Best Degree Wedge to Chip With Around the Green

You may have noticed that golf wedges come in many different lofts. But which one is the right club for chip shots around the green to get the best results for your golf game?

Do you need a new wedge for greater control or are you just not utilizing your current wedges to their full potential?  Their are a variety of clubs to choose from when it comes to short game selection.

Tour players get their clubs for free and have unlimited choices.  Unfortunately the average player does not.  

Unfortunately, there is no “one” best option for chipping wedges that will take your short game from average to that of a tour player.

Each golf shot is different and may require a different loft in order to create a different result on the green. 

To answer this question in more detail, I am going to break down options of when you can use each style wedge so you can better understand which degree wedge to use and when on the golf course!

Average Golfer Vs High Handicap Golfers Vs Professional Golfers

Skill levels can greatly dictate what wedge to use the most on the course and how to use it.

For instance a professional golfer will have greater experience and skill in hitting a higher “flop shot” that goes a very short distance with a big swing, than a beginning golfer.

This type of higher shot is often hit with a higher-lofted wedge such as a 60-degree wedge (60 degrees of loft on the face) and is harder to hit than a shot played with a club with less loft that stays closer to the ground and rolls more than travels in the air.

Tour Pros like Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods have the ability to practice and play virtually ever day and are extremely skilled at the tougher chip shots and flop shots than the average player.

Here is a great video from the Top Speed Golf Youtube channel where they talk about when to use different wedges around the green all the way up to full shots with wedges.

Tip: I recommend if you have a few minutes to take a quick look at when to use different wedges around the green.

Pitching Wedge Loft

A pitching wedge has a loft of around 45-49 degrees and is usually included in a standard iron set. Here is when I think it is best to use a pitching wedge to chip with around the green: 

If your golf ball is just off the green by about 10 yards and the ground is relatively flat, try using a pitching wedge to keep the golf ball lower to the ground so it can run out towards the hole, especially for high handicappers.

Sand Wedge Vs. Lob Wedge

• A gap wedge has a loft around 50-54 degrees and is considered a lower lofted wedge.  A lower lofted club if you will when it comes to wedges.
• A sand wedge has a loft of about 54-57 degrees.
• A lob wedge has a loft of around 58-64 degrees.

Depending on if there are any hills or obstacles in your way, it might be best to use a sand wedge or lob wedge to pop the golf ball up into the air and land softly onto the green. Aka for pitch shots.

Also, if your golf ball is in the rough, I recommend using a sand wedge or lob wedge so that the club can slide underneath the ball and get you onto the green.  There are other variables here depending on how much of a full swing you have to take.

What About Putter?

Wait, this isn’t a wedge? I wanted to mention the putter because it is often overlooked when golfers are just off of the green.

Tip: The good news is that this is often the best choice If your golf ball is 3-5 yards off the green and there isn’t any long grass between you and the hole. I would recommend that you use a putting type stroke and putt towards the hole with a little extra power in the stroke.

The putter will keep the ball nice and low and will help minimize any possible mishits with a wedge

A bad shot with a putter off the green will often end up much closer to the hole than a bad shot with any wedge.

Best Wedges Loft For Chipping Around The Green

Eventually, after play golf for a while, you are going to find wedges that make you more confident around the green.  This holds true for both a better player or any level of amateur golfers.

Don’t discount the approach shots into the green with wedges as well.  Focus on distance here and you will give yourself the best chance of successful birdie and par chances without chipping at all.

Once you find a wedge you like, keep using it! 

For me, it is my 56-degree wedge. I can hit almost any type of shot that I want around the green with my 56 because I love the way the club feels.

My Tip: If you have the time, check out my article on my favorite golf wedges for beginners. I go into detail on my pick to best help beginning golfers around the green with a lot of focus on distance control.

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment down below on what your favorite wedge is to play with is!