Full Answer
What are the different degrees of wedges in golf?
What Are the Degrees of Golf Wedges? 1 Pitching Wedges. Pitching wedges are often the first wedge a beginning golfer plays, since they’re generally packaged with a set of irons. The loft ... 2 Gap Wedges. 3 Sand Wedges. 4 Lob Wedges.
How far can you hit a single golf wedge?
Intermediate golfers can achieve a distance of 80 – 100/110 yards with their 56° wedge. Finally, professional golfers can cover the distance of 115 – 120 yards with their 56 wedge. A single golf wedge can achieve varying distances depending on the person wielding them.
What is the highest angle of a lob wedge?
Lob Wedges. Lob wedges come in high lofts of 60 to 64 degrees, with the ultra lob wedges reaching up to 70 degrees.
Should I carry a 64 degree wedge?
I’m sure you can, Boomer. Play in a real pro tournament and all those short side misses with the real tucked pins will 100% convince you to carry a 64 degree wedge, there’s a reason both DJ and Phil carry 64 degree wedges and it’s absolutely for those short shots with no green to work with.
How many yards should a wedge be?
As I’ve already shared, I firmly believe you should select wedges that give you consistent distance differentials on full swings from your set-match 9-iron or “P-club,” all the way down to your 56-58 wedge. For most golfers that differential should be not more than 12-13 yards for optimum scoring. Depending on your strength profile, those loft differences could be as wide as 5-6 degrees, but 4 seems like it works for the vast majority of golfers.
What golfers used wedges?
Many of them used that club to great success, and we witnessed near genius in the likes of Tom Watson, Phil Rogers, Seven Ballesteros and others.
How many yards should a golfer's loft be?
Depending on your strength profile, those loft differences could be as wide as 5-6 degree s, but 4 seems like it works for the vast majority of golfers.
When was the sand wedge invented?
After the invention of the sand wedge in the 1930s, a design generally credited to Gene Sarazen, most golfers began to carry one. Did you know that the 1930s was also the decade that witnessed one of the greatest contributions to modern golf clubs, the numbered and matched set of irons? Well, from that time through the 1940s, most golfers relegated that club to only those shots hit from the sand. Most “sand wedges” from that time until the mid-1980s were about 55-56 degrees in loft, but loft was not a specification that many paid much attention to. Sets of irons had a “pitching wedge” of about 50-52 degrees, and that was the more generally used wedge for greenside shots. However, in his 1949 book, “Power Golf,” Ben Hogan wrote that the sand wedge could be a great tool for certain greenside shots.
What is the upper limit for golfers?
PGA tour stats validate Terry’s comment on 57*-58* being upper limit on what most amateur golfers can handle. On tour, half the golfers have 58* as their highest lofted wedge.
How many players can win the PGA Championship?
The 18 players who can absolutely win the PGA Championship (according to science!)
When did Tom Kite start using 60 degree wedges?
It was the late 1980s , I believe, when Tom Kite began using the first 60-degree wedge to great success. They say he was deadly from his “magic number” — 63 yards, as I remember. I do know those first 60-degree wedges had very large heavy soles, with very pronounced camber from front to back.
How high do lob wedges go?
Lob wedges come in high lofts of 60 to 64 degrees , with the ultra lob wedges reaching up to 70 degrees. Precision is the name of the game for the lob wedge. It’s not a club for every bag, but if you play courses with lots of hazards, trees or elevated greens, the lob wedge can get your ball up and over trouble areas. A typical fairway shot may get you 40 to 60 yards, but a 10 to 40 yard chip shot will surgically place your ball on the green.
What is the loft angle of a pitching wedge?
The loft angle of a pitching wedge is between 46 and 50 degrees, depending on manufacturer, and is typically used from the fairway for shots requiring 100 to 120 yards of distance. It can also be used as an all-purpose wedge, but most are better off adding another wedge to their bag.
What is a sand wedge?
Sand Wedges. Sand wedges are specialty clubs designed with sand play in mind. The 54 to 60 degree lofts on these wedges are quite high, making a ball pop up and land close by – a hard shot of under 100 yards is typical.
How many yards does a golf shot get?
A typical fairway shot may get you 40 to 60 yards, but a 10 to 40 yard chip shot will surgically place your ball on the green. Professional golfers typically carry three or four wedges typically arranged so they differ in loft from 4 to 6 degrees.
How far can you put a wedge in mud?
Like the pitching wedge, it can be used in a variety of settings, but usually is most at home in the mud, sand and tall grass or from distances generally of 80 to 100 yards.
Can you get by with magic irons?
Depending on your level of skill and propensity for landing your ball in the middle of the worst parts of the course, you may be able to get by with just one of these magic irons. The degree of loft angle between the different wedges varies widely, making each a little better in specific situations and from specific distances.
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.
How many wedges do you need for a golf bag?
Look into your golf bag and ask yourself how many wedges do I need? If you count the clubs in your golf bag and remember you can only carry 14 out on the golf course, you may find that after your driver, putter, and lower lofted irons have been included, you have space for a few wedges; three, or four at the very maximum. This being true, we need to choose which wedges go into our bag very carefully.
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 purpose of the bounce angle on a wedge?
Bounce. Bounce is the angle between the sole (bottom) of the club and the ground. The purpose of the bounce angle is to stop the club from digging into the ground. Here are some useful illustrations which make it more explicit.
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.
What degree is a golf wedge?
Golf Wedge Degrees. Wedges have lofts that range from about 45 to 62 degrees to get the ball in the air higher. Wedges are clubs used for shorter approach shots, chipping, pitching and hitting from bunkers. Each wedge has a different loft, measured in degrees, which can vary depending on the manufacturer of a club.
What is the best wedge for a golfer?
Lob wedges are the most lofted wedge, with a measurement generally between 58 and 62 degrees. The lob wedge is meant for short approach shots and is best utilized when a player needs to stop the ball quickly on the green or approach a tough-to-reach pin placement.
What is the loft of a sand wedge?
Sand Wedge. The standard loft for a sand wedge can range from 54 to 58 degrees. The sand wedge is more lofted than a pitching or gap wedge, so shots will not fly quite as far. Sand wedges feature a rounded base so that it can more easily slide through the sand on bunker shots.
What is a wedge in golf?
Overview. Wedges are clubs used for shorter approach shots, chipping, pitching and hitting from bunkers. Each wedge has a different loft, measured in degrees, which can vary depending on the manufacturer of a club. Understanding the degree of loft of each wedge can help golfers understand the club that is most appropriate for any situation on ...
What is the best loft for a pitching wedge?
With a loft of about 45 to 48 degrees , the pitching wedge is used for the longest wedge shots--about 135 yards and closer for most male players. In addition, the pitching wedge’s loft is ideal for chip and pitch shots around the green where the player has room to roll the ball to the hole.
Which has more loft, a sand wedge or a gap wedge?
A gap wedge has slightly more loft than a pitching wedge, but shots will travel farther than with a sand wedge or lob wedge. The club is a fairly new development made by club manufactures to bridge the distance different between the pitching and sand wedge.
What does a rounded base mean on a golf club?
The more rounded base produces bounce, which also means the clubhead will bounce when used in the fairway. The clubhead on sand wedges makes getting the ball in the air more difficult and increases the likelihood of skulled shots.
Why are wedges important in golf?
Wedges are important for golfers because they are used as part of the short game which is important to practice from within 100 yards into the green. Wedges themselves are very flexible golf clubs and can be used for approach shots, bunker shots as well as chipping and pitch shots around the green. By working on your short game you will be able to hit your wedge shots closer to the flag which means fewer putts and will help to reduce your handicap quickly.
How do wedge distances vary?
Wedge distances vary depending on factors such as wedge lofts from the different wedge clubs and surface terrain from where you will be hitting the golf ball from. They also vary depending on your experience and handicap. Being able to hit your wedges a sufficient distance is important, however what is even more important is working on your golf ...
What is the difference between a lob wedge and a sand wedge?
Whereas a lob wedge will have the shortest carry distances and have a loft of 60-64 degrees. A gap wedge and sand wedge will fit in between these two ranges with a gap wedge being around 52-54 degrees and a sand wedge around 56-58 degrees. As we’re sure you can tell, these variations in loft can make a huge difference in the distance ...
What is the loft of a pitching wedge?
For example a pitching wedge will have the longest carry distances and have a loft of 45-50 degrees. Whereas a lob wedge will have the shortest carry distances and have a loft of 60-64 degrees. A gap wedge and sand wedge will fit in between ...
What are some examples of wedges?
An example selection of wedges that you could go for would be a selection of a pitching wedge, gap wedge and sand wedge. However, you may also want to swap one of these out for a lob wedge. The leading professionals have a mixture of wedges in their bag and there really is no right or wrong answer ( GolfWRX ).
How far can a sand wedge carry?
Additionally, to give a better sense of other distances for professionals, a sand wedge would carry approximately 110-130 yards and lob wedges would be best used for full swings below 100 yards.
What is wedge play?
Wedge play is an important component of a good golf game from beginners to mid handicappers to low handicappers, and they make up an important part of a golfer’s bag. In fact the wedge can make or break a score on a hole.
What is the object of a 73 degree wedge?
The object of the 73-degree wedge, Miller said, is to eliminate the need for the recreational player to open the clubface in an attempt to hit the ball higher and have it land softer. Just aim at the pin, he said.
Is a feel golf wedge conforming?
Feel Golf previously had introduced a 73-degree wedge, but as part of its wedge offerings with non-conforming grooves. This new one, in a satin finish, has been deemed conforming by the USGA.
How much loft does a pitching wedge have?
Most standard pitching wedges (PW) have 45 to 47 degrees of loft. Pitching wedges that are part of a game improvement iron set will have lower lofts, some being as low as 43 or even 42 degrees.
What is the loft of a sand wedge?
The standard loft for a sand wedge (SW) is 56 degrees, with some players choosing to go as low as 54 degrees or as high as 58 degrees of loft.
What is gap wedge?
As the name "gap wedge" suggests, gap wedges fill a loft and distance gap between a pitching wedge and sand wedge.
What lofts fit within the loft range of the same numbered irons?
Compared to irons, hybrid lofts usually fit within the loft range of the same numbered irons.
How much loft does a wood have?
Woods typically have lower lofts than their iron and hybrid counterparts. For example, a standard 3-wood has around 15 degrees of loft, while most 3-irons have 19-21 degrees of loft.
What is loft in golf?
Golf club lofts play a significant factor in how high you'll launch a ball, how much spin you'll place on the ball, and ultimately how far the ball will travel.
How much loft does a 5 wood golf club have?
The majority of 5-Woods have 18-19 degrees of loft, but some manufacturers go as low as 17.5 or as high as 19.5 degrees. Depending on the manufacturer and who the clubs are designed for, a 3-iron often has a loft just between a 5-Wood and a 7-Wood.
How many degrees between sand wedges?
As you can see, the wedge spacing means there’s a neat four degrees between each one. This is a very economical setup since the three wedges should have most wedge shots covered whilst the lack of a fourth makes room for another club to be added, preferably one that’s better at the long game to balance this club set out which is why we chose a hybrid. As the sand wedge here is the highest loft club, you can use it as it was intended to escape from bunkers but also open-face it and use it as if it were a 60-degree lob wedge. You know your playstyle and the local fairways the best, however, so feel free to experiment with the examples here to best fit your typical golfing performance.
What is the highest loft for a sand wedge?
The answer is actually very simple since the overwhelmingmajority of sand wedges carry a loft of 55 to 56 degrees, with some lofts being as low as 54 or as high as 58. Either way, the sand wedge will be the highest loft club if you’re working with a traditional club set, or the second-highest if you also have a lob wedge. ...
How many clubs are allowed in a golf club set?
With a possible total of fourteen clubs allowed in your club set, you have a lot of freedom in what types of clubs you take to the green. A pro golfer always has a club for any occasion but only takes what they need with them to a game. For example, if you’re anticipating that you’ll need longer game performance then you’ll want a woods-oriented club set over one that has more wedges.
Is a wedge a consistent setup?
This would be a consistent setup, prizing a consistent performance over superiority in the long and short games, and because of that, it fairs quite well in both. Its adherence to the four degrees of loft separation common in wedges only makes it a more effective kit when you’re closing in on the last 120 yards.
Can you flop with a sand wedge?
You can have the best kit available and still flop if you haven’t put those hours in the course. Sand wedges are a paradox since people only really get experience with them after they’ve messed up, assuming the wedge is being used to get out of a bunker, meaning that the skilled application of a sand wedge can be a blind spot in many skilled players unless they make a conscious effort to train with them.
Do you need a sand wedge in a bunker?
Every golfer should have a sand wedge in their club set in the event that they find themselves in a bunker and, since you’re here, we’re assuming you’re interested in finding out more about them. Whether it’s a precaution or because you’ve had trouble in the past (don’t worry, it happens to the best of us), this article should fill you in on the need to know information regarding these wedges.
What are wedges banned from the PGA?
What Wedges Are Banned From the PGA? On the PGA Tour, players must use equipment “which conforms with the USGA Rules of Golf,” according to the 2012 PGA Tour Player Handbook. In practice, manufacturers typically provide a new club to the United States Golf Association for testing, to be certain that the club is compliant with the rules.
How to find out if a wedge is banned?
Golfers wishing to learn whether their wedges are banned by the PGA can search the USGA’s “Informational Club Database.” Type in the name of the club’s manufacturer, the product name and describe the club’s markings in the appropriate boxes.
What is the groove rule on golf clubs?
Groove Rule. The USGA announced new rules regarding club head grooves in 2008. The rules affect clubs with lofts of 25 degrees or more and, therefore, affect wedges of all types. The rules ban clubs with “sharp-edged U-grooves,” according to the PGA Tour, in favor of “the V-groove designs used predominantly in the past.”.
What are the rules of golf?
Appendix II of the Rules of Golf lists the general characteristics of a legal club. A club “must not be substantially different from the traditional and customary form and make,” meaning that it must contain a shaft and a head, and that it “may” also contain a grip. These parts must be secured together to form “one unit,” ...
When did Ping ban eye 2 irons?
The USGA and the PGA Tour first attempted to ban PING Eye 2 irons, including wedges, in 1990. As a result of the company’s lawsuit, Eye 2 irons manufactured prior to April 1, 1990, were grandfathered in as conforming clubs. The clubs remained legal after the new groove regulations took effect in 2010, at which point Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Fred Couples and some other players began using Eye 2 wedges on the PGA Tour. PING then agreed to partially waive its rights, allowing the PGA Tour to ban the Eye 2 irons.
