An A-wedge is a type of wedge used in golf, but it’s not as common as your typical sand wedge or lob wedge.
In this post, we’ll cover why it’s used, what it stands for, and it’s purpose in your golf bag.
Here's What We'll Cover
What is an A-Wedge Golf Club?
A-wedges are used specifically for approach shots, and that’s why the club is stamped with an “A” or “AW.”
It may also be called an attack wedge, which is common amongst amateur golfers.
An A-wedge, which is another name for a gap wedge, is designed to help players get out of difficult situations, such as rough terrain.
What loft is an A-Wedge?
A-wedges, or approach wedges, generally have between 50 and 52 degrees of loft.
This is slightly higher than a pitching wedge, making it the perfect club for short approach shots where there is a “gap” in your distances.
With that said, it’s crucial you have enough of a distance gap between your 9-iron, pitching wedge, and A-wedge so you can hit each club with a full swing and use them for different distances.
And for your sand and lob wedges, you’ll use those for short chips around the green so it doesn’t matter as much.
As we covered in our golf club loft guide, an approach wedge (or A-wedge) comes with a standard 52 degrees of loft, although that can be slightly lower depending on your make and model!
How to find the right A-wedge
Whether you’re hitting blades (players distance irons) or cavity-backed irons (game improvement irons), you’ll want to choose an A-wedge that fits with the rest of your set.
A lot of iron sets won’t include an A-wedge, but there are a ton of options out there to find a good fit for your set of clubs.
Even if they aren’t the same model and manufacturer, you can find a set of wedges that fits the same style of club.
For sets of blade irons, it’s common for them to not offer wedges aside from a pitching wedge, so you can find a set of wedges that better fits your needs!
What else is an A-wedge called?
Depending on which manufacturer and model you’re using, you may find A-Wedges described as any of the following:
- A / AW
- Approach Wedge
- Attack Wedge
- G / GW
- Gap Wedge
- U / UW
- Utility Wedge
- 50° / 51° / 52°
All of these mean the same exact thing, and they’re used to describe the club between your pitching wedge and sand wedge.
Do you need an A-wedge?
In short, it really depends on your game.
As mentioned, A-wedges are designed for approach shots and to help you get out of tough situations.
So, if you find yourself in a lot of trouble around the greens or you have a hard time hitting your pitching wedge close to the hole, then an A-wedge may be a good fit for you.
On the other hand, if you’re relatively proficient with your pitching wedge and don’t find yourself in too much trouble, you may not need an A-wedge.
It really comes down to personal preference and what will help your game the most.
At the end of the day, having an A-wedge in your bag will give you one more option when you’re approaching the green.
And having that extra club may just help you get up and down more often, which can save you strokes!
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this post has helped you understand what an A-wedge is and why it’s used!
As previously covered, an A-wedge is a type of golf club designed for approach shots and getting out of tough situations.
They usually have between 50 and 52 degrees of loft, which is slightly higher than a pitching wedge.
Whether or not you need an A-wedge in your bag is personal preference, but having one may help you save those tough strokes.
I personally love my A-wedge, but I didn’t use one for quite a few years when starting out.
Go to your local golf store, try one out, and see what you think!
