How many wedges should you carry? Ask yourself these questions

According to the Rules of Golf, the maximum number of clubs you can carry in a given round is 14. But the set makeup is totally up to you. Maybe you’re a long bomber and choose to carry a number of wedge lofts at the bottom of your bag. Or maybe you’re a shorter hitter, and prefer to load up on the top end with hybrids and fairway woods instead.

A “standard” set of 14 clubs generally consists of a driver, two fairway woods, one or two hybrids, five or six irons, three wedges (Gap, PW, SW) and a putter. But of course, there are endless variations which are entirely dependent on a player’s preferences. Still, many players are curious about how many wedges they should have in their bag — especially when it comes to carrying a scoring club like a lob wedge. What’s a perplexed player to do? I asked True Spec VP of Sales Matt Morin for his take.

“Wedge configurations are one of the most important conversations you’ll have during a custom club fitting,” Morin said. “Wedges are your scoring clubs. I am a firm believer that no matter what level player you are, you will have more scoring opportunities from 140 yards to the green than you will from the 200-230 yards, so having more options at the bottom of your bag is always what I will lean toward.”

So, whether that means you end up with three wedges or four wedges in the bag, a natural follow-up to that assertion is, which wedges should you pick? That’s a question a proper fitting can answer.

Gear How Ryan Fox, Shane Lowry, and Nico Echavarria choose their wedge set-ups
How Ryan Fox, Shane Lowry, and Nico Echavarria choose their wedge set-ups
By: Johnny Wunder

“A big question that is asked when talking about wedges and what lofts to go with is: what type of wedge shots you are most comfortable with? Does the player prefer to make a full swing versus hitting three-quarter to half shots? This is a big telling point on whether you will have four wedges or three,” Morin said. “Making sure that you have the traditional 10-12-yard gap between each wedge, starting with your pitching wedge, will determine your loft configuration.

“The next question becomes: what type of short-game player are you? Are you someone who likes to keep the ball in the air around the green or are you someone who prefers to keep the ball on the ground?” Morin continued. “If you gravitate more toward being a lower chipper and pitcher, having more wedge loft options is a must. This question will also determine a lot about what bounce configuration you have in your lob and sand wedge. At the end of the day, when deciding on your wedge set, you need to feel confident that you have all your gaps covered, and you have the ability to be versatile around the greens to give yourself the best scoring chances.”

To find out which wedge configuration best suits your game, schedule a fitting at your local True Spec. You can also browse some of the year’s most popular wedges — and customize your own iterations — via the links below. 

Titleist Vokey SM11 Tour Chrome Custom Wedge
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Cleveland RTZ Full-Face Custom Wedge
All-new RTZ Wedges are made with Z-Alloy, a completely new steel formula that enables a zero-compromise design approach for incredible feel, better durability, and more consistency for our best performing tour Wedges yet. Plus, there’s an all-new ADAPT grind featuring full-face grooves, to give RTZ Wedges more versatility than ever before.  Z-Alloy  Z-Alloy is a brand-new steel with better feel. It’s softer, lighter, and remarkably durable. It gives RTZ Wedges superior feel, better forgiveness, and more consistency. On RTZ Tour Rack Wedges, Z-Alloy’s rust-resistant properties ensure longer-lasting, like-new performance.  HydraZip HydraZip is a unique system of face blasts and laser-milled lines formulated to maximize spin performance under wet conditions. This technology is dynamically configured by loft groupings, which helps balance spin across lofts, while maximizing spin in adverse conditions.  ZipCore This low-density core technology replaces heavier material in the heel and hosel area with a lightweight, low-density, vibration-dampening material. This proprietary core allows us to shift the Center of Gravity closer to where you strike the ball, while simultaneously adding MOI.  UltiZip UltiZip’s sharper grooves cut through grass and debris at contact, while deeper grooves help make space for grass, sand, dirt, or water to clear the impact zone, giving RTZ Wedges stronger, more consistent spin from the fairway, rough, or bunker. 
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Mizuno Pro T-1 Custom Wedge
The Mizuno Pro T-1 and T-3 wedges have officially joined the esteemed Mizuno Pro family. As the best feeling and performing wedges Mizuno has ever made, they are now worthy of bearing the prestigious name. Engineered for precision and versatility, the T-1 and T-3 offer unmatched feel and control for golfers of all levels. With advanced forging techniques and meticulously crafted designs, these wedges deliver spin consistency, shot versatility, and a touch of Mizuno’s signature elegance. ICONIC MIZUNO PRO FEEL Forged using Mizuno’s Grain Flow Forged HD process at their exclusive Hiroshima facility, the T-1 wedges combine 1025 Pure Select Mild Carbon Steel with a Copper Underlay for an unparalleled feel. Every shot resonates with precision and feedback that’s unmistakably Mizuno. CRAFTSMAN REFINED SHAPING The T-1 features a compact Teardrop Shape with a straighter leading edge, creating a visually appealing profile from any angle. Its design is crafted for precision, confidence, and seamless turf interaction. SIX DISTINCT SOLE PROFILES The T-1 offers S, M, P, C, V, and X sole profiles, ensuring there’s a perfect option for every golfer’s unique wedge-playing style and course conditions. From full shots to delicate greenside play, these grind options provide unmatched versatility. The new M sole profile (Mid Bounce) takes the place of the T24 D-Grind, while the P sole profile (Plus Bounce) builds on a similar D profile, offering additional bounce. SPIN CONSISTENCY IN ANY CONDITION Featuring Quad Cut + Grooves and Hydroflow Micro Grooves, the T-1 delivers exceptional spin control in both dry and wet conditions. The tighter groove pattern enhances spin rates, while Hydroflow technology channels moisture away for consistent performance on every shot. Stronger lofted clubs in the T-1 range utilize grooves optimized for spin consistency, while the higher lofted focus on maximizing spin around the greens.
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TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 Custom Wedge
FORGED FEEL Incredible feel is a must for having a great wedge game. MG5 has been forged from soft carbon steel and designed with geometry to provide excellent feel with great feedback. MAXIMUM SPIN MG5 uses all-new, more aggressive grooves designed to maximize spin. Saw-milled grooves produce tighter tolerances allowing engineers to design steeper walls and sharper radii intended to maximize spin in both dry and damp conditions. PERFORMANCE IN ALL CONDITIONS RAW face with Spin Tread technology channels away moisture to help retain spin. The same way that tire treads help your car stay connected to the road, laser-etched channels redirect water at impact and creates more friction between the club face and golf ball to maintain spin in wet conditions. CRAFTSMANSHIP MEETS CONSISTENCY  Crafted by hand and then milled to perfection. Each wedge and sole grind are precision-milled to eliminate the natural human error that comes with hand polishing. Our grinds deliver unmatched consistency and craftsmanship that players can count on every time. CHARCOAL FINISH MG5 debuts a sleek, sophisticated charcoal finish that reduces glare and enhances its aesthetic appeal in the bag.
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Callaway Opus SP Custom Wedge
SPIN POCKET™ CONSTRUCTION A re-engineered 2-piece construction head design strategically reshapes mass to optimize CG locations. The Spin Pocket redistributes weight higher, raising the CG, and promoting a lower, more penetrating launch. The result is more spin and enhanced control, especially when you need to flight shots or attack tight pins. NEW SPIN GEN 2.0 FACE™ The most advanced face in OPUS history. A new 17° groove angle with tighter pitch spacing delivers more groove edge contact for more consistent spin across a variety of lies. Combined with a deeper cross-hatch laser pattern across the face, Spin Gen 2.0 produces enhanced friction for more bite and stopping power on all types of approach shots. SHAPE 6 – TOUR-VALIDATED PROFILE Trusted by Tour players for its clean, confident look at address, Shape 6 offers precise leading edge shaping and refined sole geometry. Shape 6 is the 6th and final iteration in the Opus prototype shaping phase, validated by Tour players and major champions. OPUS SP introduces progressive shaping in gap wedges to seamlessly blend with modern iron sets—creating a more cohesive setup from top to bottom. X GRIND – VERSATILITY WITH BOUNCE Back by popular demand, the X Grind returns in OPUS SP. Designed for shotmakers who want added bounce for forgiveness, without giving up versatility, the X Grind is ideal for players who like to open the face around the greens or play in firmer turf conditions. It’s the perfect blend of playability and performance in a wide range of shots and conditions.
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Titleist Vokey SM10 Tour Chrome Custom Wedge
Adding Vokey Design® SM10 Wedges to your bag opens a world of scoring opportunities. Between the crisp contact, optimal flighting, incredible spin – and those magical Bob Vokey grinds – they give you everything you need to grow your short game skill. From the simple to the sensational, SM10 are made to make great shots happen. Improved Flighting & Feel Get lower, more attacking flight in a wedge that feels amazingly solid at impact with SM10. A precise shift in the center of gravity gives you even more control and stability for greater confidence over every shot. Ultimate Shot Versatility Your swing is unique and requires the right tools. Finding your ideal mix of grinds will provide you with flawless contact and maximum versatility so you can be prepared for everything the course demands.
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