When To Use A PW In Golf?

You might have as many as four wedges in your golf bag so you might be wondering what are the best situations to use your pitching wedge?

When Should You Use A Pitching Wedge?

There are two main uses for a pitching wedge during your round of golf.

• Approach and pitch shots from around 100 yards and in (depending on your swing speed)
• Chip shots around the putting surface where you need a bit of loft to clear an obstacle (e.g. rough)

How Far Should I Hit My PW?

Like your other wedges, you should be more concerned with learning how to produce consistent distances rather than out-and-out distance. If you can’t reach the target with your pitching club then take a 9-iron! A typical club golfer will probably manage around 100 yards with a full swing while tour pros will probably be looking nearer the 140-150 yard mark depending on the pitching wedge loft.

Approach Wedge vs Pitching Wedge 

An approach wedge (AW) is often known as a gap wedge and has a little more loft than a pitching wedge to fill the gap between it and the sand wedge. For many years a PW would have had 52 degrees of loft compared with a sand wedge with 56. As manufacturers began selling clubs on the promise of more distance the lofts of irons were gradually decreased to where a pitching wedge had only 48 degrees (or even less with some modern sets). In reality, your gap wedge just does the job that the original pitching wedge did because now that has the same loft as a 9-iron.

Which Wedges Do Beginners Need?

When discussing wedges, it is important to consider which ones beginners need. Generally speaking, a beginner should start with a pitching wedge and sand wedge as these are the most commonly used wedges.

As their game improves they might look to add a gap wedge and/or lob wedge. With that said, it is not necessary for a beginner to invest in all four types of wedges – a pitching and sand wedge will usually suffice.

When choosing wedges for your bag, make sure to select those that are best suited to the course you’ll be playing; this will help ensure that you have the correct clubs for the job. All in all, understand what type of wedges your game requires before investing in them and remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to selecting golf clubs!

Do You Need A Pitching Wedge And Sand Wedge?

There are several types of wedges, but most people start out with a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. A sand wedge is designed for getting the ball out of bunkers or sand traps. It has more loft than any club except the lob wedge, usually ranging from 54 to 58 degrees, so it can help get your ball airborne quickly. and the sole of the club has been made to glide through the sand. The pitching wedge is great for playing to green from around 100 yards or so. Its also great for hacking out of deep rough to get back on the fairway.

Can A Pitching Wedge Be Used As A Sand Wedge?

A pitching wedge is one of the most versatile clubs a golfer can have in their bag, and it can certainly be used as a sand wedge.  In certain situations, one could use a pitching wedge in the sand instead of using a dedicated sand wedge. If you have left yourself with a longer bunker shot you might find it easier to cover the distance with a pitching club rather than the more lofted sand wedge especially if the bunker doesn’t have too much of a lip.

The downside to using a pitching wedge in the sand is that it may not provide enough bounce for certain shots, but it can work depending on the situation. Ultimately, if you find yourself without your trusty sand wedge and need to get out of some tough lies, you could try using your pitching wedge in the sand!

Can You Chip With Your 7-9 Iron?

Chipping with a 7, 8 or 9 iron is a good idea for many club golfers. Usually, players will get better results on average using as little loft as possible when chipping. This is probably down to the length of swing required compared with a wedge.

Assuming you don’t have to clear a large patch of rough, bunker or some other obstacle you would do well to keep the ball as close to the ground as often as possible. Resorting to a 7-iron or even your putter when you can, will definitely save you shots!

Should You Chip With A Pitching Wedge?

Chipping with a pitching wedge is an important shot for any golfer to have in their arsenal. A pitching wedge has more loft than most others, so it is one of the best choices for short game shots from around the green. When chipping with a pitching wedge, it’s important for a golfer to use a controlled swing and avoid hitting too hard. Learn how to control the carry distance of your chip shots by varying the length of your backswing.

You can then judge how far the ball will roll out depending on ground conditions.

Should You Chip With A 60 Degree Wedge?

Looking for the right wedge to use for chipping? The majority of golfers would be better off using a less lofted club since they will find it easier to strike the ball well and get consistent results. In most situations, a lob wedge is a high-tariff shot. To execute it competently you will need to have invested time in practicing the lob.

Which wedge setup is right for me?

Choosing the right wedge setup for your game can be tricky. Do you stick with two, maybe you should add a gap wedge or even a lob. Most ordinary club golfers should try to get consistent loft gaps with their clubs so they should then have consistent yardage gaps between clubs.

Decide what will be your most lofted club and work back from there. If there is a large difference between your sand wedge and pitching wedge then a gap wedge that matches your iron set can be useful. Unless you spend time practicing you might be better off leaving very lofted wedges out of your set though.

Golf wedges are pretty expensive now so think carefully about the clubs that will work best for your game and the types of courses you regularly play.

What bounce should I have on my wedges?

When selecting a wedge for your golf bag, it is important to consider the loft and bounce. Loft refers to the angle of the clubface, while bounce is the angle of the sole. The type of wedge you need depends on your skill level and the type of shots you will be taking on a particular golf course. A sand wedge has a higher loft and usually more bounce than other wedges, making it ideal for getting out of bunkers or other sandy areas.

Gap wedges have less loft and less bounce than sand wedges, making them great for mid-distance approach shots. Lob wedges are designed for short-distance approach shots as they have high lofts and more bounce, allowing you to “lob” the ball onto the green. Ultimately, when selecting a wedge, you should focus on how much loft and bounce you need based on your game and what kind of shot you are trying to make on a particular golf course.

If you tend to play on lush courses then you might want to look at more bounce while players who frequent drier, sandy courses would likely benefit from less bounce on their wedges. 

What does PW mean on a golf club?

PW is a common acronym seen on golf clubs and stands for ‘Pitching Wedge’. It is a type of wedge, which is used to hit the ball to the green at distances up to 150 yards. A pitching wedge is one of the more lofted clubs, typically ranging between 46-49 degrees. It is often used to hit shots from the fairway or rough with accuracy and precision. The PW club is also frequently used in shorter approach shots that require more control than power. All golfers should have a PW in their bag as it can be helpful for many different types of shots around the green.

How Often Should I Change My Wedges?

Manufacturers recommend that you should replace your wedges every 75 rounds if you want maintain performance of the club. If you can afford to spend $600 on a set of 4 wedges every year (or even more often) then good luck to you!

When To Use A PW In Golf: Summary

So now you know that your pitching wedge is for chip shots, pitch shots and full shots up to around 100 yards (even farther if you have a powerful swing). Becoming comfortable with your pitching wedge should help lower your scores. If you can hit the ball close on short approaches or chip it close when you miss a green it will help those scores!