no because its easier for players to take full shots with a wedge and just choke down on a long club, take the guess work out of the feel shots. you shoudl try reading dave pelz's philosophy on the short gaem, you brought up phil mickelson probably one of the best short game players in the world and he even carries up to a 64* wedge.Originally posted by DUBBED
You're contradicting yourself. If it's easier to control spin and landing spots from shorter distances don't you think you would need less clubs to accomplish that?
no because you have no control over those variables, control what you can, if you consistently grip down an amount you'll always get the same distance or close enough on the long game.Originally posted by DUBBED
And if there are more variables involved with longer shots wouldn't you want to minimize them by eliminating the amount you have to manipulate the things you can control (ie intervals between clubs and gripping down)?
thats your philosophy. for pitching most people will only play one club, i personally use my 56*, but i like my gap wedge for any distance 110-120 because i can take a full shot at a normal tempo instead of tinkering with 3/4 swings, 1/2 swings.Originally posted by DUBBED
My opinion on wedges is this. You need 3 wedges(PW, GW, SW), max. Two that you can hit full swing, and another you can hit from any lie around the green. If you're too far away to hit the green, lay up for a shot you can hit with a wedge for a full swing. Likewise, if you get used to one wedge from around the green you eliminate the guess work that would be involved by incorporating 3 or 4 different wedges into your chipping/pitching arsenal.
how many people especially amateurs do you know that can consistently hit their long irons and hybrids? wind plays so much more of a factor on these shots than short wedge shots that allows so much more room for error.Originally posted by DUBBED
Likewise, by have shorter intervals between clubs in the long irons/woods, you eliminate the guesswork and variables from that distance by being able to make the SAME SWING regardless of what club is in your hands. By gripping down and taking 3/4 swings you are only making it waaaaay more difficult for yourself to execute your intended shot.
that may be so but when you have more tools around the green you can always carry over a greenside bunker or get over trees with your lob wedge which you cant do with a sand wedge like you said people should carry. a lob wedge is an essential tool for the bag, you will not see a pro's bag without one. a typical sand wedge has 14* degrees of bounce are you comfortable playing that around the green when you know if you hit it wrong off a tight lie you will blade the ball way over the green into usually more hazards?Originally posted by DUBBED
And that is what buying golf equipment is all about, making it easier for yourself to execute your intended shot. You're only making it difficult for yourself by trying to hit 3/4 shots from 220 yards. Think about it logically, if you miss hit a shot from over 200 yrds you're going to be much farther away from your target than if you were to miss hit a shot from 80?
that's because they are pros. they have the control over their long irons that recreational/amateur players do not have. i use my lob wedge and gap wedge more than i would my long irons (3,4, hybrid) , how many people do you know that can hit a consistent knockdown/stinger shot with long irons that the pros use frequently?Originally posted by DUBBED
I'm sorry that you don't accept this logic, put some thought into it, perhaps try it out, and let me know how many shots you shave this summer. Feel free to go to golfdigest.com and check out the 'What's in the bag?' thing and tell me how many tour players have more than 3 wedges in their bag (PW included).
in the end it depends on the player and wht they are comfortable with. you think its mbetter to have more options in the long and i think its better in the short. you'll have people that support both.