Understanding The 4 Types Of Golf Wedges

APPROACH WEDGE /Gap Wedge

• 50°-12° (Bounce)
• 52°-12° (Bounce)

SAND WEDGE

• 54°-14° (Bounce)
• 56°-14° (Bounce)

LOB WEDGE

• 60°-12° (Bounce)
• 58°-12° (Bounce)

The stock steel shaft is the True Temper Elevate 95, with additional graphite options from Project X Catalyst in 65g and UST F1 in a WMS flex. In collaboration with Golf Pride, we offer a special extended wedge grip, allowing players to choke down for enhanced control

The cavity back design of the Callaway CB wedges offers a more forgiving shape at address, improving playability for all types of wedge shots. Its larger head size and grooves spanning the face boost confidence when preparing for each shot.

This wedge utilizes Urethane Microspheres. These microspheres are strategically positioned behind the striking area of the face, enhancing both feel and sound for an exceptional experience with this cavity back wedge. Equipped with Jaws grooves, the Callaway CB sets a new standard for spin in golf. The stock steel shaft is the True Temper Elevate 95, with additional graphite options from Project X Catalyst in 65g and UST F1 in a WMS flex

Men’s Callaway CB CHROME Product Specs

NAME	LOFT	AVAILABILITY	BOUNCE	STANDARD LENGTH	LIE	STEEL SWING WEIGHT	GRAPHITE SWING WEIGHT
PW	48°	RH / LH	10°	35.75″	64.0°	D3	D2
AW	50°	RH / LH	12°	35.50″	64.0°	D3	D2
AW	52°	RH / LH	12°	35.50″	64.0°	D3	D2
SW	54°	RH / LH	14°	35.25″	64.0°	D4	D3
SW	56°	RH / LH	14°	35.25″	64.0°	D4	D3
LW	58°	RH / LH	12°	35.00″	64.0°	D4	D3
LW	60°	RH / LH	12°	35.00″	64.0°	D4	D3

Women’s Callaway CB CHROME Product Specs

NAME	LOFT	AVAILABILITY	BOUNCE	STANDARD LENGTH	LIE	STEEL SWING WEIGHT	GRAPHITE SWING WEIGHT
PW	48°	CUSTOM ONLY	10°	34.75″	64.0°	D3	D2
AW	50°	CUSTOM ONLY	12°	34.50″	64.0°	D3	D2
AW	52°	RH ONLY	12°	34.50″	64.0°	D3	D2
SW	54°	RH ONLY	14°	34.25″	64.0°	D4	D3
SW	56°	RH ONLY	14°	34.25″	64.0°	D4	D3
LW	58°	RH ONLY	12°	34.00″	64.0°	D4	D3
LW	60°	RH ONLY	12°	35.00″	64.0°	D4	D3

The Key Features of Golf Wedges

Loft

Loft denotes the angle of the face of golf clubs relative to the vertical line represented by the shaft.

The loft of a wedge is the angle of the clubface relative to the vertical plane. It affects the trajectory and distance of the ball.

Wedges typically range from 44 to 64 degrees in loft. Lower lofts (44-48 degrees) are found in pitching wedges, while higher lofts (58-64 degrees) are in lob wedges. Select lofts that complement your iron set and cover necessary distances and shot types.Therein, the greater the degree of loft, the more open the clubface, and thus, the greater the height that you’ll strike the golf ball.

The leading edge and sole

The leading edge of a golf wedge is the bottom edge of the clubface that makes initial contact with the ground and the ball. It is the forefront of the clubhead. These are critical components that significantly influence the club’s performance, particularly in the short game.

The leading edge affects how the club interacts with the turf or sand. A sharp leading edge tends to dig into the ground, making it effective for precise, clean strikes in firm conditions. It is typically preferred for tight lies and firmer turf, offering greater precision and control. Conversely, a rounded leading edge is more forgiving, helping to prevent digging and making it easier to hit from softer lies. It is advantageous in rough or fluffy lies, providing a more consistent and forgiving strike.

The leading edge works in tandem with the wedge’s loft and bounce. Proper alignment of these elements ensures optimal contact with the ball and ground, enhancing shot accuracy and consistency.

The sole

he sole of a golf wedge is the bottom surface of the clubhead that interacts with the ground during the swing. It includes the area behind the leading edge and extends to the back of the club.

The sole’s most crucial feature is its bounce angle, which is the angle between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole. Bounce helps the club glide through the turf or sand rather than digging in. High-bounce wedges are ideal for soft conditions and fluffy lies, while low-bounce wedges work well on firm ground and tight lies.

The width and contour of the sole also play a role in the club’s versatility. Wider soles provide more bounce, making it easier to play bunker shots and chips from soft lies. Narrow soles offer less bounce, allowing for cleaner contact in firm conditions and facilitating shot-making versatility.

The design of the sole influences the club’s forgiveness and control. A well-designed sole helps distribute the club’s weight effectively, providing stability and consistency through the swing. This leads to better control over shot trajectory and spin, crucial for precise short game performance.

Modern wedges often feature customizable sole grinds, allowing players to choose soles that match their playing style and course conditions. Different grinds can enhance specific types of shots, such as flop shots, bunker shots, or standard chips, giving golfers the flexibility to tailor their equipment to their needs.

Sole grind

Grind refers to the shaping of the sole, affecting how the club interacts with the ground.

Sole grinding, also known as the heel grind, is a process that the majority of golf club manufacturers use to tailor their clubs for specific needs and scenarios.

The grinding of the sole of a club can alter the bounce and thus enable you to open up the face of the club with greater dexterity.

Different grinds offer varying levels of versatility. For example, a C-grind has more material removed from the heel and toe, making it versatile for different shots, while an S-grind provides a more traditional sole shape for standard play.

We’d recommend a greater bounce and camber for golfers who have a steeper, more vertical swing, while those with a shallower, more regular golf swing will benefit from golf wedges with a narrow sole and a lesser bounce size.

Bounce

Bounce refers to the angle between the leading edge of the club and the lowest point of the sole. It helps the club ‘bounce’ off the ground rather than dig into it.

Higher bounce (10-14 degrees) is suitable for soft turf or sand, preventing the club from digging in. Lower bounce (4-8 degrees) is better for firmer ground and tighter

While bounce may seem like an inconsequential element of your golfing game, its effect on the clarity of your swing is demonstrated by the variety of bounce wedges available.

Shaft: Flex & Construction Considerations

Flex

Flex describes the amount that your golf club’s shaft will bend during your swing. In terms of wedges, many have a slightly more flexible portion of the shaft nearer to the clubhead, allowing for delicate flicks, greater trajectory, and more control over elements such as backspin.

The 6 flex strengths

Ladies (L): The ladies flex is the most flexible of all of the shafts available, designed to accommodate slower swing speeds speeds below 75 mph. and for those who boast a drive under 200 yards. The L flex shaft enhances the ability to generate clubhead speed and improve ball flight, making it easier to achieve higher shots and greater distance with less effort. Ensures better performance for players with slower swing speeds

Senior flex (A): Also known as “amateur” or “light,” these shafts are more flexible than regular flex. Designed for golfers with slower swing speeds, generally between 75 and 85 mph. The senior S flex shaft is designed for those who drive between 180-200 yards. Typically, this matches the trajectory of older golfers, provideing additional flex to help increase clubhead speed and launch angle, aiding in maximizing distance. Beneficial for senior players or those with slower, more deliberate swings.

Regular flex (R): The regular flex is more flexible than stiff shafts, providing a moderate amount of bend. Ideal for golfers with medium swing speeds, typically between 85 and 95 mph with a medium to high handicap. Think a drive of 200-250 yards. An R flex shaft helps generate additional distance and height on shots, offering a balance of power and control. Common among amateur golfers and those with a steady, moderate swing.

Wedge flex (W): The wedge flex shafts typically fall between regular (R) and stiff (S) flexes. This provides a moderate amount of flex, not too rigid like a stiff shaft but not as flexible as a regular shaft.The wedge flex boasts a moderately stiff shaft for players of a medium to low handicap. Wedge flex shafts are usually heavier than other shafts to provide more control and stability during short game shots. The added weight helps maintain consistency and accuracy.

The design focuses on providing enhanced control and feel, which are crucial for precision shots around the green. The shaft’s flexibility is optimized to offer a good balance of power and touch.

Stiff flex (S) This flex is slightly more flexible than extra stiff, but still quite rigid. It is suitable for golfers with high swing speeds, generally between 95 and 110 mph with a medium to low handicap and typically drive between 250-300 yards. The S flex offers a good balance of control and power, allowing players to generate significant distance while maintaining shot accuracy. Preferred by many advanced players and professionals.

Extra stiff flex (X) This Extra stiff flex shaft is the least flexible and most rigid shaft type. It is clearly the stiffest club shaft on the market and is perfect for those of us who have an accomplished driving technique. The X flex‘s maximum control and precision, minimizing the risk of the clubface twisting during the swing is ideal for golfers who need to manage very high swing speeds,usually above 110 mph, and maintain accuracy.

Junior Flex (J) Specifically designed for younger players, these shafts are flexible and lightweight. Suited for junior golfers with developing swings and lower swing speeds. The J flex shaft provides the necessary flexibility to help younger players generate clubhead speed and control, promoting proper swing mechanics and improving overall performance.

The construction of the shaft

The construction of the shaft is just as important to your game as the flexibility. With that in mind, when choosing our set of golf clubs, we golfers have to decide between two different materials: graphite and steel.

Graphite shafts

Graphite offers a strong yet lighter and more flexible alternative to its heavier steel counterpart. As a result, if, like me, you’re a golfer who has a slower swing, graphite’s lighter weight and increased flex will make your club easier to handle and aid greater distance.

Steel shafts

Steel shafts are heavier and stiffer than graphite. As such, if you’re a more proficient golfer who boasts a faster swing (good for you!), steel should be, and probably already is, your preferred driving material.

This is because it accommodates greater feel, control, and that higher swing velocity.

The Differences Between Low, Medium, and High-bounce Wedges

Low-bounce wedges

Low-bounce wedges provide a bounce angle between 4 and 6 degrees. Essentially, this means that, when the sole rests upon the ground, there is only a minute gap between it and the leading edge.

This makes low-bounce wedges more likely to cut into the ground. Hence, we would recommend utilizing them in drier, firmer conditions. Similarly, if you have a shorter, more vertical swing, a low-bounce wedge should enable you to hit the sweet spot more regularly.

Medium-bounce wedges

Intuitively, medium-bounce wedges offer a slightly greater angle between the leading edge and the ground; generally, this falls between 7-10 degrees. Due to their centralized bounce range, medium-bounce wedges have the broadest range of use.

Thus, many golfers carry 2-3 medium-bounce wedges in their bag as standard, a tactic aided by the fact that the majority of lob, gap, and sand wedges fall into this bounce category.

High-bounce wedges

As the sequence follows, high-bounce wedges clock in with the largest bounce angle available (11-14+ degrees). Clearly, the distance of the leading edge from the ground makes high-bounce edges a preferred option for those of us who struggle with divots or who are expecting to play on softer ground.

So, if you often find yourself knee-deep in sand traps, sand wedges with a high loft could be the answer to your woes… that and practice.

A Brief History of the 4 Different Types of Wedges

The evolution of these wedges—Pitching, Sand, Lob, and Gap—reflects advancements in golf technology and changes in the game itself. This article explores the history and development of each type of wedge.

Pitching wedge PW

Pitching wedges can trace their origins back to the early 20th century and aa sole utility wedge known as a niblick. Early golfers primarily used the same set of irons for a variety of shots, but as the game evolved, the need for a specialized club for shorter, higher shots became apparent.

Sometime in the 1920s-1930s golfers came to recognize a need for a club with more loft than that provided by the humble niblick. The pitching wedge began to emerge as a distinct club, typically with a loft around 45-48 degrees. It was designed to fill the gap between the 9-iron and sand wedge, offering players a reliable option for approach shots.

By the 1950’s golf club manufacturers started to produce pitching wedges as part of standard iron sets, and the club became a staple for approach shots, chipping, and pitching around the green.

The niblick was reassigned and redesigned as a the #9 iron, and the pitching wedge was born as its natural, numerical successor.

Today, pitching wedges continue to be a crucial part of any golfer’s bag, with designs focusing on maximizing forgiveness, spin, and control. The loft of modern pitching wedges ranges from 44 to 48 degrees, and they are used for distances of around 110-130 yards for male golfers and 80-110 yards for female golfers.

Sand wedge SW

Around the 1930’s the original sand wedge was invented and patented by a member of the Houston Country Club, Ed MacClain. It club hasd a spoon-like head for scooping balls out of the sand and flinging them into a high arc. According to the Houston Country Club Bobby Jones used Ed MacClain’s sand wedge during the 1930 British Open. It was banned in USGA sanctioned competition.

Sarazen’s breakthrough came in the early 1930s when he began experimenting with a club designed specifically for escaping sand traps. Sarazen modified a niblick by soldering extra metal to the sole, creating a flange that would help the club glide through the sand rather than dig into it. This design allowed golfers to lift the ball out of bunkers more effectively. In 1932, Sarazen introduced his new club at the British Open, where it garnered immediate attention and praise. After the USGA allowed the new redesigned sand wedge in its sanctioned events, it quickly became a staple in every golfer’s bag, fundamentally changing the approach to the short game.

Modern sand wedges have lofts ranging from 54 to 58 degrees and feature significant bounce to prevent the club from digging into soft turf or sand. They are designed to help golfers achieve high, soft-landing shots, not just from bunkers but also from rough and around the green.

For over half a century, the golfing world operated with just two types of wedges in a set of golf clubs: the pitching wedge and the sand wedge.

Lob wedge

The lob wedge is a relatively recent addition to the golf club lineup, emerging in the late 20th century. Its development was driven by the increasing demand for a club that could produce extremely high, soft shots with a steep descent angle. By the 1980’s professional golfers began experimenting with wedges having lofts greater than those of traditional sand wedges, leading to the creation of the lob wedge. Dave Pelz, now a legendary golf coach, was one such player. While working on space research Dave Pelz developed some putters with lofts greater than 55 degree. When he started to push the designs of his putter lofts above 60 degrees, professional golfers thought he was crazy. In 1990-1995 he went to 64 degrees. By the 1990s, major golf equipment manufacturers started producing lob wedges with lofts typically ranging from 58 to 64 degrees. These wedges quickly gained popularity among both professional and amateur golfers.

Lob wedges are now standard in many golfers’ bags, used for delicate shots around the green, flop shots, and situations requiring the ball to stop quickly. They provide versatility and control for short game finesse.

Gap wedge

The gap wedge, also known as the approach wedge or utility wedge, was developed to fill the distance gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. As modern pitching wedges became stronger (lower lofted), the need for an intermediate club became apparent.

Golf club manufacturers recognized the need for a club with a loft between that of the pitching wedge and sand wedge, typically around 50 to 54 degrees. The gap wedge was quite literally developed to ‘fill’ the gap.

Today, gap wedges are essential for approach shots from 90-110 yards and for controlled chipping around the green. They provide a balanced amount of loft and bounce, making them versatile and reliable in various conditions.

The development of pitching, sand, lob, and gap wedges reflects the continuous evolution of golf equipment to meet the changing demands of the game. From the early innovations of the pitching and sand wedges to the more recent additions of the lob and gap wedges, each type of wedge has contributed to improving golfers’ short game performance.

We believe that understanding the history and specific uses of these wedges helps golfers make informed choices and enhances their ability to play effectively around the green.

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