It’s very common for golfers to think they need perfect yardage gaps between their tees. For example, raising wedge to 130, gap wedge to 115, sand wedge to 100, bare wedge to 85. Nice, regular, 15 meter increments. But that’s not how the wedge gap actually works.
Yours wedge configuration it should match your swing, course conditions and your actual shot patterns. Sometimes, simulator data that looks “wrong” is telling you exactly what you need to know.
Why simulator data matters for wedges
Carrying distance vs. total distance
Most golfers focus on total distance, i.e., where the ball ends up after landing and spinning. Simulators show carry distance, which is what really matters for approach shots. That 105-yard shot that goes to 115 on fairways alone bear 105. When you’re flying it to a peg, keep it’s your number.
Spin speed tells the real story
Two wedges can maintain similar distances, but one rotates at 7,500 rpm and the other at 9,500. That 2000rpm difference means one is controlled and the other is spinning again.
Consistency matters more than distance
A wedge that carries anywhere from 95 to 108 yards creates a spread of 13 yards. A killer with goals. The simulator shows you which wedges you actually check and which are taking up space in your bag.
The numbers you need to track
Focus on four specific data points when testing wedges in a simulator.
Keeping your distance
Hit 10 shots with each wedge in full swing. Throw out the best and the worst. On average the other eight. This is your shipping number.
Rotation speed
Continuous rotation is more important than maximum rotation. A wedge that rotates between 8,000 and 9,000 rpm is more useful than one that ranges from 7,000 to 10,000.
Descent angle
This is the most underrated number. A shot that lands at 45 degrees stops faster than one at 38 degrees, even with similar spin rates. If your wedge flies low and relies solely on spin to stop, it will be at odds with various green conditions.
Distribution model
The scatter plot shows where your shots fall. If your 60 degree wedge is spraying left and right while your 54 is tight, that tells you something.
What the simulator reveals about the evil gap
Simulators expose the same mistakes repeatedly.
Wedges too close together
Let’s say you hit your pitching wedge 130 yards, 50-degree 125, and 54-degree 120. You don’t need three wedges that cover a total of 10 yards. Better gap it would be 130, 115, 100.
The random gap problem
The opposite problem: wedges at 135, 118 and 95. That 17-yard gap between the top two is manageable. That 23-yard canyon between second and third? That’s where the results die.
Wrong bounce for your swing
The simulator detects whether you are catching thin or heavy wedges consistently. If your 56-degree with 14 degrees of bounce produces inconsistent contact while your 52 with eight degrees is clean every time, you may need less bounce across the board.
How to call in your configuration
Follow a systematic process when building your wedge setup.
Start with your marked clubs
Test your pitching wedge and your highest pitching wedge first. These are your reserves. If your PW carries 135 and the 60-degree carries 80, you have 55 yards to fill with a wedge or two.
Test different lofts and jumps
The simulator lets you try a 52, 54 and 56 back-to-back without buying all three. Hit 10 shots with each. Look at carry distance, spin and durability.
Make one change at a time
Don’t replace all your wedges at once. Change a wedge, get comfortable with it, and then look at the gaps above and below.
Limitations you need to understand
Simulators are great tools, but they’re not perfect for wedge work.
The simulator does not take into account your specific course conditions. Poa annua vs. bent grass, rain-softened greens vs. mature surfaces. A shot that rolls back into the simulator can be fired at your home course.
Temperature also matters. That 105-yard haul in a climate-controlled bay might be 100 yards on a cold morning. Simulators usually show shots from perfect lies. Your 58-degree may be ahead in the simulator, but useless from the tight lies on your course.
Making it work where it matters
The simulator gives you the data. The course tells you if this data matters.
Get your simulator numbers on the course and try them out. Does your 54-degree really carry 110 yards to that peg? Are your spin rates holding true on the greens?
Use the simulator to build your wedge setup, then use the course to refine it. The goal is not perfect data. It’s better results. If your wedge gap looks weird on paper but helps you get up and down more often, you have the right setup.
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