Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

[Dnamixup]

Well i got my lobwedge and when iim taking a full swing i hav a 50% of thinnin it! its not nice as i like to use my wedge goin to the green as it stops up quick, is there any idea why this is happening and how i can sort it?

[Mizunoman]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

Dna,

Lob wedges arent really meant to be hit at 100% of your swing. You are better to use a nice smooth three quarters swing with them. As long as you dont throw the club at the ball trying to get backspin you should be ok. I see a lot of guys with 60°+ loft wedges doing this, they go for the big ego boosting ripping back 10 feet spin and proceed to knock the ball 30 yards over the green with a nice knifed shot. The lob wedge (in the UK at least) should be restricted to light rough from 40 yards in, heavy rough around the green and soft powdery bunkers. I had a lob wedge about 5 years ago but got rid of it after a season where even a conservative estimate says it cost me nearly 4 shots a round. I am thinking about getting another one tho because my course has changed around the greens the new greenkeeper is growing in some tough hay at the backs and sides of the greens and making the greens smaller. It's a shot I think I might need in the coming months.

D.

[gord962]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

The lob wedge is a difficult club to hit. When I first started out, my golfing partner (who was a Pro) took my 64* wedge out of my bag and said I wasn't allowed to use it until I got under a 10 handicap. When I got under a 10, I understood why I couldn't hit it before - I was hoping the club was going to be a magic club that could make my short shots and lobs for me. This is not the case. It requires twice the amount of work as any other club in your bag to get a consistant result. To swing at the ball with a lob wedge, you must realize a few things. First, this club is very short, so you need a very steep angle of attack. Second, you can not 'scoop' with this club - you must strike down on the ball and 'trap' the ball between the club and the ground. Third, because of these previous two, you must play the ball very close to your toes. Another point to add to my second point - if you are in long rough, do NOT try to scoop the ball - the club will probably just cut right through the rough, leaving the ball in the same place, or hardly advancing the ball at all. Best advice, leave the LW in the garage until you get under a 10 handicap.

[Dnamixup]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

Ok! well thats only 18 shots away i am normaly doinga full swing but ill try the 3 qtr! thanks for the info! but as im not the most accurate guy with my clubs im notmaly stuk with som lob shots over bunkers etc!

[LowPost42]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

So one needs to 'mash' with a lob wedge for best effect?

I have a 61* and have learned that 1) any swing works well as long as you use your standard swing (easing up tends to thin it, trying to kill it takes a big, big divot).


The other thing I've learned is to never, ever, open the clubface.

[Dnamixup]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

Ok, so i try to smash it? but if it takes a big ol divot wont that effect the shot?

[ph_kingston]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

I was looking at buying a lob wedge and your feedback has really made me think twice. There are a number of holes (short par 4s and long par 5s) where it's possible to end up about 50 yards short of the green. As the greens are mostly elevated I thought a lob wedge would ahcieve a higher elevation allowing the ball to stop better on the greens. The approaches to the greens are quite soft so bumping it up the bank is not a good option.

The grass on the fairways is cut very short so the lie is quite tight meaning the leading edge of a sand wedge sits quite proud. The rough is generally light and a bit fluffy.

I've been reasonably happy using my wedge and sand-wedge for these shots and opening the blade to get the ball higher but I thought a lob wedge would be the perfect solution. From what you've said, now I'm not so sure. Any ideas?

[Dnamixup]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

Well all depends realy! how long you bin playin? and how good are you? im 13 and im off 28 been playing for 8months now but when i do this **** right it works out very well, but then in all time i will get better at this shot?

[Mr_Change]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

I am on an 18 handicap and found that my lob wedge is perfect for the bunkers. and pitch shots. I use it for pitch shots up to 40 metres. I have to admit that when I first got it I added shots onto my game. I get out of the sand better with it. So it will stay in my bag for every round.

[TeachingPro]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

There absolutely no reason why you can't use a full swing on a LW, no matter what the degree of loft is - that is provided you know what you're trying to do and how to do it.

Short clubs like a AW, SW, LW and SLW (these new 70* wedges) require a specialised swing technique and execution. You also need to realise that lofted wedges have a high degree of bounce so they don't dig in and it's rather tough to take divots with them ... simply becuase they're designed NOT to dig in but rather skim the ground. You need to match your loft to the distance you want to hit the ball (at maximum) and the bounce to your expected ground conditions.

See, nothing in golf simple, but it's all easy once you know how.

So, now we've got that out the way:
1. Stand closer to the ball
2. You need more knee flex
3. The ball must be in the middle of the stance or a bit further back. Never in the front half.
4. Your swing plane must be almost stright up and straight down ... imagine your bum is up against a tree.
5. The lower body doesn't rotate as much
6. Your arms and hands must remain quiet - not huge wrist cock or 'flipping', there is plenty of loft to get the ball airborne

Once you've got that 'stock' LW shot waxed, then you can go really fancy with these LW's. There's a way you make the ball hit the green, bounce once and backspin to the left or to the right (spectators love that!) ... There is a way you can hit the ball so hard the backspin makes the ball 'stall', like an aeroplane does when it has no lift ... it will hit the ground softly and without bouncing spin back, even up a slope. If you use the right technique, you can make the ball hit the ground and stop stone dead - it won't bounce forward and won't backspin ... real drop & stop (sorry Titleist, copyright infringement!).

Simple ... once you know how.

[ph_kingston]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

Sounds like fun! Looks like I'll be going out to get one. Any recommendations? I was looking at a Titleist Vokey, a Cleveland Tour Action or Taylor Made RAC. There's so many materials and finishes to choose from but I'm a traditionalist so I'm looking for a forged steel blade with a chrome finish.

[TeachingPro]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

That's the great thing about learning new golf skills! New skills breed confidence which in turn results in more fun ...

You won't regret putting a LW in your bag.

You might or might not know, but I am also a traditionist and I have a number of wedges but I always get 'pulled' back to a nicely shaped chrome wedge. It just fits my eye unlike the other gunmetal, satin, bronze ...

Don't forget Callaway Wedges, I have 2 of them I use sometimes and I rekon they're as good as the Clevelands I had on tour. You have to try them as well if if your retailer carries them in stock that is. Roger Cleveland (ex Cleveland Classics) designed them!

Start by taking each make and get a feel and look for them. They have to instantly get that 'comfy' feeling. Take the best 2 or 3 and ignore the rest.
Next, get the right about of bounce ... the softer the ground you're expecting the more bounce you can have.
Next, get the right amount of loft (maybe a 60*?) for the distance you want but that takes some experimenting...
Then make a short list of 2 or 3 specific wedges that match the look, bounce and loft and try them out. Tape the sole and the face so you don't damage them if they're new ... Hit full shots, soft lob shots, off hard ground, soft ground, out of deep rough ... whatever.
Then, pick your favourite and go with it.
Don't be afraid to start again or to say 'no' to a particular club!

Okay? Let me know if you need more help.

[Dnamixup]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

Thanks TEACHER and i have a rac black lobwedge and my playing partners have a cleveland and a basic chrome callaway!

[kingtc]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

If your using a four wedge system what lofts would you go with? Is there any need for a 64, 68, or even 70* lofts?

[Dnamixup]

Re: Lob WEdge ! Full Swing?

Im using a 60f deg! and a 56 sw!