What Is a Gap Wedge in Golf?

The gap wedge has a loft ranging from 49 to 54 degrees and is used when neither a pitching wedge, with a loft of 45 to 49 degrees, nor a sand wedge, with a loft of 56 degrees, will accurately get you to the green.

The gap wedge--aptly named, as it fills the gap between the pitching wedge and sand wedge--is the ideal approach wedge when hitting from 60 to 80 yards to the green.

The angle of the gap wedge is ideal for hitting shots with a higher and shorter trajectory than a pitching wedge, yet with a lower and longer trajectory than a sand wedge.

The gap wedge is also known as the "utility" wedge, "approach" wedge, "A" wedge or "tweenie" wedge.

The gap wedge, with its high loft and more spin, enables the ball to roll quickly to a stop on the green, allowing for more accurate shot making.

Anywhere from 120 yards in toward the green is known as the "scoring zone." Allowing more wedges in your bag to accurately get you to the green and close to the pin will work in your favor.