If you’ve ever found yourself in a sand trap, you know how frustrating it can be to get out. And if you don’t have the right club, it can be even more difficult. So, can you use a pitching wedge in sand? Here’s what you need to know.
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Can You Use A Pitching Wedge In Sand?
A pitching wedge can be used in the sand, but you may face challenges trying to escape out of a difficult bunker. The pitching wedge is designed for shorter approach shots and are commonly used on grass. So if you are thinking of using a pitching wedge in sand, you are better off using a sand wedge instead.
A sand wedge is better to use in the sand than a pitching wedge due to the design of the club. Most sand wedges are made with a loft of 56 degree, which will be enough to get the ball out of hard sand or difficult bunkers.
What Loft Is A Pitching Wedge?
Pitching wedge has one of the lowest amount of loft out of all the golf clubs. This usually ranges from 46 to 48 degrees.
Instead of using a pitching wedge in the sand, you would use it on longer shots where height and spin aren’t necessary. This could include a shot from the rough that is 140 yards out, or a 50 yard pitch from the fairway
Why use a sand wedge instead of a pitching wedge in sand?
The pitching wedge is not the ideal club to use when hitting the golf ball out of sand. As previously mentioned, the 56 degree sand wedge is the way to go. And, if you are golfer who hits behind the golf ball a lot, then this type of club is what you need.
Unlike pitching wedge, the sand wedge has a higher degree of bounce, The clubface glide through the sand making it the most versatile wedge in the golf bag.
What Is A Pitching wedge good for?
Though the pitching wedge can be used in sand, it’s more ideal for shots on the grass that are outside the range of about 100 yards.
The average player will hit their pitching wedge 100 to 105 yards minimum, while professional players like the ones on PGA tour can hit their pitching wedge 140 yards. Therefore it all depends on your level of skills.
For shorter pitches that require half swing, the average distance is much less.
How to hit a pitching wedge out of sand?
While the pitching wedge is not the ideal club to use in sand, some professionals have no worries taking the shot. But you have to know what you are doing in order to successfully use your pitching wedge in the sand. If you have a low lip in front of you and a decent lie then you shouldn’t have much challenge using the pitching wedge in sand.
Some tips that will help you use a pitching wedge in sand are:
- Evaluate the sand: You should take note of the type of lie your ball has. For example, is the sand wet and packed, or is it dry and fine. Once you can determine the condition of the sand, you’ll know what strategy to take.
- Set the clubface: Now that you’ve evalutated the sand, it’s time to position your clubface correctly. If the sand is packed and wet, you should shut the clubface. However if the sand is fine and dry, then you’ll want to open the clubface.
- Adjust your setup: Ensure that your stance is wide and that your feet are dug into the ground so that you are well grounded. Position the ball a bit forward in your stance and aim left of your target.The more open the clubface, the more left you need to aim.
- Steepen your swing: If you want to hit out of sand using pitching wedge, then you need a steep angle of attack. This can be done by hinging your wrist aggressively.As you come down in the downswing, aim for a target about an inch behind the ball in the sand, then try to hit that spot while letting the club glide underneath the ball through the sand.
If executed correctly, the ball should pop out of the bunker along with some sand, and settle safely on the green.
What pitching wedge should you use?
Having the right pitching wedge is significantly important in achieving a great golf shot. Whether you want to use your pitching wedge in the sand, on the fairway or on the green, these 2 wedges are the easiest and most comfortable to hit. They are:
- Cleveland CBX 2
- Callaway Mack Daddy CB
These two pitching wedges are among the best in the market as they help you to get the ball up in the air quickly without even making perfect contact. The cleveland cbx 2 provides off the charts forgiveness in your short game, wehereas the callaway Mack Daddy CB also has tons of forgiveness, while offering control and tons of spin that will help stop the ball when it lands.
Is a pitching wedge common among golfers?
The answer to that question is a resounding yes. You’ll be surprised at how many pro golfers use a pitching wedge on tour. In fact, the pitching wedge is the most common of all 4 wedges (the pitching wedge, the gap wedge, the sand wedge and the lob wedge) with 51% of golfers using them.
The pitching wedge is a vital club to have in your golf bag because it is very frequently used around the greens for “chip-and-runs” and other important shots. The pitching wedge has a high degree of control, making it the best wedge shorter shots. Every beginner or aspiring golfer should have a pitching wedge to practice with
