IT’S NOT EVERY DAY that a golf club manufacturer targets women golfers. It’s not any day that a golf club manufacturer markets a custom forged wedge to women golfers. So when Renegar Golf announced its intentions to design a wedge just for us, GottaGoGolf went to Jack Gilbert for the scoop.
“The little 40-yard chip into the green is the same for the lady as it is for Dustin Johnson,” the company president said from Brentwood, Tenn. “You want it to hit, check and roll out 3, 4 or 5 feet. We wanted to design a wedge for any golfer, whether you’re a beginner or a senior player or a tour player or in a ladies group. So we went out to a club here in Nashville and had women try our (standard) club and get their feedback.”
What Gilbert learned will help every woman golfer who is shopping for a wedge that will extricate her from the thickest rough and the fluffiest sand.
THE WEDGE SHOPPING GUIDE FOR WOMEN GOLFERS
- Because most women play standard, men’s length wedges, they choke down on their grip. A better length for the average 5-foot-5-inch woman: 1/2 inch shorter than a men’s wedge, or 35 inches. Gilbert said a shorter woman shouldn’t hesitate to go to her local golf shop and have them remove the grip and shave off another half inch. But, he said, play first. “Length of club depends on height, how long are your arms, and stance,” he said. “Too many variables until you hit the club.”
- A woman as tall and strong as a man who is a decent player should just select standard men’s wedges.
- A women’s wedge lie angle is not likely to be important except for the very tall player (6-foot-4) or short player (4-foot-10). It’s not something we should worry about when we order a club.
- Your shot will tell you if you need a lie adjustment: If you consistently pull your short shots left, the angle should be flatter (minus 1 or 2); if you consistently push them out to the right, the angle should be higher (plus 1 or 2). A club fitter can adjust this easily.
- If your divot is square and even, your club fits you. If it is deeper near the toe or heel, you should have a lie adjustment. (The bounce board in golf shops also analyzes this.)
- C5 or C6 is a normal swing weight for the average woman, as opposed to D5 for the average man.
- Unlike with a driver (and some putters), bigger is not better for wedges. A more compact head glides through the rough more easily
- A forged wedge gives a “softer, more pleasant impact with less vibration” than a cast wedge.
- Because most women can’t reach a typical par-4 in regulation, the right wedge is essential for getting close enough to the hole to make par.
“Everybody wants to get closer to the hole, that’s just universal,” Gilbert said. “That’s why our slogan is ‘You’ll make more putts.’ ”
Renegar is the upscale option for women, with an MSRP of $189 for a forged women’s wedge with a loft of from 46 to 58 degrees. Cast options for women are on the market from Tour Edge, Top Flite, TaylorMade, MacGregor, Ping and Cleveland and range from $60 to $120.
i love the fact that finally golf club makers are thinking about how women play golf. Thanks for a great article with a lot of helpful information.
You are welcome Denise.
These wedges are really easy to hit because of their unique design. Women are often told their games are not good enough to have a high lofted lob wedge. NOT TRUE!!!! In fact, all women should have a 58-60 degree wedge. PLUS…they’re fun to hit. Go take a lesson and find out how! EASY!
I continue to love everything about “GGG.” Just ordered the new High Heat Driver from Knuth; hopefully it becomes my new secret weapon on the golf course. Next on the list, I will consider the Renegar Wedge.
Thanks Nancy. It also helps GGG when readers give sponsors some love.
This article was very informative. I would like to try out these new wedges. Thank you!
Would love a new wedge! Thanks!
I’m so glad to read that someone is finally marketing to women. I’ll be watching for these wedges to appear in my area.
This article has a lot of good information about how women should choose wedges. I am up for anything that helps my short game
Buying clubs for women is hard enough but add to that being left handed and the options are greatly reduced!!
That is true — maybe find a good custom club maker in your zip code? It doesn’t have to be expensive, they can order the parts to fit you and put them together. Future story on GottaGoGolf.
I need a new pitching wedge badly and was considering Cleveland because their lob wedge is my favorite club in my bag. I’ll definitely check out Renegar in my search!
I would love to try one of these wedges. I need help with my sand shots.
I’m tall (5’11”), but not as strong as a man. What are my options?
Look around for a good club fitter — and we’re big fans of the “senior” club, usually a more bendy “A” flex that is a standard men’s length. You definitely want a standard men’s length, even if you prefer a standard ladies’ flex shaft.
I would love to have one of these wedges! My chipping has got to be one of the weakest parts of my game.
It is nice to read the information on wedges for women. I have found it difficult to find good information on buying clubs. I am a short female. When I walk in to the typical golf store I either get ignored or am told they do not have clubs for women. Keep it coming!
Tell me this is not to good to be true. Definitely need help with my short game. Hopefully I can try it out at the PGA store.
Would love to demo one of these new Wedge’s! Are they only available through Renegar…..or through golf shops as well?
So far only through the web. It is the only way for small companies to do business. Sorry!
I’d love to have all four of these clubs in my bag. I struggle most around the greens!
Thanks for being the first commenter on the new GottaGoGolf Debbie. You’re now entered in a drawing for a new wedge!