Pitching wedge vs. sand wedge : What is the main difference
The angle of the loft is the most notable difference between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. A pitching wedge tends to have a loft angle from 44 to 49 degrees, whereas a sand wedge is going to have a loft variation of 54 to 58 degrees.
Many other differences are there that you should know if you are examining your pitching wedge and sand wedge. If you are interested, without making any further delays, let's get started with our presentation.
Pitching wedge:
- With every golf club set, this is the most common club that you would find along with a driver and a putter.
- A pitching wedge is going to have a loft variation of 44 degrees to 49 degrees (arguably 45 degrees to 50 degrees).
- This kind of wedge is more suitable when you are around the green and targeting to take the golf ball near the putting area.
- If you are an amateur golfer, then with a pitching wedge, you should take it to a distance of around 100-125 yards. A professional golfer is expected to take further 25-30 yards with the same club.
Sand wedge:
- If you fall on any bunker or trap, then this is the club that can help to get you out.
- A sand wedge is going to have a loft variation of 54 degrees to 58 degrees (mostly 56 degrees).
- With the help of a sand wedge, it is possible to get a distance of around 50-90 yards. But, a typical amateur golfer is going to take around 60 to 75 yards, whereas a pro golfer can take the golf ball around 100 yards as well.
Differences between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge
If you have clicked on this article, then probably, you are here to find out the differences between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. If so, then this should be the section for why you are here. Here are the top differences between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge.
Types | Pitching wedge | Sand wedge |
Loft angle | 45 degrees to 50 degrees | 54 to 58 degrees |
Distance | 100-150 yards | 50-90 yards |
Suitable | For the grassy land | For bunker or sand trap |
Available | Available in almost all kind of golf club set. | May not available in every golf club set. |
Skill | Easy to hone the skill for every beginner | A little hard for the beginner to hone the skill. |
Trajectory | Lower trajectory | Higher trajectory |
Bounce | The bounce angle of a pitching wedge is around 0 to 5 degrees | The bounce angle of a sand wedge is around 10 to 16 degrees. |
Weight | Not the heaviest wedge | The heaviest wedge possible |
Clubface | Average | Heavy clubface |
Can you use a pitching wedge as a sand wedge?
There are no hard and fast rules that say not to use a pitching wedge as a sand wedge. You always can use a pitching wedge as a sand wedge. But, many things are there that you need to consider before doing so. Here are some of our suggestions that you can follow…
- Pitching wedges are usually lofted clubs. In case you are 100 yards away from the putting green area, then using a pitching wedge should be the ideal choice.
- Pitching wedges are the most versatile wedge club among all the other wedges. I am calling it versatile because; you will not find a single golf club set that does not have a pitching wedge in it. That is why using a pitching wedge in the grassy area should be ideal.
- With the help of a pitching wedge, you can also make full out shots and chip-and-run shot around the green.
- In case you fall on a sand trap, a sand wedge should be the club that you should take in your hand to get relief.
- A sand wedge can give you 70- yards to 100 yards boost from the trap area that a pitching wedge will not be able to provide because of the face design of the club.
That is why our recommendation would be to use a pitching wedge when you are in the grassy area and needs to reach a distance of 100 to 125 yards. On the other hand, a sand wedge should be at work when you fall on a sand trap or to reach a distance of average 70 to 100 yards.
Which wedges should you take in your golf bag
According to the USGA rules, you can take 14 clubs in your golf bag. Taking more than 14 clubs will be considered as a crime. That means you can take any kind of clubs as you want. In general most of the pro-level players tend to take 3 wedge clubs in their golf club. if you also are following them, then the main question appears regarding which wedge clubs should you carry in your golf bag for completing a round of golf. Here is our recommendation-
- The first wedge club that should be in your golf bag is the pitching wedge. Completing a round of golf is quite impossible without having a pitching wedge in your golf bag. Having a pitching wedge can give you a boost of 100 to 125 yards to reach the putting green area.
- The next wedge club that you can take in your golf bag is the sand wedge. As this kind of wedges has a higher loft angle, they tend to be a great help when you fall on any kind of bunker or sand trap.
- The third and final wedge that you should be taking in your golf bag is the Lob wedge. In case you don’t know anything about a lob wedge, then we would like to mention to you that a lob wedge is a kind of iron club that has a loft angle of 60 to 64 degrees. Making a flop shot is easier with this kind of wedge. If you don’t have this kind of club in your bag, then this should be the time to get it.
Final words
Wedges can be of great help when you are in the middle of the fairway and are looking to reach the putting area. Besides, getting out of different kinds of hazards and traps is hard without the help of a wedge. Depending on the necessity, a pitching wedge and a sand wedge is the most common kind of wedge club that you would notice in a golf bag. This article was all about both these two kinds of the wedge.
Differences between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge
