It’s always nice to see a review with at least one of the clubs you have in your own bag… good to compare notes.  I just read a great review of one of my wedges (Mizuno MP-T) over at GolfWrx.com. 

The well written review got me all juiced up to write a little about wedges as they currently stand and my future plans for my “Wedge Set”.

I’ve currently got Mizuno’s from MP Fli-Hi 21, MP 57’s 4-PW, MP-T 51 and finally MP-R 58.

I went with the MP-R wedge as opposed to the MP-T in my highest lofted wedge, primarily because I open this wedge up a lot more and the more rounded wedge fits my eye better than the teardrop wedge in the open position.

Anyways, I’ve got to agree that the Black Satin is an awesome finish. 

I don’t like the Vokey’s Oil Can finish, but I just adore the Black Nickel.  It’s not too dark, nor too light… as Goldie Locks said,

“it’s just right” :)

As for my own “Wedge Set”…

I’m considering altering my set make up a little… pull a few clubs out, add some and tweak the lofts on a few.

Presently my PW is 47 degrees, then 51 MP-T, then 7 degree jump to 58 MP-R.  I want some more consistent loft/distance gaps in my “Scoring Clubs” and I want some more versatility and options.

Before I tell you my plans, let me just say, that I wish Mizuno had an option for U groove versions in their lower lofted MP Wedges… kind of like Vokey does with the 200 series VS his Spin Milled wedges.

Why?

Well, with the shorter shafts, more descending strike and deep “Square Grooves”, I find I’m getting too much spin (yes, there is such a thing) with my MP-T 51. 

Problem is, that it creates me a pretty large distance gap between my MP 57 PW (47 degree). 

Even though the loft gap is only 4 degrees… mainly because of the spin from the grooves (probably a little because of cavity back PW to blade style wedge), it doesn’t travel as far as the same lofted wedge with U grooves would.

There’s actually a great report on Mizuno’s European Golf site, which details the “Distance Gap” issue, experienced by Marcel Siem. 

He also plays MP 57 irons, 3-9, and his first specialist wedge is a Mizuno MP-T 47 degree. 

Even though the loft of his MP-T 47 wedge is the same as his MP-57, he was left with too big a distance gap.  In the end they strengthened the loft by 2degrees (to 45), bent his 51 to 50, bent his 56 to 55 and kept his lob wedge at 60 (all his wedges are MP-T Black Nickel).

Even though his “loft” gap between his 9 iron (43 degrees) and PW (45 degrees) is now only 2 degrees… he gets a more even yardage distance between all wedges, without the big gap between 9 iron and PW.

Yep, went off track a bit there, but I think it’s an interesting story… full of the intricacies of wedge play (sure I love the adrenalin of swing speed, but the short game is where you score).

Back to my wedge plans…

One of the wedge options I’m considering is keeping the 47 degree PW (MP 57), strengthening the loft on the MP-T to 50 degrees, adding a 55 degree SW (with 12-13 degrees bounce), and a 60 degree Lob Wedge (4 or 5 degree bounce).

The other option is a little more radical…

I’m thinking about throwing in a 64 degree wedge… yep, hit the ball up into my face with that! 

I’m looking for one with a low bounce option – Pelz wedge is winning at the moment.  Not many people make them… YET. 

Callaway and Cleveland have them, but the bounce on them is higher than I want.  I think there’s a Vokey prototype out there on tour, but we’ll have to wait and see if it makes it to retail.

Anyway, to add that wedge, I’ll go with a 60 degree Lob wedge (8 degrees bounce), 55 SW (12-13 bounce) and a 50 degree Wedge.  I’ll take my current PW out of the set, weaken the loft of my 9 iron to 45 and make minor tweaks on the lofts of my 6, 7 and 8 irons.  Plus, I’ll take out one of my longer clubs.

I’ll probably shift to a Vokey 200 wedge for the 50 degree.  And either Vokey Spin Milled or Mizuno MP-T wedges for the 55 & 60 degree wedges.

It should be a lot of fun experimenting… I’ll definitely report my findings and experiences here. 

If it doesn’t work, I’ll go and find big Dave Pelz, grab hold of him by that Santa Claus beard he’s got, and head-butt him a little until I feel better.

And if by chance I’ve confused you, or you didn’t know there were so many WEDGE Options available… then think yourself lucky.  

For whatever reason I just love knowing the nitty gritty of golf clubs and the options with the “potential” to improve your game.  

Cheers

Sean Cassidy… it would be wrong of me to sign off with my usual “Real Men Swing Fast” after devoting an hour of my time to wedge’s.

So… “Wedges Stick It Close”

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