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What Degree Is a Gap Wedge?
Updated Sports & Activities
Where it sits in the wedge ladder
| Wedge | Typical loft |
|---|---|
| Pitching wedge (PW) | 44–48 degrees |
| Gap / approach (GW / AW) | 50–52 degrees |
| Sand wedge (SW) | 54–56 degrees |
| Lob wedge (LW) | 58–60 degrees |
Why it exists: modern pitching wedges are stronger (lower loft) than they used to be, which opened a big distance gap to the sand wedge. A gap wedge plugs that hole so you're not stuck between two clubs on a partial shot.
Distance: for many amateurs a gap wedge carries roughly 90–110 yards full, but that varies a lot with swing speed.
Buying tip: check your pitching wedge's actual loft first (it's often on the maker's site). Aim for a gap wedge about 4–6 degrees weaker than your PW and 4–6 stronger than your sand wedge, so the spacing is even.
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