A couple questions about the lob wedge?

Question

I have had a lob wedge for a while now, and while i hit most shots about 10 yards short, the ball ends up rolling way past the hole and possibly off the green. I swing down on the ball and get a decent amount of loft on the ball, but no backspin. I have a knock-off no name lob wedge, and i was wondering if i bought a lob wedge, which is the best to buy. I was also wondering if the reason im not getting backspin is because of normal wear and tear on the grooves (because it was a hand-me-down from my dad) or because of a swing flaw. Thanks

Answer 1

It should be in the groove just as everyone else mentioned.  You may need to brush off the mude and grime that's stuck in the groove.

If that doesn't work and plan to get a new lob wedge, get the raw metal type (no chrome) the light film of rust adds spin (at least for my game).

Answer 2

Buy a new lob wedge Your current one sounds like its not up to the job. Wedges can wear out, so if you have an old one its probabaly past its best.

A Titleist Vokey or Callaway X-Forged are the best choices, but if cost is an issue the MD Golf (N Drew signature model) lob wedge is a good budget alternative that produces comparable spin to match the big names.

If you still have the same issues then it was obviously down to your swing, but there's no point playing with bad or damaged equipment, and once you have sorted your swing you'll have the best equipment for the job.

Answer 3

Most likely it is the groves since backspin is created when the ball is forced to travel up the club face in a reverse spin fashion.  If the grooves are worn, it can't grip the ball as well, therefore less back spin.  However, in order for the ball to travel up the club face and catch the grooves, the ball must first be compressed ('squeezed') between the club face and the ground, meaning, you have to make a good enough down stroke and take a nice divot.

No grooves in the world will produce back spin if you are picking the ball clean off the ground without a divot (or barely scrape the ground).

You can also try to open the club face and pitch the ball way up high.  Since the lob wedge's club face is more flat this way, the ball will travel up the club face a bit easier, resulting in a high flight land soft shot.  (But won't go as far).

Answer 4

you need new grooves or a new wedge. Go with any major brand.

Answer 5

You need new grooves.  Cleveland is the best brand of wedge.  There are others as well: Nike, Mizuno, Callaway, Titleist, TaylorMade.

Answer 6

Try the Titleist spin milled vokey wedges.  I have the oil can finish ones and they were the 2nd best thing to happen to my game.  Unfortunately in golf, you have to pay for good quality, as cheaper ones don't seem to be as beneficial to your game.

If you think it might be a swing flaw, book in a lesson with your local pro and they will help you out!

Good luck with the golf!

Answer 7

believe it or not, the grooves don't make spin... sure new grooves can catch the ball a bit, but grooves are just for keeping the dirt out of the way so the ball can make contact with the club face. The face on your wedge may just be too smooth, or you're catching it way too thin. "decent" loft isn't enough with the lob wedge. When you hit a lob wedge it should be the highest flight in your bag. try moving it forward just a little. you'll catch more ball on a slightly less descending blow. see if this helps. If it does, then you were skulling the ball, if it doesn't, then try demo-ing a new lob wedge. I have a feeling it's more of your swing than it is the club.

Answer 8

The key to getting backspin on any club is speed.  You need to maintain a fair amount of club head speed throughout the shot to get any backspin at all.  If you are just chipping to a spot, the results will be as you explained, bounce and roll.

But if you are in the market for a new lob wedge, The Cleveland CG series or the Titleist Vokey spin milled are pretty popular right now.