Wedge Loft Chart: Pitching, Gap, Sand and Lob Wedge Degrees
By Erdi Doğan, owner and editor ·
Typical wedge lofts are about 43 to 47 degrees for a pitching wedge in a modern iron set, 48 to 52 for a gap wedge (also called an approach or A wedge), 54 to 56 for a sand wedge and 58 to 60 for a lob wedge. Titleist's Vokey team recommends spacing wedges 4 to 6 degrees apart, which gives roughly 10 to 15 yards between full shots. Start from the loft of your own pitching wedge, which varies more than most golfers expect. This page is part of our guide to what each golf club is for.
Wedge loft chart
| Wedge | Other names | Typical loft | Main jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitching wedge (PW) | – | 43° to 47° (older sets 47° to 48°) | Full approach shots, longer chips and bump-and-runs |
| Gap wedge (GW) | Approach wedge (AW), A wedge, utility wedge (UW) | 48° to 52° | Full shots between the pitching and sand wedge, pitches |
| Sand wedge (SW) | – | 54° to 56° | Greenside bunkers, pitches, shots from rough |
| Lob wedge (LW) | – | 58° to 62° | High, soft shots over hazards and to tight pins |
The names are not standardized. One brand's "A wedge" can have the same loft as another's "gap wedge", so always look at the number stamped on the club, not the letter.
Why your pitching wedge loft matters
Iron lofts have become stronger (lower) over the years to add distance, and the pitching wedge has followed. A pitching wedge that was about 48 degrees in many older sets can be 43 or 44 degrees in a modern game-improvement set. If you add a 56-degree sand wedge to a 44-degree pitching wedge, you leave a 12-degree hole, often 25 yards or more, between them. That is the gap the gap wedge was invented to fill.
Find your pitching wedge loft on the manufacturer's spec sheet for your iron model, or have a club fitter measure it. Then build down from there.
How to gap your wedges
The rule of thumb from Vokey Design: 4 to 6 degrees between wedges, starting from the pitching wedge. Some common setups:
| Your pitching wedge | Add two wedges | Add three wedges |
|---|---|---|
| 44° | 50°, 56° | 50°, 54°, 58° |
| 46° | 52°, 58° | 50°, 54°, 58° |
| 48° | 54°, 60° | 52°, 56°, 60° |
Titleist notes that most players benefit from carrying four wedges (the pitching wedge plus three), because tighter gaps mean more full swings and fewer awkward partial ones. The cost is a club somewhere else in the bag: with the 14-club limit, an extra wedge usually replaces a long iron or a fairway wood.
Bounce: the other number on a wedge
Bounce is the angle between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole. More bounce keeps the club from digging into soft sand and turf; less bounce lets you nip the ball from firm, tight lies.
- Low bounce (about 4° to 6°): firm turf, hard sand, players with a shallow swing who like to open the face.
- Mid bounce (about 7° to 10°): the all-rounder for most courses and players.
- High bounce (10° and up): soft turf, fluffy sand, steep swings that take big divots.
Most sand wedges come with mid or high bounce, which is why they work out of bunkers. A lob wedge with very low bounce can be hard to use from soft sand.
How far each wedge goes
Distance depends on your swing speed, but with 4 to 6 degrees between wedges you should see roughly 10 to 15 yards between full shots. To find your numbers, hit ten full shots with each wedge and note the average carry. Our club distance chart lets you record them next to the estimates for the rest of your bag.
Frequently asked questions
What degree is an A wedge?
Usually 48 to 52 degrees. "A" stands for approach; it is the same club most brands call a gap wedge.
Is a 52 or 56 better for chipping?
Neither is better in general. A 52 rolls out more and suits longer chips with green to work with; a 56 flies higher and stops sooner. Many players chip with the least loft that carries the ball onto the green safely.
Do I need a lob wedge?
Not if a sand wedge already covers your short shots. A 58 or 60 helps when you often face tight pins behind bunkers. Beginners usually score better with fewer, more forgiving wedges.
See the whole bag in our guide to what each golf club is for.
Sources
- Wedge Gapping, Titleist (Vokey Design): 4° to 6° separation, 10 to 15 yard gaps, four wedges for most players
- Rule 4.1b: Limit of 14 Clubs, The R&A and USGA