Clubs labeled as an Approach Wedge (AW) or Gap Wedge (GW) have more degrees of loft than a Pitching Wedge (PW). A full swing shot with an AW/GW should travel shorter than a PW, but further than a SW. A standard Pitching Wedge loft is around 46 degrees, while an Approach Wedge/Gap Wedge has a loft closer to 51 degrees.
What does Aw stand for on a golf club?
The "A" or "AW" stamped on certain golf clubs stands for "Approach" or "Approach Wedge." Approach wedges are simply another name for a Gap Wedge (GW), a golf club with a loft between a Pitching Wedge (PW) and a Sand Wedge (SW).
What is a GW in golf?
What is a GW? Golf Term A “GW” is an important club known as the gap wedge. As the name implies, it fills in the large distance gap found between your pitching wedge (PW) and sand wedge (SW), which occurs because of the large difference in the lofts of those two clubs.
What are the different types of wedges in golf?
Understanding The Various Wedges 1 Pitching Wedge. The pitching wedge is used for distances of roughly 110 to 125 yards and will generally have a loft of between 44 to 49 degrees. 2 Sand Wedge. The sand wedge is designed to get you out of those dreaded sand traps or bunkers around the green. ... 3 Lob Wedge. ... 4 The Gap Wedge. ...
How competitive are golf club manufacturers?
Just as golfers are extremely competitive, the club manufacturers are equally competitive, if not more so. They are all fighting for a larger slice of golf equipment pie. A lot of money, time and effort goes into research and development. One thing most players want is greater distance and this is something equipment makers have focused on.
What does GW mean in golf?
Golf Term. A “GW” is an important club known as the gap wedge. As the name implies, it fills in the large distance gap found between your pitching wedge (PW) and sand wedge (SW), which occurs because of the large difference in the lofts of those two clubs.
What is a Aw golf club used for?
Gap wedges are really useful with shots that need a high trajectory due to an object or not much green to work with and the ball can't roll out much. Also, AW can be used to hit pitch and chip shots around the green.
What is the difference between a gap wedge and approach wedge?
Some manufacturers choose to call them gap wedges while others call them approach wedges. Essentially, they are the same thing. It might be easier for many golfers to simply call the wedge by the loft degree instead of the name given to it.
What is a UW Golf Club?
As the name suggests these wedges fill the 'gap' between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. Occasionally referred to as an attack (AW) or utility wedge (UW), these wedges tend to carry a loft of around 50 to and 53 degrees.
What does 5-PW and AW mean?
When shopping GlobalGolf.com, we refer to the different club makeups with abbreviations such as 3-PW (which would contain every iron from the 3-iron through the 9-iron as well as a pitching wedge) or 5-PW, AW, SW (which would contain every iron from the 5-iron through the 9-iron as well as a pitching wedge, approach ...
What loft is an aw wedge?
Loft angles in clubs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, the loft of an AW wedge usually sits between 48 and 54 degrees. Most, however, will sit close to 50 degrees. The loft of the AW wedge is designed to give you an additional option when a pitching wedge, sand wedge, or lob wedge may not be appropriate.
What degree wedge is best for chipping?
between 52° and 56°What degree wedge is best for chipping? For most golfers, a gap wedge or a sand wedge with loft of between 52° and 56° will produce the most consistent outcome when chipping. This is because you'll be able to play most short-game shots you're likely to come across out on the course.
How far should you hit a 7 iron?
Average 7 Iron Distances are following: Beginning golfers- 100 yards (men) or 60 yards (women) Intermediate golfers- 135 yards (men) and 75 yards (women) Advanced golfers- 165 yards (men) or 140 yards (women)
What goes further a pitching wedge or approach wedge?
The pitching wedge is designed to hit the ball further than an approach wedge and with a little less spin, it is one club stronger than an approach wedge. It is slightly longer in length with less loft, around four degrees if you are set-up properly.
What is UW golf iron?
The utility wedge, also called as a gap wedge or an all wedge, is a wedge used to hit a golf shot with a higher but shorter trajectory versus other wedges that help with lower but longer trajectories.
What degree is a PING W?
A Ping U Wedge is a utility wedge or gap wedge. Depending on the set of Ping irons that you are looking at, the Ping U Wedge will vary in the loft that it has. Some U wedges will be around 49 degrees, and others will be 51.
Can you use a 60 degree wedge as a sand wedge?
Can you use a 60-degree wedge as a sand wedge? A 60-degree wedge can work well out of the sand but it's important to have at least 10 degrees of loft. A wedge with more loft can help you get the ball out of deep bunkers or fly a shorter distance.
What is a wedge in golf?
The best way to think of a wedge is as a utility iron. Your irons get you closer and closer to the hole. Sometimes, you need a bit of technical help—that's where your wedge takes over. While the sand, lob, and pitching styles all have unique benefits, your approach will put you over the edge every time.
What is the loft of a golf club?
Quick recap: the loft can range between 44 degrees to 60 degrees but usually averages around 50 degrees. It’s what you want to use on your last hit before the putt. If you need a club to use after your driving iron, this style has you covered. Experienced players always use this style as their penultimate shot to victory.
Why Do You Need a Gap Wedge or Approach Wedge?
Whatever you call this golf club, any reasonable golfer is smart enough to add it to their golf bag. But just how exactly can it make a difference?
How far can a pitching wedge be?
The pitching wedge is ideal for distance — up to 125 yards (depending on your stock distances)! You can expect a loft of about 44 degrees to 49 degrees to achieve this distance. With good practice and control, you can adjust your distance to your needs.
What is the loft of a sand wedge?
The loft on a sand wedge is between 54 degrees and 58 degrees. It features the widest sole and highest bounce you'll find on any wedge, letting you scoop the ball up and out of thick spots. The purpose of this club is not distance but height.
When to break out lob wedge?
You want to break out the lob wedge when chipping or pitching around the green. The advantage of this style is that you can hit the ball in full swing. No matter how hard you hit it, the loft will prevent you from overshooting the green.
Why do you stitch in golf?
Looking good on the course is essential, perhaps now more than ever. Stitch can help ensure your outfits, accessories, and bag are as sleek as your swing.
What is an "A-Wedge" Golf Club?
The "A" or "AW" stamped on certain golf clubs stands for "Approach" or "Approach Wedge."
What is the difference between a PW and an AW?
It's helpful to think of your PW as a 10-iron and an AW as an 11-iron. Unlike Sand Wedges and Lob Wedges that are frequently used for shorter unique shots around the green, the two lesser lofted wedges will primarily be used for full or fuller partial shots (50%, 75%, 90%, etc. swings).
What is a gap wedge?
Clubs labeled as an Approach Wedge (AW) or Gap Wedge (GW) have more degrees of loft than a Pitching Wedge (PW). A full swing shot with an AW/GW should travel shorter than a PW, but further than a SW.
How much loft do approach wedges have?
As we've covered in our golf club lofts and wedge lofts guides, Approach Wedges designed for low-handicap golfers usually have 50 to 52 degrees of loft. Game-improvement A-Wedges can have as little as 48 degrees of loft.
Why is it important to have lofts on 9 irons?
Because you'll be taking so many full or near-full swing shots with your PW and AW, it's crucial that they have lofts that give you good distance gaps in relation to your 9-iron.
How far apart are GW/AW?
If you have ever noticed that your yardage gaps between your irons remain quite consistent it’s about 10 yards apart from most of your irons but until you get to your pitching wedge and sand wedge then you might feel there is quite a big gap with your sand wedge going almost 20 to 25 yards shorter ...
How many degrees of loft do you need to change a golf club?
Now there is a reason for that and that’s because throughout the set the degrees of loft that change between a three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and pitch would change by between three and half degrees and four degrees per club for most manufacturers.
How deep is a golf green?
Most greens are about 25-30 yards deep that means your sand wedge would not get to the front edge but your pitching wedge would get right to the back edge, maybe even off the back edge of the green. So my solution for this and I think you should have this in your bag would be a gap wedge.
How far apart are sand wedges?
If you have ever noticed that your yardage gaps between your irons remain quite consistent it’s about 10 yards apart from most of your irons but until you get to your pitching wedge and sand wedge then you might feel there is quite a big gap with your sand wedge going almost 20 to 25 yards shorter than your pitching wedge. Now there is a reason for that and that’s because throughout the set the degrees of loft that change between a three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and pitch would change by between three and half degrees and four degrees per club for most manufacturers. When you get to your pitching wedge to sand wedge that gap could be eight degrees big, now if you work on the principal that each degree would change the distance you hit the ball by about three yards, so between three and half and four degrees per club normally would give you 10 yards, 12 yards something like that. But then when you get to this gap between pitching wedge at about 48, sand wedge at 56, suddenly there is an 8 degree space, that could be a 24 yard gap. Most greens are about 25-30 yards deep that means your sand wedge would not get to the front edge but your pitching wedge would get right to the back edge, maybe even off the back edge of the green.
What wedge should I use for putting spin?
I'd go with an AW if I was looking to hit full shots alot and for short, off the green chips (usually a lot more bounce than a wedge). But for putting spin on the ball with control from 80 and in I'd rather go with a regular 52*wedge. You're going to get more spin on those 2/3 swing and half swing shots than you would a wide bottomed AW.
Is a GW a full shot?
The GW is still considered a full shot club (to me) and many end up putting the same shaft in the GW as their irons. (Keeping the SW and LW with "wedge" shafts).
Is GW/AW a bad idea?
Not a bad idea, especially if the GW/AW is a full-shot club for you. It is not for me, so a different club is not a problem.
Which has more loft, a gap wedge or a pitching wedge?
A Gap Wedge will have more loft than a Pitching Wedge, this means the Pitching Wedge will go further than a Gap Wedge.
How far should a gap wedge be between clubs?
Be sure to check the loft of your Pitching Wedge before you buy a Gap Wedge, as you want the gapping to be correct. Aim for 4 to 5 degrees between clubs, this will give you the perfect distance between each club.
What is the difference between a gap wedge and a sand wedge?
Gap Wedge Vs Sand Wedge. A Gap Wedge has more loft than a Sand Wedge, this means the Sand Wedge will go shorter than a Gap Wedge. A Sand Wedge will be used more out of the bunker and for chip shots, where the Gap Wedge will be used more for bump and run shots around the green and full shots.
What wedge to use for bump and run?
For shots around the green, using a Lob Wedge to get over a bunker or loft it up high will be the better club, but the Gap Wedge is perfect for any bump and run style shots.
How far apart should you gap a pitching wedge?
We suggest picking your Gap Wedge based on the loft of your Pitching Wedge. You generally want the degree to be 4 or 5 degrees apart, this will give you a nice 10 to 12 yard gapping between clubs. So, if your Pitching Wedge is 45 degrees, then you will need to choose a Gap Wedge with a 50 degree loft.
Why was the gap wedge invented?
It’s sole purpose is to fill the gap now created between the Sand Wedge and Pitching Wedge.
What is gap wedge?
Gap Wedges Overview. The Gap Wedge is not some special weapon that will make you hit it closer than another club. A Pitching Wedge was originally invented for pitching and shorter shots towards the green, while a Sand Wedge was originally invented to get out of the sand.
What Are Popular Uses for an AW Golf Club?
Approach wedges are not only used for wood shots to the green from distances beyond 70 yards, but they can also be used in other instances on the course.
How Do You Swing an AW Effectively?
When swinging on short irons, you place the ball in the middle of your stance and make an exaggerated golf club’s motion to get it in the air.
What is the lowest lofted wedge?
A pitching wedge is the lowest lofted and it goes the farthest. Next would be an approach or gap as they both cover a similar distance but with minuscule differences. A sand wedge comes after that, followed by the lob which covers nearly half of what a sand can reach.
What is the loft range for a wedge?
There’s a typical loft range for approach or gap wedges of 46 degrees to 52 degrees.
Why are approach wedges so popular?
Approach wedges are very popular among golfers because of their versatility and usefulness on the course. Depending on the type, there are many different brands of wedges that fall under this category; they’re all somewhat similar in principle and function.
What companies make approach wedges?
There are many company’s that make approach wedges, such as Cleveland, Titleist and Callaway. If you’re interested in a wedge not included from those brands then it does not mean the quality is less good.
Can you use a knockdown shot on a gap wedge?
If desired, a knockdown shot can also be used from time to time for your gap wedge. It is basically the same swing you would use with your wedges and irons.
What is a GW golf club?
What is a GW? Golf Term. What is a GW? Golf Term. A “GW” is an important club known as the gap wedge. As the name implies, it fills in the large distance gap found between your pitching wedge (PW) and sand wedge (SW), which occurs because of the large difference in the lofts of those two clubs.
How far will a gap wedge go?
The gap wedge will typically carry 10-15 yards farther than a sand wedge, and 10-15 yards shorter than a pitching wedge. Why is this important?
What is wedge golf?
Wedges are the clubs used for the shorter and more accurate shots in golf. Approach shots, chip shots, pitch shots, bunker shots, lob shots to mention just a few. There are different types of wedges generally defined by the lofts they have.
What is the gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge?
The next wedge is called a Gap Wedge. If your pitching wedge is 46- degrees and your sand wedge 54-degrees there will be a distance gap of about 30 yards between these clubs. A gap wedge is designed to bridge that 30 yard "gap". Your gap wedge will have more loft than your pitching wedge and less loft than your sand wedge.
What is the difference between a sand wedge and a pitching wedge?
The sand wedge is more lofted than a pitching wedge, generally between 54 and 58 degrees. As the name suggests, one of its main functions is to hit from the sand in bunkers.
What is a pitching wedge?
Pitching Wedge. The pitching wedge is often the final and most lofted club in most modern iron sets. Pitching wedges are generally in the range of 44 to 48 degrees loft and used for hitting the longest wedge shots into a green. Pitching wedges are also quite handy for short pitch and run shots around the green. Example of a Wilson Staff wedge.
