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Are you unsure what an A-Wedge is? Maybe you have heard these irons called different names and don’t know the difference? It can be tricky to tell golf clubs apart, especially if you are new to the sport.
But fear not, we are here to help! Keep reading to find out what an A-Wedge is, its loft degree, and what it is used for today!
What Is An A-Wedge?
Let’s get right into it! An A-Wedge, A, or AW is often stamped on golf clubs. This stands for Approach or Approach Wedge which is a different name for a Gap Wedge. These golf clubs are clubs with a loft between a Sand Wedge (SW) and a Pitching Wedge (PW).
We often also hear golfers refer to these clubs as an Attack Wedge. Now that we have established what an A-Wedge is, let’s take a look at it in closer detail to learn more about this effective golf club.
A-Wedge Loft
An Approach Wedge or A-Wedge usually has a loft of 48 to 52 degrees. The most common loft that we see on these clubs is 50 to 52 degrees.
You will often get an Approach Wedge or Gap Wedge in a set of irons along with a Pitching Wedge, giving you a good range of clubs to get started!
We recommend that you think of your PW as a 10-iron and your AW as an 11-iron. These two wedges with a lesser loft can be used for full or fuller partial shots, such as 50%, 75%, and 90% swings for example.
This is different to Sand Wedges and Lob Wedges that are typically used for shorter shots around the green.
For best results, we always recommend that you use the right club for the shot you are taking. As you are likely to take lots of full or near full swing shots with your PW and AW, you will want lofts that give you a good distance in gaps as compared to your 9-iron.
Now, this all depends on your skills as a golfer, but you should be able to hit a Pitching Wedge 9 to 15 yards shorter than a 9-iron on a full swing.
This does also depend on how fast you swing your clubs too, so there can be some discrepancy here, especially if you are new to golf!
A full swing A-Wedge or Gap Wedge should carry about 9 to 15 yards shorter than your PW too. Now, the loft needed for proper distance does depend on the design of your irons and the lofts in your set.
You tend to see game-improvement iron sets aimed at beginner and high-handicap golfers that typically have stronger lofts than more traditional sets. These traditional sets will be aimed at higher-skilled players.
Be sure to check out our table below that shows you the progression of iron lofts in game improvement and traditional iron sets!
So how do you choose the right A-Wedge for you? Well, golfers playing with game improvement irons or less extreme cavity-backed irons will choose a Gap or Approach Wedge that will fit with the rest of their iron set.
You will usually find iron sets made for mid to high handicap golfers include Approach Wedge options, while bladed iron sets usually stop with Pitching Wedges.
More advanced players using bladed style irons might want a more specific 50 to 52-degree wedge that will fit their iron set and complement their swing and the course conditions they usually play.
It’s even more common to see blade-style iron sets that don’t have an Approach or Gap wedge. Instead, the golfer can choose the wedge they want to use after their Pitching Wedge.
We recommend considering how you play to help you find the right A-Wedge for you.
The Different Names Of A-Wedge
As you might have guessed, the A-Wedge has lots of different names! These can vary depending on the manufacturer, so let’s take a look at some of the names you might find now.
50 degrees
52 degrees
Utility Wedge
UW
U
Gap Wedge
GW
G
Attack Wedge
Approach Wedge
AW
A
All these names are for the same club that serves the same purpose. The names will vary from brand to brand, so it’s always best to know what they all are to help you find your new wedge.
After all, there is nothing worse than spending hours and hours searching for a new iron!
What Is The Difference Between An A-Wedge And Pitching Wedge?
Before you leave today, let’s look at the difference between an A-Wedge and Pitching Wedge. Approach Wedges (A-Wedge) will have more degrees of loft than a Pitching Wedge.
Hitting a full swing shot with an A-Wedge will travel shorter than a Pitching Wedge, but still further than a Sand Wedge.
While a standard Pitching Wedge loft is around 46 degrees, an Approach wedge has a loft closer to 51 degrees. Sand Wedges will have more loft, usually between 54 to 58 degrees.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, an A-Wedge, or Attack Wedge, is used for full or knock-down shots to help you get closer to the hole. No matter the type of golf you play, it’s worth knowing what these wedges do and their loft to help you find the right one today!
My name is David Shelly and golf has been my passion since early childhood. For more than three decades now, I’ve been trying to make sense of this crazy game.
Golf is the greatest game ever played. I want to help more people experience its joys. Let's hit the links!
