By the TC Golf Center Editorial Team ยท Updated
A gap wedge is usually 50 to 52 degrees, and the full range runs from about 48 to 54 degrees. The right number for you depends on your pitching wedge. A gap wedge should have 4 to 6 degrees more loft than your pitching wedge and 4 to 6 degrees less than your sand wedge.
There is no official standard. Manufacturers choose their own lofts, and those lofts have changed over time. That is why one golfer's gap wedge is 48 degrees and another's is 52.
What Degree Is a Gap Wedge Compared to Other Wedges?
The gap wedge sits between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. The chart below shows common lofts and approximate full-swing distances for a mid-handicap golfer. Your own distances depend on swing speed and strike quality.
| Wedge | Common Loft | Approximate Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Pitching wedge (PW) | 44 to 48 degrees | 100 to 130 yards |
| Gap wedge (GW or AW) | 50 to 52 degrees | 80 to 110 yards |
| Sand wedge (SW) | 54 to 56 degrees | 70 to 90 yards |
| Lob wedge (LW) | 58 to 62 degrees | 40 to 70 yards |
Some game-improvement pitching wedges are now stronger than this chart, at 42 or 43 degrees. The gap wedges sold with those sets are stronger too, often 47 to 49 degrees. For the full breakdown with bounce angles, see our wedge loft and distance chart.
What Is a Gap Wedge?
A gap wedge is the club that fills the distance gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. It is used mostly for full and three-quarter approach shots that are too short for a pitching wedge and too long for a sand wedge. It also works for longer chips and pitches that need some roll.
The club exists because pitching wedge lofts got stronger. Manufacturers lowered iron lofts to add distance, and the pitching wedge moved from around 50 degrees to around 46 degrees or less. Sand wedges stayed at about 54 to 56 degrees. That left a hole of up to 10 degrees and roughly 30 yards. Purpose-built gap wedges began to appear in the 1990s to fill it.
For a direct comparison of the two clubs, see pitching wedge vs gap wedge. For the whole family, see our guide to the types of golf wedges.
Is an Approach Wedge the Same as a Gap Wedge?
Yes. Approach wedge, attack wedge, utility wedge, and gap wedge are different names for the same club. The letter stamped on the sole depends on the brand.
| Stamp | Name | Brands That Use It |
|---|---|---|
| A or AW | Approach wedge or attack wedge | TaylorMade, Callaway |
| G or GW | Gap wedge | Cobra, Mizuno |
| U or UW | Utility wedge | Ping |
| W | Gap wedge | Titleist iron sets |
Specialty wedges sold on their own usually skip the letter and show the loft number, such as 50 or 52.
What Loft Is the Gap Wedge in Popular Iron Sets?
The lofts below come from the published specs for four recent iron sets. They show how much the number changes from one set to the next.
| Iron Set | Type | Pitching Wedge | Gap Wedge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titleist T100 | Players | 46 degrees | 50 degrees (W) |
| TaylorMade Qi | Game improvement | 43 degrees | 49 degrees (AW) |
| Callaway Elyte | Game improvement | 42 degrees | 47 degrees (AW) |
| Ping G440 | Game improvement | 42 degrees | 47 degrees (UW) |
Players irons tend to keep the pitching wedge near 46 degrees. Game-improvement irons are often 42 to 44 degrees. If you play a strong-lofted set, a 52 degree gap wedge may leave too big a jump from your pitching wedge.
What Gap Wedge Loft Should You Choose?
Start with the loft of your pitching wedge. It is listed on the manufacturer's spec page for your iron set. Then add 4 to 6 degrees. Titleist's Vokey wedge fitting guidance uses that same 4 to 6 degree spacing and says it produces gaps of about 10 to 15 yards between wedges.
| Your Pitching Wedge Loft | Gap Wedge Loft to Choose |
|---|---|
| 42 degrees | 46 to 48 degrees |
| 43 degrees | 48 degrees |
| 44 degrees | 48 to 50 degrees |
| 45 degrees | 50 degrees |
| 46 degrees | 50 to 52 degrees |
| 47 degrees | 52 degrees |
| 48 degrees | 52 to 54 degrees |
Then check the other side. Your gap wedge should also sit 4 to 6 degrees below your sand wedge. Three common setups:
- 43 degree pitching wedge: 48, 52, and 58 degrees.
- 45 or 46 degree pitching wedge: 50, 54, and 58 degrees.
- 47 or 48 degree pitching wedge: 52, 56, and 60 degrees.
If your pitching wedge is 42 or 43 degrees and your sand wedge is 56, one gap wedge cannot cover the space evenly. Many golfers with strong-lofted sets carry two wedges in that space, such as a 48 and a 52. Our guide to golf wedge degrees covers gapping across the full set.
Is a 52 Degree Wedge a Gap Wedge?
Yes. A 52 degree wedge is one of the two most common gap wedge lofts, along with 50 degrees. It fits best with a pitching wedge of 46 to 48 degrees and a sand wedge of 56 degrees.
A 48 degree wedge can be a gap wedge or a pitching wedge, depending on the set. In a set with a 43 degree pitching wedge, 48 is the gap wedge. In an older or players set, 48 may be the pitching wedge itself. A 54 degree wedge is usually treated as a sand wedge, but it can serve as the gap wedge between a 48 degree pitching wedge and a 60 degree lob wedge.
How Far Should You Hit a Gap Wedge?
Most amateur golfers carry a gap wedge somewhere between 80 and 110 yards on a full swing. Shot Scope data published by MyGolfSpy puts the average carry with a wedge of about 50 degrees at 126 yards for scratch golfers, 104 yards for 15 handicaps, and 79 yards for 25 handicaps. The same data shows a gap of about 15 yards between the pitching wedge and the gap wedge for most players.
The useful number is your own. Hit ten full shots with your pitching wedge, gap wedge, and sand wedge on a range or launch monitor and write down the average carry for each. If the gap wedge lands about halfway between the other two, the loft is right. If it sits much closer to one of them, the loft is off by a couple of degrees.
Should You Use the Set Gap Wedge or Buy a Specialty Wedge?
Either works. The gap wedge that matches your iron set has the same look, shaft, and forgiveness as your irons, and its loft is already spaced from the pitching wedge. That suits golfers who hit the club mostly with full swings.
A specialty wedge gives you more choice of loft, bounce, and sole shape, which helps if you also use the club for chips and pitches around the green. Bounce affects how the club moves through turf, so check it before you buy. See wedge bounce explained for how to match bounce to your swing and course. If you are shopping, see our best gap wedges guide.
The Bottom Line
A gap wedge is usually 50 to 52 degrees, and anything from about 48 to 54 degrees can fill the role. Find your pitching wedge loft, add 4 to 6 degrees, and make sure the result also sits 4 to 6 degrees below your sand wedge. Then confirm the yardage gaps on the range.