Learning and executing the short game in golf is vital to those who want to improve their score. Hitting the ball well and consistently is the goal of most new golfers. Once a golfer learns how to hit the ball, scoring well becomes a goal for most players. Learning how to hit the wedges will help a golfer become more competitive.
Pitching Wedge
The pitching wedge is the club to use when you are 90 to 120 yards from the green. The pitching wedge will allow you to hit the ball high in the air and you will want to use it when you have to go over a hazard such as water or a bunker. A well-struck wedge will allow you to land your ball softly on the green. Getting within 20 feet of the hole is a reasonable expectation when you strike your pitching wedge well. A typical pitching wedge has loft of 45 to 48 degrees.
Gap Wedge
Use the gap wedge when your are 60 to 90 yards from the hole. The gap wedge has a loft of 50 to 54 degrees; it will hit a shot higher and softer than a standard pitching wedge. You might reasonably expect to get the ball to within 15 feet of the hole when you hit with the gap wedge.
Lob Wedge
When you are less than 60 yards from the green, consider using the lob wedge. It has a loft of 60 degrees and will pitch the ball higher than any other club. It is especially effective if you are pitching the ball off of an uneven surface. When the well-struck lob wedge is hit, the ball will come to a quick stop and may roll backward toward the hole. The best golfers will consistently hit the ball within 12 feet of the hole when using the lob wedge.
Sand Wedge
This is the club to use when you hit the ball in a greenside bunker. These bunkers are traditionally deeper than fairway bunkers and the sand wedge will help you get the ball out of these imposing hazards. The key to hitting the sand wedge is to hit the sand before you hit the ball. The sand will explode into the ball and carry it out of the bunker and allow it to settle on the green. A typical sand wedge has a loft of 56 degrees.
Misconceptions
Many golfers make the mistake of slowing their swing down and taking it easy with their wedges because the shots don't require as much distance as tee or standard fairway shots. That's a mistake that will almost always result in a mishit. "When you decelerate your club, your chances of hitting the ball solidly are slim," says Golf Channel teaching professional Ron McDougal. "You may want to shorten your swing when you have a wedge shot, but don't slow your swing down."
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