Dialing in your distance from 125 yards and in is vital to the success of a golfer.
One of the key questions golfers need to answer is whether they should select a 50 or 52 degree wedge.
All golfers should consider the 14 clubs they are carrying and chart out the loft and distance of every club in their golf bag with the goal of having manageable gaps between each club and more specifically their wedges.
Should you use a 50 or 52 degree wedge?
If you need 4 or 5 wedges, chances are you should certainly have a gap wedge (50 or 52). Whether it is a 50 or 52 will come down to the loft of your other wedges and the distance you carry your wedges.
Here is a breakdown to consider how many wedges you will carry, which can help you pick the 50 or 52.
Related: 56 vs 60 Degree Wedge
How many wedges should I carry?
Most golfers will carry 3, 4 or 5 wedges and of various lofts. Balancing out the 14 clubs in your bag depends on your strength and weaknesses with both the wedges and the longer shots in your bag.
For example, I carry the following wedges (Titleist AP1’s 714)
- P = 44 degree
- PW = 48 degree
- SW = 54 degree
- LW = 60 degree
Reason: One of my strengths is the ability to flight wedges and hit shots of various distance with a 6 degree gap in my pitching wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge. I can hit the 70% sand wedge with comfort, confidence and precision.
Related: Average Wedge Distance
The rest of my bag includes a 4 through 9 iron, driver, 3 wood, 2 utility iron and a putter.
If I were to carry only a driver and 3 wood and remove the 2 utility iron, I could reshape my bag to the following:
- P = 44 degree
- PW = 48 degree
- GW = 52 degree
- SW = 56 degree
- LW = 60 degree
Key questions golfers can ask when considering number of wedges vs fairway woods/hybrids/utility irons:
- Can I hit quality 70%, 80% and 90% shots with my wedges, if there is a 6 degree gap?
- If you can’t, you will need more wedges.
- Do I need multiple hybrids for longer par 3s or approach shots?
- If you do, you will need to carry less wedges.
Below are different wedges combinations you can carry:
3 Wedges
- 48 degree
- 54 degree
- 60 degree
4 Wedges
- 48 degree
- 52 degree
- 56 degree
- 60 degree
5 wedges
- 46 degree
- 50 degree
- 54 degree
- 58 degree
- 60+ degree
We decided to dive in and look at golfers who play at 3 different levels (low, mid and high handicap golfer) and test out different wedge setups to provide more insight.
50 vs 52 Degree Wedge: Results
Goal: Chart out distances and then ask the specific questions to help golfers make the best decision for the clubs in their bag.
Process: We had golfers who play at 3 different levels (low, mid and high handicap golfer, chart their wedge game with the 50 vs 52 at different percentages. Each golfer hit 5 shots at different percentages and we eliminated major outliers. The goal is to get the average of well struck shot at that percentage.
52 Degree Wedge: 5 Shot Average at Different Percent Swings
| Golfer | 100% | 90% | 80% |
| Low Handicap | 110 Yards | 100 yards | 89 Yards |
| Mid Handicap | 95 Yards | 85 Yards | 75 Yards |
| High Handicap | 93 Yards | 82 Yards | 72 Yards |
50 Degree Wedge: 5 Shot Average at Different Percent Swings
| Golfer | 100% | 90% | 80% |
| Low Handicap | 114 Yards | 103 yards | 64 Yards |
| Mid Handicap | 98 Yards | 87 Yards | 79 Yards |
| High Handicap | 96 Yards | 86 Yards | 77 Yards |
Follow Up Questions:
- Rating 1-5: Confidence level hitting 80% wedge shots.
- Rating 1-5: Confidence hitting shots from 175 and more into greens.
- Rating 1-5: Confidence level hitting shots different heights with wedges.
| Golfer | Question 1 | Question 2 | Question 3 |
| Low Handicap | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Mid Handicap | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| High Handicap | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Final Results:
- Low Handicap: This golfer will carry a 48, 54, and 60
- Mid Handicap: This golfer will carry a 48, 52, 56 and 60
- High Handicap: This golfer will carry a 46, 50, 54 and 58
Related: 58 vs 60 Degree Wedge
What is a 50 degree wedge used for?
A 50 degree wedge is used to close the gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. Many times the distance gap between the pitching and sand wedge can give the amateur golfer troubles on the course. If the golfer lacks the ability to hit 50-80% distance shots with their wedges, they typically will need a 50 or 52 degree gap wedge.
The 50 degree wedge can also be used around the green for chip shots and pitch shots. It is the wedge some golfer will use when they want to hit a lower chip or pitch shot, but still have some height it.
Related: What is a gap wedge?
What is a 52 degree wedge used for?
A 52 degree wedge is used to close the gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. Many times the distance gap between the pitching and sand wedge can give the amateur golfer troubles on the course. If the golfer lacks the ability to hit 50-80% distance shots with their wedges, they typically will need a 50 or 52 degree gap wedge.
The 52, much like the 50, can also be used around the green for chip and pitch shots. It also can result in a lower flying shot when there is more green to work with and less loft is needed compared to the 56 or 60 degree wedges.
Related: How far do pro golfers hit each club?
How far should you hit a 50 degree wedge?
The 50 degree wedge should carry between 96 and 118 yards. The average carry distance will be around 107 yards.
| Golf Club | Low Handicap | Mid Handicap | High Handicap |
| Pitching Wedge | 124 | 119 | 111 |
| Gap Wedge | 118 | 107 | 96 |
| Sand Wedge | 109 | 95 | 83 |
| Low Wedge | 97 | 82 | 70 |
How far should you hit a 52 degree wedge?
The 50 degree wedge should carry between 92 and 114yards. The average carry distance will be around 107 yards.
Difference between 50 and 52 degree wedge?
Most golfers will experience around a 5 yard difference between the two wedges. With only a 2 degree difference, the slight carry distance might not be noticeable unless the golfer is using a launch monitor to measure.
Ultimately, golfers should chart out their entire golf bag to identify any major gaps in yardage that could be holding them back.
50 vs 52 Degree Wedge: Final Thoughts
If you are serious about taking your game to the next level, I would recommend mapping out your entire bag to ensure there aren’t major gaps in distances.
Related: Old wedges vs New wedges: Time for new ones?
An example of this mapping out process produces a chart such as this:
| Club | 100% | 90% | 80% |
| 2 Utility Iron | 210 | ||
| 4 iron | 190 | ||
| 5 iron | 181 | ||
| 6 iron | 171 | ||
| 7 iron | 163 | ||
| 8 iron | 153 | ||
| 9 iron | 143 | ||
| P Club | 130 | 123 | 115 |
| Pitching Wedge | 118 | 110 | 102 |
| SW Club | 105 | 97 | 91 |
| LW Club | 90 | 82 | 74 |
