How often should you replace your wedges?
So if you are serious about your equipment, and want to maintain peak performance, it might make sense to consider swapping out your wedges every 12-36 months depending on how often you play, practice, and the durability of the material. When in doubt, try to seek the services of an experienced clubfitter to get the straight story.
How often should you replace your golf clubs?
However, the two clubs in your bag that you use the most around the greens might need an update that often. So if you are serious about your equipment, and want to maintain peak performance, it might make sense to consider swapping out your wedges every 12-36 months depending on how often you play, practice, and the durability of the material.
How long should you wait before buying new wedges?
Let’s do a bit of maths. Your average golfer who plays once a week should probably start thinking about new wedges after roughly 18 months. Casual golfers who play once or twice a month should get decent performance for about three years.
How many rounds of golf do wedges need to wear out?
Titleist has done tests with their Vokey wedges that suggest 75 rounds is when you will see a significant decline in performance. However, he believes there is no such thing as a set rule because there are so many variables. For starters, many wedges are not made from the same material.
How long do grooves on wedges last?
The general rule of thumb is that the grooves of a golf wedge can last 2-3 years of moderate playing. As time goes on, the wedge grooves will start to fade which will cause changes in distance control and in the ability to spin the golf ball. Many golfers, however, don't keep good care of their wedges.
How important are new wedges in golf?
Research shows that around a quarter of all shots are played using a wedge so clearly they are a vital part of every golfer's game. They can create birdies or save pars, but can also cause problems for golfers who struggle around the greens if they are not using the right type of wedge for the shot.
Do pros use Rusty wedges?
Rusty wedges appear in many a tour pro's bag. Sometimes, the rust is a result of a hard life spent splashing shots out of bunkers and pounding golf balls from the turf on ranges around the globe. But usually it is totally inentional.
Do Rusty wedges last longer?
Ger21: “Raw steel is softer than chrome plating, so raw wedges will scratch and scuff more than chrome, and potentially wear faster. But if you keep them clean, you should easily get 10 years or more out of them at 12 rounds/year. If you don't want them to rust, clean and oil them after each round.”
How do you tell if your wedges are worn out?
Fingernail test It's a basic test, but Briand suggests doing what's called the “fingernail test” on your wedge to get a quick idea of where your grooves are at. Run your nail down the face of the wedge and notice if your nail gets caught up in each groove. If it does, you're doing just fine in the groove department.
Are expensive wedges worth it?
More expensive wedges can make a difference in terms of performance. Pricier wedges are made with better materials and deliver better contact, spin, and distance control. A cheap wedge will also start to show wear and tear more quickly especially when used in conditions that accelerate groove wear.
Why do Vokey wedges rust?
The Jet Black will rust as the dark finish wears, while the Raw wedges will rust more quickly with exposure to air and moisture.
Why do TaylorMade wedges rust?
Rusting generally happens within the natural cadence of playing golf. You hit a shot, clean your wedge and happen to store it while it's still wet – that will create rust over time. Or you play in wet conditions and don't completely dry your wedge after the round.
Why do Tour players play raw wedges?
Many Tour pros and better players prefer raw wedges that, over time, experience some corrosion which keeps the face roughness fairly high.
Do raw wedges spin more?
The rust does not add spin, but a raw wedge will spin more, so... It's not the rust; it's the lack of plating. What would actually add more spin: hitting the ball in the fairway and having a good lie. You can customize them by grinding edges or bounce off in the tour van without it looking awkward.
Do black Vokey wedges rust?
*Jet Black wedges are raw and will show rust over time.
Should I let my wedges rust?
Do rusty wedges spin more? Rusty wedges do not offer an increased amount of spin compared to wedges with a plated, finished coating. Many golfers prefer the look and appearance of a rusted wedge because it minimizes the suns glare at address and allows a better feel for the grind of the club.
How many rounds are in a titleist wedge?
Titleist has done tests with their Vokey wedges that suggest 75 rounds is when you will see a significant decline in performance. However, he believes there is no such thing as a set rule because there are so many variables. For starters, many wedges are not made from the same material.
Why does Bubba Watson tell Woody to practice with the wedge?
So it’s challenging to come up with an exact rule for every golfer because it depends on the material of the wedge, playing conditions, and practice frequency.
Can you spin a golf ball in a clean lie?
So if you have wet conditions or anything other than a perfect lie on the fairway, you are going to see considerable discrepancies in how much you can spin the ball. If you have a clean lie on the fairway, you likely can put a similar amount of spin on the ball because nothing is getting in between the grooves and the ball.
Do wedges wear down faster?
Unlike the other clubs in your bag, your wedges will typically wear down much faster , and there will be significant changes in performance on the course. While there are some generalized recommendations on how often you should upgrade your wedges, I’ll share some information that can help you make a smarter decision.
How to tell if a groove needs to be replaced?
According to Stone, some telltale signs of grooves that need to be replaced are increased launch angle and decreased spin. If the ball is coming off your face and ballooning or floating, rather than penetrating and spinning when it hits the surface, it may be time to change.
How long do fairway woods last?
Fairway woods can go five years or even a decade in your bag before you need to change them out, while putters usually change when 3 footers stop going in. But then there’s wedges, which are more tricky.
How long should I play wedges?
Let’s do a bit of maths. Your average golfer who plays once a week should probably start thinking about new wedges after roughly 18 months. Casual golfers who play once or twice a month should get decent performance for about three years.
How many rounds did the golf wedge have?
One had played 125 rounds, one 75 rounds and the other had fresh grooves. Using a wedge robot hitting full shots, each wedge was hit to a 100-yard long green that is perfectly flat. The wedge that had 125 yards of play launched at 35 degrees, spun at 6,500 rpm and rolled out about 24 feet.
Where did the Vokey Wedges test?
How did the Vokey Wedges team carry out the test? Using a wedge robot at their Manchester Lane testing facilities in Acushnet, Massachusetts, the Titleist Vokey team used three different SM6 wedges for an experiment.
How many rounds does a golfer need to replace his wedges?
The average Tour player replaces his wedges at least a handful of times per season. It probably comes out to 35-50 rounds, with many requesting fresh sets in advance of major championships. Of course, each wedge in a Tour player’s bag is logging more than just competitive rounds.
How long does a wedge last?
For the average recreational golfer who plays regularly, that comes out to about every 18 to 24 months.
What is raw wedge?
Raw (or unplated) wedges are a popular option in the professional ranks. They rust over time, are generally resistant to glare, and tend to produce a softer feel at impact. Nearly every manufacturer offers a raw option these days, so getting your hands on a set isn’t a problem.
Do wedge shots produce positive results?
Spending extra time on the short game practice area can make it a reality, but if you find that even well-struck wedge shots aren’t producing positive results , it might be time to take a closer look at your scoring clubs. Every wedge has a lifespan and depending on how often you practice and play, you’ll eventually hit a point where a new wedge ...
What does it mean to switch golf balls?
Meaning if it’s not enforced, you can swap different ball models and brands freely between holes. 2. Gaming the system. Again, the one-ball rule is what’s called a “Local Rule,” meaning if it’s not upheld by your tournament committee, you can switch golf balls from one brand to another (between holes).
Is a premium golf ball good for handicap?
Let’s settle this here since we already touched on it: A premium golf ball can in fact be advantageous for a higher handicapper, especially around the greens where the soft covers really come into play. But you’ll never really know which ball is right for you until you try different models through a trial-and-error approach or go through a proper ball-fitting session.
