Wedge Lofts & Gapping
Pitching Wedge, Gap Wedge, Sand Wedge, Lob Wedge
Let’s talk about your wedges — and why there’s a good chance the lofts between them aren’t doing you any favors. Don’t worry, it’s not your fault. Over the years, manufacturers have made irons stronger in loft, especially in the short irons. That shift often leaves big gaps between clubs — especially between your pitching wedge and your sand wedge.
Poor gapping can lead to inconsistent yardages and lots of awkward in-between shots. Good wedge spacing gives you reliable distances and more scoring chances. Here’s how to get it right:
1. Start with Your Pitching Wedge Loft
Find out the loft of your pitching wedge. If it’s 45° or lower (common in modern sets), you’ll probably need three more wedges, spaced out by 4–5 degrees each.
A typical wedge setup could look like this:
- Pitching Wedge – 45°
- Gap Wedge – 50°
- Sand Wedge – 54°
- Lob Wedge – 58°
These aren’t strict rules, but they’re a solid starting point. A fitter can help you fine-tune based on your swing and distances.
2. Don’t Skip the Gap Wedge
If your set goes from a 45° pitching wedge straight to a 56° sand wedge, you’re leaving a big yardage hole. A gap wedge (usually 48–52°) fills that gap perfectly.
Since it’ll likely be a full-swing club, try to match your gap wedge to the look and feel of your irons. Your sand and lob wedges, on the other hand, are more for touch shots around the green.
3. Adjust Loft if Needed
Wedges can be bent a degree or two to dial in your gapping. For example, a 50° wedge can easily become a 49° or 51°.
But be careful: changing loft also changes bounce — every degree stronger lowers the bounce by one degree, and vice versa. That can affect how the club performs around the green.
4. Avoid Going Too Lofty
Lob wedges with 60°+ lofts can look tempting, but they’re not always the most versatile. A 58° lob wedge tends to strike the best balance — enough loft to get under the ball, but still easy to control and spin.
A great 4-wedge setup might be:
- 45° PW
- 50° GW
- 54° SW
- 58° LW
5. Wedge Fitting Matters
If you’re getting fitted for irons, go ahead and add a wedge fitting too. Your short game is where scoring happens, and making sure your irons and wedges flow together will help you hit more full shots and fewer guesswork half-swings.
6. Make Room in Your Bag
Count how many clubs you’re carrying from the putter up to your 9-iron. If that’s 11 clubs, you only have room for 3 wedges. If it’s 10, you’ve got space for 4 wedges — which is ideal.
Trying to get by with only three wedges can leave you stuck between clubs a lot. Squeezing in that extra wedge gives you more options and more full swings — especially inside 110 meters.
Bottom line: Your wedges are scoring tools, and getting the loft spacing right makes them more effective. Know your numbers, fill the gaps, and you’ll give yourself a better chance to stick it close.