I currently have 5, i have made it my target to become more accurate from 160 yards and in. I have really worked hard using my standard wedges (PW & SW) but found i need more control for distance as i really struggle to play with anything less than a 90% swing, therefore i took the plunge and brought 3 further wedges, i now have the following in my bag.

PW 47.5

GW 52

SW 55

LLW 60

HLW 64*

My pitching wedge stock yardage is 145yards

GW - 125yards

SW - 110yards

LLW - 90yards

HLW - 70yards

So as you can see i have a very consistent gap between clubs which should hopefully tighten up my consistency.

3 wedges.

48* PW 110yds

52* GW 95yds

56* SW  80yds

47* PW

52* GW

56* SW

60* LW

So 4

I carry 3 PW, GW & SW but in theory I only use the PW & SW & alter my swing accordingly. In my opinion you'll be a much better player if you can learn how to play a variety of shots using only 2 wedges.

Well, I have made sure I've got several shots with each of my wedges and im pretty succesfull with them for the most part.

I like getting funky with my wedges in regard to shot making. stepping up to a ball inside 80 yards and knowing you have loads of different ways of getting there is just so inwardly inspiring, I look forward to the play around the greens.

But then its only because I'm so shocking actually hitting the greens with my irons!!

I carry  standard sand and pitching wedges that came with my mitsushiba set. I have tried to carry a lob wedge, but it is unreliable (or I am). Whereas I can hit some good shots with it, I can also hit some horrors. Hence I have dropped it and now give a little more thought to my shots close in, preferring to use a chipper where possible as it is far more prone to get me close, without the unreliability factor. Also my sand and pitch wedges are doing a pretty good job.

Standard PW, SW and a 60dg Cleveland for me. I'm not that flamboyant/skillful enough to try anything other than 'standard' shots, but for the courses I play these suit just fine. Could anyone try and help me out with advantages of more/ess wedges, and shot types? Always wanting to learn about this wonderful game!

I have PW, 52, 56 and 60.

Chris - See the previous post re 60* wedge for a shot I used my 60 for a few days ago.

I used to be 47/52/56/60....but have changed to 47/52/58 in the last 6 months and love it - I used the spare club to add a 2 hybrid that is the same loft as my 5 wood (sounds silly I know!)....the 2h is slightly shorter than my 5 wood from the fairway but is easier to keep low and better out of the first and second cut, so it gives me more options into greens if I'm not positioned very well

• 47* PW (Titleist 710 CB, same as irons)
• 52* GW (Mizuno MPT-10)
• 56* SW (Mizuno MPT-10)

I used to carry a Cleveland CG14 52* and 58*, and before that a 52*, 56* and 60.  I found I hardly ever used the 60 so did the same as Lewis and changed to the 52* and 58* and put an extra club in my bag.  As my game and shotmaking ability improved I could create more so went to the 56* instead of the 58*

only use 2

std  pw (wilson di11)

58* wilson ,

i use my 7 iron a lot ,chip and run ,just hold it down the grip a bit more ,

I carry 4 but sometimes 5 depending on the course.

47* pw  titliest mb

50* Vokey

54* Vokey

60* Vokey

the only other time that i add an extra wedge is if the course is short but well bunkered. Then i add  a 55* sw from an old set of Cobras. This is not for the loft but for the extra bounce from the large sole. I find this useful when really having to attack plugged or under the lip bunker shots.

Its the age old arguement whether to carry a 60* wedge or have a 5 wood / 2iron / rescue etc.

For me, although i use the 60* rarely, the times i do use it are vitally important. A mistake from close to the green behind a trap or over a hazard can often cost far more than having to club up or down with my longer irons. 

I carry 2

Pw and Sw

Dont know what the loft or bounce is on them

Bob

PGA Pro

I carry 3 or 4 depending on course length/conditions. If it's a really long course or conditions make it play long, I put my 3 iron back in and go to PW 46*, Mizuno 54* & 60*. If it's moderate / short length or the ball is running nicely I use PW 46*, Vokey 52*, 58* & 64*. I prefer the Vokeys so the course has to be a monster to make me go to the Mizunos.

Distances on wedges is a pretty meaningless comparison, they are your precision tools, not for mashing it. I never swing them hard (about 80% max) and simply go up and down the grip to alter distance. At 80% gripping at the top of the club I hit my PW 120, 52* 105, 54* 95, 58* 80, 60* 70 and 64* 55, but I rarerly use the 60* and 64* for anything other than short chips over trouble and the odd short/high bunker shot - 'get out of jail' shots.

Practice and knowing your genuine distances is key from 120 yards in and you should do it with the ball you regularly play. I use 6 alignment sticks at 10 yard intervals from 120 yards to 70 and then a second session from 70, 60, 50, 40 and 30. The confidence this gives you when going for the shot is brilliant, especially if you use a GPS or rangefinder when playing.

A top tip used by Darren Clarke is to put some clear tape on your shaft (just under the grip) and with a Sharpie, write down your yardages for that club e.g. full, 3/4, 1/2 swings. In my case I mark on how far down the grip I need to go to achieve a certain reduction from the full distance e.g. with my 52* I have full 105, 1" 95, 2" 80.

Hope this is of some help.

Nick, an interesting analysis,. but what a funny way to play golf.

John, I assume your post is humourous and/or ironic and as a person with a sense of humour who enjoys irony I welcome it. However, in this instance, I simply don't get it - please elaborate.

Cheers, Nick

P.S. Just in case you plan on explaining the the issue with making assumptions (...Ass out of you and me.) I've heard it.

As i dont struggle for distance and don't need a range of long iron/hybrid options, I am a 4 wedge man most of the time but sometimes go with 3 esp. at this time of year

48* PW Titleist 690CB

52* TM Rac Black 9 deg bounce

56* TM Rac 12 deg bounce

60* TM RAC Chrome - bounce? just about nil i think and this club never really comes out of the bag in the mud and puddles of winter.

Nick, no, my post was not meant to be humourous, neither was it tongue in cheek. To me that is a funny way to play this game. Basing any form of distance measuring on mechanics is futile, in my opinion, but then, if that is the way you wish to play then it is your choice.

Hi John,

I guess it's each to his own. All I'll say is that since I've played the way I've described I've become much more consistent, dropped 5 shots off my handicap and regularly shoot under 80.

At 46 my goal was to become a single figure handicapper, if only for a short period. I've now set my sights on geting down to 7 and believe that knowing distances is key to achieving this.

I guess handicaps are the ultimate judge of a golfer's ability. As they say, it's not how, it's how many.

All the best out on the course this year,

Nick

Martin, you must be some sort of gorilla hitting them distances.

what do you use inside 70 yds and around the green

I carry 4 WIP wedges. - Work in progress!

Hi Nick,

Your method of playing is the modern mechanical way and is fine, if that is what you want.

To me, to make this game enjoyable shotmaking is what gives the satisfaction and your method will never be able to produce the same satisfaction as my method.

You say that the nadicap tells all, but that is not always so, because you are assuming that because I am now 18 handicap that I hav e never been able to play this game, when in actual fact I have an enviable record of having spent over 40 years with handicaps lower than 6. Yes even Scratch.

If you wish to get lower than you currently are then you have to bring some flair and imagination into your game as there will be many courses that require shots that you do not have to play using your current method.

All of my friends are good players, like yourself, and I have watched them still struggling to make the breakthrough, even off 280 yards drives. Ask Martin Millichip, one of our best players on this forum, how hard it is to get lower.

I wish you well in your endeavours to achieve your goals, but I have always felt that the good players become good very quickly.

Hi John,

Let's not make too many assumptions here. Firstly, I know of your record and you are obviously a very accomplished player - more than I shall ever be.

However, just becasue I choose to know my distances on each of my wedges does not mean that I am not a shotmaker and have no imagination or flair. Just ask my playing partners how I escape from the predicaments my eratic driving gets me into!

I don't get enough time to practice as much as I'd like, although since getting divorced my game has definitley improved as stated earlier. When I do practice, I practice shaping shots both ways, high and low shots, lobs, chips, pitches, bump & runs and punches, playing from different sloping lies, bunkers, etc, etc. I enjoy these elements of the game and frankly would find it boring if I knocked it down the middle every time.

I'll get to 7 or lower in 2012 because I will continue to work on all of these elements of my game and who knows, I might even start to drive it consistently down the middle!

All the best,

Nick

Nick - When I do practice, I practice shaping shots both ways, high and low shots, lobs, chips, pitches, bump & runs and punches, playing from different sloping lies, bunkers, etc, etc. I enjoy these elements of the game and frankly would find it boring if I knocked it down the middle every time.

All of those shots cannot be performed using your current method of yardages. and distances by moving up and down the shaft for a certain distance. So now you are changing your tune.

I am no longer an accomplished player, but I have not fogotten how to play all the shots.

I have never swung at the same tempo for every shot as there is always an adjustment to be made for wind and its differening strengths, ground and its texture, the shape and condition of the ground at the target distance. A stock shot like yours is no use.

Put simply I use the principle of instinctive weight, something we are all blessed with.

John,

Of course all shots involve feel and the golfer needs to make allowances for the elements and circumstances of each shot required on any given day. Did you actually think I would hit the same shot into a 30mph wind as I would a 10mph down wind? Or set up the same if the ball was above or below my feet or I wanted to fade or draw it? Or have the ball in the same position if I wanted to hit a high lob or low punch? Or never have the face open or closed but always square? Please.

My initial post regarding distances is a rough guide that I am comfortable and confident with if all things are equal - when you get to play your 'stock shot' - which of course you never do. I then make adjustments to allow for that specific shot on that day. I am not changing my tune at all, I'm merely stating that to play your best, you need to have an idea of the distances you hit each club and then practice in terms of technique and feel for each particluar shot type/variance in order to carry them off consistently and to shoot your best score on the day.

I think, in the final analysis, we are agreeing to agree, but I feel sure you will let me know if we're not.

Signing off for tonight.

Best,

Nick

I surrender, Nick, you are a better player than me, so I will shut up.

Let me know when you make it this year.

You must play a pretty short course to carry all those wedges. I carry a 52 and a 56 but to be honest i play along coarse and couldn't sacrifice clubs from the other end of the bag.

To be honest i'm with some of the other guys i wouldnt have any more anyway, but obviously that's just what i'd do you have to do what you feel comfertable and if that works for you then that's what your best doing.

You'll be glad to know that an earlier rambling reply was lost as my session timed out!

In short, I've got five wedges, four in the bag at present, but the rule should be: if your full shot (i.e. 80%) with one club is longer than your 3/4 shot with the next one up you're carrying too many clubs, unless they serve different purposes.

Some of the comments suggest the need for many longer clubs, but greens are 30+ yards long so if you have a club that will hit to the back of the green hit your 3/4 shot when the flag is in the middle and two clubs lower when it's at the front. Your dispersion with irons from 3-9 cannot be so tight that you need to carry all of them, assuming Luke Donald isn't on this forum! 

So, I think I'll dig out my winter carry-bag, not least because I walk a mile less per round than with a trolley, and take the following:

9 degree driver (also used as a 3-wood off good lies); 5-wood; 5-hybrid; 6-iron; 8-iron; PW ("10-iron"; SW; putter.

You don't need lots of clothing in the bag - you're wearing it all anyway - and nothing is sweeter than someone after the round saying "You've got the best score, and you only had a half-set"!

I have a Nike SV tour 56* (80-85yds & 60* (60yds) (v stiff shafts but as pointed out earlier these are not for distance as I have a a sand iron which will give me 100-110yds). I will use Nick's method of gripping down the shaft to 50yds for the 60* and 70yds for the 56*. Having said that whereever possible I'l use my 9 iron if I don't have to go over anything. 

Tried the halfset in a light carry bag and it worked well - recommended. Hit a couple of terrific shots with the driver off the fairway as I didn't have the 3-wood (preferred lies do help!), but I missed the resulting 10-footers for birdie then eagle. Several occasions where I would have taken a club I hadn't got so I went to the next one up and it turned out to be the right one. Silly decision to try to carry a fairway bunker downwind cost me two strokes to get out but went round in 76 so I'm going to stick with the system. Wedges are just the Titleist PW and a low-loft sharp-edged TaylorMade sandiron that's good off tight lies, though I did duff one from short of the green that I should have putted.

Terry, I'm proud but a tad embarrassed to say that I once played a 3 club tourney and went round in my handicap. That taught me that there is more than one way to play golf and that clubs can do far more then new normally give them (or ourselves) credit for.I think everyone should try it at least once a season, just for fun, they might just learn something.Having said that, I am not 'changing my tune' from my earlier posts (just in case JP reads this) All the best for 2012 all,Nick