Acquire the Most from Golf Technology-Pitching Wedges to Sand Wedges
Over time, golf technology has evolved a lot, and understanding the varying functions in the golf clubs we carry in our bag, we should consider the differences that every club provides us. The variations in golf club loft for the pitching wedge, sand wedge, and the newer lob wedges that golf technology has brought us are significant to understand when choosing the right golf club for the appropriate circumstances.
Most golfers lump the gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedges jointly as a part of the collection of "irons". But a typical set of irons usually consists of 3 iron through pitching wedge, with the other wedges bought individually. Golf club technology has developed to the point where the loft on the 5 iron, a few years ago approximately 32 degrees, now is lofted at about 26 degrees. This has led to the increased use of the greater lofted golf clubs that are designed particularly for ball loft, accuracy, and ball control. This collection of clubs, on account of their value in scoring and the amount of use they receive for the mid to high handicapper, become a vital part of playing a quality round of golf.
Pitching wedge loft, or one club down from the nine iron, is usually at from 45 to 48 degrees, and for the typical male golfer may be hit full at 100 to 110 yards. Less than that distance, and the golfer will get into those tricky half or three quarter wedges. So golf technology has come up with another solution with the gap wedge. At about 50 to 54 degrees, this club is designed to hit those in-between shots with a full swing, which if practiced appropriately will be hit with more comfort and confidence.
The sand wedge, credited to Gene Sarazen as his contribution to golf technology, is frequently about 56 degrees (although I prefer them somewhat more lofted) and are flanged to varying degrees on the heal of the club. This prevents the sand wedge from digging into the sand under the golf ball. This "club bounce", or area on the club that actually rests on the ground at address, has the purpose of stopping the club head from digging into the ground or sand before golf ball impact, and usually are present to some degree on the gap wedge and particularly the lob wedges.
Finally, the club with the greatest amount of loft will be lob wedge, a somewhat new tool to us golfers. This is usually lofted at about 60 degrees and sometimes more, and is usually quite heavily flanged to produce greater club bounce. With practice this club is a very helpful tool around the greens, as you can use this to zero in on a tight pin position. Because of its greater loft, you can take quite an aggressive swing without concern that the golf ball will fly a great distance or roll a long way, if at all.
Having control of these golf clubs are certain to decrease your score, regardless of your level of play. Knowing accurately the differences in these clubs, from the loft of the pitching wedge or perhaps a sand wedge, to how the ball reacts while coming off your club, takes significant amounts of training. But with some effort, anyone should have the ability to get good at these shots.
Most golfers lump the gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedges jointly as a part of the collection of "irons". But a typical set of irons usually consists of 3 iron through pitching wedge, with the other wedges bought individually. Golf club technology has developed to the point where the loft on the 5 iron, a few years ago approximately 32 degrees, now is lofted at about 26 degrees. This has led to the increased use of the greater lofted golf clubs that are designed particularly for ball loft, accuracy, and ball control. This collection of clubs, on account of their value in scoring and the amount of use they receive for the mid to high handicapper, become a vital part of playing a quality round of golf.
Pitching wedge loft, or one club down from the nine iron, is usually at from 45 to 48 degrees, and for the typical male golfer may be hit full at 100 to 110 yards. Less than that distance, and the golfer will get into those tricky half or three quarter wedges. So golf technology has come up with another solution with the gap wedge. At about 50 to 54 degrees, this club is designed to hit those in-between shots with a full swing, which if practiced appropriately will be hit with more comfort and confidence.
The sand wedge, credited to Gene Sarazen as his contribution to golf technology, is frequently about 56 degrees (although I prefer them somewhat more lofted) and are flanged to varying degrees on the heal of the club. This prevents the sand wedge from digging into the sand under the golf ball. This "club bounce", or area on the club that actually rests on the ground at address, has the purpose of stopping the club head from digging into the ground or sand before golf ball impact, and usually are present to some degree on the gap wedge and particularly the lob wedges.
Finally, the club with the greatest amount of loft will be lob wedge, a somewhat new tool to us golfers. This is usually lofted at about 60 degrees and sometimes more, and is usually quite heavily flanged to produce greater club bounce. With practice this club is a very helpful tool around the greens, as you can use this to zero in on a tight pin position. Because of its greater loft, you can take quite an aggressive swing without concern that the golf ball will fly a great distance or roll a long way, if at all.
Having control of these golf clubs are certain to decrease your score, regardless of your level of play. Knowing accurately the differences in these clubs, from the loft of the pitching wedge or perhaps a sand wedge, to how the ball reacts while coming off your club, takes significant amounts of training. But with some effort, anyone should have the ability to get good at these shots.
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