When golfers are looking to purchase golf wedges, one of the first things they need to understand is the different models available.
Wedges come in four different golf club lofts, and each has a different name and purpose – pitching, gap, sand, and lob.
In this guide, we’ll cover the standard loft for each wedge, how far each club should go, and everything else you need to know about golf club wedge lofts!
Here's What We'll Cover
Why does loft matter for your golf wedges?
The loft of a golf club is the angle between the clubface and the shaft, and it’s measured in degrees.
Loft is important because it dictates how high or low the ball will fly. A higher lofted golf club will produce a higher yet shorter shot, while a lower lofted golf club will hit the ball lower to the ground that goes further.
For your golf wedges, it’s important because certain degrees of loft are better for certain shots as we’ll cover.
What are the loft degrees for each wedge?
Pitching Wedge
A pitching wedge typically has a loft between 46 and 48 degrees.
They have the lowest loft of all wedges, and hit the ball the furthest making them a perfect choice for approach shots from the fairway.
Gap Wedge
A gap wedge, or a-wedge, is going to have a loft between 50 and 52 degrees.
The name comes from the fact that it’s meant to fill the “gap” between your pitching wedge and sand wedge.
It’s going to fly slightly shorter than your pitching wedge, but further than your sand wedge.
Similar to a pitching wedge, it’s going to be great for approach shots but can also be used for chip shots around the green.
Sand Wedge
A sand wedge typically has a loft between 54 and 56 degrees.
The increased loft makes it easier to get the ball out of bunker lies, hence the name “sand wedge.”
They fly shorter than both pitching and gap wedges, making them great for shots around the green where you don’t need much distance, whether you’re in a sand bunker or not.
Lob Wedge
A lob wedge is going to have the highest loft of all golf clubs, between 58 and 62 degrees.
They are designed for one purpose – hitting the ball high in the air with a lot of spin.
Lob wedges are great for getting out of tough lies around the green, or hitting over obstacles like trees or sand bunkers while still landing the ball softly.
Golf Wedge Loft Degree Chart
| Wedge type | Degrees of loft |
| Pitching Wedge | 46-48 degrees |
| Gap Wedge | 50-52 degrees |
| Sand Wedge | 54-56 degrees |
| Lob Wedge | 58-62 degrees |
How many wedges should you carry in your golf bag?
Most amateur golfers carry three wedges – a pitching wedge, gap wedge, and sand wedge.
However, depending on your play style or the course you’re playing, you may want to add a fourth lob wedge to your bag as well.
If you find yourself in a lot of bunkers or needing to hit over obstacles often, a lob wedge will be your best friend.
No matter how many wedges you carry, make sure to get fitted for them so you have the perfect loft and lie angle for your golf swing!
Understanding the distance gaps between your wedges
Since each type of wedge has a different loft, they’ll hit the golf ball at different distances.
The pitching wedge has the lowest loft and will hit the golf ball the furthest, while the lob wedge has the highest loft and will fly shorter than all other wedges.
It’s crucial that you know how far you hit each club so you can make the right decisions on the course.
Final thoughts
We hope this guide helped clear up any confusion you had about golf wedge lofts!
Now that you know the different types of wedges and their purposes, make sure to get fitted for the perfect set to improve your game.
And don’t forget – practice makes perfect. The more time you spend hitting golf balls with your wedges, the better you’ll get at using them on the course.
