You may be wondering about which golf wedge to use and how to choose between a sand wedge and a pitching wedge. Golf is getting more famous day by day as the number of athletes, and health freaks is increasing.
You may be a beginner or an expert golfer and what to know how many wedges to carry in your golf bag. Which wedge will be helpful in bunkers, and which one to use on fairways?
Here’s a comparison of when to use sand wedge vs pitching wedge. Here you will get to know about the differences between these two wedges, where and when to use them, along with some tips and guides from experts to use wedges to improve your short games.
You will also get to know about which wedges to carry in your bag other than sand and pitching wedges and when to use pitching wedge vs sand wedge.
When To Use Pitching Wedge
The difference between a pitching wedge and sand wedge is that it has a different shape and loft than the pitching wedge, allowing the player to achieve a variety of shots around the golf green depending on its shape and loft.
What Is A Pitching Wedge?
A golf pitching wedge typically has a loft angle between 42 and 48 degrees and is used for shots that require a low trajectory and more roll, such as bump-and-run shots or chip shots from the fringe. It can also be used for full swings from shorter distances, such as approach shots from 100 yards or less.
When to use pitching wedge? Most new golfers and beginners prefer pitching wedges over other clubs because of the smoothed-out feel they provide on the fairway with their shots, and it is very easy to use the pitching wedge when playing golf. In addition to being similar to irons, they can also be used to hit pitch shots as well as chip shots.
What Is A Pitching Wedge Used For?
A pitching wedge is also excellent for providing a high launch and loft. If the ball manages to get stuck in a bunker or in any other hard situation on the course, you can use a pitching wedge to get it out.
In golf, pitching wedges are widely used by many professionals in order to play shots from hard and thick roughs to the ball out of there, back on the fairways, where it is difficult to play any other wedge.
A pitching wedge is used for supplying high-power swings and a strong impact on your golf swing so that you can add an additional wing to your game.
There is no doubt that pitching wedges will prove beneficial to you in situations where sand wedges may not be able to help out.
Many golfers used golf pitching wedges. They were able to create spin and distance as well as keep the short game tight and accurate by being able to control them well.
When a player is playing a golf shot very close to the green, a pitching wedge has a lower flight trajectory than a sand wedge.
In terms of negative aspects, there is only one drawback with these wedges, which is the fact you will not be able to get the ball out of bunkers, and sand, where you may have problems.
When To Use A Sand Wedge
What Is A Sand Wedge?
A sand wedge, on the other hand, typically measures 54 to 58 degrees and is designed for shots that require more loft and spin, such as bunker shots or shots from thick rough. Most golfers still prefer a sand wedge when it comes to when to use sand wedge vs pitching wedge.
It can also be used for shorter pitch shots from the fairway or rough, especially when you need to get the ball up in the air quickly and stop it quickly on the green.
Even if you think this difference of 10 degrees of loft is inconsequential, in golf, small degrees have a huge impact on shots, and every degree of loft in different wedges has a different purpose.
Do you need a sand wedge? A sand wedge is a good choice for shots that need a quick change of direction on the green and an exact stop due to the higher loft of sand wedges than others.
It can be hit relatively high in the air with the sand wedge, and when it hits the ground, it tends to bounce a bit more than it does on the ground when it is hit.
A sand wedge can cut through the grass or even come out of the sand or bunkers very easily, making contact through its grooves on the face with the sand.
A sand wedge can also help you to get the ball high in the air with much higher amounts of lofts and stop the golf ball in the green when it goes out in the rough, usually from the green.
A golf sand wedge can easily help in situations where a pitching wedge cannot like to get the ball strictly at the pinpoint hole with high swings. It would be wise if you choose a sand wedge in such a situation.
Now, when to use pitching wedge vs sand wedge? Depending on your style of golf, you may want to get a sand wedge that matches your set of irons, or you might prefer a wedge with a blade-shaped head that will give you some extra accuracy and power to hit the ball on the course.
Sand wedges are not only used to get out of bunkers and sand, but they can help overall on the golf course. You just need to practice with it and learn the advantages of a sand wedge to become a pro player.
Can You Use A Pitching Wedge In The Sand?
Yes, but it is not ideal. A sand wedge, with its higher loft, is better suited for sand shots. Pitching wedges are designed for shorter distances and a high trajectory, while sand wedges are specifically designed for use in bunkers or sand traps.
Do You Need a Sand Wedge & a Pitching Wedge?
If you are an avid golfer, it is recommended that you have both a chipping wedge and a sand wedge in your bag. These clubs are designed for different types of shots and can be very useful in a variety of situations around the green.
While it is possible to use one of these wedges out of when to use a sand wedge vs golf pitching wedge for both types of shots, having both these wedges in your bag gives you more versatility and allows you to choose the club that is best suited for the shot you are facing.
Should You Chip With a Pitching Vs Sand Wedge?
The decision between pitching vs sand wedge and when to upgrade the sand wedge for chipping depends on the specific shot and the conditions you are facing. Here are a few factors to consider:
Distance: If you are chipping from a shorter distance (e.g., within 20 yards of the green), a pitching wedge may be more appropriate as it will produce less loft and more roll, helping to control the distance of the shot.
Lie: If your ball is sitting on a tight or bare lie, a sand wedge may be more useful as it has more bounce, making it easier to get the club under the ball and avoid hitting it fat.
Obstacles: If you need to clear an obstacle, such as a bunker or rough, a sand wedge may be better as it produces more loft and helps to get the ball up in the air quickly.
Ultimately, the decision between pitching wedge vs sand wedge for chipping can come down to personal preference and the type of shot you feel most comfortable with.
In summary, both clubs can be used, in the question of pitching vs sand wedge for chipping, and the best choice depends on the specific shot and conditions you are facing.
It’s a good idea to experiment with both clubs during practice and see the difference between sand wedge and pitching wedge to find which works best for you in different situations.
How Many Wedges Should a Player Carry in Their Golf Bag?
According to USGA guidelines, you can take a maximum of fourteen clubs. There are ten more wedges here than we anticipate you will need, so this is more than enough for you. Be sure to follow course rules no matter what.
You may feel better prepared if you bring more clubs than four to the course. Experts recommend taking four clubs to the course. Before you get there, remember the rules of each course.
What Other Kinds of Golf Wedges Should You Have?
In addition to the pitching wedge vs sand wedge golf, many golfers choose to carry other wedges to help them hit a variety of shots around the green. You should also know this besides knowing the difference between pitching wedge and sand wedge.
The Gap Wedge: Often called an approach wedge, a gap wedge typically has a loft angle between 50 and 54 degrees and is used to fill the space between your pitching wedge and sand wedge.
Lob Wedge: A lob wedge typically has a loft angle of 58 degrees or more and is designed to hit high, soft shots that stop quickly on the green.
It can be useful for shots from greenside bunkers, deep rough, or other situations where you need to hit a high, soft shot with a lot of spins.
Summary: When To Use Sand Wedge Vs Pitching Wedge
Choosing between when to use sand wedge vs pitching wedge in golf depends on the shot you need to make and the conditions of the course.
The sand wedge is typically used for shots that require more height and spin, such as bunker shots or shots from the rough. The club’s wide sole and high bounce angle allow it to glide through the sand or grass, helping you get the ball up in the air and onto the green.
On the other hand, the pitching wedge is generally used for shorter shots with less loft, such as chipping or pitching onto the green from the fairway. The club’s lower loft angle and thinner sole make it easier to hit a more direct, lower shot with less spin.
After reading this article, you are now clear on the question of when to use sand wedge vs pitching wedge.
