Gap wedge

In the sport of golf, a gap wedge, also known as an approach wedge, is a wedge used to hit a shot with higher and shorter trajectory than a pitching wedge and lower and longer trajectory than a sand wedge. The name derives from the club's design to fill the "gap" between sand and pitching wedges.

History

Over time the loft angle on irons has been reduced for multiple reasons including improved designs and the desire to advertise longer ranges for clubs. This has affected long and short irons including the pitching wedge which is now pitched about the same as an 8-iron from the 1960s, generally about 48 degrees. However, sand wedges did not have the same reduction in loft, because their eponymous purpose requires 54-58 degrees of loft in order to lift the ball out of sand. It is now popular for golfers to carry a wedge in the 49-54 degree range to fill the gap; hence the term gap wedge.

Design

Gap wedges are loosely defined, but typically have the loft between that of a pitching wedge and sand wedge, between 50 and 54 degrees, but at the extremes there is redundancy with either the sand or pitching wedge. Most players look for a separation of 4 degrees between clubs. A frequent compromise gap wedge is 52 degrees.

In the lower loft range, from 48 to 50 degrees, the gap wedge typically has little or no angle between the sole and the ground when the club is at rest—that is, no bounce. This wedge is used primarily from the fairway and favors firm lies. It is often called an "approach wedge" and is sometimes labeled "A". Wedges with more loft are frequently called "dual" wedges with lofts between 52 and 54 degrees; these typically have a higher bounce angle. These can be used as an approach wedge or a sand wedge, and are useful for popping the ball out of heavy rough. The bounce helps to prevent the club from taking deep divots on a sloppy or soft fairway. This is sometimes labeled "D".

There is little consistency in labeling gap wedges; many manufacturers simply label it with its angle. Some manufacturers call it an "all wedge" and label it with "A," creating confusion with the lower-loft approach wedges. The Karsten Manufacturing Company, maker of the Ping brand of golf clubs, used to label its gap wedges with "U" for "utility wedge". It is uncommon to find a gap wedge labeled with "G". Adams Golf, Cobra and Wilson are among the few manufacturers that label their irons with a "G".