Get the Most from Golf Technology-Pitching Wedges to Sand Wedges

Over time, golf technology has advanced a lot, and in understanding the varying features of the clubs we carry in our bag, we should consider the differences that each club offers us. The variations in golf club loft of the pitching wedge, sand wedge, and the newer lob wedges that golf technology has brought us are significant to understand when selecting the best golf club for the appropriate circumstances.

Most golfers lump the gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedges jointly as a part of the arsenal of "irons". But a typical set of irons usually includes 3 iron through pitching wedge, with the other wedges sold individually. Golf club technology has evolved to the point where the loft of the 5 iron, a few years ago approximately 32 degrees, now is lofted at roughly 26 degrees. This has led to the increased utilization of the greater lofted clubs that are intended specifically for ball loft, accuracy, and ball control. This group of golf clubs, on account of their importance in scoring and the amount of use they receive for the mid to high handicapper, turn out to be a significant part of playing a quality round of golf.

Pitching wedge loft, or one club down from your nine iron, is usually at from 45 to 48 degrees, and for the typical male golfer might be hit full at 100 to 110 yards. Lower than that distance, and the golfer will get into those tricky half or three quarter wedges. So golf technology has come up with one more solution with the gap wedge. At about 50 to 54 degrees, this club is meant to hit those in-between shots with a full swing, which if practiced properly 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 beneath 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 previous to ball impact, and are usually present to some degree on the gap wedge and particularly the lob wedges.

Lastly, the club with the greatest amount of loft will be lob wedge, a rather new tool to us golfers. This is usually lofted at roughly 60 degrees and occasionally more, and is usually rather heavily flanged to produce greater club bounce. With practice this club is an extremely helpful tool around the greens, as you can use this to zero in on a tight pin position. Due to its greater loft, you can take quite an aggressive swing without worry that the golf ball will fly a great distance or roll far, if at all.

Having control of these golf clubs are sure to lower your score, regardless of your level of play. Knowing accurately the nuances in these clubs, from the loft of a pitching wedge or perhaps a sand wedge, to how a golf ball reacts while coming off your club, requires a great deal of practice. But through some effort, any person ought to have the ability to master these shots.

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