At my older grandson’s fitting (he’s very tall, so needed fitted), I was talking to the Pro. What was interesting is my 40 yo clubs, my 9i is 46°, my PW is 50°, SW is 55-56. There is no Lob (I had one for a while before the Groove Rule of 2010). I was saying how the 50 is my most important (AKA “MAGIC” from all the hole-outs it’s logged) wedge; and that I don’t know that a 60 is of any use to me. The pro pointed out that younger / current tour player and teacher now, teach “1 swing” but vary the wedge/club; where as we (grew up in 80s) learned the 1 wedge, and to vary the swing/length for a given shot. I ended up thinking I was really in between; because I do both but with perhaps fewer clubs than a “modern” approach. Having several “set points” I use for the partial swings, and then vary club for various distances between swing points.

I hope to update my 40 yr old 1982 vintage Wilson 1200LT irons (soon?) , and when I do, even w/o considering the loft changes; adding a wedge or 3 is looking “probable” even and Lob might end up back in the bag. Flop Shots? not sure on that yet.

Anyway – glad you’re recovering. 50°W addict out.

My own Lob wedge addiction began in the early 90s with Dave Pelz’s articles and Tom Kite’s using one. As recently as 3-years ago, I used a 58* wedge for more than 40% of my shots around the green! After I started using Shot Scope and looking at my own statistics I realized that my proximity was MUCH better with a putter, hybrid and chipper than with my 58*. Some of my best short game shots happened when I realized that facing an uphill lie, my UW would be a better choice….which turned out to be the right call. Learning to use a 9i or PW for a 30+ yard bunker shot was an eye opener.

My most lofted wedge for 2025 will be a 56* or 57* and I’m practicing a chip and run with a PW!