Understanding wedge loft degrees is important in improving the performance of your short game. Without a good mixture of wedges, you won’t be able to dial in your shots when you are hitting shots from 125 yards of the green and in, and it can be the difference between how many shots you take on a hole.
Depending on the shot type and distance, golfers can choose from a variety of wedges. However, many amateur golfers don’t know where to start, and it can all seem quite confusing as to which wedges to carry.
This guide will provide you with a complete guide of the different lofts that you can expect when adding wedges to your golf bag.
What Are The Types Of Golf Wedges?
There are various wedges that golfers can use, including pitching wedges, sand wedges, gap wedges, and lob wedges. Making good decisions and lowering scores requires understanding the differences between wedges. Golfers who understand the differences between the clubs will be better able to make better decisions. An example of this would be knowing when to hit a chip shot or pitch shot.
In golf, wedges are clubs with a high loft that golfers can use to hit the ball high into the air and land the ball quickly. They are typically used when approaching the green on a golf course. This is because low loft clubs will cause the ball to travel further, but a higher lofted club will land softer.
What Are The Golf Wedge Loft Degrees?
The loft of each wedge differs, measured in degrees, depending on the manufacturer. When golfers understand how loft determines a club’s performance on the course, they can choose the club to suit their situation the best. Within 100 yards of the pin, you can find many use cases using a wedge that ranges from approach shots to chip, pitch, and even bunker shots (GolfMagic).
Pitching Wedge Degree Loft
A pitching wedge degree loft is between 46 and 50 degrees. Pitching wedges are primarily used when hitting a full swing into greens or when chipping. With the pitching wedge loft being lower than other wedges, they will typically travel further.
Gap Wedge Degree Loft
The gap wedge degree loft is between 51 and 53 degrees. With the gap wedge, also called the approach wedge, approach wedge loft allows you to achieve a more even spread of degrees between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge.
Sand Wedge Degree Loft
The sand wedge degree loft is between 54 to 58 degrees. Sand wedges, as the name suggests, are great for hitting bunker shots. A sand wedge won’t go as far as a pitching wedge as the sand wedge loft is more than the pitching wedge loft.
Lob Wedge Degree Loft
The lob wedge is the most lofted degree wedge, and a lob wedge degree loft is between 60 and 64 degrees. Players use lob wedges to hit short approach shots to the green or to approach a pin placement that is difficult to reach.
Golf Wedge Loft Degree Chart
Our golf wedge loft chart summarizes the varying degrees of loft of each wedge.
| Wedge Type | Degrees |
| Pitching Wedge Loft | 46-50 Degrees |
| Gap Wedge Loft | 51-53 Degrees |
| Sand Wedge Loft | 54-59 Degrees |
| Lob Wedge Loft | 60-64 Degrees |
How A Wedge Can Benefit Your Short Game
You will struggle with your game if you can’t get the ball on the green with a wedge in your hand. To have a wider selection of options, understanding wedge loft is critical. It is important as it can allow you to have the correct gapping between clubs and, in turn, give you the ability to reduce strokes off your round.
What To Look For In A Wedge
From the finish of the wedge to the bounce and shaft, there are various factors that you will take into consideration when choosing a golf wedge.
Finishes
With every wedge, a different finish is used to create a unique look and texture. Individual preferences and tastes play a role in your choices since the feel can be quite similar despite different finishes. In terms of their durability, darker finishes may appear great initially, but they will gradually wear off over time. In contrast, finishes such as chrome or nickel will retain their color and appearance longer.
Bounce
From the leading edge of the sole to where it touches the ground, the bounce is measured.
Sole Grinds
A variety of sole grinds are now available from manufacturers, along with the standard wedge sole. Each type can suit your golf game in different ways. With this being said, it may be worth seeking out a professional at a fitting to better understand your own exact needs.
Related Post: Approach Wedge Vs Gap Wedge
Key Considerations
Below we cover a couple more key considerations that you should take into account when choosing your wedges.
How Many Wedges Should I Carry?
Most amateur golfers struggle to make greens in regulation during a round, and part of this is down to poor wedge selection. Typically the answer to how many wedges to carry would be between 3 or 4 wedges. With four wedges, you will have more options around the green especially with a sand wedge and lob wedge, whereas you will give yourself room to have more flexibility with other golf clubs with three wedges.
Knowing Your Wedge Distances
Each wedge has a different potential maximum distance. These vary for both amateurs and professionals due to different clubhead speeds. For example, a professional can hit a pitching wedge as far as 140 yards, whereas an amateur might only hit the same pitching wedge around 100 – 110 yards. Knowing your wedge distances, you can ensure that you split the degree lofts evenly between a pitching wedge, gap wedge (approach wedge), sand wedge, and lob wedge.
How Do I Know What Loft My Wedge Is?
The loft can typically be located on the underside of the club. The number that you see will refer to the angle of loft and in turn answer which type of wedge you are using.
In Summary
Knowing your wedges is imperative for short game success. It can be a key component of being either a high handicapper, mid handicapper, or low handicapper. This is because with a dialed-in wedge game you can hit your shots around the green closer to the pin.
When organizing your golf bag, a key aim is to ensure that you carry a mixture of wedges and that each wedge has a loft with an even degree split between them when you complete your golf club selection. This will allow you to cover a range of distances and shot types ranging from spinning wedge shots to simple chips as you approach the green.
