What is a pitching wedge?
The pitching wedge, rated PW or sometimes “P” under the head, is the club that follows the 9-iron. It is almost always part of the iron set, with the same head shape, and it is also the first of the wedges, the clubs that are the most open in the bag.
Despite its name, it's not just for pitching: it's primarily a club for solid shots over short distances, and one of the most commonly used clubs around the green.
What is the loft of a pitching wedge?
The loft of a pitching wedge is generally between 42 and 47 degrees. It has decreased significantly over the past twenty years or so: distance-oriented iron sets have lower lofts, and their pitching wedges can be as low as 43 degrees. A pitching wedge sold individually as part of a wedge set often has slightly more loft than the one in a standard set.
The exact loft is listed on the manufacturer's spec sheet: that's the number that matters when choosing your other wedges.
Where does the pitching wedge fit into the set?
| Club | Lofts in General |
|---|---|
| Iron 9 | about 37 to 42° |
| Pitching wedge (PW) | about 43 to 48° |
| Gap Wedge (GW, AW) | about 48 to 52° |
| Sand wedge (SW) | about 54 to 58° |
| Lob wedge (LW) | about 58 to 64° |
As the lofts of pitching wedges have decreased, the gap with the sand wedge has widened. It was to fill this distance gap that the gap wedge (the “gap wedge”), also known as the approach wedge. The general rule is to maintain a gap of about 4 to 6 degrees between two consecutive wedges.
When should you use a pitching wedge?
- The Direct Hit for short shots toward the green: that's its main use.
- The Controlled Shot: a three-quarter swing for a lower ball flight and more consistent speed control, especially in windy conditions.
- The Rolled Chip Near the green: The ball flies a short distance and then rolls a long way. This is the most common compromise between an 8-iron, which rolls a long way, and a sand wedge, which stops quickly.
- The Pitch of medium length, when there's no need to hit the ball very high.
It's less suitable for green bunkers and shots that need to be stopped very quickly: its bounce (the sole's bounce) is generally low, and a sand wedge does a better job.
Pitching wedge or pitch: What's the difference?
The pitch is a pitch shot: a high-trajectory pitch shot that flies more than it rolls. The pitching wedge is a club. You can hit a pitch with a pitching wedge, but also with a gap wedge, a sand wedge, or a lob wedge, and the pitching wedge is used for many other shots besides the pitch.
How do you hit a pitching wedge correctly?
- Ball in the center of the stance On a full swing, shift your weight slightly to your front foot.
- Hit the ball first, moving downward, as with a short iron.
- Do not force it: A smooth swing produces more consistent distance than a full-power swing.
- Calibrating Distances At the driving range: full swing, three-quarter swing, and half swing. These guidelines then apply to all wedges.
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Frequently Asked Questions: The Pitching Wedge in Golf
What is the loft of a pitching wedge?
Generally between 42 and 47 degrees. Irons sets designed for distance have pitching wedges with a shallower loft, sometimes less than 43 degrees.
What's the difference between a pitching wedge and a gap wedge?
The gap wedge has about 4 to 6 degrees more loft: the ball flies higher and travels a shorter distance. It is used to bridge the distance gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge.
Can you get out of a bunker with a pitching wedge?
It's possible but difficult from a bunker near the green: its low bounce causes it to sink into the sand. The sand wedge is designed for this shot.
What does "PW" mean on a club?
PW stands for pitching wedge. The other wedges are often marked GW or AW (gap or approach wedge), SW (sand wedge), and LW (lob wedge), or simply by their loft in degrees.