Golfers who don’t know how one can use a lob wedge—or decide the flawed state of affairs—typically find yourself with poor outcomes. To seek out out if the lob wedge actually deserves a spot in your bag, we teamed up with Shot Scope to research efficiency information.
We in contrast lob wedge method pictures, sand wedge versus lob wedge efficiency, and even checked out how the lob wedge fares from the bunker. We’ve damaged the whole lot down by handicap, making making use of the insights on to your personal recreation simpler.
Right here’s all the knowledge it’s essential learn about when to make use of a lob wedge.
Lob wedge method pictures
This desk offers perception into what you’ll be able to count on with method pictures utilizing a lob wedge. This might be extra of a full-swing method and, general, the “greens hit” percentages are increased than common.
We see this due to proximity to the inexperienced. The nearer you get, the simpler it’s to hit the inexperienced.
Discover that, as handicaps improve, the lob wedge turns into much less efficient. When you can dial in your lob wedge in your full-swing method pictures, that’s nice however most gamers want sand, hole or pitching wedges with rather less than a full swing to finish the identical job.
Crucial place to check the effectiveness of the lob wedge is within the quick recreation. The best-lofted membership in your bag needs to be used across the inexperienced.
HandicapLW Greens Hit %LW Avg. Proximity (ft)LW Photographs to FinishHighest Greens Hit % Wedge072percent38 ft2.95Lob Wedge556percent55 ft3.20Gap Wedge1050percent56 ft3.33Lob Wedge1537percent60 ft3.45Gap Wedge2027percent65 ft3.90Sand Wedge2522percent73 ft3.98Sand Wedge
Quick-game shot. Sand wedge versus lob wedge efficiency by handicap
To see how efficient the lob wedge is, we in contrast it to the sand wedge.
The up-and-down percentages for the lob wedge (not from the bunker) are decrease for the low-handicap golfers. While you get to the higher-handicap gamers, issues are inclined to even out a bit however, general, up-and-down percentages on these higher-lofted golf equipment are very low for high-handicap gamers.
Apparently, low-handicap golfers additionally find yourself farther from the opening when utilizing a lob wedge and require extra pictures to complete.
There may be much more information to dive into about which golf equipment to make use of across the greens. Nonetheless, we are able to see that as loft is added, golfers are inclined to have a tougher time getting up and down.
A 20 handicap golfer will get up and down 34 p.c of the time utilizing a 9-iron and solely 18 p.c of the time utilizing the lob wedge. A ten-handicap will get up and down practically 40 p.c of the time utilizing a spot wedge however solely 13 p.c with the lob wedge.
Generally, you want the loft of the lob wedge to assist get the ball out of thick tough. It’s additionally good to assist cease the ball shortly when you’re short-sided. The important thing takeaway is that any likelihood it’s a must to take the less-lofted membership across the inexperienced, take it.
HandicapClubUp & Down %Avg. Proximity (ft)Photographs to Finish0SW43percent13 ft2.50LW43percent13 ft2.485SW34percent20 ft2.53LW22percent24 ft2.7210SW23percent19 ft2.69LW13percent25 ft2.8115SW17percent25 ft2.82LW21percent23 ft2.6320*SW18percent26 ft2.77LW18percent23 ft2.8225*SW9percent31 ft2.84LW8percent27 ft3.06
Lob wedge out of bunkers
The Shot Scope information illustrates that lob wedges for greenside pictures (not within the bunker) just isn’t the right selection.
We nonetheless have to take a look at bunkers.
Hitting out of a bunker is totally different, and the lob wedge’s extra loft is useful.
You’ll see within the desk under that the lob wedge is the higher membership to make use of out of the bunker. Gamers with the bottom handicaps are utilizing the lob wedge from the bunker. They’re getting up and down extra typically and getting the ball nearer to the opening.
When you haven’t used your lob wedge out of a bunker but, it’s time to start out doing it.
Handicap RangeClubUp & Down %% Not Getting Out 1st TryAvg. Proximity (ft)Membership Utilization (%)1–5SW27percent5percent19.927percentLW30percent5percent18.567percent11–15SW18percent10percent24.241percentLW18percent9percent24.148percent21–25SW12percent14percent28.250percentLW13percent13percent27.735%
The underside line: When to make use of your lob wedge
This information signifies that maintaining your short-game pictures decrease is extra helpful to your recreation. Due to this fact, the lob wedge with its increased loft just isn’t all the time one of the best membership to make use of.
The lob wedge can be utilized from the deep tough as the additional loft may also help you escape. It’s additionally a very good membership you probably have little inexperienced to work with and should cease the ball shortly.
Nonetheless, when you’ll be able to maintain the ball a bit of decrease across the greens and use one thing like a spot wedge or perhaps a 9-iron, take that likelihood. You’ll save your self pictures.
Strive the lob wedge from the bunker. Typically, it’s simpler than the sand wedge for newbie golfers. It’s one of the best use of your lob wedge so, if you’ll carry one, use it from the bunker.
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