Gapping wedges

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By T. B

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  1. T. B

    T. B

    Spent this afternoon trying to get distance gaps to coordinate with my AP1's. I have the 4I through GW 48*. I was surprised to find the SM5 48* hits considerably less distance than the AP1 GW 48*. My idea was to find the wedge that was about 10 yards shorter than the AP1 GW 48* and then go up the wedge lofts from there to get about 10 yards difference between each; but the SM5 48* was 20 yards shorter than the AP1 GW 48*. So my first thought was I would be carrying 2 48* clubs. Then it occurred to me I would have a bigger problem coming in at 14 clubs with a fairway wood and 2 hybrids. I am wondering if others had this experience? Looking at the Vokey website it seemed academic to choose 52*,56*,60*; but my actual distances hitting them show it is not that going to be that simple. The distances between the wedges was 10 yards for every 4* loft. So I could choose 46* with a 15 yard gap from the AP1 GW 48* (sounds strange?); then a 50*, 54* and 58* using the 58* for sand. I had hoped to keep my 60* though. How have others dealt with this?
  2. tdogg21

    tdogg21
    Chambersburg, PA

    One thing that might help your 14 club problem, I dropped my 4 iron when I added a second hybrid.  The distances were close and quite honestly, I wouldn't have used the 4 iron enough to justify carrying it.  As for your wedges, I would just go with what works.  It sounds like you have the opportunity to hit some Vokey's to compare so trust what you see.  However, make sure you are hitting both your AP1s and any wedges under the same conditions.  In other words, don't hit the wedges on the range or indoors and compare those numbers to what you see on the course with your AP1s.

  3. Rich J

    Rich J

    T.B., my situation is very similar to yours.  I sold my AP2 irons earlier this year and bought a set of AP1 irons.  The AP1 set is 4 iron through 9 iron.  Since the loft of the AP1 9-iron is 40 degrees compared to the AP-2 iron at 43 degrees, I dumped my 48 degree PW for a 46 degree PW to close the gap.

    I have a thread running right now on the 14 club rule because in addition to my driver, fairway wood and putter, I carry 6 irons and 5 wedges 46, 52, 56, 60, and 64).  Now I want to add a 21 degree hybrid, but that would be 15 clubs.

    My advice to you is to put aside the two AP1 wedges and add a SM5 46-degree pitching wedge to go with your 52, 56, and 60 wedges.

    One last thought.  Like you, i hit my wedges 2.5 yards per degree of loft, so a 10 yard difference for each 4 degree gap in loft.  You should be able to hit your AP1 GW 48 degree and the SM5 48 degree PW the same distance.  Something is wrong if there is a 20 yard difference in distance between the two 48 degree wedges.

    Rich

  4. T. B

    T. B

    Thanks for your replies. I really spent some time just hitting these wedges over 2 sessions with a simulator. I ended up keeping the AP1 48* GW and the Vokey 48* in my bag. I averaged 10 yards difference between the AP1 48*GW and the Vokey 48* wedge. It just seems to happen. Otherwise I am 10 yards difference between the AP1 irons and between the Vokey wedges themselves, as in your experience - 2.5 yards for each degree. I saw a post on this same issue some time ago but cold not locate it again so perhaps among us bogey golfers there is some thing to say about the AP1 forgiveness.
  5. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    The fitters from Titleist all recommend Vokey wedges used for full swings (especially PW and GW) be ordered with the same shaft as your irons. If you were using stock wedges with the stock wedge shafts (DG S-200?), this may account for some of the distance differences.
  6. Marchi

    Marchi
    Cape Girardeau, MO

    My pro put me on the Trackman, and gapped my wedges for me.  It was the single biggest change to my game.  I have never done that before.  We started at 46' and stepped them down every two degrees.  Then I picked my lofts based on the numbers.  Oddly enough, he made my wedge shafts heavier and my groupings got super tight.  It took a significant amount of spin off my balls, and my distances lined up for a 50,54,58.  i stuck with my 714 AP2 Wedge and everything has stayed really true.  Best money I ever spent.  I have used the Trackman for irons and woods, but never for wedges.  Ill never buy another club without doing that.  

  7. David S

    David S
    Truro, Cornwall

    I have changed to Vokey Sm5 wedges , couldn't be happier .

    I got fitted to ensure the gaping was correct, a lot easier to be sure about your yardages than having to make it up as you go along.

    I have a 45 degree wedge in my irons and then 50 - 54 - and 58 degree in the vokey sm5 wedges , they give nice gaps for me and a lovely feel on shots.

  8. T. B

    T. B

    I was initially fitted for irons but not wedges, which I have now added by myself. The only physical difference is the standard Vokey shaft (wedge flex S-200). My irons shafts are S-300 Dynamic Gold and perhaps this accounts for the 10 yards as Don O suggests. I filled the gaps by carrying my AP1 48* and a Vokey 48* as well, and now have 10 yards from the AP1 irons through a 60*. I have 1 too many clubs though, but don't play tournament golf and I could pull out a wood or the 60* if I ever needed to. I saw earlier posts by folks not getting a good transition in yardage between their irons and Vokey wedges, but could not find them again so thanks for all your posts.

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