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 ... |
What is a gap wedge and do you need one?
The gap wedge is an essential club for a high handicapper to have in the bag. High handicappers should have at least one gap wedge in their bag. The gap wedge is the most versatile club in your bag and should be used for shots from around 100 yards to the green.
What is the Best Bounce for a gap wedge?
- Adjust your stance. When you need a little more height on a gap wedge shot, try moving the ball backward in your stance. ...
- Try a chip shot. Some golfers like using the gap wedge around the green with a half- or quarter-swing. ...
- Put a spin on it. ...
- Lie in the rough. ...
- A gap wedge takes getting used to. ...
What kind of golf wedges are the best?
Follow these guidelines to pick the right wedge:
- Know your skill level. Because that will dictate the kind of wedge you go for. ...
- Consider the loft. Remember, the higher the loft, the higher the ball flight trajectory and backspin. ...
- Pick the right wedge. Generally, there are 4 types of golf wedges. ...
- Select your bounce angle. Bounce angle is equally important. ...
How many degrees is a gap wedge?
Wedges vary based on the loft angle and usually range from 45 degrees to 64 degrees. The degrees are shown on the club heads. In general, the wedges used and their loft angles are as follows: Pitching wedge – 45 to 50 degrees Gap wedge – 50 to 54 degrees Sand wedge – 54 to 58 degrees Lob wedge – 58 to 64 degrees Benefits of two wedges
What is a gap wedge good 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.
Do pros use gap wedges?
Looking at the average configurations and lofts, around 60% of pro players use a pitching wedge with 46 degrees of loft, with 48 degrees being the second most common loft option. With gap wedges, the 52-degree loft is used by 42% of players, with 33% opting for the 50-degree model.
Do high handicappers need a gap wedge?
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. The thing that you have to pay attention to is the loft gapping in the set. Wherever possible, ensure that you are not leaving large loft gaps between clubs.
Does a gap wedge go farther than a pitching wedge?
A gap wedge, with a loft of 50 to 54 degrees, will hit a ball farther than a sand wedge and shorter than a pitching wedge.
What wedge is best for chipping?
Included in this guide:Titleist. Vokey SM9 Wedge. Check Price.Ping. Glide 4.0 Wedge. Check Price.Callaway. Jaws Mack Daddy 5 Wedge. Check Price.Cleveland. CBX ZipCore Wedge. Check Price.Callaway. Jaws Raw Wedge. Check Price.Mizuno. T22 Wedge. Check Price.Ping. Glide Forged Pro Wedge. Check Price.Cleveland. RTX ZipCore. Check Price.More items...•
What is the rule of 12 in Chipping?
The Rule of 12 In Golf Chipping. The rule of 12 is a golf chipping technique that explains the exact relationship between the loft on a golf club and the amount of roll you will get on a chip shot. We use 12 yards as the total distance we want the ball to carry on the chip.
What wedge grind is most forgiving?
K-GrindK-Grind. The highest bounce wedge in the lineup, the K Grind is the ultimate bunker club and the most forgiving wedge in the lineup for all shots.
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.
What wedges should a 15 handicapper carry?
Best Golf Wedge For Mid HandicapperTitleist Vokey SM9 Wedge. A wedge so good it features in our 2022 Editors Choice Awards. ... Ping Glide 4.0 Wedge. ... Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedge. ... MacGregor V Foil Wide Sole Sand Wedge. ... Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 Wedge. ... PXG Sugar Daddy II Wedge. ... Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge. ... Mizuno T22 Wedge.More items...•
Do I need a gap or lob wedge?
The rule of thumb is that a player should have four degrees of difference between wedges. For instance, a golfer with a pitching wedge lofted at 46 degrees should have a gap wedge of 50 degrees, a sand wedge at 54 degrees and a lob wedge of no less than 58 degrees.
Do I need a sand wedge if I have a gap wedge?
They have a loft of between 50º – 52º and most players will get around 80 to 100 yards. A gap wedge is not essential but if you are having difficulty around the greens it might be worth considering.
How far should you hit a 7 iron?
Average 7 Iron Distances are following: Beginning golfers- 100 yards (men) or 60 yards (women) Intermediate golfers- 135 yards (men) and 75 yards (women) Advanced golfers- 165 yards (men) or 140 yards (women) PGA Tour Players- 185 yards (men) or 160 yards (women)
What is the most popular wedge on the PGA Tour?
10 bounce pitching wedges are the most used by the top 100 PGA Tour players while 10 and 12 bounce are common when it comes to gap wedges. ... 10 bounce pitching wedges are the most used by the top 100 PGA Tour players while 10 and 12 bounce are common when it comes to gap wedges.
What wedges does Brooks koepka use?
Koepka has the new Cleveland RTX ZipCore Tour Rack Raw wedges in play. Having played Cleveland wedges when he was a kid, the biggest part about getting comfortable with his new wedges was figuring out the right sole grind for his turf interaction.
What wedges do Tiger Woods use?
He previously employed TaylorMade's MG2 TW Grind wedges in 56 and 60 degrees, but has since switched into the new MG3 TW Grind wedges. The MG3 wedges, which hit retail last year, are designed with new micro-ribs between the grooves to add friction, and a higher center of gravity for better flight control.
What wedges does Phil Mickelson use?
He has opted for a raw, uncoated finish that tarnishes over time but Callaway PM Grind wedges are also available in a platinum chrome finish. A KBS Tour V 125 S+ is Phil's choice of shaft in his wedges.
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.
What happens when you wear a gap wedge?
When the gap wedge wears over time, the texture of the club face wears down and spin is reduced. You should clean your clubs regularly to maintain the finish of the club and produce the results you are looking for.
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.
Where is the bounce in golf?
Bounce is the amount a club's leading edge is above the bottom of the club face.
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 the loft of a gap wedge?
A gap wedge, with a loft of 50 to 54 degrees, will hit a ball farther than a sand wedge and shorter than a pitching wedge. How did the gap wedge get its name? Very simply, it is a club that will go further than your sand wedge, but will result in a shorter shot hit with your pitching wedge. Thus, it fills the gap between the two clubs.
How far can a man hit a gap wedge?
As a general rule, men can hit a gap wedge about 100 yards , and women about 15 yards less. Here are some ways that you can practice using your new iron and add to your repertoire.
What is the loft of a pitching wedge?
If you know the lofts of your pitching and sand wedges, you should purchase a gap wedge that is has a loft in between. Gap wedges range from 50 to 54 degrees, while most pitching wedges made since 1990 have a loft of about 46 degrees.
How many balls do you hit in a pitching wedge?
Start with your pitching wedge and hit 12 balls. Then, assuming that you have a stride of about a yard, walk off the yardage to a point where most of the balls have landed. Also note the height that each ball travels. Do the same thing with your gap and sand wedges.
Can you hit off the turf at a driving range?
First, many driving ranges don't allow you to hit off the turf, relegating you to a life of practicing off of mats. Also, while you will develop some proficiencies by practicing under those conditions, you will not be called on to show as much imagination as you will on a golf course.
What is a gap wedge?
The gap wedge is a club designed to fit in between your pitching wedge and sand wedge. The gap wedge can also be known as an approach wedge. The loft on a pitching wedge is between 45-48 degrees and a sand wedge between is 54-58 degrees.
How to decide which wedges to carry in your bag?
To decide which wedges you should be carrying in your bag, visit a good club fitter or professional, then work out how far you hit your pitching wedge and then fill the gaps up to your highest lofted wedge.
How far can you swing a gap wedge?
Personally, the most important thing I get from a gap wedge as a golfer is the ability to take a full swing at around 100 yards from the hole which is arguably one of the most common and important scoring ranges any golfer.
What is wedge golf?
Wedges are high lofted clubs for use around the green and fairway which specialize in hitting the ball high and giving the golfer the ability to spin the ball once it lands . Although the specific loft, bounce, etc. of each individual club can change depending on the club producer, wedges come in four main classes and each one has their own strengths and weaknesses.
Why use a sand wedge?
As the name suggests, the primary use of the sand wedge is to help golfers escape the sand but it’s heavier weight and large bounce are useful for a variety of different shots. Personally, I like to use the sand wedge when I take most of my chips, especially those around the green.
What is the best club for bump and run chipping?
The pitching wedge is also a great club for bump and run chipping because the low amount of loft allows the ball to fly lower and roll further once it lands on the green.
Do you use woods or irons in golf?
This is standard in golf, whether you’re using woods or irons except when it comes to wedges. Unfortunately, for a novice golfer or even an advanced one, it’s not always obvious what each different type of wedge is used for, and that can be frustrating.
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.
Why do golfers use wedges?
Because wedge shots have such a high trajectory, they tend to roll very little once they hit the green. More accomplished players can produce a great deal of backspin with a wedge, causing the ball to back up (or "bite") once it hits the green. Any wedge can also be used for chipping around the green.
What degree is a pitching 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 ...
How far should a lob wedge be?
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.
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.
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.
Why Do You Need a Gap Wedge or Approach Wedge?
Whatever you call this golf club, any reasonable golfer is smart enough to add it to their golf bag. But just how exactly can it make a difference?
What is a wedge in golf?
The best way to think of a wedge is as a utility iron. Your irons get you closer and closer to the hole. Sometimes, you need a bit of technical help—that's where your wedge takes over. While the sand, lob, and pitching styles all have unique benefits, your approach will put you over the edge every time.
How far can a pitching wedge be?
The pitching wedge is ideal for distance — up to 125 yards (depending on your stock distances)! You can expect a loft of about 44 degrees to 49 degrees to achieve this distance. With good practice and control, you can adjust your distance to your needs.
What is the loft of a sand wedge?
The loft on a sand wedge is between 54 degrees and 58 degrees. It features the widest sole and highest bounce you'll find on any wedge, letting you scoop the ball up and out of thick spots. The purpose of this club is not distance but height.
When to break out lob wedge?
You want to break out the lob wedge when chipping or pitching around the green. The advantage of this style is that you can hit the ball in full swing. No matter how hard you hit it, the loft will prevent you from overshooting the green.
What is the loft of a golf club?
Quick recap: the loft can range between 44 degrees to 60 degrees but usually averages around 50 degrees. It’s what you want to use on your last hit before the putt. If you need a club to use after your driving iron, this style has you covered. Experienced players always use this style as their penultimate shot to victory.
Why do you stitch in golf?
Looking good on the course is essential, perhaps now more than ever. Stitch can help ensure your outfits, accessories, and bag are as sleek as your swing.
