By Murray White
It was Gene Sarazen, who we have to thank for this most wonderful invention, that has bailed us out of trouble so many times. Personally, I love the short game and there are few things more pleasing than an up and down from nowhere and that marvellous, “smile wiper”, from your opponent. The golf Hall of Famer and seven-time major winner, originally pulled his early prototype at The Open in 1932, which he won at Princes Golf Club. The “Squire” as Mr Sarazen was more affectionately known called this club the “sand iron”. Sadly it is no longer on display at Princes GC as its worth is too much for the insurers to cover (random fact).
Moving up
Today sees an entirely new problem… which wedge is the one for you? There are heaps of options available in the marketplace and at golf retailers. Remembering that Mr Sarazen had to mould and build his own “sand wedge” with molten lead.
The four main types of wedges are:
Loft or lob wedge
Highest loft available and can range anywhere from 58 to 64 degrees.
Sand wedge
The standard loft for a sand wedge ranges from 54 to 58 degrees.
Gap wedge
With more loft than a pitching wedge, this has been more of a recent addition in golfers armouries in recent years. Standard loft for a gap wedge can range anything from 50 to 54 degrees.
Pitching wedge
The longest hitting wedge in your bag and would have a loft from around 45 to 48 degrees. Ideally, you would like consistent gapping (equal degrees apart) in the lofts for consistency and filling those optimal yardages.
Bounce
This is the angle between the leading edge of your wedge and the ground. A tidy and complete short game is truly a most useful gift, skill or talent any young golfer could possess.
Ask yourself these questions:
– How many times are you holding a wedge in the average round?
– Looking at your last irons loft?
– Consistent gapping.
– Grind and Bounce.
– How many wedges?
