58 Vs 60 Degree Golf Wedge

58 vs 60 Golf Wedge

Having the right clubs in the bag is important step on the path to scoring well. Giving yourself the widest range of clubs to play different shots will make life so much easier. When thinking about a 58 vs 60 degree wedge which one should you choose?

Should You Use A 58 Or 60 Degree Wedge?

There are many types of wedges, including pitching wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges and lob wedges. Each type has its own loft angle that helps determine the distance and trajectory of the shot. Pitching wedges typically have a loft angle between 46-48 degrees while lob wedges can range from 58-64 degrees.

When it comes to selecting the right wedge for your golf game, there are a few factors to consider. Wedges with 58 and 60 degrees of loft are designed for short shots around and onto the green generally when you are looking for a short but high trajectory shot.

Because the lofts of these clubs are so similar its unlikely that you would want to have both in your golf bag at the same time. Even players with very high swing speeds are unlikely to see more than 5-10 yards difference on full shots and the trajectories for most golfers would be pretty similar so it’s really a decision as to whether you put one club in your set or the other.

Ultimately, your choice between using a 58° or 60° wedge should depend on what kind of shot you’re trying to make and how much loft is required for that particular shot. It’s also important to remember that having multiple wedges with varying lofts in your setup can help provide more options when attempting different shots around the green so consider investing in more than just one type of lofted wedge.

The legendary Butch Harmon doesn’t think most amateurs should be using wedges with more 58° of loft but it also comes down to the clubs you currently have in your set.

Wedge Distance Gapping

Ideally you want to have consistent distance gaps between your clubs which usually means having a consistent change in loft. If you currently have just a 48 degree and 56 degree then it might make more sense for you to get something to fill that gap (52°) rather than worrying about a lob wedge which for many players doesn’t get used that often.

If you currently have a 48°, 52° and 56° then it would probably make more sense to go for the 60° as this should give you a consistent yardage gap between your wedges.

But if you already have 14 clubs which longer club will you drop to add the lob wedge?

What Is A 60° Wedge Used For?

A 60° wedge is a type of golf club, which is used for a variety of short game shots up to full swings. It is usually the most lofted club that players carry and is also known as a lob wedge. With the amount of loft on this club, you can use it to hit full shots from the fairway or to hit precise shots from deep bunkers. A 60° wedge is also great for approach shots with less than a full swing as you can still get the ball to stop quickly due to the height and angle of descent you get with it.

Having more loft than a traditional sand wedge can make it a little easier when you need to get out of a steep faced pot bunker or pitch up a steep bank onto the green.

I would argue that 60° is as much loft as most amateur golfers should try to use as it will get more difficult to consistently control wedges with greater loft than this.

What Is A 58° Wedge Used For?

A 58° wedge is a lofted club used in golf to hit shots from the bunker or other difficult lies. It is considered a lob wedge and is among the highest lofts of any wedge. Like a 60°, the 58° wedge can be used to hit full shots that will fly higher and land softer with more spin.

The increased degree of loft also allows the golfer to get the ball up quickly without manipulating the face, making it an ideal choice for those who need extra help getting out of bunkers or deep rough. The 58° wedge can also be used for finesse shots such as chip shots and pitches, giving golfers greater control over their distance and trajectory. When used correctly, the 58° wedge can provide an advantage for all levels of golfer in almost any situation.

How Far Should You Hit A 58 Degree Wedge?

Like all golf clubs the distance you hit the golf ball with a 58° wedge will depend on your strike quality and club head speed. You shouldn’t get too fixated on the distance you hit though. Concentrate more on your accuracy level and better control of distance as ultimately this will improve your scores more.

The table later in this article lists some typical wedge distances based on swing speed with a 58° falling roughly halfway between the sand and lob wedge figures.

How Far Should You Hit A 60° Wedge?

Some players tend to use their most lofted wedge as a get out of jail club from rough, bunkers or for awkward chips and pitches. Other like to use it for full shots too. No matter what you like to use it for at this end of the bag you should be striving for consistency and accuracy rather than out and out distance.

How far you can hit a 60° wedge is mainly down to your swing speed.

It is important to know how far you actually hit each shot with your clubs so you can select the appropriate club for your situation. You could use a launch monitor to work out your distances or hit 10 shots with each club on a practice ground and pace out your average distance.

Below is a list of typical distance with different wedges for different club head speeds (lofts are assumed to be 48°, 52°, 56° and 60°). It’s likely that you would see a 58° fall roughly halfway between the sand and lob wedge yardage so you might see only 4 yards difference if you have a fairly slow swing.

125 mph110 mph100 mph90 mph80 mph
PW15113312110997
GW138.512211110089
SW1261111019181
LW113.5100918273
Carry distances based on clubhead speed

Bounce On Lob Wedges

Bounce on a wedge is probably best explained by one of the great exponents of wedge design.

“Wedge bounce is the angle created between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole or trailing edge.”

The type of bounce on your wedges should be dependent on the type of swing you make and the conditions you typically play in. If you play on firm courses then you will probably be better off with little bounce on your wedges. If you tend to play lush courses that are often damp then you may want to select wedges with more bounce.

In an ideal world you might have a few different wedges that you could swap between depending on the conditions you are playing in that day. Although given the cost of modern wedges that would be a big ask for most people.

If you are likely to be using your lob wedge from the sand then you probably need a reasonable amount of bounce – say 10°. If you don’t want to use your 58 or 60 from bunkers then you could opt for something with less bounce.

Grind On Lob Wedges

At the premium end of wedges you will also be able to choose from a number of grinds. Different grinds involve removing certain parts of the sole to improve turf interaction.

Again the type of grind will work best with certain swing types or turf conditions. If you are looking at Vokey wedges then their K grind is the best option for playing from sand.

What Is the Difference Between a 58° and a 60° Wedge?

The most significant difference between a 58° and a 60° wedge is the loft of the club face. When discussing golf wedges, it’s important to understand this concept. Every club will have a certain amount of loft. The least lofted irons will be around 18°. Pitching wedges have been 48° for a while and sand wedges stayed constant at 56°.

Not surprisingly a 58° wedge has an angle of inclination of 58° while a 60° wedge has an extra 2°. As a result, the ball will launch slightly higher and land softer with a 60-degree wedge than it would with a 58-degree wedge. The increased loft also provides more spin on shots around the green for control and accuracy. Ultimately, each player must decide if they need or prefer to use a 58 or 60-degree wedge in their bag depending on their game and individual preferences.

Golf Wedge Gapping

58 vs 60 Golf Wedge: Summary

The choice between these clubs should really come down to what fits in best with your current set. The types of shot you can hit will be pretty similar so you should go for the loft that gives you the best gapping with your existing wedge set.

Should you think about a 64 degree?

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