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what is a gap wedge in golf

by Selmer Zieme Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What Is a Gap Wedge Golf Club?

  • Wedge Loft. A gap wedge's angle varies between 50 and 54 degrees. ...
  • Shaft Type. Gap wedges are more commonly made of steel. ...
  • Distance. The loft of the club determines distance. ...
  • Bounce. Bounce is the amount a club's leading edge is above the bottom of the club face. ...
  • Finish. A gap wedge should have the proper finish for the ball to gain spin. ...

In golf, a gap wedge, also known as an approach wedge, is a wedge used to hit a shot with higher and shorter trajectory than a pitching wedge and lower and longer trajectory than a sand wedge. The name derives from the club's design to fill the "gap" between sand and pitching wedges.

Full Answer

What is a gap wedge and do you need one?

The Gap Wedge is a very versatile club, it can be used for full shots or shots around the green. Full shots with a Gap Wedge will range from 80 to 110 yards. 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.

What is the Best Bounce for a gap wedge?

Mar 02, 2018 · In some cases, people will refer to it as an "attack" wedge, but whatever name you go with, it is ultimately a "gap" wedge to fill the distance void between your pitching wedge and sand wedge." What kind of golf shots would a gap wedge be used for? "It is a club that is designed for accurate—or aggressive—approach shots. Whether you're in the fairway or the rough or …

What kind of golf wedges are the best?

Nov 30, 2021 · A gap wedge, also known as an approach wedge, is a wedge used to hit a shot with a higher and shorter trajectory than a pitching wedge, and a longer and lower trajectory than a sand wedge in golf. As a result of the club’s design, the gap between sand and pitching wedges is filled. Table of contents 1. what is a gap wedge good for?

How to gap your wedges?

The gap wedge is a golf club that is used for distances too short for a pitching wedge and too long for a sand wedge. It has a club head angle that is …

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What do you use a gap wedge for?

What is a gap wedge used for? As set pitching wedges get stronger in loft, the gap wedge helps close the loft “gap” between your pitching wedge and sand wedge. A gap wedge can be used on full shots, pitch shots, bump and run shots, as well as long bunker shots.

What is the degree of a gap wedge?

around 50 degreesThe gap wedge (usually around 50 degrees) provides a vital yardage between those two clubs. Our recommendation is that you endeavor to match the gap wedge to the short irons and pitching wedge in your set because this gap wedge will also likely be a full-swing club.Feb 23, 2018

What distance is a gap wedge good for?

On average, recreational golfers hit their gap wedge 103 yards, but the range can be between 90 and 120 yards. For shorter shots that only require a 1/2 swing, the average distance will be much less. The numbers are a bit tighter than before, with the shortest distance being 90 yards and the longest being 120 yards.

Is a 52 degree wedge a 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.

Do you really need a gap wedge?

Summary. Gap wedges are an essential part of every golfer's bag. They give you more versatility with your shots and allow you to get out of difficult situations when needed, which makes them a must-have for any serious player.Sep 28, 2021

What is the difference between a gap wedge and a pitching wedge?

Gap / Approach Wedge Your gap wedge will have more loft than your pitching wedge and less loft than your sand wedge. In our example a 50-degree gap wedge would do perfectly! Gap Wedges are also known as approach or utility wedges but "gap" is a very handy way to remember them because that's what they do.Mar 2, 2018

How do you hit a gap wedge in golf?

1:122:05Golf Tips : How to Use a Golf Gap Wedge - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYour hands are in front of the ball. The ball is towards the back of your stance. You want to take aMoreYour hands are in front of the ball. The ball is towards the back of your stance. You want to take a divot. And you want to take a full golf swing with this club.

Which wedge is best for chipping?

The sand wedge is the wedge that is the best for chipping. With a sand wedge, you can fly the ball reasonably close to the pin, and expect it only to roll a few feet. Sand wedges are great out of the bunker, and they provide a ton of spin even on shots out of the rough.

Where does a gap wedge fit?

So What Is A Gap Wedge Or Approach Wedge? The gap or approach wedge is designed to fit into the gap between the modern pitching wedge and the sand wedge hitting distance. They will normally have a loft of about 50 to 54 degrees and a full swing should take the average golfer 90 to 110 yards.Jan 20, 2021

Do you need a 56 and 60 wedge?

For the average golfer, having both a 56-degree sand wedge and a 60-degree lob wedge is completely unnecessary. A 56 or 58-degree wedge should be a lot more versatile for most and is the highest wedge loft that should be in most bags.

Can I use a gap wedge in the sand?

The gap wedge can mimic the sand wedge because it has so much of its weight around the bottom of the club. To get the ball out of a bunker, hit the sand 3 to 4 inches behind the ball. The sand will explode into the ball and drive it out of the bunker.

How far should you hit a 9 iron?

Beta ProgramClubMen's Average DistanceWomen's Average Distance9-iron120 yards100 yardsPitching wedge110 yards90 yardsSand wedge90 yards80 yardsLob wedge65 yards60 yards9 more rows•Mar 15, 2022

What Is A Gap Wedge Good For?

How is a gap wedge used?? In the loft, the gap wedge helps close the gap between your pitching wedge and sand wedge as set pitching wedges become stronger. In addition to full shots, pitch shots, bump and run shots, and long bunker shots, a gap wedge can also be used on short shots.

Do You Really Need A Gap Wedge?

In our opinion, the gap wedge (usually around 50 degrees) provides a vital yardage between the short irons and pitching wedges in your set. This gap wedge will also likely be a full-swing club, so we recommend you match it to the short irons and pitching wedges.

What Is A Gap Wedge Equivalent To?

As a result of its distance between the pitching wedge and sand wedge, the gap wedge is also known as the approach wedge. In the loft, there is a similar degree of separation to that of an older pitching wedge.

Is A 52 Degree Wedge A Gap Wedge?

A 52 degree wedge distance is 100 yards for amateur golfers and 125 yards for professional golfers using a gap wedge.

What Is An A Wedge Golf Club?

A-wedges are golf clubs that are also known as gap wedges, and are one of the four main types of wedges, which include pitching wedges, A-wedges, sand wedges, and wedges that are lofted. This gap was filled by the A-wedge (hence its more common name).

What Degree Is A Gap Wedge Golf Club?

A wedge between your pitching wedge loft and your sand wedge loft is necessary. In order to get a good distance between these two clubs, the gap wedge (usually about 50 degrees) is crucial.

What Does The A Stand For On A Golf Club?

As a TaylorMade club, the “A” itself stands for “approach.”. There are some people who refer to it as an “attack wedge,” but it is ultimately a “gap” wedge that fills the distance between your pitching wedge and sand wedge.

What is a gap wedge?

The gap wedge is a golf club that is used for distances too short for a pitching wedge and too long for a sand wedge. It has a club head angle that is in between those of its cousins the pitching and sand wedges.

How far can you hit a gap wedge?

Many gap wedges can be hit 90 yards, less than the average pitching wedge shot, which is about 105 yards, but more than the average sand wedge (70 yards), according to Leaderboard.com. Distances may vary between golfers. You should practice hitting your sand and pitching wedges to determine the differences in distance.

What is the difference between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge?

The pitching wedge is usually around 45 degrees while the sand wedge is between 54 and 58 degrees. Golf club makers have decreased pitching wedge loft degrees over recent years, with the gap wedge becoming an option for golfers.

Which is better, steel or graphite wedges?

Steel is more durable than its graphite counterpart, and a steel wedge can help to control the shot. Graphite gap wedges provide extra distance for a golfer while eliminating shock from the shot.

Do you need a gap wedge for sand?

You should practice hitting your sand and pitching wedges to determine the differences in distance. If you're comfortable with the distances with which you're hitting your wedges, you may not need a gap wedge.

What is a gap wedge?

A gap wedge basically sits between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge in terms of the loft, and therefore in terms of the distance the ball will go.

How far should a gap wedge go?

So it stands to reason that gap wedge is going to fill that gap and it should go 80 yards. And that’s why that gap wedge can be so useful in your bag because if you’ve got 80 yard shot on the golf course, you hit a good full sand wedge it doesn’t reach.

How many clubs can you carry in a gap wedge?

So, if you’ve got space in your bag and space is you’re allowed to carry 14 clubs.

How many degrees of loft is a sand wedge?

And the average sand wedge is around about 54, 55, 56 degrees for most sets of the sand wedge. So, a gap wedge is probably going to be numbered either 50, 51 or 52 degrees of loft.

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.

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.

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.

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 a gap wedge?

A gap wedge, also known as the approach wedge, helps fill the distance gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge.

How to get a wedge in golf?

Step 1. Make sure you don't lead too much with your hands and drag the wedge behind them on the shot. Fight the tendency to push your hands forward on a short stroke because you're bound to make poor contact with the ball when you do.

How far away should you put a pitching wedge from the green?

Use your pitching wedge when you are 80 to 120 yards from the green. The pitching wedge has less loft than the gap wedge. The loft on a pitching wedge is between 45 and 48 degrees.

How far away should you put a sand wedge?

Use your sand wedge when you are less than 100 yards from the green or in a sand bunker. A sand wedge has a loft of between 54 and 56 degrees. It will hit the ball higher than the gap wedge, but not as far.

What is gap wedge?

Gap Wedge (Loft: 48°-52°) Gap wedges, well, fill the gap in between the sand wedge and pitching wedge. Some iron sets come with approach wedges (A-wedge), which is the same as a gap wedge. With the lofts of pitching wedges going down over the years, this has created an even larger distance spread from pitching wedge to the sand wedge.

How to get better at wedge golf?

If you want to play better golf, then you have to get good with your wedge game. It all starts with understanding what wedges you need in your bag and what wedge loft you should be playing with each one. Knowing the distance you hit each club, and understanding the gaps you need to fill, is a critical factor in determining your wedge loft needs. ...

How to determine wedge loft?

In determining your ideal wedge lofts, what you’re trying to do is gap your distances evenly inside your pitching wedge. Once you know your distances, then you’ll be able to determine your wedge loft needs. There are a few ways to do this: Schedule an appointment with a club-fitter to perform a proper gap test.

How many different wedges are there?

There are four different golf wedges (Pitching Wedge, Gap Wedge, Sand Wedge, and Lob Wedge), each with different lofts and a unique purpose. Wedges come with different loft options, grind, and bounce, all of which are important; however, this article will focus specifically on wedge loft.

What is the loft of a pitching wedge?

Pitching Wedge (Loft: 43°-48°) Pitching wedges come stock in most iron sets with standard lofts of 43°-48°. More and more golf club manufacturers are decreasing the loft on standard pitching wedges. Years ago, 47°-48° was pretty standard, but now 43°-46° is much more common. This means that golfers are hitting pitching wedges much farther ...

How many wedges should I carry in my golf bag?

I recommend that every golfer consider carrying all four wedges (pitching, sand, gap, and lob). At a minimum, you should carry three (pitching, sand, and lob). If you have a large distance gap to fill in between your pitching wedge and sand wedge, you need to add a gap wedge to your bag.

How to choose lofts for pitching wedges?

To choose the right lofts for your wedges, you first need to know how far you hit all clubs in your bag, particularly your pitching wedge. It’s important that you know precisely how far you hit each club, not how far you think you do.

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