56 vs. 60 Degree Wedge: Best Guide For Average Golfers

How you can make use of the wedge on your bag: Beginner and veteran golfers are thinking about which one they should bring once they have a game for the day: is it a 56-degree or a 60-degree wedge?

This article will break down when and where a 56-degree or a 60-degree wedge is more sensible to use: the write-up will also guide you to the better choice between 56 vs. 60-degree wedges for your game.

The Wedge And Its Role In Golf

The wedge is for short approaches on shots. It is more capable of getting you to escape out of roughs with ease: The club will bring the ball to the green while getting you out of inconveniences being on the hazard. Wedges have the highest loft of all the golf clubs, but they have short shafts and the heaviest heads.

These wedges are not for distance because of their high loft angle, but they can give you height and help in accuracy and control: Many wedges vary in design and have been categorized according to use, namely: the pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge.

All golfers must have at least one wedge on their bag: you can bring in two wedges with different lofts for different roughs. If you know your skills, bringing one wedge might be enough. You can carry the other needed clubs without overloading your bag: but is it a 56 or a 60-degree wedge?

It will come up to which one you prefer or what will serve you well: but do you know which one is better: the 56-degree wedge and the 60-degree wedge, like other clubs, come with different bounce angles. Click here to know more about golf club bounce angles.

Knowing The 56-Degree Wedge

The 56-degree wedge got something that the 60-degree wedge does not have. The former has a 4-degree less-loft than the latter: what makes the 56-degree wedge so crucial in golf? The 56-degree-loft is also called a sand wedge (SW).

It is one of the wedges capable of giving height to the ball in a short time, leading it on a sloppy landing. The 56-degree wedge usually comes with 10-14 bounce angles.

What Is A 56-Degree Wedge Utilized For?

The 56-degree wedge offers a soft landing that rolls a few yards when hitting the ground. It is an ideal club to hit shots out of sand bunkers or when you are facing a long chip. It takes the ball off the ground quickly. The ball will have a soft landing with minimal roll makes it an ideal club for bunkers.

The wedge makes a lot of difference if you are in the rough within the green. You can even go as short as 60 yards and as far as 80 yards using the 56-degree wedge: It is a wedge that will give you an extra yard to your shot from a bunker.

Who Can Utilize A 56-Degree Wedge?

Anyone can use the 56-degree wedge: There is always a high possibility that you will land in a sand bunker any time. It is also ideal for short games: because you may slip the ball from sand traps effortlessly.

The 56-degree wedge offers better performance whether you are a high handicapper or a seasoned player: It is a wedge that is straightforward to control when correctly utilized.

When To Use A 56 Degree Wedge?

Using the 56-degree wedge during an approach shot is recommendable; at the first approach, you can utilize a different wedge in your bag if you need to. In the second approach, the 56-degree wedge is more appropriate to use.

How Far Should You Be Hitting A 56-Degree Wedge?

One thing impressive about the 56-degree wedge is its ability to provide you with a wide range of long-distance delivery. But the feat depends upon your ability to swing hard. If you already have a high swing speed, you can do 100 yards; while more advanced players can do 125 yards.

However, low swing golfers may hit the ball in any range within the 70-100 –yard mark. Many golfers may have a full swing using the 56 than the 60-degree wedge: The versatility of the 56-degree wedge makes it more ideal for a wide range of skills.

How To Hit A 56-Degree Wedge? 

Step 1: Set the correct position

Before you hit a 56-degree wedge shot: think of aiming for precision and not for distance. You can look upon what the legendary Nick Faldo once says, “Never swing with more than 80% effort”. With this in mind, you have to set up your shot and accentuate the correct posture before hitting the ball.

At set up, keep the toe of the club off the ground. Bend over at the hips and highlight it by straightening your legs.

Step 2: Stand closer to the ball with your back foot

That’s right! The 56-degree wedge has a short shaft, so you need to stand closer to the ball with your back foot closer. The stance will allow a better attack angle on the wedge shot. A rule of thumb says to ensure your shirt buttons are directly pointing toward the ball on all wedge shots.

Step 3: Place a little weight on your front foot

Before hitting the ball, put about 60 to 70% of your weight on your front foot. You are hitting a wedge, not a driver or a fairway wood. Then, make a short but compact swing for a more effective hit.

The 56-degree wedge has the most extensive sole among the clubs. Utilizing a 56-degree wedge entails versatility that will let you play in any lie within a 110-yard distance. One of the aspects of using the 56-degree wedge is learning how to utilize the bounce.

Let the bounce helps you in tackling hard lies. Moreover, do not poke on the leading edge of the club. It will let the bounce prevent you from hitting the surface hard. The low shot you desire is achievable with a good stance. More practice will let you do these things effectively.

Knowing The 60-Degree Wedge

The 60-degree wedge (also called a lob wedge or L-wedge) is the shortest hitting club in golf: like the sand wedge, the lob wedge can bring the ball high up onto the air: unlike the sand wedge, the L-wedge can stop the ball within the green without rolling too far as the former.

The short roll a lob wedge can do depends upon the player. Its higher loft angle makes the club control the golf ball and let it pause without rolling farther after hitting the ground.

A typical lob wedge has a 60-degree loft, but many experts define the range between 58 and 64 degrees. This range may qualify as a lob wedge.

What A 60-Degree Wedge Is Used For?

You bet a 60-degree wedge has four degrees more than the 56-degree wedge! But what offers you a 4-degree difference in the loft? A 60-degree wedge can also lift your ball high into the air. A ball hit by a 56-degree wedge: can roll more yards. Using a 60-degree wedge can make the ball stop abruptly on the green.

You will think that a lot of practice might do the trick. The lob wedge is ideal for greenside bunker shots with a little more spin. Players also utilize the wedge if a chip shot needs elevation and the ball has to land smoothly with less roll.

Can Anyone Use The 60-Degree Wedge?

Unlike the 56-degree wedge, not anyone can use the 60-degree wedge, unless you can make a miracle happen! Many golf experts suggest that only experienced golfers should use the 60-degree wedge.

Experts agreed that if you are not well aware of using a 60-degree wedge: there is a possibility of making mishmashes out of your shot. Furthermore, those with a high handicap are advised not to use this wedge.

When Is More Likely To Use A 60-Degree Wedge?

Many seasoned and pro golfers utilized the 60-degree wedge in thick and bulky roughs: or hard-to-get-away bunkers. Also, wedges with high loft help golf pros hit the ball in short distances with more accuracy.

How Far Should You Be Hitting A 60-Degree Wedge?

The range you make hitting a golf ball with a 60-degree loft depends on your skill. Your swing speed counts a lot in determining the distance you can deliver using this type of wedge. But the usual range of a lob wedge of this kind gives an average golfer 100 yards.

Slow-speed swingers may deliver 50 yards or slightly beyond using the lob wedge. Using a 60-degree wedge in full swing for amateurs may not be ideal because of the higher risk involved. Many players will choose to hit the ball with half a pitching wedge instead of a full swing.

How To Hit A 60-Degree Wedge?

Step 1: Square off the clubface

Do not open the clubface. Keep it square off your target.

Step 2: Bend a little bit on your front foot

Put a little weight on your front foot that gets the center of your chest a bit on the front side. This posture will allow you to make a downswing substantial weight transfer forward.

Step 3: Hit the ball at the bottom

Once you are on a more strategic position, hit the ball at the bottom spot with a firmer swing. But remember that: the clubface should be squared forward.

Are Professional Golfers Using 60-Degree Wedges? 

Yes, they do! According to Golf Facts by GolfWaterton, 59% of pro golfers utilize the 56-degree sand wedge. On average, 80% of the top 100 pro players used 60-degree loft wedges.

Do I Need A 60-Degree Wedge?

If you are an experienced golfer, you will need a 60-degree wedge. It is a wedge ideal for hitting shorter chip shots. However, it is not the best option for full shots from the fairway.

Should You Get A 56 Or 60-Degree Wedge?

It is more advantageous for average golfers to have a 56-degree than a 60-degree wedge.

FAQ’s

1. Do you need 56-degree and 60-degree wedges?

Average golfers do not necessarily need to have both 56-degree and 60-degree wedges on their bags. The former might be enough for better golfers.

2. Should a high handicapper use a 60-degree wedge?

No. The 60-degree wedge is not recommendable for high handicappers.

3. Is it better to chip with a 56 or 60-degree wedge?

It is preferable to chip with a 56-degree wedge.

Conclusion

The average golfer has the better choice with a 56 or 60-degree wedge. The sand wedges between 54 and 56-degree have the versatility you need to up your ante in golf. On the other hand, experienced and better golfers will be more comfortable using lob wedges (58 to 60-degree wedges).