Situations arise on the course where golf wedges are the best choice for the ideal shot. Sand wedges are essential when you find yourself in a bunker and need a high loft. When even a higher trajectory is required, lob wedges will prove to be indispensable. For distances between the sand wedge and pitching wedge, gap wedges are the perfect option. Finally, the pitching wedge is ideal for those shots close to the green where you have to transition from the fairway. Wedges, like drivers and putters, are essential for any serious golfer.
Yes, there are multiple types of wedges designed for special situations on the golf course. And golf wedges typically have the shortest shafts and highest lofts compared to irons.
Wedges are a subset of irons used on shorter shots to the green. The four main types of wedges are the pitching wedge, sand wedge, lob wedge, and gap wedge. The sand wedge was the first golf club to be labeled as a wedge. However, most modern wedges aren’t labeled with the wedge types listed above and are only labeled with their loft and bounce angle instead.
Two significant differences between the four wedges are the loft angle and the shaft length. The various wedge loft angles and bounce profiles are designed for all the different situations you can face during your critical short game shots.
As the name might imply, the sand wedge is designed to get you out of the dreaded sand bunkers on the golf course or other soft lies. The sand wedge has around a 56-degree loft and a higher degree of bounce compared to a gap wedge.
A pitching wedge is used to loft the ball in a short high trajectory. It is used on the far outskirts of the green, usually for shorter distances not suited for an iron. The clubface sits at around 48-degrees, and it is the lowest lofted wedge with little to no bounce.
The gap wedge is designed to be used in distances between 50 to 100 yards. This makes it ideal as the right club for distances between the sand wedge and pitching wedge. A gap wedge has a loft angle of around 52 degrees with a moderate amount of bounce.
The lob wedge is used to hit over an obstacle or bunker at a sharp or high angle. A lob wedge is the highest lofted wedge and sits at around a 60-degree angle. The lob wedge is typically the highest lofted club in a set, as well.
Our golf wedges run from around $50 upwards to about $200 on average.
Some golfers may not have all four wedges. However, keep in mind that the different wedges are designed to get you out of certain situations that could otherwise cost you strokes. Many golfers will sacrifice some irons or even higher-numbered woods to fit more wedge options into a regulation 14 limit club set. Not having the right wedge could put you in a position where you cannot make an essential short game shot.
