The Purpose of an Approach Wedge in Golf

By Steve Silverman

The Purpose of an Approach Wedge in Golf

An approach wedge is used by golfers when a pitching wedge is too much club on the golfer's approach to the green. Less than 20 years ago, golfers had a pitching wedge and a sand wedge in their golf bags. The technology has changed to the point that golfers use a pitching wedge, an approach wedge and a lob wedge on their trek to the green. The approach wedge is also called a gap wedge.

Loft of approach wedge

The approach wedge has a loft of 50 to 54 degrees. It has more loft than a pitching wedge and less loft than a lob wedge. It is used on short shots to the green when the golfer wants to hit the ball high and land it softly.

Uses of the approach wedge

The approach wedge can be used on shots from 50 to 80 yards. The gap wedge will help the golfer get over bunkers, water hazards and trees and is quite accurate. A well-struck approach wedge should be able to land anywhere between 10 and 15 feet from the hole and should stop quickly or even back up if the golfer follows through and puts backsping on the ball.

Distinguishing characteristics

A gap wedge has a flat bottom, much the same way the pitching wedge has. It is unlike the sand wedge, which has a rounded bottom and will bounce off the sand and help drive the ball out of the bunker. Unlike the sand wedge, the approach wedge is made for hitting off firm surfaces or even the rough -- but not the sand

About The Author

Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.

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