Short Game Guide
How to Choose Golf Wedges: Loft, Bounce, Grind & Gapping
Choosing wedges comes down to four things: how many you carry, their lofts, their bounce, and their grind. Most golfers play three or four wedges spaced about four to six degrees apart, with the bounce matched to their swing and the turf they play. Here is how to dial it in, from the club builders at Alpha Golf.
Shop Alpha WedgesWhat Wedges Do You Need?
Your wedges are the scoring clubs that pick up where your irons stop. Most golfers carry three or four:
- Pitching wedge (PW), about 44 to 46°. Usually comes with your iron set and sets your starting loft.
- Gap wedge (GW / approach wedge), about 50 to 52°. Fills the distance gap between your pitching and sand wedge.
- Sand wedge (SW), about 54 to 56°. Your bunker and greenside workhorse.
- Lob wedge (LW), about 58 to 60°. High, soft shots and tight pins.
A common three-wedge setup is 46° / 52° / 56°. A four-wedge setup adds a lob wedge, for example 46° / 50° / 54° / 58°. More wedges give you more precise distances but take a spot from another club, so match the number to how often you play those yardages.
Loft and Gapping
Gapping means keeping even loft steps between your wedges so you never leave a hole in your distances. Aim for four to six degrees between wedges. If your pitching wedge is 46°, a 50 / 54 / 58 or 52 / 56 / 60 setup keeps you covered. Jumping straight from a strong 44° pitching wedge to a 54° sand wedge leaves a ten-degree hole, which is a full stock yardage you will be forced to guess at.
Quick check: hit your wedges on a launch monitor or a known yardage. If two of them fly nearly
the same distance, your gaps are too tight. If there is a yardage you can never quite cover, they are too wide.
Wedge Bounce, Explained
In one sentence: bounce is the angle between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole, and it keeps the club from digging into the turf. It is the most misunderstood wedge spec, so it is worth getting right. Match it to your swing and the turf you play:
- Low bounce (4 to 6°). Firm turf, tight lies, and shallow, sweeping swings that take a thin divot. Also easier to open the face with. A 60° lob wedge around 4° of bounce is a classic low-bounce club.
- Mid bounce (7 to 10°). The all-purpose choice for most golfers and most conditions. A 52° gap wedge around 8° is a typical mid-bounce club.
- High bounce (10 to 14°). Soft turf, fluffy sand, and steeper swings that take a deep divot. A 56° sand wedge near 14° is built for the bunker.
Rule of thumb: steep swing or soft turf means you want more bounce; shallow swing or firm turf means you want less. When in doubt, mid bounce is forgiving across the widest range of conditions.
Wedge Grinds
Grind is the shape of the sole, where material is relieved from the heel, toe, or trailing edge. More relief lets a skilled player open the face and hit creative shots around the green without the sole getting in the way. A standard, full sole suits most golfers who play the ball fairly square. If you are unsure, a standard sole in the right bounce handles the large majority of shots.
Build Your Setup in Four Steps
- 1. Start from your pitching wedge loft.
- 2. Add wedges in even 4 to 6° steps up to a 58 to 60° lob wedge.
- 3. Choose bounce by your turf and divot: more for soft and steep, less for firm and shallow.
- 4. Build them to match your irons in length, lie, and feel, so your short game stays consistent.
That last step is where quality components and a proper build pay off. Alpha's wedges are made to be built to your exact loft, lie, and length, so your short game feels like the rest of your set.
A Sample Wedge Setup
Here is a common four-wedge setup that shows how loft, bounce, and gapping work together. The even gaps are the goal; the carry distances will become your own.
| Wedge | Loft | Bounce | Example carry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitching wedge | 46° | From your irons | 115 to 125 yds |
| Gap wedge | 52° | 8° | 95 to 105 yds |
| Sand wedge | 56° | 14° | 80 to 90 yds |
| Lob wedge | 60° | 4° | 65 to 75 yds |
Example only. Carry distances vary by player; use this as a template and dial in your own gaps.
Alpha PF2 Wedge
Alpha's best-selling wedge, known for tour-level spin and soft, checking landings around the green. A favorite of clubfitters and touring pros alike.
"The PF2 wedges are the most accurate clubs I've ever hit. Reliable and consistent."
Jack Ferenz, Champions Tour Professional
Shop Alpha Wedges
On a budget? The Silver Diamond MDC Wedge
The three scoring lofts (52°, 56°, 60°) with bounce matched to each job, in 431 stainless steel, right and left hand, at a value price.
View the MDC WedgeFrequently Asked Questions
What wedges do I need in my bag?
Most golfers carry three or four wedges: a pitching wedge, a gap wedge, a sand wedge, and often a lob wedge, spaced about four to six degrees apart.
How much loft gap should there be between wedges?
About four to six degrees. Bigger gaps leave a distance hole you cannot cover; smaller gaps make two wedges fly nearly the same distance.
What is wedge bounce?
The angle between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole. It stops the club from digging. Higher bounce suits soft turf and steep swings; lower bounce suits firm turf and shallow, sweeping swings.
Should I use high or low bounce?
Match it to your swing and turf. Soft turf or a steep, divot-taking swing wants higher bounce. Firm turf or a shallow, sweeping swing wants lower bounce. Mid bounce is the safe all-around choice.
What is a wedge grind?
The shape of the sole. More grind, or relief, helps skilled players open the face for creative shots around the green. A standard sole suits most golfers.
What wedges does Alpha offer?
Alpha offers wedges in the standard scoring lofts, covering the gap, sand, and lob positions. You can see the current lineup and available lofts on the Alpha wedges collection.
Building a set and want a hand dialing in loft and bounce? Call 1-818-725-9720 or email hi@alphagolfclubs.com.