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Every golf club is designed for a unique purpose. During a round of golf, you’ll face different obstacles. For each obstacle, you need a different club with distinct characteristics.
So, Which golf club hits the ball with the highest launch angle?
When you need the highest launch angle, which club do you use? The lob wedge is the short answer.
The wedge clubs have the highest launch angle and the highest loft. These are also the shortest clubs with the heaviest club heads. Loft wedges range from 56-60° and have a maximum range of 70-100 yards.
You would’ve probably heard of a 60° club that golfers commonly use to hit a high golf shot on a short range. It sounds and looks easy, like the entire game of golf, but there are a lot of technicalities behind it. First, let’s understand launch angles deeply.
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Does a Golf Launch Angle Matter?
Covering distance is not enough in golf. During a round of golf, you’ll face tons of obstacles. At times, the course will present an obstacle, and sometimes you’ll accidentally take yourself to an obstacle.
Golf obstacles are usually water hazards, trees, or sand bunkers. Whether they’re natural obstacles or man-made, you must face them.
The only sustainable way is facing them head-on and crossing your ball over them. You’ll need extra height on your ball or a higher launch angle to cross your ball over a lake or a hazard. For this reason, your launch angle matters.
To better define it, the launch angle is the angle at which your ball takes flight after impact. It’s measured in degrees and varies on your swing speed and primarily on the club, you’re using.
Pro Tip: The best launch angle for long distances is 45°. Now win the longest drive competition, please!
It’ll become increasingly difficult to face obstacles without understanding how to increase your launch angle, what club to use, and how to switch your swing. You’ll keep on losing some costly golf balls.
Once you do get the hang of manipulating launch angles to your benefit, you’ll be able to tailor your shot according to the course conditions.
So let’s learn more about the most crucial factor for a higher launch angle—your club loft.
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Overview of Golf Club Lofts
The angle between the ground and your club face is known as the loft. It’s also measured in degrees and is different for every golf club in your bag.
The loft primarily determines the distance the ball will travel with each shot, as long as you make a good impact, of course. The loft angle also affects the spin on your shot and its direction.
Golfers generally reach for a higher loft angle club when they need to hit shorter controlled distance shots with higher launch angles.
To make things easier: Use a higher loft angle club for higher launch angles and short distances.
Understanding the Relationships: Lofts, Launch Angles, & Distances
Golf is a complex sport. A lot of factors are interrelated with each other. Understanding these relationships can help you gain a competitive edge.
Let’s begin by understanding how loft affects launch angles.
Loft & Launch Angle (Directly Proportional)
Your club loft and launch angles are directly proportional to each other. This means that with a higher loft angle, you’ll achieve a higher launch angle.
So, if you’re looking for the highest launch angle, the trick is to go for the club with the highest loft.
That’s why golfers primarily use lob, sand, or pitching wedges near the green. These clubs have a higher loft, giving them a controlled high launch angle shot.
However, do note that a higher launch angle (near 70°) will make it increasingly difficult to control your ball.
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Loft & Distance (Inversely Proportional)
Golf is a lot of physics but let me try making it simpler. The loft is inversely proportional to the horizontal distance traveled by the ball.
The greater your club loft, the lesser the horizontal distance your ball will cover, and vice versa.
So, the driver has the lowest loft angle. And what’s a driver used for? Long-distance shots!
Fact: Higher loft angle clubs are easier to hit.
That’s why the 8-iron is one of the favorite clubs of many beginner golfers. It has less loft, which makes it easier to play. And it carries the ball far enough for you to make a par.
Launch Angle & Distance
Here’s where things get trickier and more physics pours in.
What you need to know is that the 45° is ideal for the longest distance shots. Your spin rate, smash factor, swing speed, and countless other things play a role here.
However, I did create a table that should help you understand everything we’ve talked about so far.
Note: The numbers mentioned in the table are PGA Tour averages. They may vary depending on multiple factors, such as your kit and performance.
| Relationships | |||
| Club | Loft | Distance Traveled (PGA Tour Average) | Launch Angle (Ideal) |
| Driver | 9° – 12.5° | 290 – 325 yards | 10.9° |
| 7 Iron | 34° – 35° | 170 – 215 yards | 15.3° |
| 8 Iron | 37° – 39° | 160 – 200 yards | 18.1° |
| 9 Iron | 41° – 42° | 148 – 185 yards | 20.4° |
| Pitching Wedge | 44° – 47° | 136 – 170 yards | 24.2° |
| Gap Wedge | 51° – 52° | 126 – 135 yards | 31.9° |
| Sand Wedge | 54° – 58° | 119 – 124 yards | 34.2° |
| Lob Wedge | 58° – 64° | 95 – 105 yards | 36.2° |
Important: Just because a combination works for someone does not mean it will work for you as well. To know which combination of loft and launch angle works ideally for you, you must experiment yourself.
Best Lob Wedge (60°)
Callaway Golf JAWS Full Toe Wedge
The Callaway Jaws Wedge is designed for maximum launch angles and a controlled shot. It’s our best wedge for a list of reasons.
A wedge is a spin machine with groove-in-groove technology. It gives you a confidence boost on every shot. Plus, it’s so beautiful with raw face chrome and black finishing that you just want to take it out every time you come close to the green.
| Pros | Cons |
| Outstanding spin | X Costly |
| Great feel | |
| High control | |
| Quality grooves |
“Great chipper and approach wedge. I needed a club for 30-50 yard approach shots. This is the answer. Excellent Callaway quality. Great for short chips and pitches.”
David, Callaway Jaws Wedge Amazon Reviews
Lob Wedge vs Sand Wedge
The main difference between the lob wedge vs the sand wedge is the loft. A lob wedge loft is 58 to 64 degrees and the sand wedge is 54 to 58 degrees.
Lob wedges are best used to make shots that rise in the air fast, which is why this club is known for having the highest launch angle. Both are able to be used in the sand trap.
While the sand wedge tends to be a more versatile or preferred club by average golfers, both are needed depending on the shot.
Final Thoughts on the Club With the Highest Launch Angle
The lob wedge is particularly designed to have the highest launch angle. A better understanding of how launch angles work will be useful for you at the golf course.
By using a lob wedge, you can maximize your launch angle and gain extra height when you face obstacles. No more running away from the water hazards!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Golf Club Is Designed To Hit the Ball With the Highest Launch Angle?
The short answer is the lob wedge. The loft on the lob wedge is 58° – 64°. Read the full article for a more in-depth understanding of how to hit a ball with the highest launch angle.
What is the Optimum Driver Launch Angle?
What you need to know is that the 45° is ideal for the longest distance shots. Your spin rate, smash factor, swing speed, and countless other things play a role here.
What is a Golf Launch Angle?
The launch angle is the angle at which your ball takes flight after impact. It’s measured in degrees and varies on your swing speed and primarily on the club, you’re using.
