With drivers, the signs are obvious. Your carry numbers drop, forgiveness disappears and the launch monitor makes it clear that technology has moved on. Wedges wear down more subtly. Grooves fade one bunker shot at a time. Launch creeps up, stopping power fades, and most golfers (me included) don’t notice until it’s too late. One day, that hop-and-stop pitch rolls out 10 feet too far. Or you short-side yourself and suddenly realize you don’t have a shot that’ll stop fast enough anymore.
Here are eight signs it’s time to replace your wedge.
1. Your grips are slick (Never re-grip a wedge)
Grip life and groove life run on almost the same clock. If the rubber feels glassy and slick, the face is almost certainly costing you some spin and performance. Titleist testing shows scoring-wedge performance falls off after about 75 rounds.
That said, if your wedge has been sitting in the garage for years, the grip may be worn out, even if the grooves are still intact. Age alone doesn’t wear wedge grooves; use does.
2. Visible wear and tear
Wedge guru Bob Vokey’s rule is, “If it looks worn, it probably is.”


