What Is a Pitching Wedge?
A pitching wedge is the most lofted club in a standard iron set and the least lofted of the wedges, usually with around 43 to 48 degrees of loft. It's the club for full shots from about 90 to 120 yards for many amateurs, and a reliable choice for pitches and chips around the green.
It's often marked P or PW on the sole, and on some sets simply W.
Where it sits in the bag
The pitching wedge is the bridge between your irons and your specialist wedges.
| Club | Typical loft |
|---|---|
| 8 iron | 35-39° |
| 9 iron | 39-43° |
| Pitching wedge | 43-48° |
| Gap wedge | 50-52° |
| Sand wedge | 54-56° |
| Lob wedge | 58-62° |
Most iron sets come with a pitching wedge included. Specialist wedges (gap, sand and lob) are often bought separately.
Lofts have crept stronger over the years. In many modern game-improvement sets the pitching wedge has as little as 43 or 44 degrees, about what a 9 iron had a generation ago. That's why the gap wedge exists: to fill the distance hole between a strong pitching wedge and a sand wedge. If loft is a new idea, what is loft in golf? explains it.
How far does a pitching wedge go?
For most amateur men, a full pitching wedge carries somewhere around 90 to 120 yards; for many amateur women, around 60 to 90 yards. Strong players and tour pros hit it a lot further. These ranges vary with swing speed, the strike, the ball and the weather, so the only number that really matters is your own. See the golf club distance chart for the whole bag.
Three jobs for a pitching wedge
Full shots into the green
From a comfortable full-swing distance, the pitching wedge is one of the easiest clubs to hit well. The short shaft gives control and the loft sends the ball up high enough to land softly.
Pitch shots
A pitch is a shorter, higher shot with a partial swing. The pitching wedge gives a lower pitch with more roll than a sand or lob wedge, which can be easier to judge on a firm green. More in how to hit a pitch shot.
Chips and bump-and-runs
From just off the green, a pitching wedge chip flies about a third of the way and rolls the rest. Many beginners chip with one club for everything, and the pitching wedge is a popular choice.
Tips for hitting it well
- Ball in the middle of your stance for a full shot, a little back for a chip.
- Hands slightly ahead of the ball at address, so you strike the ball before the turf.
- Don't try to lift it. The loft does that. Scooping causes fat and thin shots.
- Swing at a steady pace. Pitching wedge distance comes from a solid strike, not from swinging harder.
- Learn your three distances: full, three-quarter and half swing. That gives you three reliable yardages from one club.
Pitching wedge vs 9 iron
The two clubs are about 4 or 5 degrees apart. The 9 iron goes a bit further and lower; the pitching wedge a bit shorter and higher, with more stopping power. When you're between distances, the pitching wedge is often the safer choice if there's trouble in front of the green, and the 9 iron if there's trouble behind it.
Try it in Mashy
In Mashy, the pitching wedge carries 112 yards on a full swing, between the 9 iron (126) and the sand wedge (88). Set less power on the swing meter for a shorter pitch or chip, and watch how the ball lands, checks and rolls on the green. The dotted notch on the meter shows how much power you need to reach your aim spot.
Frequently asked questions
What degree is a pitching wedge?
Most modern pitching wedges have between 43 and 48 degrees of loft. Game-improvement sets tend to sit at the stronger end, around 43 to 45 degrees, while blade-style and older sets are usually closer to 46 to 48. Check your maker's specifications, as there is no single standard.
Is a pitching wedge the same as a 10 iron?
In effect, yes. The pitching wedge is the next club after the 9 iron in a matched set, with roughly 4 or 5 degrees more loft, so golfers sometimes call it a 10 iron. On the club itself it is usually marked P or PW.
Should a beginner chip with a pitching wedge?
It's a good choice. A pitching wedge chip flies low and rolls out, which is easier to control than a high lob, and its lower loft is more forgiving of a slightly thin strike. Many coaches suggest learning to chip with one club first, and the pitching wedge suits that well.
What is the difference between a pitching wedge and a gap wedge?
A gap wedge has more loft, usually 50 to 52 degrees against the pitching wedge's 43 to 48. It fills the distance gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge, so you have a full-swing club for yardages that fall in between them.
How far does the pitching wedge go in Mashy?
A full-power pitching wedge carries 112 yards in Mashy. Less power gives a shorter shot, so you can use it for pitches and chips as well. Wind, slopes and the surface where the ball lands all affect how far it ends up rolling.