Jackson Reid
Golfers need to carefully select the wedges they carry in their bag, as they are their scoring clubs and will have a significant impact on their performance. With a limit of 14 clubs in the bag, golfers must choose their wedges based on their strengths, how often they use certain clubs, and the sacrifices they are willing to make. The most common choice is the three-wedge system, which includes a pitching wedge, a gap wedge, and a lob wedge. The amount of bounce and depth of bounce varies per golfer, but generally, a pitching wedge is 48 degrees, a gap wedge is 52 degrees, a sand wedge is 56 degrees, and a lob wedge is 60 degrees.
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What You'll Learn
The number of wedges to carry
Firstly, it's important to evaluate your whole game. Consider your strengths, the clubs you use most often, the sacrifices you are willing to make, and the number of clubs you use for chips. For instance, if you want to add a fairway wood, you may have to lose a wedge. This can improve your chances of hitting more long par 4s and par 5s.
The most common choice is the three-wedge system, which includes a pitching wedge, a gap wedge, and a lob wedge. This setup leaves room for two fairway woods, which is a good option for players who lack the distance of Tour professionals. A pitching wedge at 46°, a gap wedge at 52°, and a lob wedge at 58° are recommended by some. Others suggest a pitching wedge at 48° and a sand wedge at 56°, which gives an even gap from your 9-iron.
Some golfers may opt for a four-wedge system, which could include a pitching wedge, a gap wedge, a sand wedge, and a lob wedge. This provides more variety in lofts and bounce angles, allowing for specialised shots. However, carrying four wedges may require sacrificing a fairway wood or another club.
Ultimately, the decision on the number of wedges to carry depends on the golfer's skill level, personal preference, and their iron lofts. It is recommended to consult with a PGA professional or a fitting pro to determine the optimal wedge setup for your game.
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Pitching wedges
Wedges are the highest-lofted clubs in a set of golf clubs. They are used for short approach shots (usually 120 yards and less), strokes played out of sand, chip shots, pitch shots, and any shot where the golfer wants the ball to ascend and descend sharply.
The loft of pitching wedges has decreased over time, from a traditional loft of between 48-54 degrees to between 45-50 degrees. This is due to the reduction in loft of modern irons, which has also increased the distance carried by each club for the average golfer's clubhead speed. The amount of bounce on a pitching wedge can vary between zero and 10 degrees, though most have a very low bounce of only 2 or 3 degrees.
When deciding which wedges to carry in your golf bag, it's important to evaluate your whole game. Consider your strengths, how often you use certain clubs, and what sacrifices you are willing to make. For many golfers, it comes down to a choice between losing a wedge and adding a fairway wood.
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Sand wedges
When choosing a sand wedge, it's important to consider the loft and bounce. The loft of a sand wedge typically ranges from 54 to 58 degrees. A higher loft will give you more height on your shots, which can be advantageous when trying to get out of a bunker. The bounce of a sand wedge refers to the angle between the leading edge and the lowest point of the clubhead when it rests on the ground. This can vary from 8 to 16 degrees. A higher bounce is suitable for softer sand, while a lower bounce is better for firmer conditions.
Some popular sand wedges on the market include the TaylorMade Milled Grind 4 wedge, which offers a high level of spin in all conditions thanks to its Raw Face Technology. The MacGregor V-Foil Wide Sole Sand Wedge is another option designed for golfers who struggle with chipping. It offers benefits such as improved confidence when addressing the ball. Additionally, the Vokey wedges, used by professionals, are considered the gold standard for their premium looks, exceptional performance, and versatility.
When deciding on the wedges to carry in your golf bag, it's essential to evaluate your strengths, club usage, and personal preferences. Most golfers opt for a pitching wedge and a sand wedge, or a three-wedge system that includes a pitching wedge, a gap wedge, and a lob wedge. Ultimately, the choice of wedges depends on your skill level and playing style.
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Lob wedges
When choosing a lob wedge, it is important to consider the bounce, which is the angle of the clubface relative to the shaft. Lob wedges typically have low bounce, which means that they are better suited for tight or firm lies.
While lob wedges can be a great addition to your golf bag, they may not be necessary for beginners or high-handicap golfers. Some golfers find that a lob wedge can be dangerous around the green, and that other wedges such as the sand wedge or pitching wedge may be more versatile and useful. Ultimately, the decision to include a lob wedge in your set comes down to personal preference, skill level, and the types of shots you typically encounter on the course.
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The bounce of wedges
The bounce of a wedge is the angle created between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole or trailing edge. This is the area of the club that hits through the ground as it contacts the ball. The greater the wedge bounce degree, the higher the leading edge is off the surface at address. Having the proper wedge bounce and grind option promotes optimal contact, control, and ball spin. Bob Vokey, a golf equipment designer, has said that "bounce is your friend" because it provides forgiveness on all wedge shots, allowing you to still strike the ball properly even if you make mistakes.
There are three main categories of wedge bounce: low, mid, and high. Low-bounce wedges are typically between 4°-6°, ideal for firm turf conditions and bunkers with harder or coarse sand. They are designed for clean ball contact, giving you the precision you need in your short game. For instance, low bounce lob wedges can be used to hit high flop shots off tight lies near the green. Golfers with shallow attack angles will benefit from low bounce because they hardly take a divot.
Mid-bounce wedges range between about 7°-10°, and are most played on firm to normal turf. They are the most versatile for more players and can apply to a wide range of course conditions. Players tend to choose mid-bounce wedges to create shots around the green, as they help achieve exact distance and trajectory control. A gap or approach wedge would fit in this category.
High-bounce wedges are those with more than 10° of bounce, designed for softer turf, fluffy lies, and bunkers with soft sand. They are ideal for preventing the leading edge of the club from dragging too much in the sand and are beneficial to those who take deep divots with a digger swing style and steep attack angle. High bounce wedges help generate a lot of spin, giving players more control over their short game.
The amount of bounce and the depth of bounce varies per golfer, so it is important to experiment to find the best bounce for your swing type. Each wedge in your bag has a specific job, so there is no one-size-fits-all bounce. If you are a steeper player who takes bigger divots, you should consider having at least one high-bounce wedge. On the other hand, if you are a shallow player who takes little to no divot, you should consider having at least one low-bounce wedge.
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Frequently asked questions
You can carry up to 14 clubs in your golf bag, so it can be difficult deciding which wedges to include. The most common choice is the three-wedge system, which includes a pitching wedge, a gap wedge, and a lob wedge.
The types of wedges include pitching wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges, and lob wedges.
The loft of your wedges depends on your skill level and personal preference. For example, a pitching wedge is usually lofted between 46° and 48°, while a sand wedge is usually around 56°. Lob wedges are typically 60° or more.
When choosing wedges, consider your strengths, how often you use certain clubs, and what sacrifices you are willing to make. You can also evaluate the bounce of each wedge, which refers to the angle between the leading edge of the club and the ground. Different bounces are suitable for different types of lies.
