56 or 60 degrees wedges vs pitching wedge?

Question

I am starting playing golf for 2 years, do I need 56 or 60 degree wedges or both? What the different between them and the pitching wedge?

Answer 1

A pitching wedge is typically between 46 and 48 degrees of loft (46 is standard).  It is the long wedge and shortest iron.  Some brands even refer to it as a 10 iron rather than a wedge.  The 56 degree (sand wedge) is designed to help get the ball up out of greenside bunkers.  It is usually not recommended for shots over 50 yards - although it can be helpful if you have a very short iron shot to a green.  The 60 degree (lob wedge) is designed for short shots that need to get in the air quickly to go over a hazard.  A shot hit with this club will typically land softly and not release to the hole.  

I personally think every golfer should carry a sand wedge, as the majority of courses you encounter will bring sand into play.  Leave the lob wedge out unless you are a single digit handicapper.  I have one that was given to me as a gift and it is in my opinion, the most difficult club to hit well.

Answer 2

60 degree wedge is optional. But you must have a Gap wedge @ 50-52 degrees. A true game-saver.

Answer 3

I hit a standard wedge(48 degrees) 130 yards,

I hit my 56 degree about 115,

I hit my 60 degree up to about 90

Now I have long arms and Im tall, so I can do that. Just keep distances relative to the loft of the club.  I like to hit my 60 out of sand bunkers because of loft.  You dont need to get both a 56 and 60 now.  Just get the 56 and practice a lot until you get pretty good with it, then get the 60 later.  Buy your wedges online from eBay or from a good used club dealer.

Answer 4

they are a higher loft than a pitchin wedge and will land softer on a green than a pw and will also create more spin.  in my bag, i carry a pw a 52 degree and a 60 degree wedge. 60 for short piches around the green and 52 for longer pitches between 70 and 105 yards. any thing between 110 and 125 i use a pw. definitely consider getting a high and lower degree sw.

Answer 5

you need 52 or 53 before the 6o degree , your set should be 52, 56 piching wedge . the 60 , dont try yet it is a difficult club to use at your level . pitching wedge 110 to 117 . 52 or 53 95 yards . sand wedge , 80 yards . you dont want distance with these , todays clubs , hit the ball father , than designation . dont even look at the number , just use the irons by the distance , you hit them . i am a senior carry 5 wedges , since irons are so delofted , the 7 iron  of today is the 5 iron of 10 years ago . practice with the lod wedge , before you start to use it . good luck . need wedges have 80 plus basement

Answer 6

pitching only 48*

u need 56 and 60 if you have room in your bag for the required amount clubs

Answer 7

honestly ...........if you've only been playing two years   a 56 and a 60 are going to be VERY hard for you to learn how to hit without SKULLING them over the GREEN....believe me I know from experience ............and once i decided to get a 52 degee wedge it made SOOO much diffrence ~!~!~!   look into it ~!

Answer 8

A pitching wedge is around 46 to 48 degrees so there's close to 10 degrees different between that and the 56.  Around the green you want to get the ball up in the air more than a pitching wedge may allow.  My suggestion is to use a 56 until you are comfortable with it and then decide if you need a 60.  Some good players, Lorena Ochoa for instance, carry the 56 but not the 60 so that goes to show that you don't need the 60 necessarily.  The 60 is harder to learn also but if you have less than 14 clubs in the bag after adding the 56 a 60 is better at certain things.  For instance, hard, wet sand is easier to get out of (for me anyway) with my 60.  I'll use my 56 10 to 15 times a round and my 60 maybe just once.

Answer 9

simple answer yes you need the 56* the 60 not until you have become comfortable with the 56 the 60 takes alot of getting used to but if your willing to put in the time then yes get one but if not then don't it'll cost you strokes more than help. good luck.

Answer 10

The difference is loft.  You'll hit a pitching wedge(48*) farther than a 56* wedge and you'll hit a 56* wedge farther than a 60* wedge.  A 56* wedge or sand wedge is use primarily for hitting out of bunkers and shots within 100 yards.  A lob wedge 60* is used for shots shorter than 100 yards.  This is if you can hit them that far.  I find it easier to hit a sand wedge than a lob wedge.  I have a 60* wedge but it was taking up room in my bag(due to non-use).  I used to play with 4 wedges(48, 53, 56, 60).  I now just use a 48 and 56.  I hit a variety of shots with both.  It takes practice to get the feel to do it.  You can get both and see how you play with both.