From touring pros to weekend golfers, everyone is carrying more wedges these days. One statistic explains the phenomenon: More than 70 percent of the game is played from 100 yards or closer.
Lofts of 45 to 60° characterize the wedges. Combined with generally being heavier than the other irons (2-9), wedges are designed to help you achieve a higher trajectory from either sand or grass.
How many wedges should you carry? Consider this info when deciding:
- An important term to know is “bounce” – a bulge on the bottom (sole) of the club which creates an angle between the leading edge and the ground. This enables the club to displace extra sand when swung in a bunker, and it distinguishes the sand wedge from its siblings. For mid- to high-handicap players, bounce will get you out of those bunkers.
- Wedges are frequently made of softer metals such as copper or beryllium and sometimes feature pieces called “inserts” built into the clubface. Both designs are intended to increase touch and feel around the green, and assist the golfer’s ability to put backspin on the ball to better hold the green.
Today, there are four basic types of wedges to consider. From longest distance to the shortest:
Pitching Wedge (PW)
For longer approach shots, with spin that will stop the ball close to where it lands or even back up under certain conditions, the pitching wedge is a very good choice. It has minimal bounce and typically a 45-50° loft.
Gap Wedge (GW)
The gap wedge fits between the pitching and sand wedges. It will generally hit shots about 10-15 yards shorter than a pitching wedge and 10-15 yards longer than a sand wedge.
In most golf club sets there is a two-club gap between, for example, a 46° PW and a 55° SW. That creates a yardage gap of 20-30 yards, requiring the golfer to take a partial swing with the PW on in-between shots – a difficult task for most golfers. Adding a GW to your set eliminates this distance gap, aiding consistency on shots between PW and SW range.
Thomas Golf covers the gap with a number of options:
- AT 602 GW player’s iron
- AT 505 cavity back
- AT 510 hallow head
- AT 100 square head
- AT 705 hybrid head
- High lofted fairway wood
Sand Wedge (SW)
This club has several features that distinguish it from other wedges, starting with lots of bounce. The standard amount is about 12°. All sand wedges are designed to reduce the risk of digging in when hitting from bunkers.
Lob Wedge (LW)
There are times on the golf course when a player needs to get the ball up very quickly and land it softly, covering a short distance. This is where the lob wedge comes in. It is the most lofted club available, typically around 58-60°.
