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what are golf wedges

by Elizabeth Beahan Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Golf Wedges Loft, Bounce, Length, and Usage Summarized

Wedge Loft Bounce Length Use
Pitching Wedge 47° to 53° 2° to 5° 35.75” for pitch and chip shots
Gap Wedge 50°° to 53° 5° to 10° 35.25” for mid and chip shots
Sand Wedge 54° to 58° 10° to 14° 34.50” To escape the ball through the sand
Lob Wedge 60° to 62° 0° to 10° 33.50” To get a high flight and to rescue the b ...
May 3 2022

Full Answer

What are the types of wedges in golf?

May 24, 2019 · Wedges are the highest-lofted clubs in a set of golf clubs, designed for short approach shots (for most golfers, 120 yards and in), strokes played out of sand, chip shots and pitch shots, and generally any shot for which the golfer wants the ball to …

What golf wedges to buy?

5 rows · Wedges are the clubs which are built to play the attacking game. They could be a very handful in ...

How many golf wedges should I carry?

Pitching Wedge (44 to 48 degrees) Gap/Approach Wedge (50 to 54 degrees) Sand Wedge (54 to 58 degrees) Lob Wedge (58 to 62 degrees) To learn more about which golf wedges will best fit your game, book a free custom fitting with one of our certified club fitters. Our wedge-analysis technology measures club length, loft, bounce, lie angle, shaft ...

What wedges do the pros use?

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What are the different golf wedges used for?

Wedges are the highest-lofted clubs in a set of golf clubs, designed for short approach shots (for most golfers, 120 yards and in), strokes played out of sand, chip shots and pitch shots, and generally any shot for which the golfer wants the ball to ascend and descend sharply.May 24, 2019

What is the difference between wedges and irons?

Technically, wedges are a sub-set of irons and there are many types, including the sand wedge, gap wedge and pitching wedge. They have the same clubheads as irons but have more severe angles; they are the highest lofted golf clubs.Jan 27, 2020

What is the difference between golf wedges?

The primary differentiating factor between wedges is the degree of loft each wedge club has. The trajectory of the ball when correctly struck is determined by the loft of the golf club. The higher the degree of loft, the faster the golf ball travels into the air.

What wedges should a golfer have?

Most players tend to carry three wedges — a pitching, sand and lob wedge. But if you add a gap wedge, you're already at four. And if you don't need that extra long iron, it's possible you can carry a fifth wedge so you have the right wedge no matter where you play.Mar 3, 2021

Do I need a 54 degree wedge?

A 54-degree wedge is ideal for golfers who have a 58-degree lob wedge and another wedge close to 50 degrees. Pretty much all golfers have a pitching wedge and a wedge between 56 and 58 degrees. That leaves a pretty big gap in clubs and that's why you'll want to fill it as soon as possible.

Can you use a 60 degree wedge in the sand?

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 3 wedges should I carry?

Know your pitching wedge loft.

If it's 45 degrees or less, add three more wedges that are spaced apart by no more than 4-5 degrees each. 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.
Feb 23, 2018

How do I pick the right 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 does S grind mean on a wedge?

The S Grind Vokey SM7 is the popular middle-of-the-road option in the current Titleist wedge lineup. The S Grind is geared towards golfers that will strike wedge shots with a square club face. It's built for those who aren't manipulating the face or angle of attack too much.Feb 16, 2018

What wedge is 60 degrees?

lob wedge
A 60-degree wedge is considered a lob wedge and is mostly used to launch the ball high up in the air and land softly on the green. Examples could be hitting the ball over water or sand and quickly stopping it on the green. I used to have a 60 degree in my bag and it did come in handy in certain situations.

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.Feb 16, 2022

What wedge is 52 degrees?

gap wedge
A 52-degree wedge is considered a gap wedge and is used to fill the gap between your pitching wedge and your sand wedge. Golfers who have a 52-degree wedge in their bag typically have a pitching wedge that's between 47-48 degrees.

What is a Golf wedge used for?

Golf wedge used to hit chip, pitch, and bunker shots.

Is an approach wedge is the same as the gap wedge?

Yes, approach wedge and gap wedge are the same wedges.

Should my wedges be the same length?

No, each wedge has a different length according to your handicap.

What is a wedge in golf?

Wedges are the club that can provide you with the maximum flight and backspin keeping the ball within the green. A golf club set consist of the following wedges: Pitching wedge: The most common wedge. Gap wedge: The bridging wedge. Sand Wedge: The rescuer wedge.

What is a gap wedge?

Gap Wedge. A gap wedge act as a bridging wedge between the pitching wedge and sand wedge. The gap wedge’s loft ranges from 50 to 53 degrees and the bounce is between 5 to 10 degrees. The major use of a gap wedge is to hit mid-chip shots. You can reach a distance of up to 65m.

What is the angle of a golf club?

The angle which the sole of a golf club makes with the ground is termed as the bounce of a club. The curve of a club which you see touching the ground it the bounce. The more the bounce is, the easier to hit the ball.

What is the bounce of a pitching wedge?

The Pitching wedge has a bounce between 2 to 5 degrees. The Gap wedge has a bounce between 5 to 10 degrees. The Sand wedge has a bounce of between 10 to 14 degrees. The Lob wedge has a bounce between 0 to 10 degrees.

What is the angle between the clubhead and the shaft called?

The angle which the clubhead makes with the vertical plane of the shaft is known as the loft of a golf club. In other words, the angle between the clubhead and the shaft is called the loft. The broader loft allows you to gain more height in your shots but at the same time, this will give you the minimum distance.

What is a wedge in golf?

In the sport of golf, a wedge is a subset of the iron family of golf clubs designed for special use situations. As a class, wedges have the highest lofts, the shortest shafts, and the heaviest clubheads of the irons. These features generally aid the player in making accurate short-distance "lob" shots, to get the ball onto the green or out ...

What is a pitching wedge?

Pitching wedge. A pitching wedge is the lowest-lofted of the named wedges, used to hit a variety of short-range shots. The modern pitching wedge has a loft of around 48° (exact lofts vary by clubmaker and player preference) and little or no "bounce" (angle of the sole to the ground).

What is the lowest lofted wedge?

A pitching wedge is the lowest-lofted of the named wedges, used to hit a variety of short-range shots. The modern pitching wedge has a loft of around 48° (exact lofts vary by clubmaker and player preference) and little or no "bounce" (angle of the sole to the ground).

What is a gap wedge?

Gap wedge. A gap wedge is the next higher-lofted wedge after the pitching wedge, and is usually used in a similar manner. It is a newer wedge and so is one of the least standardized as to its purpose and thus its design, but lofts for gap wedges are centered on 52° and have a moderate amount of bounce.

What is an ultra lob wedge?

An ultra lob wedge is a specialization of the lob wedge with an extremely high loft, as high as 70°. Synonyms are generally marketing terms and include the "flop wedge" and "final wedge". When included in a club set, it generally has the highest loft of the set. It is used for specialized, extremely high-angle shots such as from the "lip" of a bunker. This wedge is generally made by specialty companies, and some argue that their purpose is redundant, as a regular lob wedge can be "opened" for extra loft in situations calling for such a high launch angle. However, these shots are very tricky to make as they require substantial changes to a player's normal swing mechanics.

How far can you hit a wedge in golf?

When it comes to golf wedges, you are probably looking at hitting a wedge from about 120 yards and in, depending on how long you can hit your clubs. From there, you can get creative with your shot and work to put more backspin on it or try and deaden the roll.

What does it mean to hit a wedge shot?

Hitting a wedge shot means that you need to hit it well to go where you want it to consistently. Thanks to the ZipCore, it adds spin and enhances control for you. These grooves are sharper and deeper as well as more narrow to give you more contact with them. Your shots will actually bite more with these kinds of grooves.

What is a grind on a golf club?

You’ll see it referred to as sole grind on many club descriptions, as the sole is the club’s trailing edge. You can also use wedge grinds that are better for your swing. Certain grinds are better for bounce, while others tend to work better for those who swing in a more sweeping motion.

What is bounce in golf?

Bounce is forgiving, as it allows you to get a solid shot if you’re not perfect. Bounce is based on the angle of your wedge’s leading edge and the sole edge. If the bounce degree is higher, then the leading edge’s angle is higher off the surface when you’re about to hit your shot.

When did golf start?

The origins of golf can be traced back to sometime in the 15th century. As the fledgling sport grew in popularity over its first hundred years or so, golfers eventually began to realize, even back...

How far out should you hit a wedge?

The first rundown you’ll need to know for picking out the right type of wedge is what degree of loft angle you’re looking for. The lower the angle, the longer you’re likely going to hit it, as in, if you’re about 100 yards or so out, you may hit an attack or gap wedge. But from 10 to 30 yards out, a flop shot with a 60-degree wedge or your highest lob wedge may make more sense. Wedges have lofts between 45 degrees and 62 degrees. These are all ideal for chipping and shorter shots.

What is the difference between a low bounce wedge and a high bounce wedge?

Low bounce wed ges are ideal for flop shots, while mid bounce ones work the best for most players, as they can be applied to many course conditions and swing types. High bounce wedges are designed for softer conditions and will produce more backspin to give you more control around the greens.

Callaway MD5 Jaws

Our take: Roger Cleveland’s latest wedge creation for Callaway was a massive hit with testers who admitted to normally having trouble producing enough spin on short-game shots. “I sometimes ‘skid’ shots into the green, but these wedges make me feel like I’m a competent player again.

Callaway Mack Daddy CB

Our take: As some higher-handicap testers found out, a cavity-back profile can reinvigorate your short game. “With the subtle offset and slightly larger head, I got the feeling that I couldn’t miss,” said a tester. “The grooves deliver consistent feel too.”

Cleveland CBX

Our take: The CBX Full-Face wedge sports a design that makes it easy to play a variety of open-faced shots. You’re sure to impress your buddies while popping the ball up high and tight with this one.

Mizuno ES21

Our take: A hollow-body wedge is not the type of scoring club we’ve come to expect from Mizuno, but consider us among the true believers of the ES21’s awe-inspiring technology and surprisingly efficient performance. According to a recent tester, “The weighting is amazing.

Mizuno T20

Our take: Boron looks as though it’s here to stay, as Mizuno’s T20 has proven it to be the material of choice for added strength and consistency in its wedge designs. According to a tester, “I loved the beveled topline. It adds a boost of confidence, but still looks incredible clean.

Cleveland RTX ZipCore

Our take: Cleveland takes its wedges very seriously, as it should, having made some of the most influential designs in the last several decades. The all-new RTX ZipCore wedge rewrites the way Cleveland interprets wedge design with a slew of new innovations intended to help players gain consistency while also enabling more versatility.

Cleveland Smart Sole 4

Our take: “The wide sole is a genius design,” said one tester. “It should be embraced by more golfers — including me. It’s the epitome of an anti-chunk wedge.” More golfers should take this tester’s feedback to heart. Getting up-and-down from around the green isn’t easy, particularly if you struggle with consistent contact and turf interaction.

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Overview

In the sport of golf, a wedge is a subset of the iron family of golf clubsdesigned for special use situations. As a class, wedges have the highest lofts, the shortest shafts, and the heaviest clubheads of the irons. These features generally aid the player in making accurate short-distance "lob" shots, to get the ball onto the green or out of a hazard or other tricky spot. In addition, wedges are designed with modified soles that aid the player in moving the clubhead through sof…

History

The class of wedges grew out of the need for a better club for playing soft lies and short shots. Prior to the 1930s, the best club for short "approach" shots was the "niblick", roughly equivalent to today's 9-iron or pitching wedge in loft; however the design of this club, with a flat, angled face and virtually no "sole", made it difficult to use in sand and other soft lies as it was prone to dig into soft turf. The club most often used for bunker shots was called the "jigger"; it was used similarly to to…

Pitching wedge

A pitching wedge is the lowest-lofted of the named wedges, used to hit a variety of short-range shots. The modern pitching wedge has a loft of around 48° (exact lofts vary by clubmaker and player preference) and little or no "bounce" (angle of the sole to the ground).
The pitching wedge is descended from the "niblick", an obsolete blade-style club with a high loft. As the older naming system gave way to numbered sets in the mid- to late 1930s, the standardiz…

Gap wedge

A gap wedge is the next higher-lofted wedge after the pitching wedge, and is usually used in a similar manner. It is a newer wedge and so is one of the least standardized as to its purpose and thus its design, but lofts for gap wedges are centered on 52° and have a moderate amount of bounce.
The concept of the gap wedge originated when the loft angles of irons were reduced as a result …

Sand wedge

A sand wedge is a type of golf club with a specialized design intended to help the player play the ball from soft lies such as sand bunkers. It has a loft of about 56°, and about 10° of "bounce".
Gene Sarazenwon the 1932 British and US Open tournaments with a new club he had invented that was specialized for sand play. He is hailed as the inventor of the modern sand wedge, which he developed by taking a niblick (9-iron), soldering additional metal underneath the leading edge …

Lob wedge

The lob wedge is a club with a loft of around 60°, typically the highest in a player's bag. It is used for specialized shots requiring either extreme launch angle, short carry distance and/or no rolling distance after impact.
Dave Pelz, a former NASA physicist and golf short-game coach, envisioned the lob wedge in the 1980s as an answer to modern greens, which are designed to be more difficult to approach to a…

See also

• Golf glossary

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