PITCHING WEDGE
A pitching wedge has a loft angle ranging from 44 to 48 degrees, making it ideal for approach shots to the green or to navigate obstacles. Its design allows golfers to achieve a higher trajectory with a shorter carry, providing good control over distance and accuracy.
Pitching wedges are often used for “full-swing” shots from the fairway, shorter approach shots, and some controlled chips around the green. They are generally the lowest-lofted of the “wedge” category and provide a balance between distance and precision.
GAP WEDGE
A gap wedge, also known as an approach wedge, is a versatile club that fills the distance gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. With a loft typically between 50 and 54 degrees, it is designed for shots that are too short for a pitching wedge but too long for a sand wedge.
It is often chosen for partial swings, controlled approach shots, and shorter chips where a player wants a softer landing with minimal roll. The gap wedge is essential for players looking for consistent distances across their wedge range, allowing for smoother, more precise transitions in their short game.
SAND WEDGE
A sand wedge is a golf club specifically designed for escaping sand bunkers and for shorter, controlled approach shots. Typically, it has a loft angle between 54 and 58 degrees and features a wide, rounded sole with high bounce, which helps it glide through sand without digging in. This bounce characteristic is crucial for bunker shots, as it allows the club to slide under the ball, lifting it out of the sand with ease.
While primarily used in bunkers, the sand wedge is also effective for approach shots from the rough or fairway. Its high loft and bounce help produce a higher trajectory with a soft landing, ideal for situations where precision and stopping power on the green are essential. The sand wedge’s versatility makes it a valuable tool for handling a variety of short-game situations around the green.
LOB WEDGE
A lob wedge is a high-lofted golf club designed for short, precise shots with a very high trajectory, typically 60 to 64 degrees of loft. This club is commonly used for shots that need to go high quickly and land softly.
Lob wedges are ideal for getting out of tricky situations around the green, like clearing bunkers, navigating obstacles, or hitting over water with minimal roll after landing. They allow golfers to stop the ball quickly on the green due to the high launch angle and steep descent, giving maximum control over both distance and placement. Because of its loft, however, the lob wedge is generally harder to master and is typically used by more experienced players for specialized shots.