What degree is a sand wedge?

If you happen to be shopping around for your next set of golf clubs, you will find the sand wedge is usually not included or is sold as an extra, and more importantly, you definitely need one in your golf bag. But, how do you know how to choose the right one? and what degree is a sand wedge?. At Play in One, we want to make sure you get your sand wedge right!.

The sand wedge is the club that will get you out of trouble, and by trouble we mean, falling into a sandtrap. But first things first, avoid falling into sandtraps. We all see the pros on TV of getting out of sandtraps like it is very easy, but in reality, it is very tricky. It is difficult to control the distance of the shot, and If you are trying an approach near the green you may end up overshooting and falling short of distance. In my opinion, I rather used the sand wedge for rough areas around the green, but other players would prefer using the pitcher club for these situations.

Now, back to our former question, what degree is a sand wedge? The degrees in a sand wedge range from 54 to 60 degrees, and there is usually a marking in the clubhead indicating the corresponding degrees. The sand wedge has one of the highest lofts or tilts of all clubs, this basically means it will send your ball high and it will help you create more spin. If you have seen some golf tournaments on TV, you have probably noticed in a close-up camera shot that the ball rolls back as it hits the green. This effect is created with some irons but more extremely with a sand wedge.

If you are starting out, you are probably better off choosing a sand wedge degree that is midway in the range of degree lofts. A 58-degree sand wedge will prove more versatile as it is easier to hit from the sand than a 54-degree wedge, and it can be used around rough areas around the green or fairway.

How to use the sand wedge in a sand trap?

If you fall into a sandtrap, get your sand wedge and be ready to come out like a pro. Never hit the ball directly in the sand. Instead, hit the ball about two inches behind it. The sand wedge is meant to slightly dip into the sand to pull your ball out of the sand trap. This shot will cause the characteristic sand cloud we see on some glamorous golf shots. But, there is nothing glamorous about it. Just don’t fall into the traps.

In a sand trap, the sand should be loose. However, in worst-case scenarios, you may find traps with compacted or wet sand. Get your pitcher or nine iron ready to get out of this nightmare. Also, you may hit the ball more directly but without falling through your swing completely.

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