Golfers who don’t know how to use a lob wedge – or choose the wrong putt – often end up with poor scores. To find out if the lob wedge really deserves a place in your bag, we teamed up with Shot Scope to analyze performance data.
We compared bulb wedge approach shots, sand wedge performance versus ball wedge performance, and even looked at how the bulb wedge fares from the bunker. We’ve broken everything down by handicap, making it easier to apply the knowledge directly to your game.
Here’s all the information you need to know about when to use a lob wedge.
Approach shot with a lob wedge
This chart gives an overview of what you can expect with approach shots using a lob wedge. This would be more of a complete approach and, in general, “hitting the green” percentages are higher than average.
We see this because of the proximity to greenery. The closer you get, the easier it is to hit the green.
Note that, as handicaps increase, the lob wedge becomes less effective. If you can dial your wedge into the lob for full-swing approach shots, that’s great, but most players prefer a sand, gap, or wedge with a little less than a full swing to accomplish the same task.
The most important place to test the effectiveness of the lob wedge is in the short game. The highest club in your bag should be used around the green.
| Handicap | LW Green Hit % | LW Mid. Proximity (ft) | LW shots to finish | Highest Hitting Greens % Wedge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 72% | 38 ft | 2.95 | Lob Wedge |
| 5 | 56% | 55 ft | 3.20 | Gap Wedge |
| 10 | 50% | 56 ft | 3.33 | Lob Wedge |
| 15 | 37% | 60 ft | 3.45 | Gap Wedge |
| 20 | 27% | 65 ft | 3.90 | Sand Wedge |
| 25 | 22% | 73 ft | 3.98 | Sand Wedge |
Short game shooting. Sand wedge performance versus flat wedge performance by handicap
To see how effective the bulb wedge is, we compared it to the sand wedge.
The up-down percentages for the lob wedge (not from the bunker) are lower for handicap players. When you get to the higher handicappers, things tend to even out a bit, but, in general, the up and down percentages at these higher clubs are very low for the high handicappers.
interesting, handicappers also end up farther from the hole when using a lob wedge and require more hits to complete.
There is a lot more data to dive into on which clubs to use around the greens. However, we can see it as loft is added, golfers tend to have a harder time getting up and down.
A 20-handicap golfer gets up and down 34 percent of the time using a 9-iron and only 18 percent of the time using the lobe wedge. A 10-handicap goes up and down nearly 40 percent of the time using a gap wedge but only 13 percent with lobe wedge.
Sometimes, you need the loft of the lob wedge to help get the ball out of the thick force. It’s also good to help stop the ball quickly when short-sided. The bottom line is that any chance you get to get the lowest club around the green, take it.
| Handicap | Club | % up and down | Average Proximity (ft) | Shots to finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | JP | 43% | 13 ft | 2.50 |
| LW | 43% | 13 ft | 2.48 | |
| 5 | JP | 34% | 20 ft | 2.53 |
| LW | 22% | 24 ft | 2.72 | |
| 10 | JP | 23% | 19 feet | 2.69 |
| LW | 13% | 25 ft | 2.81 | |
| 15 | JP | 17% | 25 ft | 2.82 |
| LW | 21% | 23 ft | 2.63 | |
| 20* | JP | 18% | 26 ft | 2.77 |
| LW | 18% | 23 ft | 2.82 | |
| 25* | JP | 9% | 31 ft | 2.84 |
| LW | 8% | 27 ft | 3.06 |
Wedge lob from bunkers
The Range data illustrates that plateau wedges for greenside (non-bunker) shots are not the perfect solution.
We still have to see the bunkers.
Coming out of a bunker is different, and the extra loft of the lob wedge is useful.
You will see in the chart below that the lob wedge is the best club to use out of the bunker. Players with lower handicaps are using the lob wedge from the bunker. They get up and down more often and bring the ball closer to the hole.
If you haven’t used your wedge from a bunker yet, it’s time to start doing so.
| Handicap range | Club | % up and down | % First Test will not appear | Average Proximity (ft) | Club Usage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | JP | 27% | 5% | 19.9 | 27% |
| LW | 30% | 5% | 18.5 | 67% | |
| 11–15 | JP | 18% | 10% | 24.2 | 41% |
| LW | 18% | 9% | 24.1 | 48% | |
| 21–25 | JP | 12% | 14% | 28.2 | 50% |
| LW | 13% | 13% | 27.7 | 35% |
Conclusion: When to use your lobe wedge
This data shows that holding shots lower in the short game is more beneficial to your game. Therefore, the higher lofted lob wedge is not always the best club to use.
The lob wedge can be used from rough depth as the extra loft can help you escape. It’s also a good club if you have a few greens to work with and need to stop the ball quickly.
However, when you can keep the ball a little lower around the greens and use something like a wedge iron or even a 9 iron, take that chance. You will save yourself shots.
Try the lob wedge from the bunker. In most cases, it is more effective than the sand wedge for amateur players. It’s the best use of your lob wedge, so if you’re going to carry one, use it from the bunker.
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