THE 60 DEGREE WEDGE IS ANOTHER USEFUL TOOL

        (Author's Note: This article was written in the 
        last year of Harvey Penick's life. At the time, he 
        was consulting to Tom Wishon at Golf Smith, Inc.
 
        Harvey, and I swapped many good natured insults over 
        the years but I always had the greatest respect for 
        this true gentleman and continue to respect his memory 
        and his legacy to the game of golf).

                        - - - - - - - -

     It is usually not wise to disagree or argue with an icon. I 
do so very infrequently and with extreme trepidation. I usually 
end up regretting giving in to the urge. Sometimes, however, it 
just can't be avoided.  ... Like now.

     Harvey Penick, a real icon and a master of the game, was 
quoted nationally as being against the use of 60 degree wedges. 
He, according to the article, believed that golfers would better 
spend their time learning all the various ways to use the one 
sand wedge they all have.

     While it is true that the standard sand wedge can be used in 
some fashion for nearly all the short shots it is equally true 
that it takes practice, lots of practice, to master those shots.

     There is nothing really magic about the highly lofted sand 
wedge. It is, however, very forgiving for those of us who are not 
professionals and can't practice 4 or more hours per day.

     One of the toughest shots to execute is the "part" shot. By 
that I mean something less than a full swing. What is a 70% shot 
or a 40% or a half shot? For someone who practices sporadically, 
if at all, being 50 yards from the green in the center of the 
fairway can be among the worst positions on the golf course.

     Let's assume that a pitching wedge flies 90 yards and that a 
sand wedge flies 80 yards. If the lie is good either club will get 
you there. How hard should it be hit? Do you plant solidly and 
make an "arms only" swing? How far back should you take it?

        The answer to all these is "maybe" unless you have a highly 
lofted (60 to 64 degree) wedge. Now all the guess work is gone.

     Played from your normal ball position that club will send the 
ball about 50 to 60 yards (depending on it's actual loft). Hit it 
harder and it just goes higher, not very much further. You can make 
it a bit shorter or longer by playing it slightly further forward 
or back in your stance but not much. That's all there is to it. No 
practice required once you establish your normal distance on the 
range for that particular club. No more "chili dips" or skulling 
the ball over the green. You always have your putter in hand for 
the next stroke. That's why I like the 60 degree wedge and highly 
recommend it to all amateur golfers. 

     The 60 (or more) degree wedge was the first essential change 
to the sand wedge since Gene Sarazen invented it. Just as the 
standard sand wedge took all the fear out of sand play the more 
lofted sand wedge has taken the fear out of all "part" shots.

     Interestingly enough, it's now the exceptionally deep, thick 
rough immediately bordering the green that causes the most serious 
problems and creates the greatest challenges. Before sand play 
became child's play the greens were surrounded by light or 
semi-rough. The penalty for errant shots was extracted by the sand. 
Now the situation is reversed. Here too the 60 degree wedge can be 
of tremendous value.

     Greenside rough can be awesome; deep enough to hide your shoes 
let alone your ball. Getting the ball out with some regularity and 
reliability can be an "iffy" proposition. Whole chapters of golf 
instruction books have been devoted to the various feats of magic 
that can be performed with the standard sand wedge from deeply 
buried lies. They are all valid depending on what you are trying to 
accomplish and how much you are willing or able to practice. 

        Using the "60" makes all the options easier to perform for 
the average Sunday golfer. 

     You should approach these situations as you would a sand bunker 
shot. Keep the same objectives and priorities in mind. 

	First, GET OUT. 
	Second, get on the green. Nothing complicated in that. 

        The 60 degree wedge allows these objectives to be met more 
readily, more often and with minimal practice. For my money, that's 
a club worth trying. Ask your pro if you can take one for a test 
drive. You'll have a ball and should be impressed with the results. 

        (Just don't tell Harvey I said so).