Most golfers start off with a pitching wedge and a sand wedge and even those quite often are from different makes with no relationship to each other. As a golfers knowledge of the game improves, he realizes that the short game needs to
be paid attention to. 63% of a golfer’s shots are within 100 yards of the green. If your short game is great, you can hit your approach shot close to the pin and have a very good chance at birdie or par. A good short game is the best recipe
for lower scores.
Dave Pelz, the short game evangelist and author of the book ‘SHORT GAME BIBLE‘ is a proponent of the 4×3 method. Great book. If you haven’t read it, you are missing a great resource. Under the 4 x 3 method, you use a set of four wedges at three different power levels, 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 to give you three precise shots, thus 4 x 3 = 12 shots. You write your yardages with these shots on a tape and stick it to each wedge. Next time you are within 100 yards, you check your yardage and see which wedge and which shot gives you the best chance of getting close to the pin.
If the clock reference confuses you, think of yourself as a clock. In address position with your club head resting behind the ball, you are at 6:00 o’clock. 7:30 would mean a very short backswing and your wrists cocked. 9:00 would be
arms parallel to the ground and the wrists fully cocked. And so on with 10:30. Do not forget your wrist cock. Without it, you will loose leverage and sub-consciously you will start flipping your wrists to help the ball up. Don’t do that.
The emphasis is on keeping the swing constant, i.e., the same grip, the same force, the same rhythm – only the length of the backswing changes. You practice all three shots with every wedge and average them out. That gives you your 7:30,
9:00 and 10:30 yardage with every wedge. If you are playing with three wedges, that gives you 3 x 3 = 9 precise shots. If you have four wedges, that gives you 4 x 3 = 12 precise shots.
The objective is to land your ball within 8 feet of the pin. Statistics show that you have a better than 50% chance of holing out (one putt) from that distance.
Should you get just any three wedges? That will not be a good idea. Just like your irons, it is recommended to keep a 1/2″ difference between your wedges in terms of length. However; that is not necessarily a hard and fast rule. Some vendors will let you customize club length.
What lofts should you get for your wedges? If your 9 iron ends at 46 or 48 degrees, your pitching wedge should start at 52 or so and have a 4 degree difference with the next club. Say your pitching wedge is 52, then your sand wedge should be 56, lob wedge 60 and ultra lob wedge 64.
I personally play with a set of four wedges, 52, 56, 60 and 64. You can only carry 14 clubs in your bag so if you have a hard time throwing a club out, go with a set of three wedges. Our most popular wedge sets are:
- PO 690 Black. Set of 4 wedges.
- PO 690 Silver/Satin. set of 4 wedges:
- Acer XC set of 3 wedges.
Once you switch to a graduated set of wedges, you won’t go back. It makes a big impact on your score and who doesn’t like a lower score.
Good Luck!
Najee
PS: Feel free to add your tips and ideas below in the comments.