Wedge Selection
We all strive for better short games, the guys on tv make it look easy but there is far more in a wedge than we might think that can make the game much easier for us.
Gapping of wedge lofts is critical. With the changes in modern irons the loft of the pitching wedge has decreased across a large number of sets. You should start with the loft of your pitching wedge when looking at the lofts of other wedges. For example a player carrying a wedge at 44* would benefit most from carrying 48*, 52*, 56* and 60* but this may be unachievable with the number of clubs already in his bag. I would always recommend dropping a lower lofted iron in favor of a wedge given the number of shots played around the green.
Get your lofts on point and then look at bounce angle. Often misunderstood and almost always over-looked, bounce angle is measured between the leading edge and trailing edge of the golf club sole. Varying the amount of bounce a wedge has will change the location the ball strikes the face which, in turn, will help a player improve their flight control and increase the amount of friction imparted on the ball. There is a reason the tour guys hit this low launching, high spinning shots.
When matching your wedge lofts its critical to find a shaft that matches your preferred style of play. Do you hit lots of shots with shorter swings? If you do a shaft that weighs a little more will help with tempo and control. If you like to hit fuller shots look to match the shafts with your irons.