8 or 11 degree Vokey SW 56?

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By Pirkka P

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  1. I have a little bit difficult time deciding on the Sand Wedge bounce: is the 8 degree bounce good enough or too low for for the Vokey SM4 56 Sand Wedge? Should I go for the 11 degree bounce even if the sole is different than with the 8 bounce? I know the theory etc., but don't want to accidentally have too much bounce (14 is not a consideration). On the other hand, I am a little concerned for the 8 to be "perfect for firm conditions". I play from medium firm fairways and sands, with occasional softer courses in the mix.

    I am replacing my old SW 56 (reg. 485) and can not confirm what degree of bounce it had (I am suspecting 10). I have no trouble getting out from sand with that wedge, but find it a little too bounce of the fairway of around the green.

    Has anybody actually tried both 8 and 11 bounce 56 Vokey and can share their experiences? Is the 11 degree bounce a safe "all around" choice. Can the 8 be easily opened in the sand for more bounce?

    For my 50 Wedge, I am buying the 8. My handicap is 17 and steadily going down.

  2. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    I would go with the 11 and maybe bend it 1* strong in loft (to 55) - that would give you 10* bounce.

    I carried a 54-11 Spin Milled c-c that I weakened 1* to make it 55-12 and it was pretty versatile.  When I was playing the Eye 2 irons, I had my 50-08 bent to 51.

    I currently carry SM c-c 50-08 and 54-14, and SM4 60-10 (all bent 1* strong; I shortened the 50-08 by 1/4" and matched the lie angle on the SW).   I have no problem with tight lies on the 54 and 60 (I can hit both off dirt lies).  The 60 is now becoming my greenside bunker club and I have no problem with blast shots in soft sand (for hard and wet sand I open the clubface less and do more of a digging shot or chip shot).  

    The thing I can say is the 50-08 is a much better wedge than the 48-06.  First thing is the swingweight is 3 points heavier, along with the shaft being 1/4" shorter.  The way I have it set up now, it is 1/2" shorter and a point heavier vs the 48 in swingweight.  It also works good out of medium sand.  It has been my go to wedge since October of last year (was used as a PW with the Eye 2s and I use it as a GW with the AP1s). 

    I prefer the 54-14 SM c-c vs the SM4 mainly because it has a narrow sole with full grind.  Also, honest opinion is the 54 wedge has just a little bit more intestinal fortitude vs a 56 for getting out of longer bunkers.

    A little tip about using the SW on the fairway - play it back in your stance a little to debounce it and hit more of a digging shot.  Also in firm sand, you don't open the blade nearly as much (or even do it square but still hit an inch or two behind the ball). 

    I briefly played around with a 256-10 that I had bent to 57 and it worked pretty well out of hard sand and soft.

     

  3. Jim W

    Jim W
    Oceanside, CA

    Ideally, if you could somehow demo each club from the fairway and around the green, bunker, ect.., you should be able to determine which club will work best for you.  Hope this helps.

  4. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Obviously one doesn't want to shell out $129 for a new wedge without being sure it is the RIGHT one.

    Places like Golfmart have a 90 day playability guarantee on new and used clubs.  As long as you don't modify the club (such as changing the grip or shaft length), you can return a new club no questions asked.  I would say the best option is buy a used or demo club, put it through its paces (hit bunker shots out of soft sand and wet/compact sand, pitch and chip off tight and grassy lies, pitch/chip on severe downhill lies).     The cost of an SM2 wedge is $29 used these days.  Even a SM c-c is under $50 used.  You can return the used or demo clubs and apply the credit toward purchase of a new club. 

    My wedge setup (and I may have posted it before in this thread) is Spin-Milled c-c 50-08 (shortened 1/4") and 54-14, SM4 60-10.  All have lofts that are 1* strong.   I can play the 50 in soft sand for a long bunker shot and also play a sliding shot off the fairway.  I can also play the 54 and the 60 off a tight lie but use a bit of a digging style.   I can also play the 54 and 60 off a severe downhill lie (this is also a test of too much bounce because you'll skull it if you play the shot wrong). 

  5. Jim W

    Jim W
    Oceanside, CA

    Nice set up!

  6. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Jim W said:

    Nice set up!

    Getting pretty vicious with the 60.  Oh yeah - joined the 910F club this weekend: got  a 19 at a good price (and minimal cash outlay with Superfast 5W and 4H as trades), made shaft length 41.5 and Surefit set to C3.

  7. Geoffrey  B

    Geoffrey B
    Celina, OH

    Go to a demo and see which one works best. 

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