Westwood’s wedge secret

Lee Westwood’s equipment came under the spotlight recently, thanks to his win at the Nordea Masters following his first iron set switch in over five years.

Many focused on the new irons and putter, but I was struck by his unusual wedge selection. The World No 3 uses Ping’s Tour-W model in two lofts – 54 and 58˚- but has his 54˚ cranked to 52.5˚.

I spoke to Ping and found out why. I initially expected the reason to be bounce-related, but it turns out Westwood prefers how the wider sole on the higher-lofted head works on chips and pitches, but still needs it to go far enough so a large distance gap isn’t left to his pitching wedge.

Apparently, Lee prefers the head shape of the 54˚, too.