So, you are thinking about playing golf as a hobby. You register for a golf club membership. Go to the golf shop to get your first set of clubs. And now, you are in confusion by seeing all the letters and numbers on them.
There’s an “A,” “AW,” or “S.” Although one thing is for sure, they don’t mean any of the things you are thinking out of frustration to know. If that is so, calm down, take a deep breath and read this post because we are about to explain one of the clubs in detail.
The A or AW – the wedge is known as a golf club is another name for a gap wedge. It is one of the crucial irons in your golf bag. Let’s dig in for more.
What Is An “A-Wedge” ?
The “A” in an “A-wedge” stands for “approach” or “attack,” which is a less commonly used meaning. This club has an “A” engraving on its sole. Many club manufacturers also use “AE,” which has the same meaning.
Your golf kit has four wedges: pitching wedge, A-wedge or gap-wedge, sand-wedge, and lob-wedge. The attack wedge is one of the strongest clubs in your golf set and is very important for an expert golf player as it is used for softer and shorter shots. As the name suggests, this club closes the gap between sand and pitching wedge.
You will get pretty accurate shots with this club which can help you in different situations. Especially if you are making a long bunker shot or trying to get away from rough. You have to try an approach wedge to know its versatility.
Why Is It Called An A-Wedge?
Whether you call it an A, approach, attack, or gap-wedge, its sole purpose is to produce precision shots. A typical set of clubs have four wedges with different lofts. They all have different purposes in your game. Let’s discuss them to understand the functionality of an attack wedge:
A pitching wedge has the lowest loft of 45-48 degrees. This makes it highly effective for longer short-range shots. Having the ability to long-distance shoot with the lowest flight angle, a pitching wedge helps close your distance from the green.
A sand wedge has 54 to 58 degrees of loft and is highly effective in getting the ball out of a bunker or rough. The round base helps in chipping the ball to the green
An A-wedge is a recent creation for precision by many golf club manufacturers. It creates a bridge between the lofts of pitching and sand wedges. It has a loft of 46 to 54 degrees, making it highly effective in both situations, i.e., fairway to green and bunker to green.
A Lob wedge has the highest loft of 57-62 degrees in the wedge category. In addition, it has highly effective in flying the ball up due to its sky-facing loft. Apart from being effective on the fairway, it is a good alternative to a sand wedge.
What Is The Loft of An A-Wedge?
The loft of the A-wedge is between 46 to 54 degrees. The most common among them is 50 to 51 degrees. It can help you get out of crucial situations as a bridging club. The flight angle of an A-wedge can provide a great shot with a full or partially fuller shot.
For instance, you are 120 yards away from the green on the fairway. There are two bunkers near the green, and you must make a perfect shot. In this situation, you can use a pitching wedge with a 75% swing. Although with a 45 to 48-degree loft, you might clear the bunker and end up on the rough due to the ball’s bouncing.
Alternatively, if you give a 50% swing, you might end up in a bunker, where you will need a sand or lob wedge.
Or, forget about the above sticks, and use an A-wedge. Instead, use a 50-degree loft A-wedge with 50% to 75% of the swing. This shot will not only help you cross the bunkers but also get you closer to the tee on the green. In addition, the construction and design of this club will prevent the ball from the extra bounce.
What Is The Purpose And Loft of An A-Wedge?
An A-wedge or attack wedge is an important club in your golf set. It has the loft between a sand wedge and a pitching wedge. It can be the best alternative to the above wedges. Normally, an A-wedge has a loft between 46-54 degrees, but the most common is 50-51 degrees of loft.
Once you have played the opening shot with your driver wood and are now on the green, the best iron for your next shot is a pitching wedge. This wedge will help you get near the green with a 45-48 degrees flight. At this point, you might be 130 yards away from the green.
The best way to have a close gap near the tee is to use an accurate wedge here. You will get a 50 to 53-degree loft which will help you cross the bunker and land on the green.
What Kind of Golf Shots Would a Gap Wedge be Used for?
You can use your gap or A-wedge on many occasions. This club will give you more distance than your sand wedge but less distance than your pitching wedge.
The best way to use a gap wedge is when you are near the green, let’s say, 100 to 120 yards. Then, with a full or partially full swing, your ball will reach the safe zone of the green. Another benefit of using a gap wedge is getting less bounce than other wedges.
For instance, if you are on the fairway near the green, an accurate shot with an attack wedge will land on the green without pushing the ball too hard toward the rough.
The Benefits of Using an A-Wedge Golf Club
An essential benefit of using an A-wedge is its versatility in shot selection. Since an A-wedge bridge the gap between a pitcher and a sand club, it provides precise shots in crucial moments. For instance, at 110 yards to the tee, you cannot use a pitcher because it will take you far from the tee. Otherwise, you can also not use a sand wedge because you won’t reach the tee.
In this situation, the best is an accurate wedge. In another situation, if your ball is in a bunker but far from the green, an A or gap wedge will provide you with a better lofting angle instead of using a sand or lob wedge. This way, you will cross the bunker and be near the tee.
The loft of an A-wedge provides better accuracy in tough situations, especially when your ball is in a rough or on a tight corner of a fairway.
How to Use an “A” Wedge?
An A-wedge or a gap wedge is a precise iron in your golf kit. It is always better to keep it with you during your game as it helps you to maneuver in difficult situations. Since this club provides more distance than an SW club but less than a PW club, its use is in an in-between situation.
Here’s how to use an “A” Wedge step-by-step:
- First, determine the type of shot you will be taking. For example, an “A” wedge is typically used for short-distance, high-accuracy shots, such as those from the fairway or rough.
- Select the appropriate club based on the distance you need to cover and the conditions of the course. Consult a club chart or ask a professional if you need help deciding which club to use.
- Take your stance by positioning your feet shoulder-width apart and aligning your body parallel to the target line.
- Grip the club with your fingers and not your palms. It will help you feel the clubhead and increase your control over the shot.
- Take a practice swing to get a feel for the club and the shot. It will help you to visualize the shot and make any necessary adjustments.
- Take the shot by swinging the club back and through the ball, and keep your eye on the ball throughout the swing.
- Follow through with your swing and finish by pointing the club head at the target.
- Evaluate your shot and make any necessary adjustments for your next shot.
Choosing an A-Wedge/Gap Wedge
So far, we have established that an A/Gap wedge is essential for any level of golfer. However, it is only helpful if you choose the right A or gap wedge. A general rule of thumb is that your attack wedge should have a loft angle between your pitching wedge and sand or lob wedge.
The most common loft of a pitching wedge is 46 degrees. Similarly, in most situations, you will find a sand wedge with a loft of 56 degrees. So, the best A-wedge or gap wedge for you is with a loft of 50 to 52 degrees.
Another way to choose an A-wedge is by making practice shots with different lofts and selecting the best one.
Gap Wedge/Approach Wedge Vs. Pitching Wedge
The only difference between a pitching wedge and a gap or approach wedge is the degree of loft. Your club with an “A,” “AW,” or “GW” engraving has more loft than a club with “PW” engraving. Moreover, a PW club will travel more distance with fewer flights than an AW club.
Generally, a PW club has a loft of 45 to 48 degrees and is highly effective for longer short-range shots. On the other hand, an approach wedge or a gap wedge has a range of lofts between 49 to 54 degrees. This club is effective for an accurate shot.
How Should Someone Choose Between a Set A-Wedge and A More Traditional 50 Or 52-Degree Wedge?
Your comfort level is the only way to choose between an A-wedge and a more traditional 50/52-degree wedge. Both of them have different shapes and construction. It is essential to consider these factors before choosing the right wedge.
For instance, an A-wedge with a hollow construction can land the ball farther than a normal a-wedge. Therefore, this wedge setting will give you better performance at the golf club.
Similarly, the traditional 50/52-degree wedge has a narrower width at the sole and is more precise with the shot at the standard distance level.
FAQ’s
1. What Wedges Should I Carry?
Generally, most golfers will carry at least three wedges: a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, and a lob wedge.
Pitching Wedge: This is the most basic wedge and is typically included as a part of a standard iron set. It is used for medium-distance shots and can also be used for chipping and pitching.
Sand Wedge: This wedge has a higher degree of loft and is specifically designed for bunker shots and shots from deep rough. The extra loft helps to get the ball out of the sand or rough and onto the green.
Lob Wedge: This wedge has the highest degree of loft and is used for short-distance, high-accuracy shots, such as those from tight lies or around the green.
2. Is an A Wedge the Same as a Gap Wedge?
An “A” wedge is not the same as a gap wedge.
A gap wedge is a club that sits between the sand wedge and the pitching wedge in terms of loft and is typically used for shots that fall between the distance range of these two wedges. The name “gap” wedge refers to the “gap” in the distance it fills between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. The loft of a gap wedge usually ranges from 50-54 degrees.
An “A” wedge, on the other hand, is not a commonly used term in golf. Some golfers may use the term “A” wedge to refer to a specific club, such as a pitching wedge or a gap wedge. However, it can also be used as a generic term for any wedge, similar to how “irons” refer to any club with a metal head and a shaft used to strike the ball.
3. Do I Need A Wedge Golf Club?
It will depend on your preferences, skill level, and the type of shots you typically encounter on the course.
Wedges are typically used for short-distance, high-accuracy shots, such as those from the fairway or rough, around the green, or bunker shots. They have a higher loft than other clubs, which helps to get the ball into the air more quickly and stop it more abruptly when it lands on the green.
4. Is the Gap Wedge for Everyone?
The gap wedge is a useful club for many golfers, but it may only be necessary for some.
The gap wedge is designed to fill the distance between the sand and the pitching wedge. It typically has a loft between 50-54 degrees. Therefore, golfers with a good pitching wedge and sand wedge can use these clubs to cover the distance range for which a gap wedge would be used, making the gap wedge redundant.
What does the A stand for on a golf wedge?
The letter “A” on a golf wedge does not represent anything specific. It is not a commonly used term in the golf industry and is not an official designation for any particular wedge. Some golfers may use the term “A” wedge to refer to a specific club, such as a pitching wedge or a gap wedge. Still, it can also be used as a generic term for any wedge, similar to how “irons” can refer to any club with a metal head and a shaft used for striking the ball.
4. What degree club is an A wedge?
The term “A” wedge is not official or widely used in the golf industry, and as such, the degree of an A wedge can vary depending on the context and the person using it. Therefore, when you need to specify, it’s best to refer to wedges by their specific name (such as pitching, sand, or lob) or by their loft degree.
5. How far does a wedge go?
Typically, a pitching wedge will travel around 110-130 yards for an average male golfer and around 80-110 yards for an average female golfer when hit correctly. However, these numbers can vary depending on the golfer’s swing, the club, and the condition of the course.
6. Is an A wedge a 52-degree?
An “A” wedge is not a specific club or degree of loft, and as such, it’s not a commonly used term in the golf industry. Instead, it can refer to a specific club, such as a pitching or gap wedge. A 52-degree club is often referred to as a gap wedge; it’s designed to fill the distance gap between the sand wedge and the pitching wedge, which typically have lofts of 46-48 degrees and 56-58 degrees, respectively. It’s commonly used for medium-distance shots that fall between the range of a pitching wedge and a sand wedge.
Conclusion
An A-wedge is a vital iron piece. It helps in hitting precise shots at crucial places. The right wedge for you is the one which you are comfortable playing with. Add an A-wedge in your clubs to improve your game.
Matt Stevens is the founder of Golfrough.com. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf since he was four years old. Having experienced every high and low golf has to offer, his writing helps the average golfer avoid the mistakes he has made in 28-years on the course.