Wedge
Wedges are the clubs with the most loft — for short, high shots around the green.
Wedges are the specialists for the short game. They have the most loft in the bag and get the ball up high and down steeply. Four variants are common: pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge. The sand wedge with its broad sole was developed for the bunker. The lob wedge has the highest loft for extremely high, short shots. You spend the most time with the wedges around the green, where the round is decided.
On the course, the wedges cover the pitch, the chip and the bunker shot. An example: your ball lies 60 meters from the green. The sand wedge gets the ball up high, and with backspin it stops quickly. From the bunker you open the clubface and strike through the sand. Every type of wedge has its strength, but none replaces practice. Even with only two wedges you can play every situation if you know your swing lengths.
A typical mistake is the full swing with the lob wedge from a short distance. Control beats power. Work with three set swing lengths and measure the distances on the driving range. That turns the short game into a calculation instead of a gamble. Good wedge play saves more strokes than every extra meter off the drive.
FAQ
How many wedges do I really need in the bag?
To start, two are enough: the pitching wedge from your iron set and a sand wedge for bunkers and short approaches. If you want finer steps, add a gap wedge and a lob wedge so that the distance steps between the clubs are roughly equal. More important than the number is that you have measured your distances per wedge on the driving range.
Why does my wedge shot carry over the green?
The most common reason is a full swing from a short distance. At maximum swing speed you generate a lot of spin but little feel, and the ball lands far beyond the flag. Instead, work with two or three set swing lengths and control the distance through the length of your backswing, not through power.
Which wedge do I take from the bunker?
Take the sand wedge, because its broad, rounded sole stops the club from digging into the sand. Open the clubface slightly and strike into the sand behind the ball, not at the ball itself. You will find the details of the technique with the bunker shot.