6 Things You Should Know About Wedges

From a pitching wedge to a lob wedge there can be over 15 degrees of change in on face of the golf club. This change in angle has a dramatic effect at how your golf ball will react. Thankfully we've compiled a list of facts about wedges to help:

Fact 1: The History

The angle of an Iron club has gone down by approximately 8 degrees per club. This is why there are so many new types of wedges.

Fact 2: Wedge Names

While pitching, sand, lob, and gap wedges are the common names, wedges can also be referred to by the angle of their club face. Professional golfers typically have these types of clubs.

For Example: a 60-Wedge would be a golf club with a 60 degree angle on the club face.

Fact 3: Typical Lofts

Named golf wedges have a basic loft range. Knowing these typical club face angles can help you choose the right club for the right golf shot:

Pitching Wedge - Typical loft of 45-48 degrees
Gap Wedge - Typical loft of 50-54 degrees
Sand Wedge - Typical loft of 54-58 degrees
Lob Wedge - Typical loft of 60+ degrees

Fact 4: The Bounce Factor

When a wedge is built it has a certain amount of bounce. This is the angle underneath your club. When it is greater at the middle or the back of the sole, the golf club digs less. The higher the level of bounce the less the club will a prone to getting too deep into the turf or sand on the golf course.

Here's how it Works: If you are playing on a golf course that is soft and easy to dig into with your clubs, you want bounce. If you play on harder turf or sand, less bounce is needed.

Fact 5: The Versatile Pitching Wedge

Knowing how to use each of the clubs in your golf bag is a big part of golfing. The pitching wedge is a great club for a variety of shots. If you aren't familiar with wedges, your pitching wedge can be your most valuable tool. Don't be afraid to use it on your approach, chip shots, and even in the bunker.

Fact 6: Wedge Distance

Wedges can take the average male golfer from 40-80 yards down the fairway. For women the distance range is from 25-60 yards. The fact is that everyone has about 10 yard between wedge clubs. If you know what your distance is with a pitching wedge you can figure out the rest.

The Difference: 10 yards difference is a huge margin on the golf green. This makes your golf club choice more critical. Knowing your distance will help you choose the right wedge and control the outcome of your golf game.