Your set came with a pitching wedge and sand wedge. Should you add a gap or lob wedge? Here's how to decide.
What's Going On
Most iron sets now include a pitching wedge (around 44-46°) and sometimes a sand wedge (54-56°). That's a 10-12 degree gap—which translates to roughly 20-30 yards of distance.
Golf magazines and YouTube videos constantly talk about "dialing in your wedge game" with multiple wedges. Walk behind any tour pro and you'll see 3-4 wedges in the bag.
So casual golfers assume they need the same setup. Golf shops are happy to sell you that third (or fourth) wedge. But do you actually need it?
Why It Works This Way
Tour pros carry multiple wedges because:
- They practice wedges 2-3 hours daily
- They need precise yardage control (115 vs. 120 yards matters)
- They're skilled enough to vary trajectory and spin with each wedge
- They face tight pins and firm greens where precision is critical
Casual golfers have different needs:
- Most practice maybe 30 minutes before a round, if that
- Distance control varies by 10+ yards per club anyway
- Getting on the green matters more than hitting it to 8 feet
- Most courses don't have tour-level firm greens
The question isn't "what do pros use?"—it's "what helps you score better?"
What Casual Golfers Should Know
Gapping Analysis
Write down your actual carry distances with each wedge (not what you think—what you actually hit):
Example 1: Two wedges (most beginners)
- Pitching wedge: 120 yards
- Sand wedge: 90 yards
- Gap: 30 yards ← This is a problem
If you have a 105-yard shot, you're stuck between a hard sand wedge and an easy pitching wedge. Neither feels confident.
Example 2: Three wedges (smart fix)
- Pitching wedge: 120 yards
- Gap wedge (50-52°): 105 yards
- Sand wedge: 90 yards
- Gaps: 15 yards each ← Much better
Now that 105-yard shot? You have the right club.
Common Distance Patterns
Here's what most casual golfers hit (your distances may vary):
Pitching wedge (44-46°): 110-130 yards
Gap wedge (50-52°): 95-115 yards
Sand wedge (54-56°): 80-100 yards
Lob wedge (60°): 65-85 yards
Notice the pattern: each wedge should cover about 15-20 yards.
If your distances don't follow this pattern, you either have a gapping problem or you're guessing at your real numbers. Get on a range and write down your actual carry distances.
When a Third Wedge Helps
Add a gap wedge (50-52°) if:
- Your pitching wedge and sand wedge are more than 10° apart
- You're frequently stuck "between clubs" from 100-120 yards
- You're breaking 90 consistently
Skip the third wedge if:
- You're still working on making consistent contact
- You score better when you have fewer decisions to make
- Your bag has a hybrid or fairway wood you never use (replace that first)
When a Fourth Wedge Makes Sense
Add a lob wedge (60°) only if:
- You're a single-digit handicap
- You practice short game weekly
- You're comfortable opening the face for high, soft shots
- You face tight pin positions regularly
Skip it if:
- You chunk or blade wedges often
- A 56° with an open face already gets you plenty of height
- You're not confident hitting partial shots
For most golfers shooting 85+, a 60° is a low-percentage club that costs more strokes than it saves.
What to Sacrifice from Your Bag
You're allowed 14 clubs. Adding a third wedge means removing something else.
Smart removals:
- 5-wood you hit once per round → Gap wedge
- 3-iron you can't hit → Gap wedge
- Hybrid that's redundant with your fairway woods → Gap wedge
Don't remove:
- Driver (you need it off the tee)
- Putter (obviously)
- Your most-used fairway wood or hybrid (you need it on long holes)
The Bottom Line
Most casual golfers benefit from three wedges:
1. Pitching wedge (came with irons)
2. Gap wedge (50-52°)
3. Sand wedge (54-56°)
That setup covers full shots, partial shots, and greenside play without overwhelming you with options.
Skip the fourth wedge (lob wedge) unless:
You're already consistent with three wedges and practice short game regularly. For most players, a 56° with an open face does everything a 60° does—with less risk of disaster.
Start with two wedges if:
You're new to golf or still working on consistent ball striking. Master your pitching wedge and sand wedge before adding complexity.
The goal isn't to have every club—it's to have the right clubs for the shots you face most often. For most casual golfers, that's three wedges, max.
