EYE2 Wdeges

Question
QUESTION: Eddie,
 I've got the same issue as Darwin -- I need a gap wedge for my pre Eye2+ set. I'm going to send them to the factory to get re-lofted & -lied, but I don't like the idea of putting an unmatching wedge in my bag. I've got the 1 iron - PW [50.5癩, SW [57.5癩 & LW [61癩 & like all the wedges. Ping will sell a single EYE2 wedge still, won't they? [If not, what is the closest available wedge that swings & looks similar?]
 Would it work for me to buy another Eye2 wedge & then have them re-loft it to 53.5? I think I heard that bending one of these 3.5?-- which is what it would take to get something right in the middle -- will likely crack it.
 And one more thing, I'd have too many clubs in my bag with 4 wedges. I'm OK with just two woods, but then I've got to keep the two iron or I've got a big gap on that end. That means either a big hole when I drop one of the 3 - 9 irons, or re-lofting the whole set, right?!


ANSWER: Jon:  Do you honestly need a 1 or a 2 iron?  Very few Tour Professionals have them anymore.  You need that wedge, yes.  They are called the "Scoring Clubs" for a reason.  A 1 or 2 iron is not a scoring club.  Unless you're trying to match up the set to sell later on, why not just get the new PING gap wedge and have it bent to your specs?  The new wedges are fantastic.  If this is for you Jon and you're looking at playability, I wouldn't waste your time or money or effort to get a wedge that matches.  But if you want an Eye 2 and they still make them, then they can bend it to whatever you need.  As far as your bag makeup goes, I would get rid of the 1 and 2 iron, go with your two woods, get a gap wedge made for you and go play.  You need help in the scoring zone, not the 1 iron zone.  Good luck.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Eddie,
 Thanks for the quick response! Certainly, one way or another I've got to get a gap wedge. All I have, though, is a driver & a 3 wood [14癩, so that would be a pretty big gap to from my fairway wood all the way down to a 3 iron, don't you think? Unfortunately, I run up against the 190 to 200 yard second shot a lot & I just can't hit a 3 iron that far.
 I really do have a much better chance of hitting my 2 iron well than choking back on the 3 wood when a 3 iron won't get there. And I do like the 3 wood off the tee on tight holes, too, but I can live without that. I guess the answer is to dump the 1 & 2 iron AND the 3 wood & get a 4 or 5 wood.

Thanks again.

Answer
Jon:

Actually the answer is to get yourself a 19 degree hybrid.  Then you can make your choice of what club to leave out depending on the course you are playing that day or on wind conditions that day.  A 19 degree hybrid is like a 2 or 3 iron, is easy to hit off the fairway and is great off the tee.  Fairway woods are getting bumped out as time marches on.  If you like your 3 wood, get a 19 degree hybrid.  All manufacturers make a good one, do not buy a cheapie copy of one.  Get a good hybrid.  It will close the gap between your 3 wood and your 4 iron perfectly.  I usually leave one of my wedges in the car if faced with that decision also.  It depends on the day, the wind, the length of the course, etc.  I might use my hybrid a lot on a particular day, where other courses I will use my gap wedge more.  Remember only 14 clubs allowed, so it will take a few rounds of experimentation to discover your set make up, but what the heck, that is part of the journey.  Good luck.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member