How Far Should You Hit Your Wedges? (+ Wedge Distance Chart)

Wedge play is one of the biggest difference-makers in scoring. Inside 130 yards, distance control matters more than power, and knowing exactly how far each wedge carries can turn uncertainty into confidence. Whether you're hitting a full swing from the fairway or a controlled shot that needs to land softly, understanding your wedge distances gives you a clear advantage on the course.

This guide breaks down the different types of wedges, the factors that influence distance, and the average yardages most golfers can expect. You’ll also find a complete wedge distance chart, tips for improving consistency, and practical advice on when to use each wedge during a round. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for dialing in your numbers and making smarter decisions whenever you pull a wedge from the bag.

What Are Golf Wedges and Their Types?

Wedges are high-lofted clubs designed for control, precision, and scoring inside roughly 130 yards. They’re built to launch the ball higher, stop it faster, and give you the touch you need around the greens. Wedges give you the versatility to shape the shot you need for the specific situation.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the four main wedge types and what they’re built to do.

Pitching Wedge (44°–48°)

The PW is your longest-flying wedge, typically used for full swings from 110–135 yards. It produces a lower, more penetrating flight and is also useful for controlled bump-and-run shots around the green.

Gap Wedge (50°–52°)

Designed to bridge the distance gap between your PW and SW, the gap wedge is a staple for controlled approach shots in the 90–110-yard range. It offers a combo of height, spin, and forgiveness that’s ideal for precision approaches.

Sand Wedge (54°–56°)

Engineered for bunker play and soft lies, the sand wedge’s wider sole and bounce help the club glide through sand and rough. For full swings, most golfers see distances between 75–95 yards. It’s also a reliable tool for standard chips and pitches.

Lob Wedge (58°–60°)

With the highest loft in the bag, the lob wedge produces a high, soft shot that lands gently with minimal rollout. It’s perfect for tight pins, flop shots, and situations where you need maximum height and stopping power. Expect full-swing distances in the 60–75-yard range.

At Stix, each wedge is intentionally designed for consistency, clean turf interaction, and predictable spin—so the gaps between them feel natural and easy to manage. When your wedges work together, dialing in distances becomes far simpler and far more confidence-building.

Check out our Perform Wedge Set →

Factors That Influence Wedge Distance

Wedge distances vary from golfer to golfer, and even shot to shot. Understanding what affects your yardages helps you make better decisions on the course and develop a more consistent short game.

Here are the main factors that influence how far your wedges actually fly.

Swing speed.

Your swing speed is the biggest driver of distance. Faster swings create more ball speed, which leads to longer carry. Slower, more controlled swings naturally produce shorter numbers.

Swing technique and contact with the ball.

Ball position, shaft lean, angle of attack, and overall contact quality all impact distance. Even slight variations—like catching the ball a groove low or adding a bit of loft at impact—can change your carry yardage by several yards.

The loft and design of your club.

Higher-lofted wedges launch the ball higher with more spin but less distance. The construction of the club (groove design, weighting, and shaft) also plays a role in how high and far the ball travels.

Learn more: Ultimate Guide to Golf Wedge Degrees

The turf and lie conditions.

Firm turf tends to produce a lower, more consistent strike. Softer lies, long rough, fluffy grass, wet conditions, can all reduce ball speed and shorten distance.

The weather—and the temperature.

Cold air, wind, humidity, and elevation all influence wedge performance. For example, cold temperatures reduce ball speed, and playing into the wind can dramatically shorten carry.

Choice of golf ball.

The type of golf ball you use matters. Softer balls often spin more and travel slightly shorter with wedges, while firmer balls may produce a bit more distance but less greenside control. Using the same ball consistently helps keep your wedge numbers reliable.

Average Distances for Each Wedge

While every golfer’s yardages will vary slightly, most players fall into predictable distance ranges with each wedge. These averages provide a reliable starting point before dialing in your personal numbers.

What’s the average distance for a 44°–48° pitching wedge?

110–135 yards

The PW produces a slightly lower, more penetrating ball flight, making it ideal for longer approach shots where precision still matters.

What’s the average distance for a 50°–52° gap wedge?

90–110 yards

Designed to close the gap between your PW and SW, the gap wedge delivers controlled trajectory, predictable distance, and reliable stopping power.

What’s the average distance for a 54°–56° sand wedge?

75–95 yards

Higher launch and increased spin make the sand wedge a key scoring club inside 100 yards. It’s also a trusted option for pitches and greenside shots.

What’s the average distance for a 58°–60° lob wedge?

60–75 yards

The LW offers maximum loft, height, and stopping ability. It’s built for short approaches, tight pin locations, and soft, precise landings.

How to Measure Your Wedge Distances

Knowing the actual yardages you hit each wedge will immediately improve your decision-making on the course. The process is straightforward, and you don’t need tour-level tools to get accurate numbers.

1. Use a launch monitor if you have access.

A launch monitor gives you the most precise swing data.

• Hit 8–10 shots with each wedge
• Remove the clear outliers
• Average the remaining shots
• Record carry distance, not total distance
  

Carry is the number that matters most for wedges, especially when hitting into greens or playing over hazards. If you’re using a simulator bay, TrackMan, GCQuad, Mevo+, or even Toptracer, this method gives you reliable, repeatable numbers.

Learn how to use a golf simulator effectively with our guide →

2. No launch monitor? Head to a marked range.

You can still gather great data outdoors.

• Choose targets at known distances
• Hit 5–10 balls per wedge
• Pay attention to where the ball lands, not where it rolls
• Track your average carry for each group
  

If your range uses range balls, be aware that they typically fly a bit shorter—focus on consistency, not absolute distance.

3. Take your notes on the course.

Your real-world numbers may vary from range data due to turf, wind, temperature, and elevation.

Over a few rounds:

• Note your yardage
• Note which wedge you chose
• Note where the ball finished relative to your target
  

Patterns will emerge quickly. If your 90-yard shot is always long with your gap wedge, or short with your sand wedge, your true distance likely differs from the range results.

4. Track partial swings.

Most wedge shots aren't full swings. Knowing your ½ swing, ¾ swing, and “controlled” numbers is just as important.

Measure each:

• Full swing
• 9 o’clock backswing
• 10 o’clock backswing
  

Track each variation’s carry distance for all wedges. This builds a versatile distance matrix you can rely on in real play.

5. Log your final distances.

Once you’ve gathered enough data, write it down or save a screenshot. These numbers serve as your reference points for club selection and short-game strategy.

Tips for Improving Wedge Consistency

Consistency with your wedges is all about controlling launch, contact, and rhythm. Small adjustments can make a noticeable difference in how reliably you hit your yardages.

Focus on a stable tempo.

Wedge swings should feel controlled, not rushed. A steady swing tempo helps maintain consistent contact and prevents the “too quick at the top” move that leads to thin or pulled shots.

Prioritize solid contact.

Clean, centered contact delivers predictable spin and distance. Keep the ball slightly back of center, maintain light shaft lean, and let the club work down through the shot. Even a one-groove miss can change your carry numbers by several yards.

Commit to a consistent ball position.

Moving the ball forward or back changes launch and distance. Pick a reliable setup—slightly back of center for standard wedge shots—and stick with it.

Use more club for control.

When you’re between distances, taking a lower-lofted wedge with an easier, controlled swing often produces better results than trying to max out a higher-lofted club. Smooth swings create more predictable yardages.

Practice partial swing shots.

Most wedge shots on the course aren’t full swings. Work on repeatable positions like 9 o’clock and 10 o’clock backswing checkpoints. This builds a range of dependable distances for each wedge.

Stick with the same golf ball.

Switching between ball types changes spin and launch characteristics. Using one ball consistently helps your wedge numbers stay stable from round to round.

Let the club do the work.

Modern wedges are designed with face technology, groove patterns, and weighting that help create spin and control. Trust the equipment and focus on producing a smooth, balanced motion.

When to Use Each Wedge on the Course

Each wedge in your bag has a specific purpose, and knowing when to reach for the right one can simplify decision-making and improve your scoring opportunities. Think of wedges as tools: the better you understand what each one is designed to do, the more confident you become inside 130 yards.

When to use a pitching wedge

• Full-swing approaches from 110–135 yards
• Lower-trajectory shots that need controlled rollout
• Bump-and-runs around the green
  

The pitching wedge is the club you’ll trust for longer approach shots, typically between 110 and 135 yards. Its lower loft produces a more controlled, penetrating ball flight, making it ideal when you need accuracy without a towering trajectory. Around the greens, it also works well for bump-and-run shots when you want the ball to stay low and release toward the hole.

When to use a gap wedge

• Approach shots from 90–110 yards
• Lower, more controlled chips and pitches
• Tight lies or firm turf where precision is key
  

Your gap wedge fills the important distance window between the PW and SW, usually from 90 to 110 yards. It’s extremely versatile—offering a balanced trajectory that works well for controlled approaches, lower-running chips, and shots from firm or tight lies where precision matters. Many golfers find the gap wedge becomes one of their most frequently used scoring clubs because of how predictable it feels.

When to use a sand wedge

• Bunker shots
• Approach shots from 75–95 yards
• Standard pitch shots from greenside and fairway lies
• Soft or fluffy lies where extra bounce helps the club glide
  

The sand wedge is designed to perform in softer conditions, especially bunkers, where its bounce helps the club move through sand without digging. Outside the bunkers, it’s a dependable option for approach shots in the 75- to 95-yard range and for standard pitch shots from the fairway or rough. When you need a bit more height and spin but don’t require the extreme loft of a lob wedge, the SW is often the right choice.

When to use a lob wedge

• Short approaches from 60–75 yards
• Tight pin locations where you need height and quick stopping power
• Shots over bunkers or obstacles
• Flop shots and high, soft landings
  

The lob wedge offers the highest loft of any club in your bag, giving you the ability to hit high, soft-landing shots with minimal rollout. It’s ideal for short approaches between 60 and 75 yards, tight pin locations, elevated greens, or situations where you need to carry a bunker or other obstacle. When the situation calls for maximum height and stopping power, the lob wedge delivers.

A simple rule when you’re torn between clubs:

If two wedges could work for the shot, choosing the lower loft and taking a smoother, more controlled swing usually leads to better results. It produces a more predictable launch and eliminates the need to “force” the shot.

Mastering Wedge Distances

Dialing in your wedge distances is one of the most reliable ways to sharpen your scoring game. When you understand how far each wedge carries, you remove guesswork, build confidence, and set up easier putts for yourself. Consistency with wedges isn’t just about mechanics; it’s about having the right tools, clear yardages, and a simple approach you can trust every time you step into a shot.

If you’re looking for wedges that make this part of the game easier, Stix wedges are designed to deliver dependable launch, clean turf interaction, and the kind of predictable distance control that helps golfers of all skill levels score better. They’re straightforward, easy to hit, and built to give you confidence from any yardage inside 130.

Look good and play better with the Perform Wedge Set →

You might also like:

• What is the Average Distance for Each Golf Club?
• What Wedges Should a Beginner Golfer Carry?
• 10 Tips to Dramatically Improve Your Putting Skills