What's the purpose of an approach wedge ?

Silly question but I noticed that most golf irons come with 5 to Pw but some come with a SW and AW. So what's an AW and when on course would you use ?

In the past, a pitching wedge used to be 49degrees of loft.
But recently due to the competitive nature of manufacturers boasting distance gains.
The PW cn commonly be found to be 45degrees.

This creates a huge gap of 10degree btw a PW n a SW. Thus the GW is born.

Its usually used to help wif "gap" distances btw PW n SW. 50-100m etc. But if u have a good short game. U cn use ur PW to the same effect by choking down or shortening the swing
U do not need to have a GW

Distance control. It's for the gap in distance between your PW and SW. I carry a PW, AW, SW and LW... and I still suck... so perhaps I need a CW (cangkul wedge) instead.

Thank you so much for the answers. It helps me alot for better understanding.

DLWL wrote:

... U can use ur PW to the same effect by choking down or shortening the swing
U do not need to have a GW

That's absolutely correct!

Technospaz wrote:

Distance control. It's for the gap in distance between your PW and SW. I carry a PW, AW, SW and LW... and I still suck... so perhaps I need a CW (cangkul wedge) instead.

TS, mine is a HW - Handwedge..... slightly more accurate...

so the question rises, if you are only allowed 14 clubs in the bag, what clubs would you carry and is there a really a need for a AW in the bag ?

Driver
3W
3H
4H
5i
6i
7i
8i
9i
PW
52*W
56*W
64*W
Putter

Virtualsaturn wrote:

so the question rises, if you are only allowed 14 clubs in the bag, what clubs would you carry and is there a really a need for a AW in the bag ?

Virtualsaturn wrote:

so the question rises, if you are only allowed 14 clubs in the bag, what clubs would you carry and is there a really a need for a AW in the bag ?

1. Driver
2. 5W (or 3W)
3. 3H
4. 4H
5. 5H (or 5i)
6. 6i
7. 7i
8. 8i
9. 9i.
10. PW
11. AW
12. SW
13. LW
14. Putter

That's a perfect answer and a great help to many beginners. Many thanks Technospaz.

Oh and many thanks too bogeyman72. Help and advice much appreciated.

I need consistant accuracy when further from the green and consistant distance when nearing the pin. So it makes sense to pack clubs which can be consistently hit with reliable results which personally for myself is far from 14 clubs.

blee wrote:

Technospaz wrote:

Distance control. It's for the gap in distance between your PW and SW. I carry a PW, AW, SW and LW... and I still suck... so perhaps I need a CW (cangkul wedge) instead.

TS, mine is a HW - Handwedge..... slightly more accurate...

I believe the HW is only approved for use in the MBGC bunkers. .

bogeyman72 wrote:

52*W
56*W
64*W
Putter

Wah bro, 64 deg wedge is rare here in Sg ya ... Is it a Titty or Callie? Actually 62 deg wedge is also available but I rarely see people using it too ... most use up to 60 deg ...

Titleist..... bought from USA.... same one that PM uses.....

Turbo wrote:

bogeyman72 wrote:

52*W
56*W
64*W
Putter

Wah bro, 64 deg wedge is rare here in Sg ya ... Is it a Titty or Callie? Actually 62 deg wedge is also available but I rarely see people using it too ... most use up to 60 deg ...

EastCoastHack wrote:

blee wrote:

Technospaz wrote:

Distance control. It's for the gap in distance between your PW and SW. I carry a PW, AW, SW and LW... and I still suck... so perhaps I need a CW (cangkul wedge) instead.

TS, mine is a HW - Handwedge..... slightly more accurate...

I believe the HW is only approved for use in the MBGC bunkers. .

Seeing how I play recently, I'd ask that it be approved for use in any bunker... or any course for that matter.

Turbo wrote:

bogeyman72 wrote:

52*W
56*W
64*W
Putter

Wah bro, 64 deg wedge is rare here in Sg ya ... Is it a Titty or Callie? Actually 62 deg wedge is also available but I rarely see people using it too ... most use up to 60 deg ...

I've seen a 70° wedge in play.

bogeyman72 wrote:

Titleist..... bought from USA.... same one that PM uses.....

Turbo wrote:

bogeyman72 wrote:

52*W
56*W
64*W
Putter

Wah bro, 64 deg wedge is rare here in Sg ya ... Is it a Titty or Callie? Actually 62 deg wedge is also available but I rarely see people using it too ... most use up to 60 deg ...

Bro, Phil is using Callie wedges ...

kamen wrote:

I've seen a 70° wedge in play.

Le zhun boh, bro? Wat brane?

Turbo wrote:

kamen wrote:

I've seen a 70° wedge in play.

Le zhu boh, bro? Wat brane?

Haha I had the same reaction! It's by Jack Nicklaus bro.

Check it out here

Filling the distance gap of the Pitching wedge. Some even add the lob wedge for the same purpose.-my 2cents.

Technospaz wrote:

Check it out here

Pops the ball up like a rocket!