Cleveland SMART SOLE 3 Wedge review - will it replace two clubs in my bag?

[@joseyamashita4457]

Nice to see this club in use. I have one and absolutely love it. It is more versatile than I originally expected it to be as well.

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Awesome to hear! I honestly need to get to a short game area and spend more time with it. Bunkers, rough, tight lies, etc.

[@benhoward7006]

I have used it for 2 years and it is awesome.

[@alm8199]

Thanks for your honest opinion.

[@jeremyhill3837]

I’ve been playing the Chipper and Gap wedge for a year, great clubs. I’m considering this S wedge to replace the 56 and 60 also. I thought I’d love my new 60, but keep duffing it. I like the security these soles give you of rarely doing that.

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Interesting. I have seen that the 60-degree lob wedge rarely works out for mid or high handicappers. It is a finicky club with not a ton of bounce. The 58 will do the exact same thing without any fuss.

[@johnmabry7870]

Bought this club smart sole 58 degree. I have found it easy to swing in the bunkers. My shots come out of the sand rather quickly. Hope to get a better feel with control of speed of swing. Give it a 4 star.

[@deanmackogolf8023]

I still love my wedge, maybe time to get a new one. The grooves are pretty worn down.

[@AndyGlavac]

Dean I got this wedge I was either a pro or a chump from bunkers. My bunker play went to 90% with this wedge Just trying to figure out the proper way to use it. I am also considering the gap wedge . Have you tried it

[@deanmackogolf8023]

I wouldn't hesitate. I see a lot of hackers hitting thin and fat shots from 100-120 yards out (basically my Gap wedge). I see they've expanded the line-up this year. Who needs a 64 degree Lob wedge?? I'm surprised they went that high. I've tried the chipper and sold it. I have a chipping technique that is very putter-like and I just use my 58 degree Smart Sole.

[@AndyGlavac]

@@deanmackogolf8023 I agree I would never get a chipper as I am pretty good at that shot. Not sure why they would go to 64 with the lob . I use that sand wedge out of the rough with great results. Thanks for doing videos for the average guy

[@kymstock1852]

I found in firm sand bunker shots I got better results with my Cobra wide low grind 6 degree than I did than a 65 C3i. No opening of the face,just chip it out.

[@gabemendoza8949]

please describe set up (open/sq), handle in the middle of stance, ball position, blade open/sq and swing technique. thanks.

[@deanmackogolf8023]

I play this similar to a regular bunker shot with a few key changes. Cleveland says that there is no need to open the faith whatsoever, but I find that I get better results if I open the face just slightly. Have the ball closer to the front of your stance and make sure to hit about an inch behind it. As long as the sand is not rock hard, the club will easily glide underneath the ball. Like any good bunker shot, leave the face of your wedge pointing to the sky as you go through the ball. I also use this wedge from all around the green, so it is extremely versatile. I ended up selling both my 56 and 60 degree wedges after I got this.

[@seancoxe3577]

Some basic sand rules still apply, Dean. For instance: Firm sand, less speed; fluffy sand, more speed. For those who might say its sand virtues render it less useful for other shots you might use the sand wedge for, tell them to check out the Smart Sole 3 "C" wedge for those other shots.

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Good points Sean. Since we are in the dead of winter here in Raleigh, I haven't gotten out to play much. I want to see how this wedge performs around the green and why Cleveland decided to make the Smart Sole C in the first place. I am not typically one to chunk my chips from the short stuff, but others may benefit.

[@julia-6195]

I have one. Wanted to see someone else use it. Good club. Try to use a caddie view if possible for your next video.

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Hi Julia, thanks for the feedback.

[@Bbeaucha88]

Hey fellow playa! Fancy seeing you here haha

[@Zerpersande]

These clubs sound as if they are similar to the Callaway SureOut. Or is it SureShot?

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Very similar to that, yes. The Callaway kind of stopped there and Cleveland continues to innovate.

[@Zerpersande]

Anybody that says any club is guaranteed to get you out of the bunker in one shot should have to detail who is included in that ‘you’.

[@deanmacko6926]

You do have to hit 0.5 to 2 inches behind the ball. Not every golfer can do that consistently.

[@FenwayJoe7129]

Pretty darn nice review. I have the smart sole 42 degree chipper and actually used that to get out of a medium deep sand trap yesterday. Put it right next to the pin as a lady from the LPGA went crazy. I love these. I am getting the new Gap Wedge in the smart sole this week. I think the Smart Sole line is just that Smart! I would never hesitate to carry them in the bag. Spider Dubiel

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Thanks Joseph, I need something a little lower lofted to fill the gap between my pitching wedge and the sand wedge. Maybe something closer to 52 degrees.

[@jeremyhill3837]

I got the 50 gap wedge recently. Fantastic consistent club and filled my distance gap between wedges perfectly. Makes me tempted to try their chipper

[@MikeSullivangolf]

Nice job Dean. It seemed pretty obvious that the Smart Sole glided through the sand better than the traditional wedge.

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Thanks Mike. Could be something you speak to your higher-handicappers about. As for my traditional 56-degree sand wedge and 60-degree lob wedge, both are for sale. I'm sticking with the Smart Sole 3.

[@bananaball1212]

Have you tried the chipper?

[@deanmackogolf8023]

I have not. The chipper in my opinion doesn't help me. It's 48 degrees and I have no problem with my current 56 or 52 degrees wedges. Have you tried it??

[@FenwayJoe7129]

Chipper is great. I have had it in the bag for a few years now.

[@thomasgaudet6940]

Will it come out if you catch it clean and not behind the ball??

[@deanmackogolf8023]

It will, just like any wedge, but this technique is very difficult and your distance control may suffer. I would advise you take a bit of sand with every shot, just like the pros.

[@evansnyder5326]

well i'm sold!

[@pouchboy1]

Good, but audio low.

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Yes, I know. I have purchased a microphone and you will see in my newer videos that the audio is very strong. Thanks for watching!

[@pouchboy1]

Cool, will look at the others. Thx.@@deanmackogolf8023

[@geoffstockwell7002]

Easy on an uphill slope, try it on at flat surface

[@deanmackogolf8023]

The bunker in the video was just too hard where it was flat, but I have tried it from all places in the bunker and it is spectacular. I have learned you do need to open the face just a little.

[@abigroman]

Sure… we will take your word for it. Lol

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Well, I did end up selling both my 56* and 60* wedges... and still have this in the bag.

[@Mj-CWO4]

Both long shots you hit ball first try hitting behind the ball

[@deanmackogolf8023]

I try mj, I really do! I've gotten so much better in the the sand since recording this video.

[@mibaer71]

Perhaps a nice review, but the sound is poor. So many clicks and noise and your voice is barely to understand.

[@deanmacko6926]

Thanks for the feedback. It's impossible to film a video at a driving range without hearing other golfers, but I have invested in a lapel mic for my newer videos. Please check those out.

[@frankhernandez6883]

should have place camera near basket

[@fergusfitzgerald977]

Poor video distracting noises and we couldn't see your results at all !

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Thanks for your feedback. I chose this angle so viewers could see the green and also my strikes.

[@kevinwhelehan421]

Dude, clear the balls off the green before you start your video.....😂

[@deanmackogolf8023]

I wish I could have! Unfortunately, there were others using this practice green as well.

[@kevinwhelehan421]

@@deanmackogolf8023 I'm strongly considering getting a Smart Sole S and C.

[@deanmackogolf8023]

@@kevinwhelehan421 I am on my second S and probably need a new one this season. I am not sold on chippers. I had the C for a while but it didn't pop the ball up high enough.

[@AndyGlavac]

@@deanmackogolf8023 so many critics, Yes you are learning You may have to do these videos earl morning or late at night Your content is very helpful