at your local Titleist Authorized retailer.  You will be able to see all of the different models and try the different bounces to ensure that these are correct.  The Fitting Expert will also help you gap your wedges properly to ensure that the proper lofts are chosen. 

    Ryan P - Team Titleist

     

  3. Gerald T

    Gerald T
    Sylvan Lake, AB

    Thank you Ryan. I was going to invest in wedges this winter prior to next year, but after reading your comments, I will wait and visit an Advanced Fitting Centre next spring so I can swing on a grass range and have accurate recommendations made based on actual playing conditions. Thanks again!
  4. Ryan P

    Ryan P
    Barrie, ON

    Gerald,

    Sounds fair to me!  I believe this is the best course of action in order to dial in your wedges with the proper yardage gapping and bounces.  Should you need some direction on where to go for a fitting, please contact our Custom Club team at 1-877-928-8898 ext 2 or send us a note on here.  Our team will assist you in finding a FittingWorks location nearest you.

    Thank you for your support.

    Ryan P - Team Titleist

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