What Are The Different Kinds of Golf Wedges

The golf bag is full of specifications and intricacies. However, nothing is as delicate as the wedges you carry. Having the correct set of wedges, all with the correct loft and bounce, covering you for every situation is essential.

Understanding these different loft angles and bounce numbers can be confusing, however. This article will take you through the main categories of wedges, when you should be using them and which ones are best for your game.

The four main wedges are the lob wedge, pitching wedge, sand wedge and the gap wedge. With the 14-club maximum rule, you should be looking to carry four wedges at the very most. It is crucial to understand your carry distances with these clubs, ensuring that there is never more than a 15-yard gap in between them.

Pitching Wedge

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

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The average loft of a pitching wedge will be around 44-48 degrees. The average male golfer will be able to carry the ball approximately 100-yards with their pitching wedge, and it's about 80-yards for the average female player. Meaning the pitching wedge is perfect for those longer distance pitch shots. The pitching wedge has the perfect mix of height and distance, helping the ball get onto the green and stopped quickly from further out. Most often pitching wedges come with your irons, so it's important to check the loft before purchasing other wedges.

Gap Wedge

The gap wedge was designed to fill the gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. The gap wedge will range anywhere from 48-52 degrees of loft. This club won't go as far as the pitching wedge, but it will generate more height, allowing for that quick stop on the green. It is advised that your gap wedge has around four or five more degrees of loft than your pitching wedge, and this should create that perfect 10-15-yard distance gap.

Sand Wedge

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

As it says on the tin, the purpose of the sand wedge is to get you out of the sand. Nothing pains the amateur golfer more than landing in bunkers. However, with a good sand wedge at your side you can still rescue a good number. Sand wedges usually have more bounce and a wider sole, allowing the club to glide through the sand instead of sinking in. This greater amount of bounce is also highly useful for close range chip shots, helping golfers get the ball up in the air and back down quickly. The sand wedge will often range between 54-58 degrees of loft.

Lob Wedge

The final category of wedge, and the most lofted, the lob wedge. The lob wedge will range anywhere from 58 degrees to 64 degrees of loft. The perfect use of the lob wedge is for the flop shot. A nice lie and a clean strike under the ball and it will pop right up and stop close to the hole - in theory anyway. The lob wedge is also perfect for short range approach shots where there is very minimal green to work with. Small nudges around the green are also great for a lob wedge.

What is Bounce

The bounce on your wedge is the angle that is created between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole. This is the area of the club that hits through the ground as it comes into contact with the ball. Having the correct bounce angle for your game is vital, as it can make wedge shots much more forgiving.

Low bounce wedges, typically between 4-6 degrees, are ideal for much firmer turf conditions. These wedges are perfect for clean ball striking in a very close distance of the green. Low bounce lob wedges are perfect for those Phil Mickelson-esque flop shots.

Mid bounce wedges range around 7-10 degrees and these are the most versatile kinds of wedges. The bounce can come in handy on all sorts of different approach shots. Mid bounce wedges are also perfect for getting distance and trajectory spot on.

High bounce wedges are any wedges with 10 degrees or more bounce. Perfect for softer turf and bunkers with soft, fluffy sand. As previously mentioned, high bounce is important for sand wedges, as it prevents the leading edge digging into the sand too much. High bounce wedges also help to generate much more spin, giving players much more control over their short game.

There is all the information you need to know before you go and purchase your next set of wedges. Bounce and loft angles are often personal preference, so be sure to try out plenty of different options before making your decision.

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