LOFT & LIE
Loft and lie are critical factors in wedge selection, as they affect the club’s performance, trajectory, and consistency with a golfer’s other clubs.
- Loft refers to the angle of the clubface relative to the ground, influencing how high and far the ball will travel. Wedge lofts typically range from about 46° to 64°, with specific lofts (pitching, gap, sand, lob) used to create consistent gaps in distance between clubs. Choosing the right lofts for wedges allows golfers to achieve smooth transitions from their irons, helping to maintain a consistent distance spread and avoid gaps or overlap in yardages. Selecting specific wedge lofts, which can be adjusted as needed, helps players fine-tune their short-game strategy.
- Lie angle is the angle between the shaft and the ground when the club is at address. This angle affects the direction of the ball flight—if the lie angle is too upright or too flat for a golfer’s swing, shots may veer left or right. Most golfers will match their wedges’ lie angles closely to their iron setup, typically within ±1° of their irons’ lie angles. Since wedges can be adjusted, players undergoing swing changes or refinements can adapt their wedge lie angle to maintain consistency.
Being able to adjust loft and lie ensures that wedges can remain tailored to the golfer’s swing and distance needs, making it easier to achieve the best fit and results.
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LENGTH
To find the right length for golf wedges, it’s essential to consider both the golfer’s height and wrist-to-floor measurement (HYPERLINK THIS TO A PICTURE OF THE CHART BELOW). These measurements help ensure that the club allows the golfer to set up comfortably and make consistent, controlled swings.
Here’s how to measure and determine the ideal length for wedges:
- Measure Height: A golfer’s overall height provides a general guideline for club length, but it’s only one part of the equation. Since two golfers of the same height can have different arm lengths, wrist-to-floor measurement is also critical for precision.
- Wrist-to-Floor Measurement: This measurement is taken with the golfer standing in a relaxed position with their arms hanging naturally. Measure the distance from the ground to the crease of the wrist. This distance helps determine if the golfer’s arms are proportionally long or short for their height, which can affect how far they lean over or stand upright at address.
These combined measurements allow club fitters to recommend the right length for a wedge that ensures the golfer maintains proper posture and consistent ball contact. Properly fitted wedge length contributes to a balanced setup and better control, making it easier for golfers to hit accurate shots with optimal trajectory.
WEDGE MAKEUP/GAPPING
Finding the right gapping (INSERT PICTURE BELOW OF THE CORRECT GAPPING THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT IS BELOW) in your wedges is essential for a balanced short game, allowing you to hit a variety of distances with precision. Gapping refers to the yardage difference between each wedge in your set, typically between 10 to 15 yards apart, to avoid large distance gaps that could lead to inconsistencies around the green. Here’s how to find ideal wedge gapping:
- Evaluate Your Iron Set: Identify the loft of your highest-lofted iron (often a pitching wedge with around 44-48° of loft). This will help determine the starting point for your wedge lofts.
- Select Loft Intervals: Most golfers choose wedges with loft increments of 4-6 degrees between each club. For example, if your pitching wedge is 46°, you might add a 50° gap wedge, a 54° sand wedge, and a 58° lob wedge. This setup typically achieves consistent distance gaps.
- Test Distances on the Range: Take each wedge to the range and hit shots to measure the average carry distance for each club. Ideally, each wedge should have a distinct, predictable distance range, with minimal overlap or large gaps between them.
- Adjust as Needed: If you find any distance gaps that are too wide or too narrow, consider adjusting the loft of your wedges or adding a different wedge. Some players might opt for wedges with custom loft adjustments (e.g., bending a 56° wedge to 55°) to achieve the ideal spacing.
Finding the right gapping allows for a well-rounded wedge setup, giving you confidence to hit shots of varying distances with control and accuracy around the green.