How Often To Replace Golf Wedges?

With premium wedges from the likes of Titleist, TaylorMade and Mizuno now selling for $160-$180 you might be wondering how often should you change your wedges.

In short, it really comes down to how often you play and practice. Manufacturers suggest around 75 rounds is the time to start thinking about replacing your wedges. Obviously, you need to take that with a pinch of salt.

Firstly not everyone can afford to spend $500-$600 on new wedges every year or even every six months or so for really avid golfers. Also, some players might have a go-to wedge that they use much more frequently than the others in their bag so it will wear out that much quicker.

Some spend a lot of time on the practice ground working on their wedge game. This will also reduce the number of rounds where you will get maximum performance.

Let’s take a deeper look into this issue.

How Do I Check Wedges For Groove Wear And Reduced Spin?

Inspecting your wedges for groove wear and loss of spin is an important part of the maintenance of your clubs. Vokey and other wedge fitters recommend inspecting your clubs at least two times per year or more depending on how often you play golf.

Inspecting your wedges involves looking at the condition of the grooves and assessing any wear or damage that may have occurred over time. If there is significant groove wear, it can affect the durability and sharpness of the grooves and ultimately reduce spin performance. If you notice signs of groove wear or spin loss, it may be time to replace your wedge with a new one.

One way of determining if your grooves are too worn is to use the fingernail test.

Just run your fingernail down the face of the wedge. If it doesn’t catch in the grooves then that’s a good sign you might need to get your wallet out.

Another way to decide is if you’re not getting the ball to check up the way it used to then that’s a good sign that you might need to think about some replacements.

What Causes Wedge Grooves To Wear Down?

Over time, repeated practice and play can cause wear and tear on the face of the wedge. To prevent this from happening too soon, some golfers switch out their wedges with fresh grooves every few months or so. Tour professionals can afford to get new sets of wedges every few months since they get them for free but the average golfer is unlikely to have that option due to the cost involved. PGA Tour players probably need to maximize their spin rates in order to pull off some of the shots they play out on the tour.

Regular practice and play are necessary for a golfer’s game but keeping a good rotation of fresh wedges with new grooves will lead to better overall performance as the grooves last longer. Obviously that all depends on whether you can justify the cost.

I know over my golfing life I’ve probably averaged around 150 rounds per year so on that basis I should have brought 3 or 4 wedges every six months or so.  If we assume an average of $100 each I would be looking at $600-$700 per year depending on whether I was using 3 or 4 wedges. So over the 30 years I’ve played golf I would be looking at $18,000-$21,000. Yikes! For me, golf would be unaffordable if I purchased new wedges that often!

What Is The Purpose of Grooves on a Wedge?

Contrary to what many people think the grooves on a wedge don’t impart spin on the golf ball. They are like the tread on a tire. They are designed to channel dirt and moisture away from the clubface so that the ball and the club interact in a consistent manner. 

When Is It Time For A New Set Of Wedges?

When it comes to golf, having a good set of wedges is key for success on the course. Knowing when it’s time for a new wedge can be tricky. If you’re noticing your current wedge shots aren’t reacting the way you expect, it’s probably time for a new one.

A wedge with fresh grooves will be able to produce a cleaner contact which should improve your spin from the fairway and even more so from the rough. Investing in a quality wedge with fresh grooves can help improve your game dramatically. Taking the time to research the right wedge and find one that suits your style of play is essential before making a purchase.

New wedges can make all the difference in your short game and overall score on the course! Make sure to get the right combinations of loft, bounce and grind to suit your game and the usual playing conditions at the venues you play most often.

How Often Do Grooves Last On A Wedge?

The team at Vokey wedges suggests changing clubs every 75 rounds or so! That sounds great for Titleist’s profit numbers but not so much for your typical club golfer. I still have SM4 and SM5 wedges in my bag and unless by some miracle my game improves to scratch or better I won’t be in any rush to swap every wedge for a new one because the cost of them is prohibitive relative to any performance gains.

How Much Should I Spend on a Wedge?

When it comes to purchasing wedges for your set of clubs, you should consider how much you are willing to spend.

If you are an avid golfer, then investing in a high-quality wedge can be worth the money. However, if you are just starting to play golf and want to purchase a new wedge without breaking the bank, there are plenty of options available. It is important to check out reviews and compare prices so that you can find the best deal for you.

Keep in mind that cheaper wedges may not last as long or perform as well as more expensive ones. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide how much money you want to put into purchasing a new wedge for your golf clubs.

You could also look at discontinued models of the top brands. While you may not be able to get the exact finish, bounce or grind you are after the saving of 30-50% might be worth it.

Are Used Wedges Worth It?

Golfers everywhere are always looking for ways to improve their game and buying clubs to fix an issue is one of the most popular. Trying to save money by buying a used wedge may turn out to be a false economy. Unless the wedge is relatively unused you may be better off looking at budget golf companies instead.

Do I need a 52, 56, and 60-degree wedge?

The makeup of your wedges should really be determined by the level of your golf and the current clubs you have in your set. If you are a beginner or high-handicapper then sticking to a pitching wedge (48°) and a sand wedge (56°) might be a better option. Sometimes greater choice just leads to more confusion. Having gap wedges (52°) and lob wedges (60°) may give novice players too many options around the green.

Better players should try to fit lofts of any wedges into the set they currently have, trying to achieve consistent yardage gaps between each club.

How Often To Replace Golf Wedges: Summary

so if you can afford it and feel the quality of your golf justify is it you probably need to replace your old wedges around every 75 rounds. Golfers that practice would need to change their wedges sooner than that.