[gsxrken]

I was in the market for some wedges. I have had my sand wedge for years without complaint, but hated my 52* gap as it seems very inconsistent distance-wise. Since I figured I'd carry a 60* lob again, I figured why not get a matched set.

Anyway, I went into our local Golfsmith retail store and they have a demo area where you hit into a canvas video screen, and the computer monitors your ball and swing speed, launch angle, backspin, sidespin, and both the distance and flight path of the ball. It really is incredible and seemed to be dead-nuts accurate. When you pure one, it knows, and when you tug one left or a little thin, it's all over it. I worked with several 52* gap wedges.

I went in with an eye for the newer forged Cleveland 588s, but didn't care for the shaft and I got my lowest backspin. I then tried some Titleist Vokeys... nice feel but lower and less spin than I like. Finally went to some forged Nike V-Pro whatevers and loved them. The ball comes off softer, higher, and with more spin- like 300 more RPM- than even the Titleists.

Without the monitor, this would be a very non-data driven purchase. I also learned that I swing the 52* between 60 and 67 MPH, which is partially why sometimes it jumps 10 yards more than I want. I need to groove a more consistent tempo.