However, the differences don’t end there. A gap of around 8-15 yards in total distance from full swings is ideal. The approach wedge is designed to fill the gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge, and therefore one of its main purposes is to provide more carry and total distance than your sand wedge. More greenside chip and pitch shots, fewer full swings More full and ¾ swings, fewer chip and pitch shots While it can serve a purpose with a full or three-quarter swing from a specific yardage, an approach wedge is also versatile for those little chip and pitch shots around the green, particularly when you have you have enough green between you and the hole to let the ball run out a bit. Because an approach wedge packs a little more loft and a slightly shorter shaft, many players find it easier to control around the greens than a pitching wedge. In addition to differences on paper between an approach wedge and a pitching wedge, players often prefer to use the two wedges in different ways. An approach wedge is also typically a quarter-inch shorter than a pitching wedge, which, along with more loft, helps control distance. Because the ideal loft of your gap wedge is relative to the loft of your pitching wedge and your sand wedge, it’s important to know the lofts on your specific set of irons. A pitching wedge from a stong-lofted modern set of irons is likely to have loft in the low-40s, whereas a pitching wedge from a 10-year-old iron set most likely has a loft in the mid-40s. Within the last decade, pitching wedge lofts have become stronger. The loft on your approach wedge should be 4 to 8 degrees higher than your pitching wedge, and a full swing with an approach wedge should produce 8-15 yards less distance than with a pitching wedge. The approach wedge fills the gap between the stronger pitching wedge, and the more lofted sand wedge. In addition to approach wedges being offered as a continuation of an iron set, all manufacturers offer separate wedge models as well. The examples given above are mainly game-improvement irons, so the lofts are lower than iron models that are designed for more advanced players. It’s important to note that lofts vary depending on the type of player the club is designed for. Today, depending on the manufacturer, an approach wedge usually ranges from 47-52 degrees.īased on some of the most popular models from the main golf club manufacturers, here is an overview of some approach/gap wedge lofts: Iron Make/Model Approach wedge lofts used to fall anywhere between 50-54 degrees. Changes in both head and shaft technology have allowed irons to decrease in loft while simultaneously hitting the ball higher. For instance, today's 7-iron loft is similar to that of a 5-iron from ten years ago. Iron lofts as a whole have changed dramatically over the years.
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