If golfers drive for show and putt for dough, where does the wedge game fit in the mix? According to a recent report by Cleveland Golf, 65% of all shots for an average golfer come from inside 125 yards. Even more importantly, 45% of all shots, not including putts, are used with a wedge.
Research from the National Golf Foundation indicates that only 22 percent of all golfers regularly score better than 90 for 18 holes on a regulation length course. 25 percent of all males regularly break 90 while just 7 percent of females eclipse that mark. According to the NGF, the average 18-hole score on a full-size course is 97 for men and 114 for women.
Therefore for an average male golfer who averages 36 putts per round, roughly 27.5 strokes per round are taken using wedges. That number increases to 35 strokes per round for women. The wedges in your bag might include a pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge and maybe even an additional wedge.
According to Cleveland golf, 13.3 is the average handicap of a player carrying three or more wedges. The average handicap climbs to 18 for avid players who use two or fewer wedges. The numbers seem to indicate that carrying more wedges might actually improve versatility around the green by giving players the option to hit a lob shot, pitch and roll, bump-and-run or even an explosion shot.
To address this issue, Cleveland Golf has introduced a new wedge fitting system that will help golfers quickly and accurately select a proper wedge set. The Wedge Fitting Application at the Cleveland Golf website, helps golfers, golf club fitters and golf shop employees identify the correct models, lofts, and bounces so the wedges can be customized for lie angle, shaft and grip.
The Cleveland Golf Fitting System also features interchangeable wedge heads that are available in a different loft, bounce, lie angle and model options, and include a variety of interchangeable wedge shafts. Cleveland said changing wedge heads and shafts is done in a matter of seconds and interchangeable wedges feature identical specifications to the wedges a player will use on the course.
“It’s no secret that a player’s wedge game is critical to scoring and performance,” said Todd Harman, President of Cleveland Golf/Srixon – U.S.A. “We’ve raised the bar with wedge innovations over the years such as multiple bounce options, Zip Grooves, cool finishes and now Rotex technology. With the introduction of our new Fitting System and Fitting Application, we’ve made it easier than ever for any player to use the right set of wedges and get the correct loft gapping throughout their entire set. This is a game-changer for us and the equipment industry. The way that golf professionals and retailers are now able to comprehensively fit a golfer for a wedge set is truly a breakthrough.”
To learn more on the Cleveland Golf Wedge Fitting Application visit the Cleveland Wedge Fitting Application.
