Golfers who don’t know methods to use a lob wedge—or choose the improper scenario—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 investigate efficiency information.
We in contrast lob wedge method photographs, sand wedge versus lob wedge efficiency, and even checked out how the lob wedge fares from the bunker. We’ve damaged every little thing down by handicap, making making use of the insights on to your individual sport simpler.
Right here’s all the data you could learn about when to make use of a lob wedge.
Lob wedge method photographs
This desk provides perception into what you possibly can count on with method photographs utilizing a lob wedge. This might be extra of a full-swing method and, general, the “greens hit” percentages are larger than common.
We see this due to proximity to the inexperienced. The nearer you get, the better 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 on your full-swing method photographs, that’s nice however most gamers desire 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 sport. The very best-lofted membership in your bag ought to be used across the inexperienced.
| Handicap | LW Greens Hit % | LW Avg. Proximity (ft) | LW Pictures to End | Highest Greens Hit % Wedge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 72% | 38 ft | 2.95 | Lob Wedge |
| 5 | 56% | 55 ft | 3.20 | Hole Wedge |
| 10 | 50% | 56 ft | 3.33 | Lob Wedge |
| 15 | 37% | 60 ft | 3.45 | Hole Wedge |
| 20 | 27% | 65 ft | 3.90 | Sand Wedge |
| 25 | 22% | 73 ft | 3.98 | Sand 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.
Curiously, low-handicap golfers additionally find yourself farther from the opening when utilizing a lob wedge and require extra photographs 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 harder 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 if you find yourself short-sided. The important thing takeaway is that any probability you need to take the less-lofted membership across the inexperienced, take it.
| Handicap | Membership | Up & Down % | Avg. Proximity (ft) | Pictures to End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | SW | 43% | 13 ft | 2.50 |
| LW | 43% | 13 ft | 2.48 | |
| 5 | SW | 34% | 20 ft | 2.53 |
| LW | 22% | 24 ft | 2.72 | |
| 10 | SW | 23% | 19 ft | 2.69 |
| LW | 13% | 25 ft | 2.81 | |
| 15 | SW | 17% | 25 ft | 2.82 |
| LW | 21% | 23 ft | 2.63 | |
| 20* | SW | 18% | 26 ft | 2.77 |
| LW | 18% | 23 ft | 2.82 | |
| 25* | SW | 9% | 31 ft | 2.84 |
| LW | 8% | 27 ft | 3.06 |
Lob wedge out of bunkers
The Shot Scope information illustrates that lob wedges for greenside photographs (not within the bunker) just isn’t the proper selection.
We nonetheless have to have a look at bunkers.
Hitting out of a bunker is completely different, and the lob wedge’s extra loft is useful.
You’ll see within the desk beneath 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 Vary | Membership | Up & Down % | % Not Getting Out 1st Attempt | Avg. Proximity (ft) | Membership Utilization (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | SW | 27% | 5% | 19.9 | 27% |
| LW | 30% | 5% | 18.5 | 67% | |
| 11–15 | SW | 18% | 10% | 24.2 | 41% |
| LW | 18% | 9% | 24.1 | 48% | |
| 21–25 | SW | 12% | 14% | 28.2 | 50% |
| LW | 13% | 13% | 27.7 | 35% |
The underside line: When to make use of your lob wedge
This information signifies that retaining your short-game photographs decrease is extra helpful to your sport. Subsequently, the lob wedge with its larger loft just isn’t all the time the most effective membership to make use of.
The lob wedge can be utilized from the deep tough as the additional loft may help you escape. It’s additionally a great membership when you have little inexperienced to work with and should cease the ball shortly.
Nonetheless, when you possibly can maintain the ball somewhat decrease across the greens and use one thing like a spot wedge or perhaps a 9-iron, take that probability. You’ll save your self photographs.
Attempt the lob wedge from the bunker. Normally, it’s simpler than the sand wedge for beginner golfers. It’s the most effective use of your lob wedge so, if you’ll carry one, use it from the bunker.
The publish When To Use The Lob Wedge (And When to Keep away from It) appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
