About Golf Wedges

By Kim Kleinle

Prior to 1931, wedges as we know them today did not exist, and it took another 50 years before wedges gained wide acceptance. Most tour players now carry four wedges: pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge.

Definition

A wedge is a lofted club with different design attributes than other irons, for full short shots, chip and pitch shots, and bunker shots.

Function

Wedges are heavier than the other irons and have bounce. With bounce, the trailing edge of the sole is lower than the leading edge, allowing the club to slide through sand and heavy grass.

Pitching Wedge

The modern pitching wedge has 46 to 48 degrees of loft and is designed for shots shorter than the 9 iron. Depending on the club maker, the pitching wedge may not have sole bounce.

Gap Wedge

The gap, or approach, wedge has 50 to 52 degrees of loft and is designed to fill the gap between the pitching wedge and sand wedge.

Sand Wedge

This wedge has 54 to 56 degrees of loft and usually has 8 to 10 degrees of bounce so it slides through sand. Tour player Gene Sarazen designed the sand wedge in 1931.

Lob Wedge

The most lofted club in a golfer's bag, the lob wedge can have anywhere from 58 to 64 degrees of loft.

About The Author

Kim Kleinle is a PGA/LPGA professional and a member of a select group certified in instruction by the Professional Golfers' Association. She began writing in 1980 after earning her degree. Her work has appeared online, in "Northeast Golfer" and in newspapers, including the "Scranton Times." Kleinle holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Point Park University, Pittsburgh.

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