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what is a gap wedge used for

by Dr. Skylar Kreiger Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What is a gap wedge used for? As set pitching wedges get stronger in loft, the gap wedge helps close the loft “gap” between your pitching wedge and sand wedge
sand wedge
A sand wedge, or sand iron, is a type of golf club, an open-faced wedge primarily designed for getting out of sand bunkers. It has the widest sole of any wedge, which provides the greatest amount of bounce, allowing the club head to glide through sand and avoid digging in.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Sand_wedge
. A gap wedge can be used on full shots, pitch shots, bump and run shots, as well as long bunker shots.

What is a gap wedge equivalent to?

Know your pitching wedge loft. So generally think about putting in a gap wedge that's 48 or 50 degrees, a sand wedge that's between 54 and 56 degrees, and a lob wedge that's between 58 and 60 degrees.

What is the difference between a gap wedge and a pitching wedge?

Gap / Approach Wedge If your pitching wedge is 46- degrees and your sand wedge 54-degrees there will be a distance gap of about 30 yards between these clubs. A gap wedge is designed to bridge that 30 yard "gap". Your gap wedge will have more loft than your pitching wedge and less loft than your sand wedge.

What does a gap wedge do in golf?

In golf, a gap wedge, also known as an approach wedge, is a wedge used to hit a shot with higher and shorter trajectory than a pitching wedge and lower and longer trajectory than a sand wedge. The name derives from the club's design to fill the "gap" between sand and pitching wedges.

Do I need a gap wedge as a beginner?

A gap wedge shot is likely to travel between 90 and 110 yards. Despite the fact that this wedge is relatively new and generally sold separately from standard sets of golf clubs, it is an excellent choice for beginner golfers.

Does a high handicapper need a gap wedge?

The gap wedge is an essential club for a high handicapper to have in the bag. High handicappers should have at least one gap wedge in their bag. The gap wedge is the most versatile club in your bag and should be used for shots from around 100 yards to the green.

Is it worth getting a gap wedge?

Gap wedges are an essential part of every golfer's bag. They give you more versatility with your shots and allow you to get out of difficult situations when needed. This in return, makes them a must-have for any serious player.

Which wedge is best for chipping?

For the average golfer, chipping with a pitching or gap wedge will produce the most consistent shots around the green. Using a gap wedge will be the best place to start for standard chips, but a pitching wedge could work better if the ball is sitting up in the rough.

What 4 wedges should I carry?

Most players tend to carry three wedges — a pitching, sand and lob wedge. But if you add a gap wedge, you're already at four. And if you don't need that extra long iron, it's possible you can carry a fifth wedge so you have the right wedge no matter where you play.

Do I need a gap or lob wedge?

A lob wedge would be 40-50 yards for men, 25-40 for women. A gap wedge would fall in between your pitching wedge and sand wedge yardages. And these clubs will, when properly struck, produce a very high, arching shot. So if you need to get over a tree, for example, a wedge comes in handy.

What is the easiest golf wedge to hit?

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How far does the average person hit a gap wedge?

103 yardsHow Far Does The Average Person Hit A Gap Wedge? On average, recreational golfers hit their gap wedge 103 yards, but the range can be between 90 and 120 yards. For shorter shots that only require a 1/2 swing, the average distance will be much less.

What is the most useful golf wedge?

Everyone needs a sand wedge. No other club does what it does out of the sand or around the green. The sand wedge is also the club that most players use to pitch the ball. Many players, especially beginners and high handicappers, shun the lob wedge.

Can you use a gap wedge as a pitching wedge?

As set pitching wedges get stronger in loft, the gap wedge helps close the loft “gap” between your pitching wedge and sand wedge. A gap wedge can be used on full shots, pitch shots, bump and run shots, as well as long bunker shots.

What hits farther gap wedge or pitching wedge?

I was interested as well, so that's why I went out and asked a number of golfers how far they hit their wedges. For standard 3/4 to full-length shots, the average distance recreational players hit a pitching wedge is 116 yards, 103 yards for a gap wedge, 88 yards for a sand wedge, and 73 yards for a lob wedge.

What 3 wedges should I carry?

Most players tend to carry three wedges — a pitching, sand and lob wedge. But if you add a gap wedge, you're already at four. And if you don't need that extra long iron, it's possible you can carry a fifth wedge so you have the right wedge no matter where you play.

Is a gap wedge the same as a 52 degree wedge?

A 52-degree wedge is considered a gap wedge and is used to fill the gap between your pitching wedge and your sand wedge. Golfers who have a 52-degree wedge in their bag typically have a pitching wedge that's between 47-48 degrees.

What is a gap wedge?

The gap wedge is a golf club that is used for distances too short for a pitching wedge and too long for a sand wedge. It has a club head angle that is in between those of its cousins the pitching and sand wedges.

What happens when you wear a gap wedge?

When the gap wedge wears over time, the texture of the club face wears down and spin is reduced. You should clean your clubs regularly to maintain the finish of the club and produce the results you are looking for.

How far can you hit a gap wedge?

Many gap wedges can be hit 90 yards, less than the average pitching wedge shot, which is about 105 yards, but more than the average sand wedge (70 yards), according to Leaderboard.com. Distances may vary between golfers. You should practice hitting your sand and pitching wedges to determine the differences in distance.

What is the difference between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge?

The pitching wedge is usually around 45 degrees while the sand wedge is between 54 and 58 degrees. Golf club makers have decreased pitching wedge loft degrees over recent years, with the gap wedge becoming an option for golfers.

Which is better, steel or graphite wedges?

Steel is more durable than its graphite counterpart, and a steel wedge can help to control the shot. Graphite gap wedges provide extra distance for a golfer while eliminating shock from the shot.

Do you need a gap wedge for sand?

You should practice hitting your sand and pitching wedges to determine the differences in distance. If you're comfortable with the distances with which you're hitting your wedges, you may not need a gap wedge.

What is a gap wedge?

A gap wedge basically sits between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge in terms of the loft, and therefore in terms of the distance the ball will go.

How far should a gap wedge go?

So it stands to reason that gap wedge is going to fill that gap and it should go 80 yards. And that’s why that gap wedge can be so useful in your bag because if you’ve got 80 yard shot on the golf course, you hit a good full sand wedge it doesn’t reach.

How many clubs can you carry in a gap wedge?

So, if you’ve got space in your bag and space is you’re allowed to carry 14 clubs.

How many degrees is a pitching wedge?

So, generally speaking a pitching wedge is going to be around about 46 degrees from modern pitching wedge. Some sets vary from that slightly, but 46 degrees, let’s call that the average. And the average sand wedge is around about 54, 55, 56 degrees for most sets of the sand wedge.

Why are gap wedges called wedges?

Today, the other two wedges that are common are: Gap wedge: So-named because it falls in-between the pitching wedge and sand wedge in loft. The gap wedge has more loft than a PW, less loft than a SW.

What is a wedge in golf?

Wedges are the highest-lofted clubs in a set of golf clubs, designed for short approach shots (for most golfers, 120 yards and in), strokes played out of sand, chip shots and pitch shots, and generally any shot for which the golfer wants the ball to ascend and descend sharply.

What degree is a pitching wedge?

With pitching wedges typically lofted from 42 to 46 degrees, the gap wedge is so-called because it closes the "gap" in loft between the pitching wedge and sand wedge. A typical gap wedge might might be lofted from 48 to 54 degrees. The gap wedge also goes by the names A-wedge, attack wedge and approach wedge.

What is the loft of a lob wedge?

A typical lob wedge might have a loft of 60 degrees to 64 degrees. As its name implies, a lob wedge allows a player to "lob" the ball high into the air, from where it will drop steeply down onto the green, with little or no roll. With pitching wedges typically lofted from 42 to 46 degrees, the gap wedge is so-called because it closes ...

How far should a lob wedge be?

A lob wedge would be 40-50 yards for men, 25-40 for women. A gap wedge would fall in between your pitching wedge and sand wedge yardages.

What is a 60 degree wedge?

Wedges feature the shortest shafts and highest lofts of any golf clubs. In fact, wedges are often identified by their loft rather than their name. A lob wedge might instead be called a "60-degree wedge," for example. Sand wedges were invented (generally credited to Gene Sarazen) to make shots out of sand bunkers easier.

How many yards is a lob wedge?

A lob wedge would be 40-50 yards for men, 25-40 for women. A gap wedge would fall in between your pitching wedge and sand wedge yardages. And these clubs will, when properly struck, produce a very high, arching shot. So if you need to get over a tree, for example, a wedge comes in handy.

How far can you swing a gap wedge?

Personally, the most important thing I get from a gap wedge as a golfer is the ability to take a full swing at around 100 yards from the hole which is arguably one of the most common and important scoring ranges any golfer.

What is wedge golf?

Wedges are high lofted clubs for use around the green and fairway which specialize in hitting the ball high and giving the golfer the ability to spin the ball once it lands . Although the specific loft, bounce, etc. of each individual club can change depending on the club producer, wedges come in four main classes and each one has their own strengths and weaknesses.

Why use a sand wedge?

As the name suggests, the primary use of the sand wedge is to help golfers escape the sand but it’s heavier weight and large bounce are useful for a variety of different shots. Personally, I like to use the sand wedge when I take most of my chips, especially those around the green.

What is the best club for bump and run chipping?

The pitching wedge is also a great club for bump and run chipping because the low amount of loft allows the ball to fly lower and roll further once it lands on the green.

Do you use woods or irons in golf?

This is standard in golf, whether you’re using woods or irons except when it comes to wedges. Unfortunately, for a novice golfer or even an advanced one, it’s not always obvious what each different type of wedge is used for, and that can be frustrating.

What is a gap wedge?

Clubs labeled as an Approach Wedge (AW) or Gap Wedge (GW) have more degrees of loft than a Pitching Wedge (PW). A full swing shot with an AW/GW should travel shorter than a PW, but further than a SW.

What is an "A-Wedge" Golf Club?

The "A" or "AW" stamped on certain golf clubs stands for "Approach" or "Approach Wedge."

How much loft do approach wedges have?

As we've covered in our golf club lofts and wedge lofts guides, Approach Wedges designed for low-handicap golfers usually have 50 to 52 degrees of loft. Game-improvement A-Wedges can have as little as 48 degrees of loft.

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1.What Is A Gap Wedge – When To Use It Vs Pitching Wedge

Url:https://golfblueheron.com/what-is-a-gap-wedge/

22 hours ago Blade style irons don’t usually have a Gap Wedge option, as better players would use the standard Gap Wedge. Better players will also use the Gap Wedge for shots around the green more than …

2.What is a Gap Wedge? | TaylorMade Golf

Url:https://www.taylormadegolf.com/clubhouse/3211-what-is-a-gap-wedge.html?lang=en_US

32 hours ago  · In some cases, people will refer to it as an "attack" wedge, but whatever name you go with, it is ultimately a "gap" wedge to fill the distance void between your pitching wedge and …

3.Videos of What Is a Gap Wedge Used for

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9 hours ago The gap wedge is a golf club that is used for distances too short for a pitching wedge and too long for a sand wedge. It has a club head angle that is in between those of its cousins the …

4.What Is a Gap Wedge Golf Club? | Golfweek

Url:https://golftips.golfweek.usatoday.com/gap-wedge-golf-club-2369.html

5 hours ago The need was created for a gap wedge as players added sand wedges and lob wedges at 56 and 60 degrees. The first gap wedges usually met the gap between the 48 degree pitching wedge …

5.Gap Wedge, What Is It And How Can I Use It, Golf

Url:https://golf-info-guide.com/video-golf-tips/what-is-a-gap-wedge-golf-club-and-how-can-i-use-it-video/

9 hours ago  · Investigate getting a gap wedge 50, 51, 52 degrees worth of loft. Make your same full swing; you’ll hit the gap wedge the right distance. Gap wedges are also very useful for a …

6.Understanding Golf Wedges (Pitching, Gap, Sand, Lob)

Url:https://www.tripsavvy.com/meet-the-wedges-1560509

10 hours ago The 52-degree wedge is used in place of a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. The gap wedge, as it is referred to, stands true to its name as it fills the gap between both pitching and sand …

7.What Wedge Should You Use and When - The Golf Academy

Url:https://thegolfacademy.org/2017/04/11/what-wedge-should-you-use-and-when/

22 hours ago  · Gap wedge: So-named because it falls in-between the pitching wedge and sand wedge in loft. The gap wedge has more loft than a PW, less loft than a SW. Lob wedge: Usually …

8.What is an "A-Wedge"? | Loft Degree and This Golf Club's …

Url:https://golfbit.com/what-is-an-a-wedge

15 hours ago  · Gap wedges are one of the most important clubs in a golfer's bag. They are designed to fill the gap between your sand wedge and your pitching wedge. This makes them …

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