Sand Wedge vs Lob Wedge
The main difference is loft. A sand wedge usually has about 54 to 56 degrees, and a lob wedge about 58 to 62 degrees. The lob wedge sends the ball higher and shorter and stops it faster; the sand wedge is more versatile and, thanks to its bounce, better at getting out of bunkers.
Both are short-game clubs. Here's how they compare and which one to pick.
Side by side
| Sand wedge | Lob wedge | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical loft | 54-56° | 58-62° |
| Typical bounce | Medium to high | Low to medium |
| Ball flight | High | Very high |
| Roll after landing | Some | Very little |
| Full-swing distance (amateur) | Shorter than a pitching wedge | Shorter still |
| Main jobs | Bunkers, pitches, chips | Short high shots over trouble |
| Forgiveness | More forgiving | Less forgiving |
What is bounce?
Bounce is the angle between the leading edge of the club and the lowest point of the sole. More bounce means the back of the sole sits lower than the leading edge, so the club skids through sand or soft turf instead of digging in.
That's what makes a sand wedge good in bunkers. You don't hit the ball; you splash the sand under it, and the bounce stops the club burrowing. Lob wedges often have less bounce, which suits tight lies and firm ground but can dig if you're not careful.
A short history
The sand wedge is closely linked with Gene Sarazen, who used a wedge with a wide, flanged sole when he won the 1932 Open Championship at Prince's. Before that, golfers escaped bunkers with a niblick, which tended to dig in. Within a few years the sand wedge was in almost every bag.
The lob wedge arrived much later, becoming popular in the 1980s as courses got faster greens and tougher pin positions. If you like the history of club names, see old golf club names.
When to use a sand wedge
- Greenside bunkers: its bounce makes it the default club for splash shots. More in how to hit out of a bunker.
- Pitches from 30 to 70 yards for many amateurs, with a part swing.
- Chips that need to stop fairly quickly, landing and rolling about the same distance.
- Thick rough around the green, where the heavier head helps.
When to use a lob wedge
- Short-sided shots: when the pin is close to your side of the green and you have little room to stop the ball.
- Over a bunker or ridge to a tight pin.
- Downhill chips onto fast greens where any roll is too much.
- Flop shots with an open face, for confident players.
Which one should a beginner carry?
If you only have room for one, carry the sand wedge. It's easier to hit, it gets you out of bunkers, and it can play most of the shots a lob wedge can. The lob wedge's high loft makes it easy to slide under the ball or catch it thin, and a missed lob shot can cost more than it saves.
The Rules of Golf limit you to 14 clubs, so adding a lob wedge usually means dropping something else. Many golfers try one once their sand wedge game is solid.
Try both in Mashy
Mashy gives you both. A full sand wedge carries 88 yards and a full lob wedge 66 yards, against 112 for the pitching wedge. Use the lob wedge for short shots that need to stop, and the sand wedge from bunkers, where an early tap comes out heavy and short and a late tap comes out thin and runs. The Spin Doctor Wedges in the Pro Shop add more backspin if you want the ball to check harder.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a lob wedge in a bunker?
Yes, and some good players do, especially from firm sand or when they need the ball to stop quickly. But lob wedges often have less bounce, so they can dig into soft sand. For most beginners a sand wedge is the safer and more forgiving club for bunker shots.
How far should you hit a sand wedge?
Many amateur men carry a full sand wedge somewhere around 60 to 90 yards, and many amateur women less. It depends on swing speed, the strike and conditions. Most of the time you'll use it for shorter shots with a part swing, so learning your half and three-quarter distances is more useful than knowing your full one.
Is a 60 degree wedge a lob wedge?
Yes. A 60 degree wedge is the most common lob wedge loft. Lob wedges generally range from about 58 to 62 degrees, and some specialist wedges go higher. A 56 degree wedge, by contrast, is usually sold as a sand wedge.
Do I need both a sand wedge and a lob wedge?
Not at first. A sand wedge can handle bunkers, pitches and most short shots. A lob wedge helps with high, soft shots to tight pins, but it is harder to hit consistently. Add one once your sand wedge play is reliable and you have room under the 14-club limit.
What is a gap wedge?
A gap wedge sits between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge, usually with 50 to 52 degrees of loft. It fills the distance gap between those two clubs, so you can hit a full swing at yardages that would otherwise need an awkward part swing.