The Wedge Distance Matrix: Loft and the Clock System
Most golfers own three or four wedges and only ever hit them one way, full swing, every time. That leaves a string of awkward in-between distances with no real answer other than "hit it easy" and hope.
The fix isn't more wedges, it's more swing lengths. This matrix works by loft rather than wedge name, since there's no real agreement between brands on what counts as a gap wedge versus a sand wedge, and turns each wedge's full-swing distance into practical partial-swing yardages using the clock system, plus a downloadable image of your own numbers to keep on your phone or share with a playing partner.
The ToolBuild Your Wedge Matrix
Your Wedges
Identify each wedge by its own loft in degrees rather than a name like "pitching" or "sand", since those mean different lofts across brands. Add or remove rows to match exactly what's in your bag, then enter each wedge's normal, full-swing carry distance.
9:00 and 10:30 columns combine Golf.com's 3-Level System (hip/chest body positions, roughly 50% and 75% of full-swing distance) with the classic clock-system names for the same checkpoints, a simplified guide, not an exact formula. Use it as a starting point, then adjust to your own feel.
Preset full-swing distances by handicap are the same Shot Scope on-course tracking figures (via MyGolfSpy's 2026 wedge distance chart) used in our Golf Club Gapping Tool, applied to a common four-wedge spread when you pick a preset. Add, remove or retype any row to match your own bag exactly. Hip/Chest/Shoulder percentages come from Golf.com's "3-Level System for Laserlike Wedges." Meters are converted at 1 yard = 0.9144m.
How To Use ItHip, Chest, Shoulder
12 o'clock, shoulder level, full swing. A complete turn back with your hands up to shoulder height, no further. This is your normal full-swing wedge distance, the number already in the tool.
10:30, chest level, about three-quarters back. Rotate roughly three-quarters of the way through your backswing with your hands to chest height. This typically produces around 75 percent of your full-swing distance with a slightly lower flight.
9 o'clock, hip level, about a quarter back. A short, compact swing with your hands only reaching hip height. This typically produces around 50 percent of your full-swing distance, useful for the awkward short-side pitches full swings overshoot.
Pick one wedge and practice all three positions until each one repeats without thinking. That's three reliable distances from one club instead of one distance from three clubs.
Why It MattersShort Game Is Where Scores Move
Most amateur strokes are gained or lost inside 100 metres, not off the tee. A player with three repeatable swing lengths per wedge effectively has nine dependable yardages from three clubs, most players with a "full swing only" mindset have three.
If your matrix shows big jumps between wedges even at full swing, that's a gapping issue rather than a technique issue, worth checking with our Gapping Tool before adding a swing system on top of it.
Grind and Bounce Matter More Than the Number
Two wedges can share a loft and play completely differently depending on grind and bounce. Our hand-graded, Japan-sourced wedges are chosen for exactly this kind of detail, not just the number stamped on the sole.
Shop Wedges →We Source the Right Wedge Directly from Japan
Once you know the loft and bounce you're after, submit a sourcing request and we'll look for it on our next buying trip to Japan. Especially useful for a specific grind or a left-handed spec that rarely surfaces on the used market.
Request a Wedge →FAQCommon Questions
Is the 50/75 percent rule exact? No, it's a simplified starting point. Actual partial-swing distance varies by wedge loft, tempo and strike, some instructors measure closer to 65 and 85 percent. Use the tool as a baseline, then fine-tune to your own numbers on the range.
How many wedges should I carry? Most players do well with three, a pitching wedge and two more spaced 4 to 6 degrees apart, rather than four wedges with awkward loft gaps.
Why does my chest-level swing sometimes go further than expected? Tempo and strike quality matter more than backswing length. A rushed three-quarter swing can go as far as a smooth full one.
Can I save my results? Yes, use the Download My Wedge Card button after building your matrix to save a shareable image of your numbers.
Dialled in your numbers? Browse hand-graded, Japan-sourced wedges chosen for feel, not just the loft stamped on the sole.
Shop Wedges at Rising Sun →