Wedges have always been the part of golf I avoided. Back in high school, my highest-lofted club was a pitching wedge, and anything higher felt like a bad decision. I would occasionally borrow my father’s sand wedge during a practice round, but the results were almost always the same: a chunk or a thinly struck rocket that flew to the other side of the green. So I stuck with what I trusted. For years, my pitching wedge handled everything inside 130 yards — reliable and predictable.

Last year, when picking up golf again, my curiosity finally pushed me to learn how to properly play with a wedge. Luckily, an old friend handed me a pair of well-worn Carbite wedges: a 52° and a 60°. They were far from shiny and showed plenty of miles, but they opened the door to an entirely new part of the game — chipping.

I started experimenting, taking note of how technique and tempo mattered so much more with these clubs. I quickly fell in love with the art of dialing in distances. Suddenly I wasn’t guessing anymore; I had real numbers, real control, and for the first time, I was playing shots with intention instead of hope.

These higher lofted clubs humbled me fast. After getting full-swing distances down, the next mountain was chipping. I learned I could maintain distance control through different swing lengths and different clubs — for example, stopping at 9 o’clock on the backswing with my 60° produced a consistent 50-yard shot. I picked up a small set of chipping nets and started practicing in the garage and backyard. Hitting a few balls every other day added up, and before long, my confidence around the greens had noticeably increased.

As I learned more, I realized just how much there was I didn’t know — bounce, turf interaction, ball placement, and how each factor shapes the shot. That curiosity turned into a goal: improve my game around the greens and start capitalizing on more of those birdie opportunities.

And that led me to the next step: getting fitted for my first real set of wedges.

Booking the Fitting

Over Thanksgiving week, I booked a wedge fitting at Mulligans Golf Center in Harrisonburg. Throughout November, they were offering free fittings with the purchase of a club — perfect timing.

Friday morning, I met with Wendy Kern, LPGA Pro and co-owner of Mulligans. After a quick warm-up on the range, we headed upstairs to the Smash Factory. She asked a few questions about my game, what I struggled with, and what I hoped to accomplish. It didn’t take long before she started putting clubs in my hands and had me swinging.

What struck me right away was how intentional the fitting process was. We tested Cleveland RTZ wedges, Mizuno T-Series wedges, and Titleist SM10 Vokeys. With each batch of shots, Wendy asked how the club felt, how the ball came off the face, and what I noticed about the trajectory. As I worked through the swings, she adjusted club heads, lofts, and shafts — reading both my reactions and the numbers behind them.

It didn’t take long for one family of clubs to separate itself. You feel it at first, and then the data confirms it. After the session, Wendy pulled up the color-coded dispersion chart, and everything made sense: the Mizuno T-Series wedges were simply the right fit for my game.

Mulligans: A Valley Gem

This experience reminded me how fortunate we are to have Mulligans here in the Shenandoah Valley. Their Smash Factory setup gives everyday golfers access to the technology needed to truly dial in their game. The staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping players improve.

Wendy, especially, has a gift not just for fitting but for teaching. Talking with her, it’s clear this is not just a business — it’s a passion. I’ll definitely be back for lessons and continued growth.

I’m excited for the new Mizuno wedges, but what really stood out was the fitting experience itself — a reminder of the people and places that make golf in the Valley feel like home.

The Local Advantage

Golf in the Valley is something special. It’s built on family-owned courses, local shops, dedicated pros, and community-driven places like Mulligans that keep the game thriving. The progress I’ve made this year came from the support of people right here at home.

Mulligans is a big part of that story, and I’m grateful for what they bring to our golf community.

Upgrading the Wedges

The Toddler Caddy