Baseball players only have one bat to do what they want in the batter’s box, whether laying down a bunt or hitting a big fly. However, golf is unique because a player has several clubs to choose from to hit a particular shot. While many bags come with the drive, hybrid, and irons, the wedges are most integral for a low score. Determining the best golf wedges for your game teaches you which ones give you the best chance of turning bogeys into birdies.
Pitching Wedge
The first wedge everyone gets their hands on is the pitching wedge. The trusted pitching wedge is typically the only one included in a standard set of clubs. Because of its low loft, around 45 to 48 degrees, pitching wedges may propel the ball farther than the other clubs in the wedge family.
Most of the shots with these wedges will be within 120 yards or chip shots around the green, although the other wedges may be more optimal for those shorter chip shots. Nevertheless, other than a putter, the pitching wedge will account for most of the strokes during a round, as you will likely use it on every hole.
Sand Wedge
As much as golfers want to avoid the bunkers on the course, it’s inevitable that a ball will trickle into a sand trap at least once.
The sand wedge has nearly 10 degrees more loft than a pitching wedge, helping you elevate the ball out of the trenches. Ultimately, the primary purpose of a sand wedge is to slice through challenging terrain. Sand wedges are crucial for anyone who wants to shave strokes off their score around the green. The delicate touch of a sand wedge is capable of incredible chip shots that your pitching wedge may lack.
Gap Wedge
Gap wedge gets its name because it bridges the gap between those tricky distances that are too short for a pitching wedge but too far for a sand wedge. The gap wedge’s loft varies between 50 and 54 degrees, but that falls in the middle between the pitching wedge’s 45 to 48 degrees and the sand wedge’s 54 to 58 degrees. When hit cleanly, the ball can travel between 90 and 105 yards.
Lob Wedge
When the loft of a sand wedge isn’t sufficient, many turn to the lob wedge to get them over the hump. Lob wedges with lofts ranging from 58 to 64 degrees and even a 72-degree wedge are perfect for lofted flop shots. Because of the increased loft, high-flying soft shots are possible, and the resulting hit spends much less time on the ground.
You should also think about the bounce angle of your loft wedge. In general, shots get less difficult after the angle rises over eight degrees since you no longer need to chisel out such a sizable divot. It may be wise to have a trial run on a PGA-level course simulator to understand better if the lob wedge suits your game, considering many experts believe it’s not a good club for novices due to its difficulty hitting it flush.
Determining the best golf wedges for your game isn’t an easy process. It may take several rounds to realize what wedges work well for you. And as always for golf, what works for someone else may not work for you, so you can only find out through trial and error.
