Golf Wedge Use Explained
- Pitching Wedge. A Pitching wedge has the broadest loft and the longest shaft. The pitching wedge is used to play pitch and chip shots.
- Gap Wedge. A gap wedge act as a bridging wedge between the pitching wedge and sand wedge. ...
- Sand Wedge. A sand wedge is primarily used to hit bunker shots. ...
- Lob Wedge. A Lob wedge is used to hit high-flight shots. ...
What is the easiest sand wedge to use?
Sep 29, 2020 · Overall a golf wedge is not going to be nearly as expensive as a driver or a fairway wood. This can be a bit ironic because the sand wedge is a club that will probably be used more times in a round than a five or three wood.
What is the best degree for a sand wedge?
Sand wedges are, of course, used primarily to hit out of sand bunkers. But the club may also come in handy in other places. The typical sand wedge is lofted about 56 degrees, so it …
What is the best sand wedge golf club?
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 …
What is the best loft for a sand wedge?
Jan 09, 2022 · A sand wedge is designed to offer the best help out of those daunting sand traps and greenside bunkers. It is also extremely useful for closer approach shots. You would be doing yourself a disservice by not carrying a decent sand wedge in your bag.
When should you use a sand wedge?
Some typical situations that would call for a sand wedge are:the ball is in the sand (of course)the ball is sitting in muddy ground, and/or is sitting down in the rough.the ball is on firm grass and you want to hit a higher, softer shot.Aug 3, 2015
Do golfers still use sand wedges?
Today they are still rare outside of the professional ranks, and even most pros don't carry one.) All irons, including wedges, feature a design property known as "bounce angle," often just called "bounce." Bounce is a physical property of the sole of a golf wedge.May 24, 2019
What does a sand wedge do in golf?
A sand wedge, or sand iron, is a type of golf club, an open-faced wedge primarily designed for getting out of sand bunkers. It has the widest sole of any wedge, which provides the greatest amount of bounce, allowing the club head to glide through sand and avoid digging in.
Can I use a sand wedge on the fairway?
The typical sand wedge is lofted about 56 degrees, so it may be useful for playing short, high pitch shots. The club's bounce plate makes it a poor choice on hard ground, so make sure the turf is reasonably soft before using your sand wedge from the fairway.
What 3 wedges should I carry?
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.Feb 23, 2018
What's the difference between a sand wedge and a pitching wedge?
The most significant difference you'll find between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge is the lie angle. As previously noted, pitching wedges usually lie between 45 and 50 degrees. A sand wedge will have a loft of 54 to 58 degrees, with the majority falling around 56 degrees.Jun 29, 2020
Why can't I hit a sand wedge?
It's the bounce on the sole of the sand wedge . The bounce on the sole of the sand wedge as I explained in “Don't hit the ball out of a sand trap” means that the leading edge (bottom of the face) of the club is higher than the trailing edge of the club (the bit down the back at the bottom).Sep 24, 2012
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.
What is the difference between a 56 degree wedge and a sand wedge?
A 56-degree wedge is considered a sand wedge and is mainly used for hitting out of the sand and chipping around the green. A 56-degree wedge is one of the most used clubs and is the highest loft an average golfer should carry.
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.
What is a wedge in golf?
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.
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.
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.
What is a sand wedge?
A sand wedge is designed to offer the best help out of those daunting sand traps and greenside bunkers. It is also extremely useful for closer approach shots. You would be doing yourself a disservice by not carrying a decent sand wedge in your bag.
What is the difference between a sand wedge and a sand wedge?
This refers to the angle between the front of the sole and the ground. A sand wedge has a much higher angle which produces more bounce.
How many yards does a pitching wedge hit?
The pitching wedge is the one most golfers are familiar with. The average golfer will hit it roughly 100 to 130 yards at full swing. What is important to note is that the loft of the pitching wedge has changed over the years and it is not a lot closer to the older 9 irons. Most pitching wedges have a loft of 44º – 48º.
How many yards does a sand wedge get?
The sand wedge, on the other hand, has not changed much at all. The average loft is 54º – 58º and at full swing one can expect to get around 70 to 100 yards. As the name suggests, its main function is to get you out of the dreaded bunkers or sand traps. Apart from that, it is used for shorter approach shots.
How much bounce is needed in soft sand?
In soft sand, the more bounce the better. It is also handy to have a lot of bounce in longer grass. Bounce measurements range from a mere 2 up to about 16, most fall between 4 and 14. This video explains the concept of bounce quite well: While we all hope never to find the bunkers, most golf courses make this unlikely.
Is a gap wedge necessary?
A gap wedge is not essential but if you are having difficulty around the greens it might be worth considering. Bob Vokey is somewhat of a guru on wedges having been a master craftsman at Titleist for many years. If you want to know more about wedges, particularly the gap wedge, take a look at his comments.
Is a sand wedge good for a shot?
Just because you are in the sand or in your average sand wedge distance for an approach shot there are times when a sand wedge is not the best option. As discussed above, the sand wedge has a lot of bounce. While this is helpful in soft sand or long grass, it can be a major disadvantage on firm compacted sand or hard ground.
10 Best Sand Wedges Review
If you are looking for a sand wedge with enhanced forgiveness, then Callaway Mack Daddy CB is the one for you. The wide sole design and cavity back of this wedge help to balance the effect of a bad swing and mishit. Not only that, you have the option to choose from graphite and steel shafts.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Sand Wedge
Just because your friend or your senior is doing well with their new sand wedge, that doesn't mean the same model will help you perform better too. Depending on your club set, handicap, and many more things, you may require a different one to play your best.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sand Wedge
A sand wedge is an iron that helps you get the golf ball out of the sand bunkers. You can also use them for short approach shots around 70- 110 yards on average. The loft of a sand wedge is usually 54° – 58°.
Conclusion
A top-quality sand wedge can get you out of the bunkers quickly. It also helps to take fewer shots around the green and win the games. But choosing the best from thousands of models is a tricky job. Thus, we have presented this article to help you find the best sand wedge. Hope it will be a bit easier for you now.
Why use a sand wedge?
Many golfers do choose to use a sand wedge when hitting from the fairway. The larger bounce angle of the sand wedge allows more forgiveness when making contact with the ball and the high loft provides a high amount of spin for control.
What is the problem with a sand wedge?
Medium to hard sand- The problem with using a sand wedge with a high bounce out of harder sand is that your club can sometimes bottom out too early causing a chunk or you to hit the top of the golf ball.
What is a tight lie wedge?
This is known as a tight lie. Golfers who encounter a lot of tight lies might want to consider a wedge that has a lower bounce angle A lower bounce of around 6-10 will allow the club to make clean contact with the ground.
What is the best wedge bounce for golf?
A wedge with lower bounce can get its leading edge caught up in the grass and cause a lack of consistency. Using a sand wedge with a bounce of 12-14 will be best for golfers who play out of a lot of thick rough. Tight lies just off the green – Often times, if you are just off the green in the fringe or fairway, ...
Why is a wedge with low bounce better?
A wedge with low bounce is best for golfers that prefer a wedge with a more open appearance at address. The leading edge of the wedge can cause some golfers to have inconsistency problems because there isn’t as much support on the bottom of the club to help with mis-hits.
How much bounce does a sand wedge have?
A high bounce for a sand wedge has 10-14 degrees of bounce. You should think about using a sand wedge with a lower loft if: You have steep golf swing and tend to make deep divots after contact. You tend to hit behind the ball on your mis-hits. Play courses that have softer playing conditions.
What angle should a sand wedge bounce?
Golfers who play golf courses with harder surfaces and tend to “pick” the golf ball when making contact should use a sand wedge bounce closer to 10 degrees. Golfers who play courses with softer conditions and who tend to make divots after contact should use a sand wedge bounce closer to 14 degrees. Choosing the right bounce angle ...
Key considerations
Golfers can select from multiple types of wedges. Club manufacturers typically define a sand wedge as a wedge with a club face angle between 54 and 60 degrees. This sets it apart from a pitching wedge or gap wedge, which has a shallower angle in the club face. It also sets it apart from a lob wedge, which has a sharper angle in the club face.
Features
The most important personalized feature in a sand wedge is the bounce angle. “Bounce angle” refers to the angle of the sole of the club to the ground. (The sole of the club does not sit flat to the ground as you might expect.)
Accessories
Men’s irons: Cobra Golf Cobra King SpeedZone Iron Set A sand wedge is rarely included in a set of men’s golf irons; you’d need to purchase the sand wedge separately. Some golfers prefer to purchase a sand wedge that matches the brand of irons they use, but others don’t mind using a different brand.
Sand wedge prices
Inexpensive: The least-expensive sand wedges cost $30 to $50 and are extremely basic clubs with few design features that a low-handicap golfer wants. Golfers who are newer to the sport will be able to use them just fine, though.
Tips
Here are some tips to help you have more success with a shot from a sand trap with a sand wedge.
