If you are in the market for new clubs or you are trying to get the most out of your existing equipment, understanding the degree of loft is super-important. What degree is a pitching wedge? How does this impact my distances and approach play?
WHAT'S IN THIS ARTICLE?
The truth is that most golfers do not pay attention to this and pay the price with poor club selection that leads to inconsistent approach play.
Fear not. Our simple guide will provide you with all the information you need to make great decisions when it comes to wedge selection.
What Degree Is a Pitching Wedge?
The degree of loft on a pitching wedge typically ranges from 44 to 48 degrees. A typical 48-degree wedge has an approximate carry distance of 120 yards when struck correctly with a full swing.
What is a Pitching Wedge?
A pitching wedge is a golf club designed to hit shots from a variety of distances, usually between 80 and 120 yards.
Pitching wedges are used primarily for full swings from medium-length distances, but they can also be used around the green when you need more control than what a sand or lob wedge can provide.
Well-struck pitch shots should land softly on the green and stop quickly without much roll out.
What are the 4 types of golf wedges?
The 4 types of golf wedges are the pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge.
Most golfers will have between 2-4 wedges in their bag depending on their ability. Let’s look at the simple infographic below.
What do we think is the Best Wedge Setup for Golfers?
I have personally used a variety of different wedge setups using 3 or 4 wedges. When I started playing I found that keeping somewhere in the middle of these loft ranges is the best option. Too much loft can make it challenging for a higher handicapper to make clean contact. Especially with lob wedges.
Higher handicappers
Realistically, I think most golfers will be absolutely fine with just three wedges in their bag. Most full sets that you buy will include three wedges, so you might not actually get a choice.
The good news is that you can also buy wedges separately. I would recommend the following setup for a beginner golfer:
- Gap wedge (GW) 50º : For approach shots at roughly 110-120 yards out.
- Sand wedge (SW) 54º : Bunkers, chip shots, approaches 100 yards and closer.
- Sand wedge (SW): 58º : Chipping over bunkers, approach shots at 50- 75 yards out
Mid and lower handicappers
If you have a feel for chip shots and you rely on your shots around the green to pick up shots, then four wedges could be the way forward.
Here is what I would recommend for more skilled golfers.
- Pitching wedge (PW) 48º : For approach shots at roughly 120 yards out
- Gap wedge (GW) 52º : For approach shots at roughly 100-110 yards out
- Sand wedge (SW) 56º : Bunkers, chip shots, approaches closer than 100 yards.
- Lob wedge (LW) 60º : Chipping over bunkers, flop shots
The logic is pretty much the same as the 3 wedge setup, maintaining the 4 degree gap but allowing more flexibility around the green.
How Does Loft Affect Distance?
Loft is a term used to describe the angle of the clubface relative to the ground. It’s an important factor in determining how far your golf ball will travel when hit with the same force.
The higher the loft, generally speaking, the shorter distance it will go.
The reason for this concerns launch angle and spin rate. High lofted wedges are popular with tour players looking to generate backspin.
Golf Wedge Degree and Distance Chart
Knowing exactly how far each club should take you is key if you want to play consistently well. There’s nothing worse than misjudging your shot distance due to incorrect expectations. To help avoid such mishaps, many golfers use charts like the one below. Please note that these are averages.
Everyday Golfer
| Club | Loft | Low Handicappers | Medium Handicappers | High Handicappers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitching Wedge | 46º | 130 yards | 100 yards | 80 yards |
| Gap Wedge | 52º | 110 yards | 110 yards | 70 yards |
| Sand Wedge | 56º | 110 yards | 100 yards | 50 yards |
| Lob Wedge | 60º | 90 yards | 80 yards | 40 yards |
PGA Professional
| Club | Carry distance |
|---|---|
| Pitching Wedge | 141 yards |
| Gap Wedge | 135 yards |
| Sand Wedge | 124 yards |
| Lob Wedge | 105 yards |
Source: PGA Shotlink 2022
With this said, I once watched Tiger hit over 180 yards with a pitching wedge. So there are always exceptions to the rule.
What is the Best Pitching Wedge on the Market?
We currently believe that Callaway Jaws wedges are the best wedges in the game. Designed by Callaway’s Chief Designer Roger Cleveland: JAWS wedges combine heritage and cutting-edge technology– making them absolutely best in class.
Read our honest, and in-depth Callaway JAWS wedge review. As always, we aim to decrypt jargon and technical terms so our content is digestible for beginner and intermediate golfers.
What is the Highest Degree Wedge in Golf?
The highest degree wedge in golf is the 64-degree wedge. This club is commonly referred to as a “lob” or “flop” wedge due to its ability to produce high, soft shots that land softly on the green.
It is the most lofted club and can be used for a variety of different shots around the green, from delicate chips and pitches over bunkers to long bunker shots.
When to Use a Pitching Wedge
A pitching wedge is an indispensable tool in the golfer’s arsenal, capable of producing shots from any situation or distance. It’s a versatile club that can be used for shots from just about any lie or distance.
Approach Shots
The pitching wedge is great for approach shots into greens, especially if you’re playing on shorter courses with smaller greens. With its high loft angle, it will give you plenty of backspin so you don’t overshoot the green.
You should also consider using a pitching wedge if there are trees blocking your line to the pin as it gives more control than longer irons and woods which may hook or slice off course due to their lower loft angles.
Bunker Shots
If you find yourself stuck in a bunker during an approach shot then your trusty pitching wedge might be a great option. The club has enough power and spin to get out of the bunker while lowering the risk.
Other wedges which have higher lofts (like sand wedges) require more precision when hitting out of bunkers.
Chip Shots
A pitching wedge can be the perfect tool for chip shots onto short grass surfaces such as fairways and roughs. It provides just enough lift to get the ball airborne without going overboard.
Whenever you can ensure accuracy is not sacrificed for power, it is a win.
Should You Use A 54 Or 56 Degree Wedge?
When it comes to choosing the right golf wedge, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Honestly, it will not make too much difference for most golfers.
Whether you pick a 54 or 56 degree wedge depends on your personal playing style and the type of shot you are trying to make.
If you want more control over your shots, then a 56-degree wedge may be better for you. This club is designed for short game shots where precision is key – such as when hitting out of bunkers or from tight lies around the green.
It also works well for flop shots if you are able to open the club face.
If you have a slower swing and distance is important, then a 54 degree wedge could be what you need.
Think about the other wedges you have in your bag and try to minimize the gaps in distance between them.
FAQs
Here we’ll answer some of the most common questions about golf wedges.
What 3 Wedges Should I Carry?
Most golfers will be absolutely fine with just three wedges in their bag. We think the below setup is optimal for the average golfer.
- Gap wedge (GW) 50º : For approach shots at roughly 110-120 yards out.
- Sand wedge (SW) 54º : Bunkers, chip shots, approaches 100 yards and closer.
- Sand wedge (SW): 58º : Chipping over bunkers, approach shots at 50- 75 yards out
These distances and uses are purely illustrative, everyone’s distance is different. Don’t worry about thinking, ‘there is not a pitching wedge in my bag’. Manufacturers have lowered average pitching wedge loft over recent years to bring the gaps between clubs closer together.
50 degree gap wedges are going to give very similar results to a pitching wedge.
My view is that a 50 degree fits nicely and stops the jump in distance you normally get between your pitching wedge and sand wedge.
The 58 degree sand wedge effectively acts as a lob wedge but is slightly easier to hit. This setup keeps 4 loft degrees between golf clubs.
Is A 60 Degree Wedge A Pitching Wedge?
No – usually when someone refers to “a pitching wedge” they mean one with less than 50 degree loft angle. The typical range for a pitching wedge is 44-50 degrees depending on the manufacturer and model you choose.
What Is A 52 Degree Wedge Called?
This type of club is commonly referred to as either a gap wedge, approach wedge, or utility wedge since it has slightly more loft than traditional pitching clubs but not quite enough for sand shots from bunkers near green sides.
Having a gap wedge allows you to have a wedge between your pitching wedge loft and sand wedge loft.
What Degree Is A Normal Pitching Wedge?
Most manufacturers produce standard issue pitching clubs with lofts ranging anywhere from 44–48°; however, some companies may make them at over 50 degrees.
If you’re unsure which one best suits your swing speed/distance needs then it’s always wise to consult with an experienced pro before making any final decisions.
How Does Loft Affect Distance for a Gap Wedge, Lob Wedge and Sand Wedge?
The amount of loft on any given club directly correlates with its ability to generate height off the ground during impact.
Lower lofts will create flatter trajectories, while higher ones tend towards higher arcs that result in shorter distances traveled due to air resistance slowing down ball speeds quickly after launch time.
Therefore, it is important to pick wisely based on both yardage requirements and desired trajectory characteristics before buying anything new this season.
Conclusion
What degree is a pitching wedge? Now you know! Understanding wedge lofts is essential for any golfer looking to improve their golf game.
Sam has been playing golf for over 20 years.
Over the years, he has worked his way through just about every type of equipment on the market. Fortunate to have a close friend that plays professionally, Sam not only tests the latest offerings by the top brands, but gets the inside track on the club tech PGA pros use on tour
Sam understands the needs and intent of equipment brands, professionals and every day golfers. He strives to fill in the gaps.