Golf Wedges Explained
If you’ve spent some time on the golf course and are looking for ways to improve your round, the short game—pitching, chipping, and putting—is where you need to focus. Having the proper golf wedges in your bag is one way to improve your short game. With four different types of golf wedges, many golfers wonder which ones they should be carrying in their bag. Our golf experts explain everything you need to know about wedges including the types of golf wedges and the differences between each as well as some innovative wedge technologies so that you’re able to find the right ones to add to your bag.
What is a Wedge Used For?
A golf wedge is used for shots typically within 125 yards of the green. A golf wedge is designed to launch the ball higher in the air compared to long irons and drop the ball on the green with little spin to reduce rolling away from the hole.
Types of Golf Wedges
There are four main types of golf wedges: pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge. The key difference between each type of golf wedge is the loft. In golf, loft means the degree that the club’s face tilts. The higher the degree of loft the higher the ball will go up into the air and travel a shorter distance. Below our experts highlight the features and use for each type of golf wedge.
What is a Pitching Wedge?
A pitching wedge is by far the most popular type of golf wedge and is even included in many iron sets. The loft of a pitching wedge ranges between 44° to 49°. Since the pitching wedge has the least amount of loft, your ball will travel a greater distance than the other wedges. Many golfers use the pitching wedge once they’re 125 yards away from the green.
If you’re looking to invest in your first type of wedge, a pitching wedge is the best option as it’s the most versatile and a great option for practicing.
Hoodies & Sweatshirts?
A gap wedge is designed to fill in the yardage gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. You’ll hear the gap wedge also called an approach wedge, an A wedge, or even a fairway wedge. Regardless of what you choose to call the gap wedge, it has a loft range between 50° to 54° giving most golfers a distance range between 80 and 100 yards.
What is a Sand Wedge?
The second most common type of golf wedge players carry is the sand wedge. Designed to get you out of sand traps and tall grass, a sand wedge has a heavier club head to power through these rough areas on the course. With a loft range between 54° and 58°, a sand wedge pops the ball high into the air in order to clear the area and reduce spin, letting the ball “sit” on the green. For most players, a sand wedge has a distance range of 70 to 90 yards.
What is a Lob Wedge?
A lob wedge is often used by players who are looking to avoid a hazard that’s in front of the green. With a loft 59° to 65°, the lob wedge will get your ball high in the air to avoid your hazard and drop your ball gently on the green, making it a great choice for chipping within 30 yards of the pin.
How Many Wedges Should You Carry?
Choosing the right clubs to carry in your bag, especially wedges, is important for improving your golf game. When deciding how many wedges you should carry, you’ll want to think about how far you can hit each club with a typical swing. This will determine if there are any yardage gaps, commonly known as “gapping,” between the clubs you currently carry in your bag.
For instance, several golf club sets include a pitching wedge and sand wedge. Many people only use these two types of wedges within 125 yards of the hole; however, depending on your swing, using a pitching wedge could cause you to overshoot the hole, while using a sand wedge could cause you to come up short. That’s where a gap wedge could “bridge the gap” between each club.
It’s important to remember that not everyone will carry the same amount or types of wedges as each golfer’s game is different, so if you need assistance in finding the perfect wedges for your golf game, visit your local ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN to speak with an expert.
Wedge Distances & Wedge Loft Chart
The chart below summarizes the distance and loft range for each type of golf wedge.
| Type of Golf Wedge | Wedge Distances | Loft Range |
|---|---|---|
| Pitching Wedge | Up to 125 yds. | 44° to 49° |
| Gap Wedge | 80—100 yds. | 50° to 54° |
| Sand Wedge | 70—90 yds. | 54° to 58° |
| Lob Wedge | Inside 30 yds. | 59° to 65° |
What Does Bounce Mean on a Wedge?
If you’re a more experienced golfer, paying attention to the bounce on a wedge may be an important factor when investing in new wedges. The bounce of a wedge helps you have more control and accuracy depending on the turf’s surface and your swing. The angle that’s created between the ground and the sole of the wedge is what creates the wedge’s bounce. There are three different types of bounce—high, standard, and low. Most golfers use a wedge with a standard bounce. A low bounce wedge is used on harder turf surfaces or coarse sand for a more precise shot, while a high bounce wedge is better suited for golfers who tend to hit down on the ball creating deep divots.
What is Grind on a Wedge?
Grind on a wedge is when the manufacturer carves out certain areas of the sole in order to ensure a better contact with the turf. There are different types of grinds that are represented with letters. If you have questions about what grind works best for your style of play, feel free to reach out to your local ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN store to speak with a golf expert.
To improve your short game, think about the shots you tend to struggle within 125 yards of the green to help determine which type of golf wedge would work best for your play. If you have additional questions about which type of wedge works for your golf game, contact your local store to speak with a golf expert today.
If you’re looking for information about getting custom-fitted for your golf wedge, learn more about this service that’s available at your nearest ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN.