To get the most consistency out of your wedges, you need to use the bounce of the club to slide underneath the ball and make solid contact. “It works like if you hit a slip ‘n slide,” says Thomas Valdez, an instructor at GOLFTEC. “It’s gonna hit behind the ball, speed up underneath the ball and kick up in the air.
Full Answer
What is an wedge in golf?
Wedges are essentially the highest-lofted clubs within a golf club set. They are primarily meant for short approach shots or other shots where the player wants the ball to rise and descend sharply. While wedges are also irons, they are often referred to as their kind of golf club. Their loft angles usually identify them.
What is a 52 degree wedge used for in golf?
A 52 degrees wedge can essentially replace a pitching wedge. It is used when the golfer wants to take higher shots but at a shorter distance. The ball gets to a slight elevation and then falls quickly, without rolling too much. You can use a 52 degrees wedge to hit the golf ball out of a sand bunker. The shot will largely depend on the bounce.
What is the Best Bounce on a golf wedge?
While the best bounce you can expect with a good grind is approximately 11 degrees, it could range from anywhere between 0 to 14 degrees. The Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge is an excellent example of a 60-degree wedge. Such wedges can cover a distance of 50 to 75 yards on average.
Do you get frustrated with the changes around the wedges?
If you have been around for some time, you may be getting very frustrated at the constant changes around the wedge clubs. The degree of loft seems to change all the time. The definitions shift. We are no longer sure whether our trusty old pitching wedge is really a wedge at all.
How do I stop my wedges from blading?
1:262:38How to Avoid "Blading" Your Wedge Shots - Plane Truth Golf ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you suffer from dropkicks. And bladed shots around the green remember ball in the center. TakeMoreIf you suffer from dropkicks. And bladed shots around the green remember ball in the center. Take your chest lean. A little to the left. Make your swing.
How do I stop hitting my wedges so high?
0:031:39How to Hit Your Golf Wedges More Effectively - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe more spin you're gonna put on it the higher the ball is gonna go and the harder it's gonna be toMoreThe more spin you're gonna put on it the higher the ball is gonna go and the harder it's gonna be to control exactly how far you want to hit it. So when trying to hit wedges a certain distance.
How can I make my golf simulator quieter?
You can make your golf simulator more quiet by optimising your impact screen, using softer balls, adding easy soundproofing options such as acoustic wall and ceiling panels, using heavy curtains, bookcases and even installing professional soundproofing solutions.
How do I stop my wedges from spinning?
1:483:17How to control spin with your wedges - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLittle low shot it's kind of pitched on to the grain worked its way down towards the hole as.MoreLittle low shot it's kind of pitched on to the grain worked its way down towards the hole as. Absolutely. Right it took the spin off it made.
How far should a 56 degree wedge go?
How Far Should You Hit A 56 Degree Wedge? On average, golfers hit their 56-degree wedge 84 yards, but the range can vary between 75 and 105 yards. Longer hitters who take a full swing typically hit over 100 yards, but most golfers take a 1/2 to 3/4 swing with their sand wedge.
Why are my wedges going so high?
The reason this type of golfer hits wedges so high and short is the weight of the 56, 58 or 60 degree wedge makes it harder to flip at the exact correct time. When you pick up a sand wedge or gap wedge, it has more weight on the face of the club than a common iron.
Will a tarp stop a golf ball?
You want your tarp that will serve as the golf ball backstop. Make sure you get a tarp that is slightly too large for your frame. You want several inches of excess where the net meets the ground.
Can you use a tarp as golf Impact screen?
having hit many balls into this tarp i must say that it's incredibly good. any impact marks left behind are erased simply by running your hand over the mesh. it's incredibly quiet and easily kills a real ball hit with a driver from only a few feet away. no errant bounces at all.
How tight should impact screen be?
To reduce bounceback, when attaching your impact screen to your enclosure, only attach it tight enough to be flat (to not be wrinkled). Don't attach it tighter than this.
Do raw wedges spin more?
The rust does not add spin, but a raw wedge will spin more, so... It's not the rust; it's the lack of plating. What would actually add more spin: hitting the ball in the fairway and having a good lie. You can customize them by grinding edges or bounce off in the tour van without it looking awkward.
What wedges are illegal in golf?
A rule that is more important for wedges is the groove rule originating in 2008. This rule affects all clubs with lofts of 25 degrees and more, which basically means it refers to all the wedges. It banned all wedges with U-shaped grooves, allowing only wedges with V-groove design to be officially used.
How do you hit a wedge with backspin?
5:2310:41How to MASTER BACKSPIN with your WEDGE SHOTS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf for example you're hitting off a tight lie. Downwind. It's going to spin a bit but it's going toMoreIf for example you're hitting off a tight lie. Downwind. It's going to spin a bit but it's going to run on because the wind is going to push the ball forwards. And knock spin off the ball.
Why do I struggle hitting wedges?
4:2510:38Struggling With Wedges ?!? You NEED to Watch This - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDirection. Rather than straight down the target. Line now the reason for that is a little bit of aMoreDirection. Rather than straight down the target. Line now the reason for that is a little bit of a cheat that makes it easier for players. You see if i swing to the right.
How do you stop wedges from duffing?
5:509:26Easy Drill To Avoid Duffing Pitch Shots - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo try a little exercise try it with a ball throw in the ball. Add the club. And then add the ballMoreSo try a little exercise try it with a ball throw in the ball. Add the club. And then add the ball try one-handed pitch shots it's incredibly difficult if you're not a good pitcher.
Why do I hit my wedges thin?
0:133:14How to Stop Thinning your Wedge Shots - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere's two main common reasons as to why I see people thin in their wedge shots. And the firstMoreThere's two main common reasons as to why I see people thin in their wedge shots. And the first reason is they have a narrowing of the swing radius.
What is a pitching wedge?
The pitching wedge is for your longest wedge shots and for pitch and chip shots near the green where you can roll the ball to the pin . Pitching wedges are the easiest of wedges for beginners to use, as they have the lowest loft. This means they are more forgiving than the higher lofted clubs.
What wedge to use for a golf ball?
Once you are out of the sand, you may use your lob wedge. This is the wedge with the highest loft in most sets. It is used when you need to stop the ball quickly on the green. It gives a lot of control and not much distance, so it is useful when you are near the pin.
What is the heaviest club in golf?
The sand wedge comes next. It is the heaviest club in your set, and its distinguishing feature is a rounded base so you can get under the sand and lift the ball. It also has a lot of bounce. Lastly, the lob wedge. Once you are out of the sand, you may use your lob wedge.
What is the difference between a golf club and a wedge?
On the other hand, in clubs designed to lift the ball into the air, the wedges have a high loft. Low numbers on your club mean low loft. Higher numbers on your club result in a higher loft.
What is the closest golf club to the nine iron?
For the short game, there was only the golf club, which was called the niblick (its nearest equivalent in the modern set is the nine iron), So our golfing ancestors has relatively little help from the clubs when, for example, they got stuck in the sand or the rough.
When was the first sand wedge invented?
The oldest wedge is the pitching wedge, followed by the sand wedge, which made its first appearance back in 1931 . The sand wedge was invented by golf legend Gene Sarazan, who put more loft on his pitching wedge to get out of the sand more quickly and with a more accurate shot. For decades that was pretty much it.
How many clubs can you take out of a golf course?
You have a limited number of clubs, only fourteen, which you can take out when you play your course, and to get the most out of them, they need to work together. There can be a significant advantage in buying, and having fitted, your wedges at the same time as you replace the lower lofted clubs.
How Far Do Wedges Go?
Different wedges go up to different distances, depending on the loft and the player’s abilities.
Golf Wedge Distance Chart
The golf wedge distance for each wedge is not a single figure. It fluctuates across genders and various skill levels.
48 Degree Wedge Distance
Although a 48-degree wedge is ideal for covering long distances, it can hit both long and short distances.
50 Degree Wedge Distance
A 50-degree wedge is also known as a gap wedge. It is a relatively new entry to the wedge series and It essentially bridges the gap between pitching and a sand wedge, which is how it got the name gap wedge.
52 Degree Wedge Distance
52-degree wedges, like the Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedg e, are ideal for hitting the golf ball higher in the air at a relatively shorter distance.
54 Degree Wedge Distance
The average 54-degree wedge distance falls between 80 to 110 yards. The golfer’s capabilities and gender influence the distance.
56 Degree Wedge Distance
56 degrees wedges, such as the Wilson Staff Model Golf Wedge, are quite handy. They cover a vast distance and are suited for short-game play.
How to keep your loft on a wedge?
Try to keep the sole of your club level with the ground during your shots, as this will allow you better control and stop the ball from veering off to the left or to the right upon impact.
What should the grind on a wedge be?
The grind on the sole of your wedge should match your swing. A general rule is that shallow swings demand a narrow grind with low bounce, while steep swings match up well with wider grind and more bounce.
Can you use wedges that are too heavy?
Finally, do not use wedges that are either too light in the hand for your swinging style or too heavy for it. Too-heavy wedges can cause you to become steep, which can cause more problems for your wedge game.
Should you stop your swing when hitting a wedge?
You don’t want to stop your swing as soon as you make impact with the ball during your wedge shots. That is why you should try to first make contact with the ground with the club sole before continuing to slide through the ball.
Can you get stuck in the same wedge?
When you’ve been stuck at the same level of wedge play for some time now, it can be quite difficult to find your way out of the rut and give your wedge game the boost it needs . You should definitely become more familiar with the different shots you can do with wedges, but you should also look into purchasing the best golf wedges ever.
What is a gap wedge?
With pitching wedges typically lofted from 42 to 46 degrees, the gap wedge is so-called because it closes the "gap" in loft between the pitching wedge and sand wedge. A typical gap wedge might might be lofted from 48 to 54 degrees. The gap wedge also goes by the names A-wedge, attack wedge and approach wedge.
What is the loft of a lob wedge?
A typical lob wedge might have a loft of 60 degrees to 64 degrees. As its name implies, a lob wedge allows a player to "lob" the ball high into the air, from where it will drop steeply down onto the green, with little or no roll. With pitching wedges typically lofted from 42 to 46 degrees, the gap wedge is so-called because it closes ...
What is a 60 degree wedge?
Wedges feature the shortest shafts and highest lofts of any golf clubs. In fact, wedges are often identified by their loft rather than their name. A lob wedge might instead be called a "60-degree wedge," for example. Sand wedges were invented (generally credited to Gene Sarazen) to make shots out of sand bunkers easier.
What is the difference between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge?
Pitching wedge: The lowest-lofted of the wedges (the one that hits the ball the farthest), pitching wedges (abbreviated PW) are usually included in a set of irons. The PW is considered one of the basic clubs every golfer carries. Sand wedge: Designed specifically to make hitting shots out of bunkers easier. Abbreviated SW.
Why are gap wedges called wedges?
Today, the other two wedges that are common are: Gap wedge: So-named because it falls in-between the pitching wedge and sand wedge in loft. The gap wedge has more loft than a PW, less loft than a SW.
How many yards is a lob wedge?
A lob wedge would be 40-50 yards for men, 25-40 for women. A gap wedge would fall in between your pitching wedge and sand wedge yardages. And these clubs will, when properly struck, produce a very high, arching shot. So if you need to get over a tree, for example, a wedge comes in handy.
How many degrees are sand wedges?
Typically, sand wedges have lots from 52 to 56 degrees. As lofts on irons have decreased over time (e.g., a 5-iron today might be lofted at 26 degrees, whereas 30 years ago a 5-iron would have been lofted at 32 degrees), it has become more popular to carry additional wedges.
What is wedge grind?
Andrew Tursky, Senior Equipment Editor: A wedge grind refers to the shaping of the bottom part of the wedge. It’s the part of the club that actually impacts the ground, so the particular shape of the grind has a huge impact on how your club interacts with the turf. The most common would be a “C grind” which has the toe and heel sections of the sole shaved off a bit to make the sole more rounded. This allows the wedge to play a bit more versatile from different lies and face orientations (open face, shut face, etc.). The only thing you really need to know, though, is that you probably need more bounce on your wedge. More bounce makes the wedge more forgiving and will keep you from hitting those embarrassing chunks and skulls around the greens. Just know that it’s basically impossible to pick out a wedge from a retail store and have it be the perfect wedge grind for you. That’s why I highly, highly recommend a wedge fitting. You need to try different grinds and bounces to figure out what’s best for you.
Can you pick out a wedge from a retail store?
Just know that it’s basically impossible to pick out a wedge from a retail store and have it be the perfect wedge grind for you. That’s why I highly, highly recommend a wedge fitting. You need to try different grinds and bounces to figure out what’s best for you. 2. It helps off different kinds of turf.
Who is Luke Kerr-Dineen?
Luke Kerr-Dineen is the Game Improvement Editor at GOLF Magazine and GOLF .com. In his role he oversees all the brand’s service journalism spanning instruction, equipment, health and fitness, across all of GOLF’s multimedia platforms.
Who is Jonathan Wall?
Jonathan Wall is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Equipment. Prior to joining the staff at the end of 2018, he spent 6 years covering equipment for the PGA Tour.
Why do wedges bounce higher when you close the face?
The more you open up the club face, the higher the wedge bounce will be because the leading edge will be higher off the ground. When you close the face, you will lessen the bounce. Golfers will play with the angles of their club face to spin the ball or get a higher loft on it. Loft, grind and bounce work hand in hand to best suit your short game.
How to get better at golf?
Using your wedges for your approach shots to their fullest capabilities is how you’re going to get better at golf. One way to get the most out of your wedges is to understand how the wedge bounce in your clubs affects your game. Making sure you have the correct bounce on your wedges is just as important as the loft angle.
Why is wedge bounce important?
Ensuring that you have the proper wedge bounce and grind option allows you to control your shots better to get better contact and spin on shots.
What is a mid bounce wedge?
Mid Bounce (7-10°) Mid or medium bounce wedges range between 7° and 10° in the degree. The average golfer who plays different courses throughout the year will likely rely more on these types of wedges because they won’t know the layout of a course, what the turf feels like, or how the sand is in the bunkers.
What is a low bounce golf club?
Low Bounce (4-6°) Low bounce clubs are usually between 4° and 6° and typically work best on courses with a tougher turf and harder and coarser sand in the bunkers. These are harder clubs to hit, but they ultimately can reward you if you strike them well. They are perfect for lob and flop shots around the green.
Why do you need to pop a ball up out of a bunker?
For anyone who may chunk a ball on occasion or likes to dig into popping their ball up out of a greenside bunker, this delivers because it prevents the leading edge from dragging for a while when you’re hitting out of the sand. You’ll typically want a higher bounce in your sand wedge.
What is sole grind?
Grind is a factor of your clubs that coincides with bounce. It removes material from the club’s sole to increase your ability to make contact with the turf. Frequently referred to as sole grind, this can help you manipulate your shot the way you want.
What is an "A-Wedge" Golf Club?
The "A" or "AW" stamped on certain golf clubs stands for "Approach" or "Approach Wedge."
A-Wedge Loft
An A-Wedge or Approach Wedge has between 48 to 51 degrees of loft, with 50 to 51 degrees being the most common.
The Club of Many Names
Depending on the manufacturer, you may see A-Wedges labeled or described as:
What happens when grass juice gets between the clubface and the ball?
It is only when grass juice gets between the clubface and the ball that the grooves really start doing their thing. This only happens out of relatively light rough not the real juicy 4” stuff where it doesn’t matter what type of grooves or condition of those grooves makes any difference.
What is Rule 4 1b?
“Rule 4 1-b. Wear and Alteration, states; “A club that conforms with Rules when new is deemed to conform after wear through normal use.
Do iron clubs need chrome plating?
Most forged iron clubs made of mild steel, will need to be protected from rusting, which requires a layer of chrome to be deposited on the head after the grooves have been milled, rolled or stamped into the face. Some clubs are forged but made of stainless steel, which do not require chrome plating. These, as with most cast clubs can be re-grooved ...
Can a hand held tool be used to measure grooves?
A hand held tool will not only do a number on the grooves but will most likely render them non-conforming because of the tight specifications the USGA has for grooves, i.e. depth, width, ratio of groove-width to pitch, radius of groove edges and even groove straightness.
