This one began with a query from an actual MyGolfSpy reader.
He’s a 12 handicap with $250 to spend on wedges. His present 52, 56 and 60 are just a few years previous however they haven’t worn on the identical price. The 56 is his workhorse. He makes use of it for many pictures across the inexperienced, a great portion of his bunker play and loads of partial approaches.
So what’s the neatest strategy to spend the $250?
He might purchase the Kirkland GEN 3 set and get three contemporary wedges for about $200. He might spend many of the price range on a premium 56 and a becoming. He might substitute one wedge at a time or store previous-generation fashions and attempt to stretch the cash additional.
We put the query to the MyGolfSpy Discussion board.
This wasn’t a ballot or a quiz the place everybody had to select from the identical 4 solutions. It was an open dialogue and it took off. The thread generated greater than 200 replies with golfers questioning the wedge setup itself, suggesting other ways to spend the cash and debating how a lot becoming and customization actually matter.
Just a few issues stood out.
Three new Kirklands are onerous to disregard
The worth argument is fairly easy.
The Kirkland GEN 3 Cast wedge gained our 2026 Most Wished Wedge check with a 9.1 general rating. You will get a 52, 56 and 60 for $199.99.
If all three of your present wedges are worn and people lofts work on your sport, that’s loads of contemporary wedge for the cash.
I lately in contrast the Kirkland GEN 3 knowledge on to the Vokey SM11 and got here away impressed with how shut the efficiency was. Kirkland completed first general in our check whereas Vokey completed third.
The hesitation with Kirkland isn’t actually about whether or not it may possibly carry out. It’s about whether or not 52, 56 and 60 with the out there sole design are the wedges this golfer wants.
That very same query stored developing within the Discussion board dialogue.
Do it’s worthwhile to substitute all three?
This may increasingly have been probably the most helpful a part of the dialogue. One Discussion board member who was coping with the same state of affairs mentioned, “On the subject of wedges, I don’t assume you may have purchase a set each time.”
His 56 additionally will get significantly extra use than his different wedges so his plan was to exchange that membership whereas persevering with to play the others till their efficiency began to drop. On this state of affairs, we knew the 56 bought considerably extra use than the 52 or 60.
Earlier than spending $250 to make all the things within the bag new, I’d need to know why.
One other Discussion board member took the query even additional. How does he use every wedge? Does he hit them full, partial or with an open face? Is the gapping proper? Is 52, 56 and 60 even the very best setup for him?
If the 52 barely comes out of the bag, changing it simply because it’s the identical age because the 56 doesn’t accomplish a lot.
The earlier era possibility stored developing
That is in all probability my favourite reply to the $250 downside.
A number of golfers instructed taking a look at new wedges from a earlier product cycle relatively than selecting between three Kirklands and one present premium wedge.
One Discussion board member put it this manner:
“The very best worth if you wish to substitute the entire set can be to go together with prior mannequin releases.”
He discovered two brand-new previous-generation wedges on-line inside a couple of minutes and nonetheless had roughly $100 of the unique price range left. Others introduced up the identical common technique with previous-generation fashions from main OEMs and direct-to-consumer manufacturers.
That is the place I believe the $250 price range will get way more fascinating.
If I can get a brand-new previous-generation premium wedge with the loft, bounce and grind I would like for significantly lower than the latest mannequin, I’m .
“Earlier era” and “used” aren’t the identical factor
A reduced new wedge from final 12 months is one factor. A wedge that anyone else has already performed for 2 seasons is one other.
One of many stronger Discussion board responses eradicated used wedges nearly instantly, declaring that though you would possibly discover the occasional nice deal, the situation of the face and grooves makes shopping for used a special proposition with wedges than it’s with many different golf equipment.
I agree utterly. It’s very troublesome to persuade me a used wedge is price it.
There are exceptions. A number of golfers talked about having success with golf equipment listed as “Like New” that arrived primarily untouched.
For me, although, the earlier era market is extra fascinating.
What would I do with the $250?
I’d begin with the 56.
It’s the wedge this golfer has already instructed us he depends on probably the most. I’d relatively ensure that membership has the loft, bounce and grind that work for his sport than routinely substitute three wedges directly.
My first cease can be previous-generation premium wedges.
If I can discover final 12 months’s Vokey, Cleveland, Mizuno or one other premium mannequin new at a reduction, that’s in all probability the place my cash goes. Then I’d have a look at the 60-degree wedge.
If he makes use of it sufficient and it has a particular position within the bag, substitute that one, too, if the price range permits.
I wouldn’t pressure the 52 into the acquisition simply because there’s room for one more wedge.
That doesn’t imply I’m towards the Kirkland possibility. My Kirkland versus Vokey comparability already confirmed why. If 52, 56 and 60 suit your gapping and the Kirkland setup works together with your sport, getting three contemporary wedges for $199.99 is a robust worth.
