Each club in your golf bag is specifically designed to perform a distinct function. The wedge is used specifically for lofting shots onto the green, often from the base of a slope, or to hit the ball out of a sand trap. Although five wedge designs are offered by club manufacturers, golfers typically carry only three. These include the sand wedge, the pitching wedge and the gap or loft wedge. Learning how to size a wedge to suit your needs is critical if you want to hit your wedge efficiently.
1.- Choose wedge shaft length according to the shaft length of your irons. Among irons, shaft lengths differ by 1/2-inch increments, with lower numbered irons having the longest shafts. Wedges should be the shortest clubs in your bag, due to their highly angled club faces. Thus, your longest wedge should be 1/2-inch shorter than your shortest iron, usually the 9-iron.
2.- Select an appropriate club face according to your particular golf style. Most golfers prefer an over-sized wedge face. This face has a much larger sweet spot and is more forgiving. You’ll also have less trouble getting under the ball on hard angles. A standard wedge face is harder to manipulate but provides for less ground contact and reduces missed shots and divots.
3.- Select the loft angle of your wedge based on the types of courses you play most often. The loft angle is produced by the degree of tilt on the club face. Depending on the wedge type, wedges will range between 45 to 60 degrees of loft angle. Courses that feature numerous hills and elevation changes are best paired with high loft angle wedges. Relatively flat courses will be ideal with standard or mid-range angled wedges.
Comments