Trevor Ng
Golf wedges are a type of golf club designed for shorter shots, such as pitching, chipping, and bunker shots. They are typically used for shots within 100-120 yards and are identified by their loft, which can range from 42 to 64 degrees. The four main types of wedges are pitching wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges, and lob wedges, each with its own unique characteristics and use cases. For example, a pitching wedge is typically used for longer approach shots, while a sand wedge is designed for bunker shots. The right combination of wedges can elevate a golfer's game, providing accuracy and versatility on the course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of club | Golf wedges are the highest-lofted clubs in a set of golf clubs. |
| Use | Designed for short approach shots (for most golfers, 120 yards and less), strokes played out of sand, chip shots, pitch shots, and generally any shot for which the golfer wants the ball to ascend and descend sharply. |
| Types of wedges | Pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge. |
| Pitching wedge | The lowest-lofted of the wedges (the one that hits the ball the farthest). Usually included in a set of irons. Has between 42–48 degrees of loft, depending on the brand. |
| Gap wedge | Falls in-between the pitching wedge and sand wedge in loft. Has more loft than a PW, less loft than a SW. Typically between 49–53 degrees. |
| Sand wedge | Designed specifically to make hitting shots out of bunkers easier. Typically has 52 to 57 degrees of loft. |
| Lob wedge | The highest-lofted club in golf, with between 58-64 degrees of loft, depending on the brand and model. |
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What You'll Learn
- Pitching wedges: The lowest-lofted wedges, they are used for longer approach shots
- Gap wedges: Fills the gap between pitching and sand wedges in loft
- Sand wedges: Designed to make hitting shots out of bunkers easier
- Lob wedges: The highest-lofted club in golf, used for short-sided shots
- Choosing the right wedges: The right wedge can level up your short game
Pitching wedges: The lowest-lofted wedges, they are used for longer approach shots
Pitching wedges are the lowest-lofted wedges, with a loft of between 42 and 49 degrees, and they are considered one of the basic clubs that every golfer should carry. They are usually included in a set of irons and are often the only wedge that beginners will need. Pitching wedges are used for longer approach shots to the green, up to 135 yards, and they are also commonly used to "lay up" in front of a hazard or to create a better lie for the next shot. They can also be used for short chip shots around the green.
When used with a full swing, a pitching wedge can produce a high-trajectory shot that carries between 80 and 130 yards, and then "bites" with little or no roll after initial impact. Used with an abbreviated "chipping" motion, the club can produce short "lob" or "approach" shots of between 25 and 45 yards. Pitching wedges are also useful for recovery from firmer rough or sometimes for recovery from sand when the ball is lying on top of the surface.
The loft of a particular pitching wedge will depend on the brand and model, as well as the other clubs in the set. For example, pitching wedges typically have between 42 and 47 degrees of loft, but this can vary depending on the brand. The loft of a pitching wedge will also generally follow the progression of the numbered irons in the same set, and these sets can have subtle differences in loft progression and starting loft.
In terms of bounce, most pitching wedges have very low bounce (only 2 or 3 degrees) as other wedges like gap wedges or sand wedges are more traditionally used for shots requiring bounce.
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Gap wedges: Fills the gap between pitching and sand wedges in loft
Golf wedges are the highest-lofted clubs in a set of golf clubs. They are designed for short approach shots, strokes played out of sand, chip shots, and pitch shots. They are also used for any shot where the golfer wants the ball to ascend and descend sharply.
The gap wedge is so-called because it fills the gap in loft between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. It has more loft than a pitching wedge and less loft than a sand wedge. A typical gap wedge is lofted from 48 to 54 degrees. It is also known as an A-wedge, attack wedge, or approach wedge.
The gap wedge is used for full swing shots, knockdown shots, long greenside bunkers, and shots around the greens. When properly struck, gap wedges produce a very high, arching shot, which is useful for getting over obstacles such as trees.
Gap wedges can come as part of a set or be bought individually. If you want your gap wedge to be similar to your pitching wedge, it is recommended to check if it comes as part of your iron set. This will ensure you have the proper gaps in loft, the same shaft, and the same type of clubhead.
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Sand wedges: Designed to make hitting shots out of bunkers easier
Golf wedges are the highest-lofted clubs in a set of golf clubs. They are used for short approach shots, strokes played out of sand, chip shots, pitch shots, and generally any shot where the golfer wants the ball to ascend and descend sharply.
Sand wedges are designed to make hitting shots out of bunkers easier. They are versatile and can be used for full shots, knockdown shots, partial shots (inside 70 yards), and around the greens. They typically have 54-57 degrees of loft, but this can vary between 52-58 degrees.
When using a sand wedge, it is important to open the clubface and aim slightly behind the ball to allow the wedge to slide through the sand. This technique increases the bounce of the club, creating a cushion of sand that helps lift the ball up and out. A robust follow-through is also vital to ensure the ball clears the bunker.
The type of sand in the bunker can impact the choice of wedge. If the sand is loose and fluffy, a wedge with more bounce is suitable, whereas harder sand requires a wedge with less bounce.
Some recommended sand wedges include the Cleveland Golf Smart Sole 4.0, the Callaway CB series, and the Titleist Vokey series.
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Lob wedges: The highest-lofted club in golf, used for short-sided shots
The lob wedge is the highest-lofted club in golf, with between 58 and 64 degrees of loft, depending on the brand and model. Most lob wedges have about 60 degrees of loft. They are used for full swing shots but typically not more than 70 or 80 yards for most everyday golfers. Professionals can hit them close to 100 yards, but they are more commonly used for shorter distances.
Lob wedges are ideal for short-sided shots, tricky 30-50 yard shots, and greenside bunkers. They are also useful for flop shots and when you need to get over an obstacle like a tree. They create a very steep angle of ascent and descent, with a large amount of backspin, and the ball will drop onto the green with little or no roll.
Lob wedges are not as forgiving and can be difficult for mid-to-high-handicap golfers to hit consistently well. They are also bought individually and do not come with iron sets.
The lob wedge was first envisioned by Dave Pelz, a former NASA physicist, who recognised the need for higher loft wedges due to the increasing complexity of putting greens being designed. The concept was taken up by professional golfer Tom Kite, who began using the lob wedge professionally, and other professionals followed his lead.
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Choosing the right wedges: The right wedge can level up your short game
Golfers often don't play with the right wedges, making their shots inside 100 yards more challenging. Choosing the right wedges can significantly improve your short game and overall score. Here are some tips to help you choose the right wedges:
Loft
The loft, or angle of the clubface, is an important consideration when choosing wedges. Most golfers should have at least three wedges in their bag: a pitching wedge, a gap wedge, and a sand wedge. The pitching wedge is typically used for full shots, while the gap and sand wedges are used for partial shots inside 100 yards. To ensure proper distance gaps between your wedges, it is recommended to have about 4°-6° of loft separation between them. For example, a common setup for intermediate golfers is to have a PW (46 degrees), GW (50-52 degrees), and LW (58 degrees). Advanced golfers may add a fourth wedge, such as a lob wedge, with slightly smaller loft gaps of 3°-4° between clubs.
Shaft and Clubhead
It is generally recommended to use wedges with a similar shaft and clubhead to your irons. For example, if you use graphite irons, your wedge shafts should also be graphite. More forgiving clubheads can be beneficial for higher handicap golfers, as they can help with mishits.
Bounce
The bounce of a wedge refers to the angle between the sole of the club and the ground when addressing the ball. Different wedges have different bounce angles, and the right bounce for you depends on your angle of attack and the type of shots you typically play. For example, the K Grind wedge from Vokey has the highest bounce in their lineup and is ideal for bunker shots, while the T Grind has a low bounce and narrow sole for maximum versatility.
Technique
In addition to choosing the right wedges, mastering the proper technique is crucial for improving your short game. Some basic tips include putting more weight on your forward leg, minimizing lower body movement, and using a smooth tempo for better distance control and accuracy.
Choosing the right wedges and developing a solid short game technique will give you more confidence and help you lower your scores. Remember to practice with your wedges and experiment with different setups to find what works best for your game.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedges are used for shorter shots, like pitching, chipping, and getting out of bunkers. They are also used for full shots as well as partial shots inside 100 yards.
The four types of wedges are pitching wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges, and lob wedges.
A pitching wedge is used for longer approach shots to the green, up to 135 yards. It has a lower loft than a lob wedge, which creates a very steep angle of ascent and descent. A lob wedge is used for shorter distances and is great for flop shots, short-sided shots, and tricky 30-50 yard shots.
