Your pitching wedge is a vital tool. Knowing your loft is essential because it will have a direct effect on the spin and trajectory of the ball. Even a single-degree change can make a big difference in the outcome of your shot.
What Is Loft In Golf?
The loft is the angle degree of the clubs in your bag. The higher degree of loft your club has, the higher and shorter your ball will come off the face using that club.
What Loft Is A Pitching Wedge?
Pitching wedges typically fall between 45 and 50 degrees. However, the typical pitching wedge loft is 46 to 48 degrees. This is more loft than a 9-iron and is designed to give you a more appropriate distance on shorter approach shots.
What Angle Is A Pitching Wedge?
The angle of a pitching wedge is another way of talking about the loft. If you are reading an article and they reference the angle of the wedge, they are talking about the loft, which will sit between 45 and 50 degrees.
What Is A 52 Degree Wedge Good For?
Sometimes, you need a wedge that can bridge the gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge.
Since the average pitching wedge loft is ideal for shots around 135-yards and under, and sand wedges are better for much closer green work, having a gap wedge that sits at 52-degrees can be very useful.
This middle loft wedge is meant to give you the ability to use a full swing at those distances that are a little too close for a pitching wedge, and a little too far for a sand wedge.
Callaway Pitching Wedge Loft
Callaway Golf typically makes their wedges with less loft than many of the other brands. While the expected standard is between 45 and 50 degrees, some Callaway pitching wedges fall between 41 and 45 degrees.
The Callaway Steelhead XR pitching wedge has a loft of 44 degrees. This may be because most 9-irons have a loft of around 41 degrees.
Having a lower loft pitching wedge gives you the option for a little more distance on your low yardage approach shots.
TaylorMade Pitching Wedge Loft
TaylorMade, another highly reputable brand, typically sets its pitching wedge loft angle between 45 and 48 degrees depending on the year. However, TaylorMade has produced pitching wedges at the 43-degree loft angle as well.
Compared to Callaway, their pitching wedges usually hit a little bit shorter, with some exceptions.
When To Use A Pitching Wedge?
The best time to use a pitching wedge is when you’re a little too close for the 9-iron. For most golfers, this happens as you approach the 100-yard marker.
To get the ball’s optimal level of spin and height so you can stick it at the pin, the pitching wedge is the ideal club for shots around the 100-yard range.
It is essential to know the loft of your pitching wedge because if you have a high loft wedge (47-49 degrees), you will need to pull it out as you get a little closer to the green.
However, a lower degree wedge like the 44-46 degree range will be useful at slightly longer distances, allowing you to utilize your full swing.
Other Wedges To Have In Your Bag
The pitching wedge isn’t always the best option due to its loft angle and it’s important for beginners to fill out their bag with other key wedges.
You need to have appropriate lofts for example, when you’re in the sand or working with a tall tree close to the green.
The most useful wedges to have in your bag are a gap wedge, sand wedge, and a lob wedge.
The gap wedge will fill the “gap” between your pitching wedge and the sand wedge.
The sand wedge works for sand traps and other close proximity shots.
The lob wedge is the highest and shortest hitting club that will get you over those hazards and drop the ball directly onto your target.
How To Hit A Pitching Wedge
Hitting a pitching wedge is different from your other irons. Here is a short video on the basics of the shot.
Conclusion
You should have all your pitching wedge loft questions answered now! Any additional questions and comments you have can be left in the comment section.
FAQ
Is a 52 degree wedge a pitching wedge?
No, a 52 degree wedge is a gap wedge, not a pitching wedge. Pitching wedges are lower lofted. They can range from 44-48 degrees usually. Sometimes they are lofted even lower. Gap wedges are better for chipping around the greens and add more spin as well as control. There will be a higher rollout when using a pitching wedge. A pitching wedge will travel further though.
What is the best loft for a pitching wedge?
The best loft for a pitching wedge is 45 degrees. This is the standard loft and should provide a comfortable degree gap between the 9-iron and gap wedge. If you want more spin on your pitching wedge, opt for a 47 or 48 degree. If you wish for it to travel a longer distance, opt for 43 or 44 degrees.
When should I use a pitching wedge?
You should use a pitching wedge on approach shots from inside 120 yards or for lower-flighted chips on the green. It depends on how far you hit the ball but a pitching wedge is great for setting up birdie looks. On the greens, a pitching wedge can provide a rollout so its good to use it to have the ball release and trickle up to the hole. Be sure to pick a landing spot a few yards before the flag.
