Golf Wedges Explained: What Each Wedge Is For (And How Many You Need)
Pitching, gap, sand, lob — here's what each wedge actually does, how to space your lofts, and why the used wedge market is a smart place to shop.
Wedges win more shots per round than any other club in the bag, yet most golfers carry a set that was never planned — a pitching wedge that came with the irons, a sand wedge from years ago, and a random gap in between. Here's the plain-English guide to what each wedge does and how to build a setup that actually covers your distances.
The Four Wedges Explained
| Wedge | Typical loft | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Pitching wedge (PW) | 43°–47° | Full approach shots and longer running chips — effectively your 10-iron |
| Gap wedge (GW/AW) | 48°–52° | Fills the distance hole between PW and SW — the most commonly missing wedge in amateur bags |
| Sand wedge (SW) | 54°–56° | Bunkers and standard greenside chips — the higher bounce helps the club glide through sand and soft turf |
| Lob wedge (LW) | 58°–62° | High, soft shots over trouble — powerful but the least forgiving club in the bag |
How to Set Up Your Gapping
- Aim for 4–6° between wedges — that's roughly 10–15 metres per gap. A common modern setup: 45° PW, 50° GW, 54° SW, 58° LW.
- Check your PW loft first — modern iron sets have strong lofts, so your PW might be 43–44°. If your next wedge is a 56° SW, you have a 12-degree hole where good scores go to die.
- Mind your bounce — higher bounce (10°+) suits soft turf, fluffy sand and steeper swings; lower bounce (4–8°) suits firm Australian summer fairways and shallow sweepers.
- Three wedges is plenty for most golfers — a lob wedge is optional. If you rarely need the high flop shot, an extra fairway wood or hybrid usually saves more strokes.
💡 Used-buying tip: wedges are the smartest used buy in golf — but check the grooves. Sharp grooves are the whole point of a wedge; if the hitting area is polished smooth, spin is gone regardless of the brand on the back. That's exactly what condition grading is for.
Why Buy From Us
Every wedge we sell is professionally inspected and graded under our published grading system — with groove condition front and centre. Our stock includes premium Japanese-market wedges known for some of the softest forgings and most precise grinds in golf. Comparing current models? Read our breakdown of the TaylorMade MG4 vs MG5 wedges.
Shop Used Wedges — Graded Grooves, Australia-Wide Shipping
Professionally graded. $30 flat rate shipping. Free over $600.
Can't Find What You're After?
Chasing a specific loft, bounce or grind? Use our Club Sourcing Request page and we'll look for it on the next buying trip.
The Bottom Line
Know what each wedge is for, space your lofts 4–6° apart starting from your actual PW loft, and buy used with graded grooves. Few changes lower scores faster than fixing the bottom of the bag.
Honest prices, quality gear. Simple.