Pick the Right Wedge for You
- If you play on golf courses with firm sand in the bunkers, then you should choose a wedge with a lower bounce from 2 to 8.
- If your typical course has soft bunkers, then a higher wedge bounce of 12 or 16 will be preferable.
- Maybe you aren’t sure what type of sand you play on. Or maybe you play on courses with different types of sand. ...
What degree of wedge should I buy?
We recommend buying a 52, 56, and 60 degree wedge so that the loft degrees are equally spread apart in 4 degree variations to cover a wide range of shots. The key in choosing a set of wedges is to make sure that there are no big gaps in loft between the lowest lofted iron in your golf club set and the first wedge.
What are the parts of a golf wedge?
The first major component of a golf wedge is loft. It’s the angle of the face of the wedge compared to an imaginary vertical straight line and measured in degrees. All clubs have loft with your driver being the lowest at 9-13 degrees loft and your lob wedge being the highest at 60-64 degrees loft.
What is the loft of a golf wedge?
The loft on a sand wedge is typically 54 degrees, 56 degrees, and 58 degrees depending on which wedge loft option you prefer to have in your bag. This golf wedge is used most commonly for chipping around the greens as well as greenside bunker shots. Lob wedges are the newest of the wedge designs.
How many wedges should you have in your bag?
Most amateur golfers and professional golfers alike, choose to carry multiple wedges in their bag with different lofts. We recommend buying a 52, 56, and 60 degree wedge so that the loft degrees are equally spread apart in 4 degree variations to cover a wide range of shots.
How do I pick the right golf wedge?
The key in choosing a set of wedges is to make sure that there are no big gaps in loft between the lowest lofted iron in your set and the first wedge and then also between edge wedge. Try to keep the lofts gaps to around 4 degrees between each club.
What size golf wedge do I need?
To make it easy, a good rule of thumb is to have about four-degrees of loft between your wedges. So, if your 48-degree pitching wedge flies on average 110 yards, and your 56-degree sand wedge goes about 80 yards, you probably need a 52-degree wedge that carries around 95 yards to fill an important hole in your setup.
What wedges should I have in my golf bag?
Therefore, the top two wedges that a beginner should carry in their bags are pitching and a sand wedge.Pitching Wedge. Golf Monthly suggests that a pitching wedge carries an average of 44.5-degrees of loft, making it the strongest lofted wedge on the market. ... Sand Wedge.
Do I need a 52 56 and 60 wedge?
Do I need a 52, 56, and 60-degree wedge? Yes, you definitely need all of these wedges. The 52-degree, the 56-degree, and the 60-degree wedges are some of the most commonly used clubs in golfing.
How do you fit yourself for wedges?
2:4110:48How to Choose & Fit Wedges | With Titleist - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that's across the board having a flexible wedge setup is the key all right how about you show usMoreAnd that's across the board having a flexible wedge setup is the key all right how about you show us. You know the different bounces the different grinds that you can have on wedges.
How tall should your wedge be?
The standard length of a sand wedge is 35.25 inches. The standard length of a lob wedge is 35 inches. The standard length of a gap wedge is 35.5 inches. The standard length of a pitching wedge is 35.75 inches.
What wedges should a high handicapper carry?
What Loft Wedges Should A High Handicapper Carry? High handicappers should carry at least a 56-degree wedge. In addition, it makes sense to have a 52-degree wedge and a 60-degree wedge to have a variety of shots.
Should I get a 56 or 58 degree wedge?
You should use your 58-degree wedge for chipping and pitching shots within 80 yards of the green. However, you may have to hit the ball a little harder than you would with a 56-degree wedge so that it covers a good distance. This type of wedge is also useful for sand shots.
Which wedge to use around the green?
For the average golfer, chipping with a pitching or gap wedge will produce the most consistent shots around the green. Using a gap wedge will be the best place to start for standard chips, but a pitching wedge could work better if the ball is sitting up in the rough.
Is it better to chip with a 56 or 60 degree wedge?
As a general rule, average golfers will have an easier time hitting a 56-degree wedge compared to a 60-degree wedge. A 56-degree wedge will give just as much distance but it will also be a lot more consistent when you're chipping onto the green.
What degree wedge is best for sand?
So generally think about putting in a gap wedge that's 48 or 50 degrees, a sand wedge that's between 54 and 56 degrees, and a lob wedge that's between 58 and 60 degrees. These are general guidelines, make sure you're working with your fitter to get the gapping that works best for you. 3.
Is a 52 or 56 wedge better?
The 56- or 60-degree wedge will be a better choice than the 52 when you need something to fly high and land softly. Learning which loft is best for a shot takes a bit of time and what golfers call feel. The higher lofted wedges typically land more softly, and they will not roll as far.
What is the rule change for wedges?
Andrews, has eliminated the use of deep grooves in wedges. Deep grooves gave golfers an unfair advantage by creating more backspin.
What are the new rules for grooves on golf wedges?
Deep grooves gave golfers an unfair advantage by creating more backspin. The new rule restricts groove volume and edge radius on wedges, resulting in a higher launch angle and less backspin. As a result of the new rule, you’ll see two types of grooves on wedge – vintage finish and laser-etching.
What is the loft of a pitching wedge?
A club’s loft is the angle at which the club face lies relative to the shaft. The loft dictates how far the ball will travel and its likely trajectory. Wedges have the highest lofts of any club. It’s recommended to have four degrees of difference between wedges. For example, if your pitching wedge has a 48° loft then you should have a 52° gap wedge, a 56° sand wedge and a 60° lob wedge.
How does a sand wedge work?
Made with a heavy club head and specifically designed to slide through sand and tall grass, the sand wedge pops the ball in the air quickly so as to avoid contact that will slow the ball down. In addition to preventing the ball’s contact with sand and tall grass, this high trajectory also limits the ball’s spin so it won’t land on the green and bounce or roll away from the hole. Sand wedges are designed with a loft between 54° and 58° and can travel from 80 to 100 yards.
What is the loft of a lob wedge?
Made popular by flop shot-master Phil Mickelson, the lob wedge lifts the ball high into the air with a loft between 59° and 65°. These tricky shots are great when you’re trying to avoid an obstacle blocking the green or when you need to place the ball ever so gently on the green, as the high trajectory yields a soft landing and limited rolling.
What are the different types of wedges?
Four Types of Wedges. The gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge form the different categories of wedges. The most commonly used wedge, the pitching wedge, is often included in the sale of a typical set of irons while the other three types of wedges are usually sold separately.
How do grooves work in golf?
The grooves grab the ball just like the tread grips the road, creating spin and producing ideal shot trajectory. The grooves also produce ball- stopping power when contact is made between the ball and the green. A recent rule change instituted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A, a spin-off from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, has eliminated the use of deep grooves in wedges. Deep grooves gave golfers an unfair advantage by creating more backspin. The new rule restricts groove volume and edge radius on wedges, resulting in a higher launch angle and less backspin. As a result of the new rule, you’ll see two types of grooves on wedge – vintage finish and laser-etching.
What is a pitching wedge?
Pitching Wedges (PW) The pitching wedge is most common of the four wedge types and is a staple club every golfer should have in their bag. The loft is typically between 44-48 degrees and is used for full swing shots approximately 100-130 yards away from the green.
What angle should a low bounce wedge be?
Low Bounce Wedges. Wedges are consider low bounce usually if they have a bounce angle of 4 to 6 degrees. A quick test to determine if you should use a low bounce wedge is to look at your divots.
What is a mid bounce wedge?
Any wedge with 7 to 10 degrees of bounce is considered to be a mid-bounce wedge. It will be the most versatile option, suited to a wider range of conditions and swing types.
What is gap wedge?
Gap Wedges (GW) Gap wedges serve the purpose of filling the “gap” between a pitching wedge and sand wedge. The loft is typically between 50 to 53 degrees. It’s a great club to have in the bag for those tough 70 to 100 yard wedge shots, allowing you to make a full swing or three quarter swing to achieve such distances.
What is the loft of a sand wedge?
The loft on a sand wedge is typically 54 degrees, 56 degrees, and 58 degrees depending on which wedge loft option you prefer to have in your bag. This golf wedge is used most commonly for chipping around the greens as well as greenside bunker shots.
What is the angle between the contact point of the sole of the club and the ground?
Bounce is the angle created between the contact point the sole of the club makes with the ground and the leading edge of the wedge face. Bounce get’s its name because it’s the part of the golf club that hits the ground and then “bounces” through the surface under the ball, at impact.
What shaft type do you use for senior golfers?
For senior players, you may prefer graphite shaft wedges or if the wedges are part of a graphite set of clubs then this will be your shaft type by default. Shaft flex is important especially in wedges to give you maximum feel and control. Most steel shaft wedges still have some flex to give you feel.
What degree is a lob wedge?
Lob wedges (58-degrees or higher) actually require more precision than do their lower-lofted counterparts, something especially true for golfers who tend to hit their fair share of fat or thin chip shots around the green. Tip 2: Choose the right bounce based on two factors, not just one.
What is a full face wedge?
The Cleveland CBX Full-Face is a highly versatile yet forgiving wedge, designed specifically for extreme open-face shots around the green. Cleveland’s CBX Full-Face expands the wedge lineup and delivers added forgiveness and versatility to your short game.
Which is better, a high bounce wedge or a low bounce wedge?
For example, a high-bounce wedge is probably better for soft or soggy conditions, and/or for sand that is fluffy and light. Having some extra bounce on those types of conditions could be beneficial. Conversely, if you play on firm conditions, and/or in thick sand, a low-bounce wedge might be better for you regardless of your attack angle.
Do shallow swings fit wedges?
Furthermore, golfers with shallow swings are better fit for low-bounce wedges. Truth is, that’s only half the equation since the type of course you tend to play on should be factored into the buying decision, too. Wedges.
Is a wedge flex shaft stiff?
If that’s you, then a wedge flex shaft might feel too stiff. On the other hand, many better players like the way a softer wedge shaft feels and performs, so it’s not uncommon to see a good player using extra-stiff iron shafts paired with stiff shafts in the wedges. There’s no right or wrong answer — it’s up to you to pay attention ...
How many degrees are golf wedges?
Wedges have many different lofts (it could be as low as 44 or as high as 64 degrees, with several different lofts in between). Different lofts (and therefore different wedges) are used for different purposes.
What are the factors to consider when picking a wedge?
All of this means there are several factors to consider when you’re picking the right golf wedge: the total number of wedges you should carry and their lofts; the shaft (type and flex); and the bounce angle.
How many wedges do amateur golfers have?
As mentioned above, most amateurs have two – a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. But by choosing the right golf wedge to add to those two, you could improve your short game significantly. There’s a good chance you have a large gap between the lofts of your pitching wedge and sand wedge.
How many wedges do golfers carry?
Most amateur golfers carry two wedges in their bags – a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. In contrast, most pros carry three or four wedges, adding a gap and often a lob wedge. Four wedges represents almost a third of their clubs, indicating just how important the pros think the right wedges are.
How much loft is 10 degrees?
Because 10 degrees of loft is usually equal to about 30 yards of distance, you’ll have at least that much of a distance gap between your two wedges. That’s far too much, and you’ll probably be taking a lot of half-swings. Partial swings are one of golf’s hardest shots, and you want to avoid them whenever possible.
Can you use a lob wedge for beginners?
Hitting these high-lofted clubs well can be tricky, but they can be stroke-savers around the green . Lob wedges aren’t for the faint of heart or beginners, though. If you decide that choosing the right golf wedge means buying a lob, you’ll need plenty of practice to learn how to hit it effectively.
Do irons need graphite shafts?
Consistency in the clubs throughout your bag is important, so if your irons have graphite shafts you’ll probably want your wedges to have graphite shafts too . Likewise, if your other irons have regular-flex shafts, you’ll probably want that flex for your wedges.
Pitching Wedge
The first type of wedge is one that comes with almost all iron sets – pitching wedge. Your PW is a very versatile club that gets frequently used by most golfers.
Gap Wedge
The gap wedge, also known as a utility or auxiliary wedge, is usually 3-6 degrees higher loft than your pitching wedge. As the name suggests, it fills the gap between your pitching wedge and sand wedge. It’s also great for a myriad of shots inside 100 yards.
Sand Wedge
The third type of wedge is one I’m sure you’re familiar with – the sand wedge. While it’s made to help you get out bunkers, you can hit it for all kinds of other shots too.
Lob Wedge
The final wedge type is the lob wedge. This isn’t a club that every golfer has, and usually for good reason. A lob wedge isn’t always the easiest wedge to hit, which is why I do not suggest it for high handicap players.
How many wedges should I carry?
Regardless of handicap, I would recommend at least three wedges. For elite players who want more short game options, use four wedges (add a lob wedge).
How does bounce work?
Bounce is one of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to buying wedges.
Should I use cavity back wedges?
As I mentioned in the intro, most golfers don’t pay a ton of attention to what type of golf wedges they play. But this can lead to playing wedges that don’t match your swing or your iron set.
What is the groove on a golf wedge?
All wedges have grooves etched into the face of the club. These grooves help to “grip” the ball when contact is made, causing it to roll up the club face.
How many degrees of loft is a gap wedge?
The Gap wedge (also known as the approach wedge) usually has 52 degrees of loft. Just like the pitching wedge, this club can be used on approach shots from the rough and fairway, or when chipping around the green.
What is loft in golf?
The loft of the golf club refers to the angle it makes between the clubface and the club shaft. It will determine both the trajectory and distance of your shots. In general, the more loft a club has, the more the golf ball will spin on contact.
Which wedge has the least loft?
Pitching wedges have the least amount of loft out of all the different types of wedges (48 degrees). This means they’ll have a lower, more penetrating flight compared to the high, soft flight of a lob wedge.
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Do you need to use the same shaft for your wedges?
In general, it’s a good practice to use the same type of shafts for your wedges as you do with your irons. For example, if you play steel-shafted irons, your wedges should also have steel shafts.
Step 1
Determine your skill level. Surprisingly, the less skill you have with a golf club, the fewer wedges you'll want to carry.
Step 3
Choose your bounce. Bounce is a combination of factors on the bottom (sole) of the club that will help you make proper contact, including angle, width, the rocker and the camber of the head. The bounce you want should be based on where you typically play.
Step 4
Pick a club face material. Most golfers are familiar with chrome-plated clubs, but today's wedges come in a variety of material types.
Step 5
Get fitted. When you think of a custom club, you may see dollar signs, but having your clubs custom fit is no more expensive than buying a name brand off the rack. Get clubs that fit your size and swing type, allowing you to hit better shots and helping to prevent injury.
What is the most popular finish for wedges?
But there are one or two practical considerations to factor in too. Black or tour satin are probably the most popular finishes at the moment, with polished chrome falling out of favour.
What is the angle between the lowest part of the sole and the leading edge of the club?
This as important as loft, if not more so in some ways. Bounce refers to the angle created between the lowest part of the sole and the leading edge when the club is grounded neutrally.
Do short clubs require forgiveness?
Forgiveness. Forgiveness may not be such a pressing requirement with these short clubs, but some golfers will still prefer a little extra assistance. That may be via a wedge with more of a cavity back for an element of perimeter-weighted forgiveness.
Two-Wedge System
Though wedges traditionally are acknowledged in groups of three — a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, and a lob wedge — many golfers make do with just two. While only carrying two wedges is undoubtedly the most efficient option (and comfortable to lug around if you are without a caddy, of course), you should pick which two very carefully.
Three-Wedge System
Just because you’ve decided to go ahead with the standard three-wedge system doesn’t mean that you are completely covered. Nor does it mean that you are off the hook for planning your setup strategically.
Four-Wedge System
Though you might feel as though you are carrying extraneous weight for no reason, there are plenty of times when an extra wedge in your system comes in handy. Four in your setup is particularly wise if you have extra space after removing an extra-long iron or another club not so regularly used.
