When do you use a gap wedge?

Golfers use a gap wedge when they want to hit the ball higher but with a shorter trajectory than a pitching wedge, and lower but with a longer trajectory than a sand wedge. The club's name reflects its purpose: to fill in the gap between the pitching and sand wedges.

The gap wedge has a loft that falls between 50 and 54 degrees, whereas the pitching wedge's loft is about 45 degrees and the sand wedge's is between 54 and 58 degrees. The term "loft" in golf refers the angle of the face of the club, which controls trajectory and distance. The gap wedge is a specialized club, and golfers typically use it when they are close to the green.