In this article I explain how manufacturers had started the ‘shrinking loft’ approach to selling longer hitting irons to gullible golfers in the 1970’s. For those of you that started out playing golf in the 70’s or before, hitting a 3-iron was tough but manageable and nobody needed a ‘Gap Wedge’. Well look at the comparative table below and you’ll notice some interesting points:
The two points worth noting are that the 3-Iron you hit today is actually a 2-Iron in the 1970’s (now you know why it is so hard to hit) and even the 5-Iron of today has less loft than a 4-Iron of the 1970’s. Now you can understand the emergence of the ‘Hybrid’.
Then at the other end of the spectrum, the Pitching Wedge we are using today was almost an 8-Iron in the 1970’s.
The Gap Wedge is the modern solution to the fact that with this de-lofting we are left with 9 or 10 degrees between the Sand Wedge and the Pitching Wedge (in the 70’s it was only 4 degrees).
I am sure that you can see now why I recommend the use of a Gap Wedge. There’s nothing fancy at all. It fulfills the same function that a Pitching Wedge was always supposed to deliver - 70 yards and looking for a comfortable club to get close enough for a birdie, par or even great save.
Visit your local PGA Golf Professional for expert advice on all aspects of golf. Your local Pro will be friendly and helpful and could be your ultimate game improvement tool.
James Langmead PGA Qualified Golf Professional and former Callaway Club fitter of the year http://www.thegolfshoponline.co.uk
Source: www.articlecity.com