Lob Wedge vs Sand Wedge: What You Need to Know

Having a high loft club in your bag like a lob wedge or sand wedge is incredibly important, it will help you around the greens as well as on full shots.

To summarize in short, high handicap players, ladies and beginners should only be using a sand wedge and it should be a game improvement model.

Mid handicap golfers should use a lob wedge and a sand wedge, the sand wedge should be game improvement, and depending on your preference the lob wedge can be more of a blade style.

Low handicap golfers should use both, and both should be in the blade style.

I am an experienced club builder, and have been in the golf industry for many years now. I worked as a PGA coach and was a rep for TaylorMade, in that time doing hundreds of lessons and fittings. I have come to learn what works and what doesn’t work for each level of golfer.

Let’s dive into some details of the lob wedge vs sand wedge debacle.

Understanding the Differences Between Lob and Sand Wedge

Other than the loft and the bounce these clubs are very much the same.

Lob wedge loft and bounce

• Loft ranges from 64 to 58 degrees loft
• Bounce ranges from 4 to 12 degrees

Sand wedge loft and bounce

• Loft ranges from 56 to 54 degrees loft
• Bounce ranges from 8 to 14 degrees

The lob wedge is mainly made in a blade style, this means it is less forgiving and not suitable for beginners, ladies and high handicap golfers.

The sand wedge is made in a blade style and game improvement style. This makes it ideal for all levels of golfers.

Both are made to be used out of the bunker, however I find the blade styles to be easier to use in the bunker as it doesn’t have as much bounce.

So, other than the loft and bounce, as well as the sand wedge being made in a game improvement style as well as a blade style, the lob wedge and sand wedge are essentially the same club.

When To Use A Lob Wedge vs A Sand Wedge?

Lob Wedge

• You should only hit your lob wedge at 80% power and less, this is because it is a very unforgiving club, and when hitting it full the margin for error is high.
• If you need more distance I would recommend hitting a soft or easy sand wedge, you will have much more control over the golf ball.
• The lob wedge should be used mainly around the green, this includes chipping pitching and flopping. It can be used from the bunker, rough and fairway
• It has the most loft out of all your clubs so it is very easy to get the ball high and land soft on the green, making it ideal to use to get over a hazard or bunker.
• Try to avoid using the lob wedge from tight lies on the fairway, especially if you are not the best chipper. Using a sand wedge or even a pitching wedge will be a much easier option (just remember the ball will roll out a lot more)

Sand Wedge

• Similar to the lob wedge, the sand wedge can be used from the bunker, rough and fairway.
• Try to avoid hitting it full, I recommend not to exceed 90% power.
• It has a lot of loft, so using it to get over bunkers and hazards is ideal.
• It is also great to use around the green making pitching, chipping and bunker shots easy.

Lob Wedge vs Sand Wedge – Who Should Use It?

Lob Wedge

I only recommend low and mid handicap golfers to use a lob wedge. It is just too unforgiving for beginners, ladies and high handicap golfers to use. You will be able to use a sand wedge just as well.

Sand Wedge

I recommend all players should have a sand wedge in their bag, it can be used in bunkers, around the greens, pitching and full shots.

Beginners, ladies and high handicap golfers should use a game improvement sand wedge, this is generally included in game improvement sets or can be purchased separately.

How Far Should You Hit A Lob Wedge vs A Sand Wedge?

Lob Wedge

High swing speeds – 100 to 80 yards

Mid swing speeds – 80 to 60 yards

Slow swing speeds – 60 to 40 yards

Sand Wedge

High swing speeds – 120 to 100 yards

Mid swing speeds – 100 to 80 yards

Slow swing speeds – 80 to 60 yards

Lob Wedge vs A Sand Wedge – Pros And Cons

Lob Wedge

Pros

• Gets the ball up easily
• Helps you get out of the bunker
• Generates lots of spin
• Easy to play the flop shot with

Cons

• It can be difficult to hit
• Having the right bounce is very important

Sand Wedge

Pros

• Gets the ball up easily
• Great for getting out of the bunker
• Generates lots of spin
• Easy to use around the green

Cons

• There are no real cons to having a sand wedge

Should I Get Fitted For A Lob Wedge Or Sand Wedge

The short answer is yes, the long answer, it depends on your ability on how in detail you should go.

As a beginner or high handicap golfer just having the right length, loft and style (blade or game improvement) can make a huge difference.

Going a step further, as a mid to low handicap golfer having the correct lie angle and bounce will help you cut your scores down dramatically.

The length, lie and bounce all influence the way the club interacts with the ground. If your club doesn’t suit the way you swing or chip, you could have the toe or heel digging into the ground, or thin or chunk the ball.

Wrapping it up

A lob wedge is definitely more suited to the lower handicap golfers, whereas the sand wedge can be used by any player.

Just make sure if you are a beginner, lady or high handicap golfer you use a game improvement model. This will give you much more forgiveness compared to a lob wedge..

Both clubs can be used around the green, and can both get the ball up in the air easily. Be careful when using a lob wedge from tight lies, the club can very easily dig into the ground, try using a club with more bounce and less loft.

All in all, both of these clubs are extremely important and should be included in your bag.